grocery store

[RCmomma]

I just got home from another irritating trip to the grocery store in Rockwall. I am using this forum to vent my frustration with our grocery store problem in RC. I am tired of having to drive to Rockwall for groceries! I'm tired of dealing with the traffic and over-crowding of Walmart in Rockwall because of all the people going there from RC to do their shopping! When will we take care of our town and have our own store??

[Squirrell]

Write the grocery store chains and ask them. No one around believes any answers posted on here.

[store owner]

Good Luck. By the time you buy the overpriced land and building cost no one around here could afford the groc prices. Land is over priced in Royse City. Maybe the big boys will come one day however no way until rooftop count gets a lot bigger.

[RC Lover]

I too just came from Rockwall, shopping at Krogers. Is it busy, was traffic bad? A little. But not enough for me to wish for a grocery store here in town. Why? I dont want the traffic and I would still be dealing with the crowds because everybody here in Royse City would be there lol. Besides, I like getting out of town every once in a while. Excited about the Tom Thumb coming on FM 552 and 205. No freeway traffic, only country roads to get there. I love my little town. It's not that I dont wish for it to grow, mainly downtown to have antique stores, specialty shops etc to spend the day there. But to have a Rockwall or McKinney out here? No thank you.
P.S. Don't anyone think for a minute that our EDC hasn't worked hard at inticing bigger chains to move out here. I know for a fact he has. My own mother worked for a company who puts in all the walmarts, chilis and shopping centers. She worked there over 15 years and it was during her first year when they just started making plans for the walmart and shopping center in Forney. It not only takes years of planning, but economic insight to see if a/p will reap positive a/r. With us between two larger cities for convenience of shopping is something they take into consideration. We have grown substantially within the past few years, but our growth factor has slowed down tremendously. Economy has not only hit our families, but the bigger chain developers as well.

[RCmomma]

I don't want another Frisco or Mckinney either, having a grocery store will not turn it into that! I've heard all the reasons why...but at the end of the day it's extremely frustrating for us "regular folk". I'm venting about it, what else can I do?

[rcbob]

If a Wal Mart comes it will start to grow. Everyone eemss to want too buildd nextt to them. I personally do not mind the drive. And when I do not want to deal with traffic I drive to Greenville a little further but not as crowded on most days.

[RC Fisherman]

I would be all for a smaller type of grocery store in town just like the small stoe in Caddo Mills. We are not asking fo alot, just someplace convient to get the basics for quick dinner or if you need bacon on a Saturday morning at decent prices. I am not expecting Wal-Mart selection or prices. The meat market downtown has some of the basics but I can't go in there without spending $30 for a basic meal.

[Bobby]

RCmomma wrote:

I just got home from another irritating trip to the grocery store in Rockwall. I am using this forum to vent my frustration with our grocery store problem in RC. I am tired of having to drive to Rockwall for groceries! I'm tired of dealing with the traffic and over-crowding of Walmart in Rockwall because of all the people going there from RC to do their shopping! When will we take care of our town and have our own store??

I noticed they are breaking ground in Rowlett for yet another grocery store called Aldi's. Six stores are within one mile radious of each other. LMAO!

Rowlett has the following grocery stores:

1. Target
2. Walmart
3. Tom Thumb
4. Albertsons
5. Kroger
6. Walmart Neighborhood market

And our local city government says we cant get a grocery store because there is too much competition with Greenville and Rockwall while we shop in gas stations and dollars stores. They defeated mentality continues without and plan in place.
LMAO CITY HALL EDC !!!

[Squirrell]

And what would that plan be ole mighty one? If they say no how does the current defeated mentality change their mind to suit you? Please enlighten us with your great knowledge.

[DPD]

The grocery in Caddo isn't much to write home about. I mentioned on another thread here today the idea of a grocery or food CO-OP. Hair-brained idea or not, they have been done with some success in the past, although I’m certainly no expert on co-operative enterprise.

The idea is kind of like this:
I’m going to Sam's Club twice a week, let's say. I’m getting the bulk packaged items - more than the amount I really want. SAMPLE I will get 48 rolls of toilet paper, but I need only 12. Three other people sign up to buy 12 rolls, each.
I will pick up 6 gallons of milk...I want only two, so I find among the members, enough orders for the other four gallons. It could be done by shopping lists emailed online. If there are not enough people wanting what I need, then I won't get those things at Sam's on that run. Maybe somebody else will be going to another Costco and can get the items I'm needing...etc.

