The little store down the street is doing some renovating. They took out
the 30 year old freezer case that kept going on the blink and are replacing
it with a smaller new glass-front freezer case. The owner asked me to
suggest some items to stock it with. He knows he'll have to stock some of
the typical junk food stuff - frozen pizzas, burritos, pot pies, etc.

But he asked me to suggest things that are more healthy, too. My first
thought, of course, is frozen veggies. Broccoli florets, spinach, brussels
sprouts, corn, sliced yellow squash. I've also thought of those frozen pie
shells (for those of us who love quiche but can't make a crust worth a darn)
and maybe some of the Rich's frozen bread dough (thaw, rise, bake). How
about flash-frozen chicken breast halves like you can buy at Sam's or
Costco?

If you could help a small store merchant stock a medium-size freezer case,
what would you want?

Jill

aem wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
>> But he asked me to suggest things that are more healthy, too.
>> .....[snip] If you could help a small store merchant stock a
>> medium-size freezer case, what would you want?
>>
> The strength of the small neighborhood place is that it can, with
> effort, cater to its regular customers. He needs to ask numerous
> people for suggestions, and perhaps he already has. Then, stock as
> wide a variety of things as possible and keep close tabs on what moves
> and what doesn't. Keep replacing the stuff that doesn't sell well
> with
> new choices. Eventually, he'll have a good cross section meeting the
> neighborhood needs. The mega chain markets keep inexorably moving out
> the national brand and specialty brand stuff, replacing them with
> their
> own (usually inferior) store brands. It would be great if a
> neighborhood market could do the opposite. -aem

Oh, I'm sure he's asking other regular customers, too. Most people would
classify this as a "convenience store". But unlike most modern day
convenience stores, there are no gas pumps. He stocks fresh vegetables in
season and not in huge quantities, so they don't go bad before the veggies
move.

They also have a hot breakfast and lunch buffet and a deli sandwich section
which they plan to expand upon in the next few months. There are three
booths where you can sit and eat what you bought from the buffet. He's
going to take those out and replace them with regular round tables & chairs
and expand the eating area.

Considering this is the southern U.S. I'm sure the suggestions would be
different coming from different parts of the country. A lot of their
"regular" customers are simply Mexican construction workers who come in to
buy breakfast or lunch; they aren't likely to be shopping from this freezer
case.

I'm trying to come up with a generic list of frozen items that would appeal
to many to help the man out. (He and his wife are Nigerian, by the way.)

Jill

jmcquown wrote:
> The little store down the street is doing some renovating. They took out
> the 30 year old freezer case that kept going on the blink and are replacing
> it with a smaller new glass-front freezer case. The owner asked me to
> suggest some items to stock it with. He knows he'll have to stock some of
> the typical junk food stuff - frozen pizzas, burritos, pot pies, etc.
>
> But he asked me to suggest things that are more healthy, too. My first
> thought, of course, is frozen veggies. Broccoli florets, spinach, brussels
> sprouts, corn, sliced yellow squash. I've also thought of those frozen pie
> shells (for those of us who love quiche but can't make a crust worth a darn)
> and maybe some of the Rich's frozen bread dough (thaw, rise, bake). How
> about flash-frozen chicken breast halves like you can buy at Sam's or
> Costco?
>
> If you could help a small store merchant stock a medium-size freezer case,
> what would you want?
>
> Jill

You know what , Jill, I would get him to get some of the frozen
Pillsbury biscuits, buttermilk is my favorite, they come about a dozen
in a bad, you can take out one or two and cook them, and they are
better than my biscuits.

Rosie

On Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:18:02 -0500, "jmcquown"
> wrote:

>Oh, I'm sure he's asking other regular customers, too. Most people would
>classify this as a "convenience store". But unlike most modern day
>convenience stores, there are no gas pumps. He stocks fresh vegetables in
>season and not in huge quantities, so they don't go bad before the veggies
>move.

This is how Trader Joes started...as an offbeat convenience store..
they wanted to differ from the 7-11s.

From their website:

A SHORT HISTORY - AND FUTURE - OF TRADER JOE'S
Trader Joe's actually began in 1958 as a chain of convenience stores
called "Pronto Markets” in the Los Angeles area. In 1967, the founder,
Joe Coulombe, the original Trader Joe, wanted to expand the stores'
offerings and enhance their image. He doubled the floor space and
offered hard-to-find, boutique domestic and imported wines and gourmet
food items at outstanding prices.

