BajaNomad - Chedrauri's La Paz

Chedrauri's La Paz

Alan - 3-18-2011 at 08:11 AM

What a vast improvement over the old CCC. Cleaner, wider aisles and much larger selection. They have really done a nice job. My only wish was that they would make fresh squeezed orange juice like CCC used to. Now I can't find fresh-squeezed OJ anywhere or even frozen concentrate. I know, buy a juicer. :mad:

Bajatripper - 3-18-2011 at 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alan
What a vast improvement over the old CCC. Cleaner, wider aisles and much larger selection. They have really done a nice job. My only wish was that they would make fresh squeezed orange juice like CCC used to. Now I can't find fresh-squeezed OJ anywhere or even frozen concentrate. I know, buy a juicer. :mad:

You are absolutely spot-on with your observations. I was among those who expressed regret at seeing the CCC change hands. But the new owners have invested a fortune in remodeling both stores here in La Paz. The one nearest me, on Abasolo, was about doubled in square footage. And they have those automated ramps outside that lock in those specially-built shopping carts while they descend or ascend--something I haven't seen even in the US (but I don't get out very much up north). And, best of all, Chedraui is making an effort to stock those special items I like and can't seem to find consistently elsewhere--like the mustard I like and English muffins

bajabass - 3-18-2011 at 03:36 PM

Another vote for a very clean operation. I moved here after the change, and it was a mess for a while. Gotta have those English muffins, and Tillamook medium cheddar!! :spingrin:

Alan - 3-18-2011 at 03:39 PM

The Abasolo store is mine too. I love those new carts. I grabbed one at the top of the ramp when I first headed into the store. I don't know why but those wheels caught my attention immediately. I laughed to myself thinking those skinny little ridges weren't going to last too long in that parking lot and wondered why they made them that way. How cool to find out why when I left the store!

Any hints on finding OJ?

Bajahowodd - 3-18-2011 at 03:42 PM

I recall the consternation expressed by many when CCC was bought out. And while I'm not particularly a fan of big corporations driving small businesses away, the plain fact is that CCC was a very small family run regional business that had something like three or four stores.

Chedraui is a large chain that is well run and has purchasing power far beyond what CCC could hope for. They have something like 90 stores in Mexico.

On top of that, for those who live in Southern California you might be interested to know that Chedraui has a significant stake in this enterprise-
http://elsupermarkets.com/

[Edited on 3-18-2011 by Bajahowodd]

lingililingili - 3-18-2011 at 03:58 PM

We buy our fresh squeezed juices from Gloria's on Abasolo between Sonora and Sinaloa. Also, the juices sold on the corner of Sonora and Abasolo come from Gloria's and are the same delicious juices!
Try the carrot and orange someday, it's really good.

Quote:

Originally posted by Alan
The Abasolo store is mine too. I love those new carts. I grabbed one at the top of the ramp when I first headed into the store. I don't know why but those wheels caught my attention immediately. I laughed to myself thinking those skinny little ridges weren't going to last too long in that parking lot and wondered why they made them that way. How cool to find out why when I left the store!

Any hints on finding OJ?

Alan - 3-18-2011 at 05:28 PM

Wow. That's just around around the corner. Gonna jump in the Jeep right now and go find that place! Thanks!

Alan - 3-18-2011 at 05:51 PM

lingililingili, Found it! Unfortunately she was closed (after 5 pm). Must have passed that place 1000 times. Thank you for the heads up. Going back in the morning.

Bajatripper - 3-18-2011 at 08:58 PM

If I did have a gripe about Chedraui's it would be the way they promote their brand a bit too aggressively at times. The other day the only canned milk they offered was the house brand. Being from Washington, I have a sentimental preference for Carnation brand. But now that they finally got the belts that move your groceries at the checkout counter hooked up, the rest is all good.

lingililingili - 3-18-2011 at 09:56 PM

Glad to help Alan.

Quote:

Originally posted by Alan
lingililingili, Found it! Unfortunately she was closed (after 5 pm). Must have passed that place 1000 times. Thank you for the heads up. Going back in the morning.

bajalinda - 3-19-2011 at 04:09 PM

I agree with Kate in that they really need to work on supply consistency. It seems that we are happy with Chedraui's in about 1 visit out of 2 or 3 and I imagine that is because we get into La Paz once a week or once every 10 days or so.....so we either hit it just right, or not. Haven't seen sharp cheddar there in the last 2 trips - dang!

