My View of Life on the Dock
(author’s note: Signs of the times updated as I add signs to the original 3/25/2020 post, most recent at top. Gloucester, Mass.)
3/28/2020
Jeff’s Variety “Because of Limited Staff” signs
3/27/2020
MBTA crew disinfecting train station stop, Gloucester, Mass.
George’s Coffee Shop of Gloucester corner of Washington and Centennial sign- Take Out Available (978)281-1910
Wolf Hill sign – Closed Stay Healthy & Safe!
Continue reading “Signs of the times”
Cadets from the Junior ROTC program at Gloucester High School volunteer for 3 hour shifts at Shaw’s on Eastern Avenue.
While I’m not proud of waiting until near to the last minute….it was only because I knew that I could score some really nice, fresh flowers on Easter morning by stopping at Shaw’s.
There are absolutely some local florists that I love and when looking for something really special I always head to one of them. That having been said, when looking for a simple bouquet, I always have great luck at Shaw’s. I really do.
So, on Easter morning…actually like 12:00/noon time….I stopped by, selected three different bunches of flowers, and asked the really nice young girl working the flower counter to make two arrangements by combining them.
It took all of five minutes and, if you ask me, they were perfect. To quote her, the little bouquets were “simple and sophisticated.” And, they were. When packaged in classic brown paper and a simple little ribbon they were totally charming.
Total cost for both: $24. I left totally wishing I had made a 3rd so I could bring one home to my own house….but, then realized the puppy would have eaten it anyway.
GloucesterCast Taped 4/27/2013 with Host Joey Ciaramitaro an Guest Bill O’Connor
Click to listen- 
GloucesterCast Taped 4/27/2013 with Host Joey Ciaramitaro an Guest Bill O’Connor
Topics Include: North Shore Kid, Schooner Ardelle,Maritime Gloucester, Cape Ann Museum, Flynn Beach or Oakes Cove Beach, Local Gas Prices, Market Basket vs Shaws and Stop and Shop, Seaport Grille, Appleton Farm CSA, Composting,
I’ve wanted to do this for a long time. Real world comparison of staple items that I always buy and have on hand. The 5 items were selected ahead of time, not knowing what the prices would be at all three places and without prejudice as to what I thought might be cheaper at one store or another.
The 5 items are Granny Smith Apples, Chobani Yogurt, Store Brand Almonds, Store Brand Plain Soy Milk, Store Brand Peanut Butter.
Round 1: Chobani Yogurt-
Stop and Shop $4.99
Market Basket $4.99
Shaws $6.49
Round 2: Granny Smith Apples
Stop and Shop $1.69 Lb
Market Basket .99 Lb
Shaws $1.17 Lb
Round 3: 40 Oz Store Brand Peanut Butter
Stop and Shop $5.19
Market Basket $4.99
Shaws $5.69
Round 4: Almonds Store Brand
Stop and Shop $8.98 Lb (On Sale) Normally $9.98 Lb
Market Basket $5.05 Lb
Shaws $10.87 Lb
Round 5: Plain Soy Milk Store Brand
Stop and Shop $2.79
Market Basket $2.50
Shaws $3.49
Again remember I did not pre-scout these items to select things that would have outrageous price differences but picked them before I entered the first stop.
My guess that Market Basket was most often much cheaper was confirmed and confirmed by a mile.
If you bought one unit of each of these items at each of these stores your total would be
Stop and Shop $23.64
Market Basket $18.52
Shaws $27.71
The difference of $9.19 more money for the five items at Shaws over Market Basket is ASTOUNDING. That is nearly 50% more money. It would cost you 27% more to purchase the same items at Stop and Shop over Market Basket.
I don’t know about you but when the banks pay you what amounts to negative returns on your money after fees, 27% or 49% savings on your money is HUGE!
This took a while to compile and label each image, I hope it helps you make informed decisions on where to shop.
To clarify, prices for one pint, or 16 ounces, of Hood Heavy Cream are as follows:
Market Basket Hood Heavy Cream – $2.19
Stop and Shop Hood Heavy Cream – $2.39
Shaws Hood Heavy Cream – $3.69
I did not have time this morning to compare the individual store’s in-house brands of cream however, when I was passing through the produce department at Market Basket, their price of a box of the brand Darling Clementines caught my eye. Currently, as of today, the price of Darling Clementines is 2.00 higher at Market Basket than at Stop and Shop. When I ran into Stop and Shop the day before Christmas to purchase heavy cream and Clementines my total came to Hood 16 oz. heavy cream, 2.39 + Darling Clementines, 3.99 = $6.38. If I had run into Market Basket for the exact same items the cost would have been Hood 16 0z. heavy cream, 2.19 + Darling Clementines, 5.99 = 8.18. Total savings to our household by shopping at Stop and Shop = $1.80.
I find both Stop and Shop and Market Baskets prices competitive and that we all have the potential to benefit from competition between the two markets.
Yesterday while picking up cream for our holiday pies I was reminded of Joey’s post from several weeks ago, “Can this tiny thing of heavy cream really cost $3.69???,” where he pointed out the ridiculous cost of the 16 ounce Hood heavy cream from Shaws, priced at $3.69. GMG reader Jenna commented that the Market Basket price was $2.99. Yesterday, the 16 ounce container of heavy cream at Stop and Shop was $2.39. I am glad to see these more competitive prices from both Stop and Shop and Market Basket. For the grocery items I purchase for my family, Stop and Shop’s prices are consistently the least expensive of the three chains.
| Votes | |
|---|---|
| Market Basket |
48%
|
| More than one store |
28%
|
| Stop and Shop |
10%
|
| None of the above |
8%
|
| Shaw’s |
6%
|
With Market Basket opening Wednesday morning at 7am, the grocery price wars will be beneficial to all of us. Shaw’s and Stop and Shop have some great deals this week. I think I’ll be shopping the sales. How about you? Will you be heading for MB or checking out the flyers for the best prices?
These cool decorated grocery bags were at Shaw’s today thanks to kids who celebrated Earth Day yesterday!
I can’t believe how bad Market Basket is spanking our supermarkets’ asses. This place was jammed! I counted 15 check out lanes with their lights on and at least 3 people deep. when was the last time you saw that at one of our local super markets?
The fact that they don’t allow a Market Basket at The Drive-In location is like having an additional tax to our local residents. You easily save 25-30% on your groceries not to mention gas money if you had a Market Basket in Gloucester.
Market Basket 15 Check Out Lines Packed, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
Good Morning Gloucester 