The New Bryn Mawr Acme
I have shopped at the Acme my whole life. My mother used to take me to the store on Bala Avenue, at Montgomery. It's now a BMW place.
I shopped at the Narberth Acme until the Bala Cynwyd Acme opened and I still shop there. I'm a firm believer in geography shopping.
Anyway, I had to be in Bryn Mawr on Monday afternoon and decided to take part in the grand opening hoopla.
Construction on Penn Road did not help. Drivers were inching their way around the parking lot, looking for an available space. We finally found one, parked, and were making our way across the lot into the store when a speedy racer zoomed into a parking place and almost knocked us down as he ran by us to go shopping. He beat us and we saw him almost immediately when he was checking out, with a bouquet of flowers. We wondered if he had forgotten a birthday, or an anniversary, or if he was just an incurable romantic.
We walked around the store and I do mean around. There are very few straight line aisles that do not end up in dead ends.
The store was well stocked with comestibles (one of my new favorite words) and the pleasant employees knew the merchandise and the layout.
I didn't need much and was able to get the whole wheat spaghetti pasta and the large 2.5 gallon Hefty zipper bags. Then we had to check out. The supermarket planners made a huge mistake. All 6 of the check out lanes were open with long lines. the 2 checkout yourself areas were also crowded but with 3 stations on each side, those lines moved faster.
What could the planners have been thinking? If the customer can't buy his purchases in a reasonable time, he'll leave them at the store. I have sometimes left a full cart behind. If the customer can't find the items he wants, he'll leave the store. I have done that too.
The store is clean, bright, well stocked and with aisles that are barely two carts wide. I can't emphasize enough how dumb it is to have only 6 check out lanes for this very large store. I have been in smaller stores, much smaller in fact, with more, many more, check out lanes.
Barbara HInkle
8:33 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A woman most likely did not play a part in the design of the store.
Selma Davis
6:24 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The designers must have thought that no one would notice.
Walter Ebmeyer
7:52 am on Friday, June 8, 2012
There are six check-outs, but wait until the hoopla is over and only half of them are staffed. Welcome to Acme.
Danielle Vickery
4:01 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
I agree about the aisles. I went shopping there on Wednesday evening and had about 10 items, but the "15 items or fewer" check-out line was longer than any of the normal lines (which were all open) so I just used another one. I didn't wait long at all, but I guess it will be interesting, Walter, to see if that changes.
Gail Shister
2:11 pm on Saturday, June 9, 2012
Please have Singles Night at the new Acme. The Radnor hotel and other trendy spots are passe. I want to meet a nice person here on the mainline who shares the joy of foods I crave!!!
A Bennett
7:13 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
You might meet more at P&P
new MOM
4:08 pm on Sunday, January 27, 2013
Gail????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Over 55
1:55 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
They do not hire folks over 55. DO NOT shop Acme!!!
Bryn Mawr Shopper
3:23 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Food Trade News June 2012 issue, says Bryn Mawr Acme is overpriced and Acme President is incompetent.
Selma Davis
8:16 am on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
We shopped again at the Bryn Mawr Acme yesterday. Somebody did something because, although the aisles are still narrow and the rows dead end, check out was uneventful; one could even say smooth. There was a bagger. Edgar asked her what her position was and did she go around to the new stores to make sure that things would run smoothly. She said yes. We wondered why there was a storewide improvement. Somebody must have taken the Food Trade News article to heart. in the store.
Acme workers
4:58 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Please vote for BH Obama
Bob Lipstein
3:57 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
The Bryn Mawr Acme is for sale according to Supervalu Website. All Acmes are expected to close or be sold because of lackluster sales and incompetent management. Weis Markets, Sunbury,has expressed an interest in the Bryn Mawr Acme according to MainLine Times.
Selma Davis
5:13 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
I went to the Bala Cynwyd Acme today and spoke to several Acme employees about the Supervalu threat to sell all the Acme's. "That's a worst case scenario" said one of the employees. And two others agreed that everything that's within the Supervalu portfolio is for sale, and they are shopping for the best offer.
I remember the "old" Acme's and how well run they were. Of course, that's when the original owners, the Edens, were in charge. Then Acme's were sold to Albertsons and the "suits" took out whatever money they could, let some of the stores run down, and then sold out to Supervalu which continued the "take the money and run" attitude. What a shame. I hope it's not the demise of this grand old grocery store.
Soon-to-be-fired Acme store director
4:42 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Dear Selma, WE ARE GOING OUT BUSINESS. I have been told that Weis wants Bala, Narberth and Bryn Mawr. To hell with Craig Herkert, SV boss, who has us overcharge the public with inferior product.
Don Ciotti
8:13 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Bottom Dollar is opening in former Food Source location in Bryn Mawr
Don Ciotti
8:14 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
We are cheaper than Weis and Walmart
Don Ciotti
8:15 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Although, not as cheap as ShopRite
Don Ciotti
8:16 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Ms, Davis is welcome at Bottom Dollar, your wealth goes farther at BD
new MOM
4:11 pm on Sunday, January 27, 2013
Sandwichman, it ain't goin to happen after Chalfont and North Wales
Robinson Crawford
12:14 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Supervalu was just sold to Cerberus, and all Acme Markets will be liquidated through auction of stores leases (Philly.Com)
ShopRite is BEST
3:35 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
If no one wants the new Acme on Penn Road, I will buy it, and sell quality food there for a change. Bryn Mawr deserves better!! Personally, we shop at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXCENSOREDXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Walter Ebmeyer
4:24 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
What has happened to the idea of a farmers' market in the old Borders store? Is that going to happen? When?
Jeff Metzler
2:00 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
"It makes a difference where you shop." Walter, Selma and all the other good folks of Bryn Mawr, you deserve ShopRite. I have one near me, which has great product, priced very competitvely,, and owned locally by American families. The savings which I receive from SR is enough to pay my maid.
Acme inferior
1:15 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
WARNING: Now that it is all but certain that Acme will liquidate all real estate, be very careful about product. Execs might cut corners and put inferior product in stores.
David Godman
2:18 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Might I become your leasing agent, please?