Big Doing in a Small Town

It’s been a HUGE week here in the Redneckville, Arkansas Metroplex kids. We have a whole new grocery shopping experience in town. That’s right, an Aldi’s has opened up.  And, let me tell ya, that place is full of bargain processed food goodness. 

And the crowds came out in droves. They travelled far and wide as the news spread throughout the region through newspapers, the magic box that music and news comes out of and word-of-mouth.  People came into town from as far away as Nail and Swain to see what new fangled items of value the fancy building might hold. 

And OH what deals they have. Frozen pizzas for .99 cents? A box of Crunch Raisin Bran Cereal for only $1.99? A box of novelty ice cream treats for only $2.49? And Vienna Sausages for only a measly .39 cents a can? MY GOD MAN! These prices can’t be real! Why, they’re below Walmart prices. I must be dreaming. 

And apparently I wasn’t the only one. People were piling their carts high with reasonably priced food of questionable origin like they were getting ready for Y2K all over again.  So, I decided to strike a conversation with a few of ‘em. You know, just small talk like “big crowds, huh?” Or “Wow, they have some great prices!”

“My only regret is that we didn’t bring my old ’72 Ford Country Squire Wagon!” said one man. “We can only put so much into my wife’s TIE-YOTA.  But, we’re stocking up on some of the non-perishables. Not sure how long they’ll have these prices. I’m bettin’ ya these are just the ‘suck ‘em in’ prices.” 

Another person, a sweet young lady with blond hair and dazzling blue eyes who looked to be about 21 was stocking up on goodies. “My seven year old really shouldn’t be eating this stuff. But, I can sneak it into the house and hide it and bring it out little by little.  Everyone was saying this place was going to change my life, and I think they’re RIGHT!”

I’m tellin ya guys, it was a pretty festive atmosphere. Despite the crowds and downright freaking craziness in the parking lot, people were in a good mood and pleasant. The local radio station was doing a live remote and giving away tickets to see Larry the Cable Guy up in Branson.  There were children laughing lovers dreaming. And there were street performers and even a man in an Uncle Sam costume walking around on stilts. And of course clowns making balloon animals for the kids.

As for me, I thought it was alright. I can definitely save some money there. Pretty much everything I get at Walmart I can get at Aldi for the same price or less. And the crowds are certainly no worse than Walmart. So, the prospects of not having to go to Walmart every week make me very happy. 

But, they don’t sell beer and wine. What’s up with that?

Jayman
jayman3768@gmail.com
www.twitter.com/jayman_iws