A lot of people in Ypsi don’t go to the Krogers on Michigan Ave, claiming it’s “too ghetto” or that the other Krogers on Whitaker is much nicer. While the produce isn’t the greatest, and it’s occasionally a bit less shiny clean than other grocery stores in nicer areas (remember the Chris Rock rant about supermarkets in the hood), I’ve grown to love my neighborhood Krogers.
Today, I walk in with Ella. We see Lusy, who works in the deli, and she says to Ella, “Hi sweetheart!”
“Hi Lusy!”, shrieks Ella.
“I wanted to give you a balloon when I saw you last week, but I was too busy. What color do you want?”
“Onge”, says Ella, which means Orange. “See you later, Lusy”, says Ella.
After the balloon we lazily shop as I try to think of something for dinner. I see someone I know, say hi. We pass Sandi, a grandmother and Kroger employee who stops to say hi to Ella and says to make sure we come see her when we check out so she can give Ella a sticker. We’re almost done, I go for a 6 pack of Oberon on sale for $7.99, one last 6 pack before Oberon’s gone, I say to myself.
We go to check out and go in Joe’s line, even though it’s a bit longer. Joe’s got big black hair and sideburns like Elvis, but looks like a hipper version of Elvis. Joe smiles at Ella and asks me how the record business is.
“It’s good Joe. Hey, I knew we were coming in so I recorded that song for you this morning. I just couldn’t find my stack of CDs so I couldn’t burn it. That’s a good song though”.
Joe talks about the song by Jay and the Techniques, “Baby Make Your Own Sweet Music.” He remembers it but hasn’t heard it for years. He doesn’t know why they don’t play it on the radio anymore. He’s excited to get a copy. He had made me a list a few months ago of music he was looking for but couldn’t find, and that song was on it. We talk about music today. Last few times we talked about the economy. Actually, Joe talked economic theory and market analysis to me, I just listened. Joe plays the market. When we’re done the lady behind me says, “Hey Joe, I’ve got 12 dozen doughnuts today.” Joe doesn’t count ‘em, he just rings ‘em up, he knows her.
Ella and I walk out to our spot and get in the car, looking forward our special treat when we get home: pretzels.
Listen to Jay and the Techniques, “Baby make Your Own Sweet Music”:
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October 14th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Jacob
haha…i admit i often try to avoid that place, but it’s convenient for me. and i’ve always been fond of joe’s hair. i had no idea he was a music and economics buff. now i’m intrigued.
October 16th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Cousin Geoff
Yeah, Joe’s a cool guy! Also, it turns out that the version of the song he really wanted to hear wasn’t done by Jay and the Techniques but perhaps by a small Detroit group. I told him I’d research it for him.