There would be co-op memberships (enrollment fee) to get the ball rolling...some central pickup point must be agreed upon and there are some needs - refrigerator, storage, shelving, etc.

Volunteers (members) would have to be enlisted to distribute. With enough volunteer/members, it might be minimal time involved (who doesn't spend a few hours shopping at distant locations, anyway?).

Mileage for those doing the shopping runs would be allocated. It would all be registered as a not-for-profit until such time as profit status might be declared, and maybe the members could convert to “owners”(anything wrong with that?)

Hopefully there is someone among us who has the legal expertise to figure this out . The logistics of ordering and supplying are the same for any co-op or distributorship, so it shouldn’t be a matter of reinventing the wheel.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

[DPD]

Maybe somebody else will be going to another Costco and can get the items I'm needing...etc.

I meant to write... "another store, like Costco"...

[Crazy Horse]

DPD wrote:

Maybe somebody else will be going to another Costco and can get the items I'm needing...etc.
I meant to write... "another store, like Costco"...

Have you been in Amway before? You are descibing the basic concept of how Amway works. I am not saying your idea will not work, just that it is out there. I am definetly not recomending joining them either. I know people who have devoted tons of time and money to Amway and never made diddly!

[DPD]

Wonders never cease - CH. I agree with you about something - the potential of earnings through Amway. That’s not what I'm talking about. Amway (not their name any more) is a FOR PROFIT, multi-level marketing method. They deliver directly to their customers nowadays. They are largely web based.

A co-op is a "horse" of a different color, and hopefully not a crazy one. A co-op consists of a group of people banded together to accomplish group purchasing, whether for the lower prices or for the convenience of local availability - things I seem to recall being mentioned when others are talking about the lack of a local grocer.
Many of us shop at the discounters for basics, since Wal-Mart doesn't really get into the fine cuisine biz. Some other grocers do that pretty well.("Cuisine" is fancy lingo for over-priced food, CH, just in case that's a new one for you - kidding!!!)

A co-op isn't a "business" in the sense of "how to get rich without working", which you may see related to some multi-level promotions. In essence, it's a convenience only, at least to the members who don't do the shopping runs. It gets nobody involved rich, which means it can be operated as a "not-for-profit". Amway operates for profit, at least to the top level distributors.

I'm not campaigning for this co-op idea. I don't really want to run it either, since I figure it will be problematic when the less committed members decide to skip their turns at the shopping and distribution chores. It’s a possible option which, to my knowledge had not been suggested previously. We are talking about options here. If someone wants to jump on it, fine. I’ll join and serve as a member. CH, I wouldn’t want to exclude you. You could sweep and mop.

[HOA President]

DPD wrote:

Wonders never cease - CH. I agree with you about something - the potential of earnings through Amway. That’s not what I'm talking about. Amway (not their name any more) is a FOR PROFIT, multi-level marketing method. They deliver directly to their customers nowadays. They are largely web based.
A co-op is a "horse" of a different color, and hopefully not a crazy one. A co-op consists of a group of people banded together to accomplish group purchasing, whether for the lower prices or for the convenience of local availability - things I seem to recall being mentioned when others are talking about the lack of a local grocer.
Many of us shop at the discounters for basics, since Wal-Mart doesn't really get into the fine cuisine biz. Some other grocers do that pretty well.("Cuisine" is fancy lingo for over-priced food, CH, just in case that's a new one for you - kidding!!!)
A co-op isn't a "business" in the sense of "how to get rich without working", which you may see related to some multi-level promotions. In essence, it's a convenience only, at least to the members who don't do the shopping runs. It gets nobody involved rich, which means it can be operated as a "not-for-profit". Amway operates for profit, at least to the top level distributors.
I'm not campaigning for this co-op idea. I don't really want to run it either, since I figure it will be problematic when the less committed members decide to skip their turns at the shopping and distribution chores. It’s a possible option which, to my knowledge had not been suggested previously. We are talking about options here. If someone wants to jump on it, fine. I’ll join and serve as a member. CH, I wouldn’t want to exclude you. You could sweep and mop.

I'm building a marketing pyramid company and need sales people.

[DPD]

Gee, let me think....should I join you in your enterprise? Wellll....nope. Actually HOA, you seem more civil tonight - and you are obviously joking. I should apologize for trying to shred you when we tangled. I suspect you aren't a villain and I treated you like one (although there might have been some cause!) I'm willing to call it even and see if maybe we can't move forward with constructive discussion...you? Okay, now about your pyramid...I've sworn off MLM schemes, but I haven't your pitch yet. How much am I guaranteed to make because I'm getting in on one of the VERY first levels...???

