re: Alexander's Market Opening Today in Baton Rouge

Basically agree with urinetrouble's..

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Just checked it out. Very nice place. It's basically a nice AG store on the aisles, but a lot of specialty items along the periphery. The produce looked good. Didn't spend much time scrutinizing everything they offer, but looks like a place where you could do regular shopping and find those specialty items you can't get at basic grocery stores. The coffee shop is a nice addition, along with outdoor seating similar to Whole Foods. The beer selection is pretty decent. It's no Calandro's, but it's definitely way better than Albertson's or Winn-Dixie. Wine selection appeared to be better.

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Disagree with RJP.'s..

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Don't know a whole lot about the grocery business, but I was extremely impressed.

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It is nothing more than a Associated Grocer in Pig Lipstick, the beautiful building, facade, walls, down the aisles, a cleaner and less dated Hi-Nabor, yet lacking say even the slightly more nuanced individual AG store deli offerings of Dale and Ernie Matherne's locations. Light years behind Calandro's meat dept run by Mr Carlino, and/or their liqour sections. It is basically a convenience store versioned AG store for Santa Maria, CCLA, etc..

Local deep pockets will pay for the proxy and speed, but they have a ways to go in matching say Calvin's sophistication and plethora of offerings to the Bocage, Goodwood, Tara, and Jefferson crowd.

Sanderson Farm meats for your grand opening meat sales? $4.29 a bottle Santa Cruz lemonades? Same old Kraft dressings and sauces sale prices found at any AG store,etc..

Carries some frozen gumbo, shrimp and corn, and meatball and sauce, yet doesn't appear to the eye on par with Maxwell's sophistication in prepared offerings( I will try Alexander's offerings soon).

Future competition from Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, etc..as they locate second locations out to Highland, Prairieville, in Long Farm TND, etc..

Let alone locals that appear stronger in say Calandro's, Calvin's,etc..are on another level as of now.

I left without a purchase, and went to Fresh Market.