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| Today's Feature Article |
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Fred's Corner January 15, 2010 By Fred Cicco
Competition
is really the great equalizer. I think it is a wonderful tool for
business. Just look what’s happening around town. Grocery stores are
going nuts, restaurants are springing up and dropping like flies. It
makes everyone better and the consumer are the winners.
I love what’s happening to the grocery stores. Wiseway really
wants to be a super store. Costas is looking great and Town &
Country is greatly improved. I grew up around
Wiseway and it’s still my favorite store. The new version is really
going to be something. The management of that store seems to always be
trying to improve and really seem to have the customers interests at
heart.
Costas is close to my house and it makes it really convenient to
use that store. Management here is also sensitive to their customers and
it shows in the employees attitude. The new design looks clean and
attractive.
Town & Country greatly improved their selection in all
departments. The increased floor space has made them a force in all
departments. My only problem is that since I’m basically lazy I don’t
really like to bag my own groceries and I like having them carried out
to the car.
Competition all so reared it’s ugly head and caused a couple of
restaurants to close. Pizza King is gone and also one of my favorite
stromboli sandwiches. Chaps closed last month and I felt bad because my
not really being a steak eater might have contributed to it’s demise.
New places in town include a second Greeks pizza by Shorewood. If
you guys remember that is my favorite pizza in town. Now with a second
location 8 miles closer to Merrillville, I can get pizza faster and eat
in the car on the way home instead of having to wait.
My wife was pleased to see that the White Castle opened at the
new Amoco station owned by Welsch oil. I was raised on the notion that
you could only eat these between 12 midnight and 6 a.m.. I didn’t even
know that they were open during the day because the only time I ever ate
them were in the dead of night. I sure paid for that later if you know
what I mean. They don’t call them sliders for nothing.
Sole just opened close to my house. I have not had a chance to go
there. The restaurant is owned by the same gentleman that owns Miller
Bakery Café and they have a wonderful reputation. It is located in the
building that used to house Northern Harvest Bread Co., I hope that they
continue to do well.
A few years ago competition in Merrillville caused us to remodel
our men's store. It really did help business and I think people really
appreciate a new and clean environment. Many customers made the comment
about enjoying shopping in a new and remodeled store. I think that these
grocery stores are going to be happy with the changes that they are
making. Of course that only goes so far and then your employees and
products have to carry you the rest of the way and keep your customers
coming back.
One of the best displays of competition came a few years ago on a
Hawaiian vacation. On the island of Oahu, the city of Honolulu is loaded
with restaurants. You can get coupons for reduced dinners, lunches or
breakfasts. On Kauai, with not as much population, breakfast was about
25 dollars per person. Just not as many places to choose from.
Las Vegas is a prime example of competition at work. All those
casinos need to find inducement after inducement to get you in their
doors. I know I have certainly let them seduce me. It’s one of my
favorite places on earth. Well I think you folks have figured out that
I’m not a country boy, I like the city where there is plenty of
competition to choose from.
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