Woodbury Ralph's - going down fast?

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irvinesinglemom_IHB

irvinesinglemom_IHB

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So I took my son this morning at about 10am, and was shocked at how empty the place was. Isn't Sunday morning prime grocery shopping time? We walked through the empty aisles, and I grabbed some whole wheat bread. Didn't think to look closely at it until I got home. Covered in bread mold. Ewww. Also, noticed much of their expensive, "Evolution" pre-cut and washed fruit was marked off to $0.99 (down from like 5 or 6 bucks) as was much of the bagged salad greens. They only had three checkouts open; one express and two regulars. I unloaded all my stuff onto the conveyor and then the cashier told me her register had crashed and I needed to move to another line. So they moved me into the express line. I figured I'd get glared at but no one else was around to even notice!
 
The new Lowe's in Tustin Legacy was just sad the other evening. Perfectly new store, fully stocked shelves, maybe ten customers total.
 
<p>I was at the new Ralphs last night... really empty. I just ran in to get a few things, and thought I would pick up some fruit while I was there... The peaches were ok, so were the apples, but they had a big display of cherries... and as you mentioned regarding the bread... they were moldy. Needless to say I didn't buy any! But I think all should REALLY look at the fresh food closely since they have not had the traffic required to move that much food! </p>

<p>I also can not believe how much they are staffed up! I have never had to wait in line any time I have been there. The manager mentioned that the store is really waiting until all the property in Woodbury, Woodbury East and the property across from the center is developed.</p>
 
<p>Honestly Ralphs is bad no matter where you go. You would think they could get ordering products down by now. If next week it is on sale order more because it will sell. Duh! But they don't. I do more and more of my shopping at TJs.</p>

<p>As for Lowes in Tustin Legacy I think it will pick up once it is easier to get in and out of there. Right now it is a PITA.</p>
 
<p>I also do majority of my shopping at TJ's, probably about 90%... but there are always a few things you need to run to the grocery store, Target or Costco for. Unfortunately TJ's doesn't carry everything! TJ's usually has quite a line, and I think has more customers at any given time compared to Ralphs.</p>

<p>I also spend less at TJ's, which is helpful in saving for repurchasing a house in the coming years! </p>

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<p>I have been asking many of the stores in Woodbury how business has been, they have all said that it's slow, and they are really looking toward these "events" the center has been hosting to build up the clientele.</p>

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We went to the WB TJ's tonight, around prime shopping time. There were plenty of people there, but it was nowhere near as crowded as the Culver or Tustin locations. We were in and out faster than I would have expected.
 
I was in the Ralph's in Costa Mesa on 17th today and ALL the registers went down. The cart was full so we waited with about 50 other carts/people for the self scan registers that were working. Finally when we made it to the front of the line all of the checkstands came back online and it was every woman/man/cart for themselves to find a new line...like musical chairs. Meanwhile the Ralphs in Newport on 17th/Irvine had to close down because of the same problem.
 
for easier access to Tustin legacy, take the warner exit off jamboree.. it leads you right to the back part of Costco.. the Barranca/Jamboree junction is a zoo right now with all the construction..
 
yeah you have to be careful of the "manager special" items. you have to inspect them carefully because they are usually expired or about to expire. i happen to like that empty ralphs... no crowds, no lines... also love those 10% off and $5 off coupons in the mail!
 
Good thing about supermarkets, we got plenty of them across Irvine. So if you don't like Ralphs, you can always go to Albertons, Ranch 99, Gelsons, etc.





Gelsons is more expensive, but I rarely have bad experience with them, plus their deli section is pretty good. For Costa Mesa, I'd go to Mitsuwa or Marukai. Food court at Mitsuwa has a good ramen place.





I wish they'd open a Bristol Farms in Irvine. =/
 
<p>Just went to the Ralph this evening to pick up Yogurt for my kids. Noticed that many of the Yogurt has expired on Aug 4th, but still sitting on the shelf. </p>

<p>I also chatted with the guys working at the meat / seafood department. They told me their business is about 1/3 of an established Ralph. I was also told the Vons not too far away is closing in five weeks. I don't even know there is a Vons in the area. </p>

<p>I will continue to go to that Ralph since i like the store, and would like to support their business. I would hate to see them fold. </p>

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<em>I was also told the Vons not too far away is closing in five weeks. I don't even know there is a Vons in the area.</em>





That's the one off Irvine & Yale. It's closing because they are opening a Pavilions at the Orchard Hills center.
 
Interesting.. What's going to take the place of that Vons? That shopping center (Irvine & Yale) isn't owned by The Irvine Company right?
 
According to a somewhat recent article in the OC Register, there has been no announcement of a replacement. And you are correct, the center is not owned by TIC.
 
I live across the street from the vons. That is the anchor store of the shopping center. If the Vons goes that shopping center is going to die.
 
A 3rd Ranch 99 is planned for the... Diamond Plaza under construction on Jamboree (down the street from the Buddhist Temple)? I don't think Ranch 99 is going to open store #4 where Vons was.





We could use a non-Ranch 99 or Korean supermarket in Irvine to compete against the Ranch 99 and Fresia market on pricing though.
 
<p>Henry's , or Bristol farm sound a lot better then Ranch 99 market ( two already in Irvine within miles), or a Korean market ( usually dirty, and brings down the center). </p>
 
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