Christine

Christine Dabney wrote:
> On Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:18:02 -0500, "jmcquown"
> > wrote:
>
>> Oh, I'm sure he's asking other regular customers, too. Most people
>> would classify this as a "convenience store". But unlike most
>> modern day convenience stores, there are no gas pumps. He stocks
>> fresh vegetables in season and not in huge quantities, so they don't
>> go bad before the veggies move.
>
> This is how Trader Joes started...as an offbeat convenience store..
> they wanted to differ from the 7-11s.
>
> From their website:
>
> A SHORT HISTORY - AND FUTURE - OF TRADER JOE'S
> Trader Joe's actually began in 1958 as a chain of convenience stores
> called "Pronto Markets" in the Los Angeles area. In 1967, the founder,
> Joe Coulombe, the original Trader Joe, wanted to expand the stores'
> offerings and enhance their image. He doubled the floor space and
> offered hard-to-find, boutique domestic and imported wines and gourmet
> food items at outstanding prices.
>
> Christine

Interesting story! Of course there is no TJ's here. At any rate, this
place couldn't sell "boutique items"; they simply wouldn't go over with his
clientele. And you can't sell wine here unless it's in a liquor store.
Funky liquor laws (sigh)

Jill

"jmcquown" wrote

> The little store down the street is doing some renovating. They took out
> the 30 year old freezer case that kept going on the blink and are
> replacing
> it with a smaller new glass-front freezer case. The owner asked me to
> suggest some items to stock it with. He knows he'll have to stock some of
> the typical junk food stuff - frozen pizzas, burritos, pot pies, etc.
>
<snipped>
> If you could help a small store merchant stock a medium-size freezer case,
> what would you want?
>
> Jill

A few off the top of my head --
Ice-cream
Frozen juices
Veggies
Puff pastry
Maybe chicken and/or shrimp

Dora

jmcquown > wrote:
>The little store down the street is doing some renovating. They took out
>the 30 year old freezer case that kept going on the blink and are replacing
>it with a smaller new glass-front freezer case.

I find myself never even going down those aisles any more...

>If you could help a small store merchant stock a medium-size freezer case,
>what would you want?

The opposite. A glass-front warming case with crispy roasted
ducks hanging in it...

--Blair

On 18 Jul 2006 16:24:15 -0700, "rosie" > wrote:

> You know what , Jill, I would get him to get some of the frozen
>Pillsbury biscuits, buttermilk is my favorite, they come about a dozen
>in a bad, you can take out one or two and cook them, and they are
>better than my biscuits.

Fabulous idea, especially in the land o' biscuits, and a lot of people
who are too tired to cook from scratch at the end of the day!

Carol

jmcquown wrote:
> The little store down the street is doing some renovating. They took out
> the 30 year old freezer case that kept going on the blink and are replacing
> it with a smaller new glass-front freezer case. The owner asked me to
> suggest some items to stock it with. He knows he'll have to stock some of
> the typical junk food stuff - frozen pizzas, burritos, pot pies, etc.
>
> But he asked me to suggest things that are more healthy, too. My first
> thought, of course, is frozen veggies. Broccoli florets, spinach, brussels
> sprouts, corn, sliced yellow squash. I've also thought of those frozen pie
> shells (for those of us who love quiche but can't make a crust worth a darn)
> and maybe some of the Rich's frozen bread dough (thaw, rise, bake). How
> about flash-frozen chicken breast halves like you can buy at Sam's or
> Costco?
>
> If you could help a small store merchant stock a medium-size freezer case,
> what would you want?
>
> Jill

Depending on what's available locally, I'd suggest not only frozen
veggies but also frozen fruits. Blueberries, raspberries,
strawberries, peaches, etc. I use them in smoothies and other dishes,
and the selection at the grocery stores is often (surprisingly)
limited.

I love frozen gyoza -- there are several brands available. I rarely
remember to buy them, and I no longer have the time to make them fresh
when I want.

I used to be able to get a fairly good frozen fish (real fish, not
'fish sticks'). I remember seeing tuna steaks and other good fish.

Phyllo dough!

I'm sure there's lots more, but those are my first thoughts.

Alexis.

limey wrote:
> "jmcquown" wrote
>
>> The little store down the street is doing some renovating. They
>> took out the 30 year old freezer case that kept going on the blink
>> and are replacing
>> it with a smaller new glass-front freezer case. The owner asked me
>> to suggest some items to stock it with. He knows he'll have to
>> stock some of the typical junk food stuff - frozen pizzas, burritos,
>> pot pies, etc.
>>
> <snipped>
>> If you could help a small store merchant stock a medium-size freezer
>> case, what would you want?
>>
>> Jill
>
> A few off the top of my head --
> Ice-cream
They have a separate waist-high freezer by the cash register for ice-cream
treats, popsicles, etc.

> Frozen juices
I've added that! And frozen fruits, too.

> Veggies
Was the majority of my list already

> Puff pastry
Not sure how well that would sell in this area

> Maybe chicken and/or shrimp
>
Already added! Along with "real" fish fillets

Jill

jmcquown wrote:
> But he asked me to suggest things that are more healthy, too. My
> first thought, of course, is frozen veggies.

Thank you all! I compiled a list of all suggestions and dropped it off with
the owner this morning. The electricians were there adding a new circuit to
accomodate the freezer and he was most grateful for the input.

Jill

jmcquown wrote:

>
> If you could help a small store merchant stock a medium-size freezer case,
> what would you want?
>

Frozen fruit, mostly blueberries and raspberries. A couple of the
healthier frozen entrees, Amy's Vegetarian and Healthy Choice come to
mind. A premium brand of vanilla ice cream. Frozen fruit juice in a 100%
juice brand like Old Orchard (none of that corn syrupy crap). Chinese
gyoza or similar asian style dumplings. Pierogies.