[Frank]

DPD wrote:

The grocery in Caddo isn't much to write home about. I mentioned on another thread here today the idea of a grocery or food CO-OP. Hair-brained idea or not, they have been done with some success in the past, although I’m certainly no expert on co-operative enterprise.
The idea is kind of like this:
I’m going to Sam's Club twice a week, let's say. I’m getting the bulk packaged items - more than the amount I really want. SAMPLE I will get 48 rolls of toilet paper, but I need only 12. Three other people sign up to buy 12 rolls, each.
I will pick up 6 gallons of milk...I want only two, so I find among the members, enough orders for the other four gallons. It could be done by shopping lists emailed online. If there are not enough people wanting what I need, then I won't get those things at Sam's on that run. Maybe somebody else will be going to another Costco and can get the items I'm needing...etc.
There would be co-op memberships (enrollment fee) to get the ball rolling...some central pickup point must be agreed upon and there are some needs - refrigerator, storage, shelving, etc.
Volunteers (members) would have to be enlisted to distribute. With enough volunteer/members, it might be minimal time involved (who doesn't spend a few hours shopping at distant locations, anyway?).
Mileage for those doing the shopping runs would be allocated. It would all be registered as a not-for-profit until such time as profit status might be declared, and maybe the members could convert to “owners”(anything wrong with that?)
Hopefully there is someone among us who has the legal expertise to figure this out . The logistics of ordering and supplying are the same for any co-op or distributorship, so it shouldn’t be a matter of reinventing the wheel.
Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

We have a grocery store if you forget, its the "Helping Hands". This is about the best you can ever wish for with the people we have running this city.

[DPD]

FRANK! Hadn't heard from you in a while. Thought maybe you were mad at someone in RC and refusing to come out and play. I see I was wrong (not my first time). You were just saving your best punch for the city, as usual. Maybe the city people really heard you that time. Let me see now...Helping Hands is a thrift shop. They have nothing whatsoever to do with groceries...um...Frank,I see who you don't like, but I don't follow what you are saying about a grocery store.

[LMH]

Actually, you don't have to do the actual shopping if you start a co-op. Co-op's are great because some of the same distributors are willing to give you the same deals they give to grocery chains. Why? BULK! With a Co-op, you need to have a good amount of people committed to purchasing their groceries through the co-op. The more people you have = the more buying power you have = lower prices for food. The prices you would pay are in DIRECT relation to the amount you buy, and of course the amount you buy is in direct relation to the number of people in your co-op. There are a great number of co-ops throughout the United States. If anyone is interested in starting a co-op, let me know. I've never started one before but I'm willing to do the research, if someone is willing to help .... if there was a co-op in Royse City, I wonder how many people would actually join?

[DPD]

LMH wrote:

Actually, you don't have to do the actual shopping if you start a co-op. Co-op's are great because some of the same distributors are willing to give you the same deals they give to grocery chains. Why? BULK! With a Co-op, you need to have a good amount of people committed to purchasing their groceries through the co-op. The more people you have = the more buying power you have = lower prices for food. The prices you would pay are in DIRECT relation to the amount you buy, and of course the amount you buy is in direct relation to the number of people in your co-op. There are a great number of co-ops throughout the United States. If anyone is interested in starting a co-op, let me know. I've never started one before but I'm willing to do the research, if someone is willing to help .... if there was a co-op in Royse City, I wonder how many people would actually join?

Sorry I missed your post before, LMH. So far, you are the only person in Royse City besides me who seems able to understand or show interest in a co-op as a possible solution. There have been some strange responses, as you can see, but primarily by those who will not (or cannot) understand what they read. When asked about apples, they perceive and complain about oranges. I find this to be true on just about every thread, which is frustrating. To be fair, there are quite a few intelligent, responsible people around here, but they don't seem fired up about this project. Thank you for your willingness to consider the idea, but without more support than I see here, I wouldn't recommend much time spent researching it. On my poll regarding city council meetings, fully half the respondents said they would rather complain on this forum than attend city council meetings where they might actually be heard. Utter defeatism

[LMH]

NO defeatism, DPD! Don't give up! I wish there was a way to PM you, because I'd love to discuss this further!