And I say this as a fan of their groceries ... has anyone else experienced the, uh, extremely intimate new grocery aisles? When they expanded across the front of their building, I was excited about the upcoming changes. However, now that they've completed the big rearrangement, I am puzzled. Even the spouse, who rarely notices retail issues like impeded traffic flow, poor placement of merchandise, etc. was appalled.
Wine bottles stored wa-a-a-y overhead (like 7 feet in the air) on thin wire shelving ... weird wooden produce bins, tiny but just big enough to block the aisle containing tomato sauces and pizza ingredients ... checkout lanes now sitting sideways, across the traffic flow.
Most aisles are only wide enough for one shopper at a time -- that is, if someone is standing looking at merchandise, whether they have a cart or not, anyone else turning into the aisle has to back up to get out of the way until the first customer is finished browsing the entire length of the aisle. I wonder if there is appropriate access for anyone in a wheelchair or walker. Sofo's, what happened?
Agreed. They need to blow it up and start over. Good products, horrible execution.
Love the store. I drive from Maumee to shop there. I could spend an hour just shopping around. Not sure what the hate is?
Sorry, I'll lighten up. I love the Portuguese rolls and the new pretzel buns, and I get Italian specialty items (panetonne, etc) for holiday presents every year.
The deli area has always been busy, with customers standing 3 deep sometimes waiting for the fresh sausages and sliced meats. In the new layout, I would really hate to be anywhere in that store at a busy time. There would be complete gridlock in the aisles, and I can't help but envision some unsteady patron (or wiggly child) bringing the whole wine section crashing down onto people's heads. I'm pretty sure there are safety rules about not stacking up heavy, breakable items 7 feet overhead in a public space -- where patrons are expected to grab their own bottles of "Sky Wine" and pull them down.
I used to enjoy browsing in there, looking at the hundreds of unique items too. I should probably try to time my next visit so I won't be clogging the aisles for everyone else while I shop.
I think there may be others who would dislike the new Sofo's experience and never go back ... which would be a pity, because they just redesigned the store!
I thought there was one of these posts awhile ago on here and I agree.
I have no idea who designed the remodel, but it is horrible. Could someone please explain that why for the exit they have lights hanging down, but go right against the ceiling of the little exit room?
It is a horrible design and remodel.
Wow, this is really disappointing. I always thought that the Sofo Family were smart business people and this sounds like they were ripped off! There are definitely ordinances regarding how close things can be to the ceiling ect. This sounds like a hot mess! Can you imagine how nutz it will be around the holidays??
"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded." --- Yogi Berra
I like the new store quite a bit
"Agreed. They need to blow it up and start over. Good products, horrible execution."
Best. Laugh. Of. The. Day.
Thanks, HickoryG. After a positively sucky day, this was the moment I needed to keep me from sticking my head in the oven.
Not really, but still funny.
I went there twice when I first moved to town and was pretty disappointed with their selection. Reading that people like it makes me want to give it another try.