We have taken to avoiding the store brand. The dish detergent is absolutely awful - you need to use so much to get anything clean that we went through the whole bottle in a week - will never buy it again!

That said, we keep going back there, so they are doing something right and, yes, the carts are very cool.

BajaBlanca - 3-19-2011 at 04:42 PM

maybe if enough people put their suggestions in writing ie about the cheese not being available etc., they might listen ...

Bajahowodd - 3-19-2011 at 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
maybe if enough people put their suggestions in writing ie about the cheese not being available etc., they might listen ...

Your post reminded me of the question as to whether a large corporation would be sensitive to the needs on a local level.

Inasmuch as Chedraui has something like 90 locations throughout Mexico, one ought to wonder if the executives there place cost over profit.

Translation: Is is more profitable to cater to local and regional tastes, versus a one size fits all approach?

BajaBlanca - 3-19-2011 at 05:05 PM

we have never been to the store in la paz, but we did stop at one near Puebla recently and I was so amazed at the assortment of products, but it was NOT inexpensive by any stretch of the imagination, much to the contrary. Is it the same in la paz ?

we are so lucky here in our tiny village - imagine that most of our store's products come from Costco in San Diego and the markup is ridiculously low. the produce is bought locally - since Vizcaino area has so much to offer.

comitan - 3-19-2011 at 05:13 PM

Bajahowodd

In the La Paz store they have the same buyer as the old CCC and he is trying to satisfy the gringo (low fat) needs, which is happening slowly.

rob - 3-19-2011 at 05:18 PM

I have not been a great fan of Chedraui - the store brands are questionable - avoid the canned tuna and detergent called Bi-M!! - and the gringo staples are available, if at all, only fleetingly.

Even stranger was the sullen cashier who rang up every empty circle in one of those plastic 6-pack pop can rings (we had three cans with three empty circles) and accused us of having drunk them in the store . . .

Today I forgave them everything - found some genuine South African rooibos (red bush) tea - $21 for 22 tea bags - total steal!!

Bajahowodd - 3-19-2011 at 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
Bajahowodd

In the La Paz store they have the same buyer as the old CCC and he is trying to satisfy the gringo (low fat) needs, which is happening slowly.

That is really good to know. Thanks.

lingililingili - 3-19-2011 at 06:44 PM

This gal is the contact at Chedraui. ssantos@chedraui.com.mx Her name is Sara and she seems very helpful in bringing in products and answering questions. We prefer to buy Mexican brands whenever possible and she made that happen with Lala's new plain yogurt without sugar which is actually very good.

Alan - 3-19-2011 at 07:41 PM

Lingililingili,

Thanks again for that find (Gloria's Jugos). They now have a new steady customer. Grabbed a gallon first thing this morning. was like biting into the freshest, sweetest orange imaginable. Matched it with some fresh baked Rustico bread from Pan d'ley and I had a breakfast fit for a king. Next on my scavenger hunt is Columbian coffee :lol:

Paula - 3-19-2011 at 08:13 PM

Lingililingili,

Is the Lala yogurt really plain plain-- without any kind of sweetener?

About a year ago the grocer around the corner from me was sure the Yoplait yougurt sin azucar was what I wanted, and he told me to come back in two days. I did, and bought a big carton of artificially sweetened stuff, knowing that it wasn't what I wanted. So if there is really plain plain yogurt to be had I sure hope it makes it's way to Loreto!

longlegsinlapaz - 3-19-2011 at 08:32 PM

I'm pretty sure I heard someone rattle my cage!!

I'm one of those who was devastated to hear that the Ruffo family sold their 3 stores to a large national chain! For the past 12 years, CCC was THE store in La Paz where you could buy US imported dairy products...milk, sour cream, cottage cheese, etc.