Dawn

In article >,
"jmcquown" > wrote:

> The little store down the street is doing some renovating. They took out
> the 30 year old freezer case that kept going on the blink and are replacing
> it with a smaller new glass-front freezer case. The owner asked me to
> suggest some items to stock it with. He knows he'll have to stock some of
> the typical junk food stuff - frozen pizzas, burritos, pot pies, etc.
>
> But he asked me to suggest things that are more healthy, too. My first
> thought, of course, is frozen veggies. Broccoli florets, spinach, brussels
> sprouts, corn, sliced yellow squash. I've also thought of those frozen pie
> shells (for those of us who love quiche but can't make a crust worth a darn)
> and maybe some of the Rich's frozen bread dough (thaw, rise, bake). How
> about flash-frozen chicken breast halves like you can buy at Sam's or
> Costco?
>
> If you could help a small store merchant stock a medium-size freezer case,
> what would you want?

The owner is on the right track by asking you, but he should ask other
customers too. It really depends on what's popular in your area. For
healthy things, there's a wide range of frozen fruits and vegies to
consider, but the key question is, what will sell best in that store?

jmcquown wrote:

> The little store down the street is doing some renovating. They took out
> the 30 year old freezer case that kept going on the blink and are replacing
> it with a smaller new glass-front freezer case. The owner asked me to
> suggest some items to stock it with. He knows he'll have to stock some of
> the typical junk food stuff - frozen pizzas, burritos, pot pies, etc.
>
> But he asked me to suggest things that are more healthy, too. My first
> thought, of course, is frozen veggies. Broccoli florets, spinach, brussels
> sprouts, corn, sliced yellow squash. I've also thought of those frozen pie
> shells (for those of us who love quiche but can't make a crust worth a darn)
> and maybe some of the Rich's frozen bread dough (thaw, rise, bake). How
> about flash-frozen chicken breast halves like you can buy at Sam's or
> Costco?
>
> If you could help a small store merchant stock a medium-size freezer case,
> what would you want?
>

I don't think that frozen pastry shells are a good idea for something that
sounds more like a convenience store than a grocery shell. It isn't the sort of
place that people go for staples. which might in pastry shells for people who
don't do their own pasty. Richs sells a lot of frozen thing convenience items,
and they are pretty good. FWIW, the Richs plant was just around the corner from
where I worked for 18 years, so I got to try a lot of their frozen goods over
the years. Not bad for that sort of thing.

There is a small store near my mother's condo, a miniature grocery store that
sells a lot of fresh fruits fresh baked goods and frozen goods. They carry
individual and family size trays of lasagne, stuffed peppers, cabbage rolls
etc. Being within walking distance of two condo buildings and three high rise
apartments and also close to student apartments and housing, they seem to be
fitting nicely into that little niche.

Dave Smith wrote:
> jmcquown wrote:
>
>> The little store down the street is doing some renovating. They
>> took out
>> the 30 year old freezer case that kept going on the blink and are
>> replacing it with a smaller new glass-front freezer case. The owner
>> asked me to suggest some items to stock it with.
>> If you could help a small store merchant stock a medium-size freezer
>> case, what would you want?
>>
>
> I don't think that frozen pastry shells are a good idea for something
> that sounds more like a convenience store than a grocery shell. It
> isn't the sort of place that people go for staples. which might in
> pastry shells for people who don't do their own pasty. Richs sells a
> lot of frozen thing convenience items, and they are pretty good.
> FWIW, the Richs plant was just around the corner from where I worked
> for 18 years, so I got to try a lot of their frozen goods over the
> years. Not bad for that sort of thing.
>
> There is a small store near my mother's condo, a miniature grocery
> store that sells a lot of fresh fruits fresh baked goods and frozen
> goods. They carry individual and family size trays of lasagne,
> stuffed peppers, cabbage rolls etc. Being within walking distance of
> two condo buildings and three high rise apartments and also close to
> student apartments and housing, they seem to be fitting nicely into
> that little niche.

This is that sort of place, Dave. There are apartments nearby and also
elderly folks (although not a retirement condo). This small store sells
fresh fruits and veggies in season along with the usual canned and boxed
goods. They have a breakfast and lunch buffet - southern fried chicken is
always on the menu! Other entrees depend upon the day of the week... for
example, on Fridays they serve fish & hushpuppies. Tuesday is meatloaf in
gravy; Wednesday is chicken & noodles. Always with a choice of 3 vegetables
and a biscuit or cornbread muffin

The owner, Gabe, plans to expand the eating area. They currently have 4
booth-type tables - he's going to put in regular round tables and chairs and
offer breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The clientele is mostly middle-class folks, so you're right; puff pastry
wouldn't be a big seller. Neither would phyllo. Frozen veggies would
definitely sell and frozen fish, too. Also some of those family size frozen
dinner trays - Stouffer's makes some good ones.

Jill