Years ago when I was residing on Flores Street in West Hollywood, I was so spoiled when it came to shopping for groceries and household goods.
Just a hop-and-a-skip away, Mayfair Market beckoned with fresh fruit and vegetables at reasonable cost, a wide selection of name products on the shelves satisfied the most discerning palate, and cheerful cashiers greeted customers with a smile.
Unfortunately, Mayfair Market closed-up-shop one fine day - at which point - Gelson's muscled in on the local scene.
On occasion, when I shopped at Gelson's over the years, it was mostly an unpleasant experience.
So, I started to pick up life's nutritional necessities at Ralph's, Pavilions, wherever.
Now and then, I pop into Gelson's at Flores & Santa Monica to give them a second chance, but due to poor management and the bad attitude of the grocery clerks, Gelson's has basically gone-to-hell in a hand-basket.
For instance, the 2nd last time I sauntered in to the nicely-painted outlet in WeHo, I spied a rotund security guard (female?) - with the face of a blinking night owl - staring each customer up-and-down with disdain as they waltzed through the door.
At one point when I queried the queer-looking uniformed employee about the whereabouts of shampoo - she half-turned and stabbed the air gruffly with a stubby finger - to signal the aisle where the hair products were shelved.
She didn't utter one word!
Yup, all the personality of a worm.
Talk about scraping the barrel for staff to "man" the store!
In one aisle, when a customer's path was blocked by stock boys chatting each other up, it was necessary for the miffed shopper to pointedly interrupt with a curt "excuse me" before they parted and allowed the disgruntled woman through.
No respect for the paying customers, either!
When I noticed that the inexperienced employees left single-servers of ice cream unattended to melt in carts as they slowly hauled their sorry a**es around the store, frankly, I was aghast.
Obviously, these wet-behind-the-ears grunts were uneducated about the health hazards that could conceivably arise when frozen product was carelessly left to melt - then refreeze again - without proper inspection.
By the way, the rip-off prices at Gelson's are not only mind-boggling, but underscore the grocer's insatiable greed!
For example, a small container of rice pudding that may be snapped up at Ralph's or Pavilions for 99 cents, is marked up to a staggering $2.39 (approximate).
I've also noticed that cookies and cereal on the shelves at Gelson's - on average - are at least a dollar-or-two more costly than elsewhere in the vicinity of WeHo.
To their detriment, Gelson's also doesn't appear to care much about monitoring the freshness of their product.
Customers have to point out an item has spoiled before it is removed from the shelf.
For instance, when I plucked up an orange from a product display case one day, the bottom half of the fruit was all moldy!
And, bread products leave a lot to be desired, too.
Since I have a fondness for fresh bread, on occasion I trotted to the bin where the rolls were stocked - only to determine under close inspection (and a surreptitious squeeze or two) - that their buns were stale (or at least a day old).
The asking price for a rock-hard roll?
79 cents a piece ( I kid you not).
In contrast, bread-lovers may be pleased to know that at Ralph's and Pavilions the same kind of roll - fresh out of the oven daily - may be purchased for the bargain-price of 59 cents.
And, don't even entertain the thought of satisfying your sweet tooth with a pastry or high-calorie doughnut at the uppity grocery outlet.
That purchase will throw your budget off-kilter for a week!
In addition to the rip-off prices, stale food on the shelves, and careless stocking procedures at Gelson's (which may cause a touch of food poisoning, for starters), the inappropriate conduct of one of the Managers at Gelson's is a bit disconcerting, too.
For example, one night as I strode up to the cashier to pay for my groceries, the gooky-looking oddball schlepped up to one of the display cases (where gum and tabloid newspapers are cleverly-arranged to grab the attention of impulse-buyers last-minute) and "acted" like he was tabulating items on the shelf.
But, on a couple of occasions when I glanced in his direction (he was almost breathing down my neck at one point) I caught him glancing suggestively at the chest and crotch areas of the body.
Just as I was about to inform him I wasn't interested in his unwanted sexual advances, the cashier proceeded to ring up my items, so I let the matter drop.
Creepy!
Last night, I also noticed that when two young males approached a line that was relatively busy - quick-as-a-wink - he strode over and ushered the cozy twosome to a cash register previously closed.
Meanwhile, shoppers ahead in the line were left waiting!
Yup.
The old letch uses his position as manager to get his rocks off, at the expense of the rights of other shoppers, who were entitled to their just due.
Although Gelson's has a freshly-paved parking lot that may appeal to some, I recommend that in view of the foregoing trouble-spots , discerning shoppers with higher expectations drive on.
Oscar winner Bette Davis once quipped:
"I had to go back to work because someone had to pay for the groceries."
Since Ms. Davis once resided in a penthouse In West Hollywood just shy of Crescent Heights and Fountain Street, it is wholly conceivable she was referring to Gelson's!
Bristol Farms a shopper's option!
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