When the sale was announced, stocking levels plummeted immediately & then they tore both La Paz stores to rat poop...IMO. I'm half-an-hour outside of town, so try to not have to run into town several times a week & I've been known to not make a trip in for 3-4 weeks! :yes:

So when I do finally get in there & leave the store empty-handed because they're out of stock on virtually everything I went in for, I'm not a happy camper! I went in twice during construction & swore I wouldn't return until the remodeling was completed because both stores were filthy & unsafe. The produce was beyond bad & the imported US dairy products were totally out of stock. They'd moved the frozen foods units & all the foods inside were thawed out & water pooling on the floors...the freezer units either weren't plugged in or were non-functional after being moved. They'd moved remaining shelf stock hither thither & yon, with no rhyme nor reason, wherever they found a little space, they'd stashed food & non-food items.

I hadn't been in there for nearly 2 months but went last week for US dairy products. The items I couldn't find, I asked about & was told they were out of stock, no looking to check, simply they didn't have it or don't carry it any more. I'm talking basic stuff here, not exotic cheeses from Outer Mongolia! Sliced roast beef for sandwiches, dog treats, medium cheddar & colby, pickles, black olives, CoffeeMate French Vanilla liquid creamer...the regular stuff, not the non-fat :barf:

that Comitan's apparently responsible for them over-stocking! :lol:

Employees standing chatting in groups blocking the aisles & watching while I stretched my 5' 10' height on my tiptoes & tried to reach the new upper shelves, which have to be 7 - 7' 6" above floor level!

I damn near left my cart & walked out!! Instead, I decided to stop at WalMart on my way home for fresh produce & still ended up spending $1,269 pesos at Chedraui...despite the lack of products I'd wanted which weren't in stock or couldn't be found. I'd been in the states for 2 weeks, so this was not my typical grocery run...it was a full-up supply run after not having hit the grocery store for a month!

I was so angry by the time I got home, I went online to find Sara's e-mail address (La Paz area residents will understand that reference) & blasted off a detailed e-mail of what my experiences have been & how I feel rude employees are ruining customer goodwill & creating major waste in the produce department through their rough handling of food...stuff that hits the floor goes right back onto the display, smashed & dirty, crushed & damaged cartons on the shelves, the conveyor belts at the registers still weren't working on the 16th when I was in there, the cashier never looked me in the eye let alone uttered a word to me despite my "Buenas dias" & "Gracias", nor did she verbally acknowledge the customers in front or behind me.

Imagine my amazement when I answered my phone at noon today & the General manager of the Colima store introduced himself to me & expressed sincere appreciation for the details I'd provided because it gave both him & the owners specific areas in which they can make improvements. He said most other messages they've received just asked for specific items to be stocked, but he appreciated the fact that my message gave them specific things that they could actually target to improve customer service for the entire population of La Paz, not just "gringos" as the "Bringing Back Gringo Shoppers To Chedraui" posts on all the Baja forums convey. I'd written that despite the fact I'm a "gringo" I took offense at the apparent exclusion of the local Mexican population.

Actions speak louder than words, so I guess it remains to be seen how much of a change employee attitudes will improve in the future, but I felt the store Manager's words were sincere rather than patronizing.

Rob, "sullen" is a pretty accurate term for the overall employee attitude I've encountered, despite the fact I used the term rude in my e-mail.

I agree with Kate, no two wish lists would look the same!

lingililingili, I buy locally as too...my personal line gets drawn on dairy products. Apparently I just missed some locally made fresh strawberry pie yesterday due to that glutton hubby of yours! :lol:

vandenberg - 3-19-2011 at 08:34 PM

Would be nice to finally have a yoghurt that tastes like yoghurt. However, I'm here in Sacramento and the so called non fat yoplait yoghurt looks and taste like the stuff you texture drywall with. Weird stuff, to say the least. :biggrin:

lingililingili - 3-19-2011 at 11:16 PM

Paula, the Lala Yoghurt Natural has no sugars and no colorants. It is quite good. Also, if you are in La Paz "Sabores de Mexico" has homemade plain yogurt that is also very good, but pricier.

Quote:

Originally posted by Paula
Lingililingili,

Is the Lala yogurt really plain plain-- without any kind of sweetener?

About a year ago the grocer around the corner from me was sure the Yoplait yougurt sin azucar was what I wanted, and he told me to come back in two days. I did, and bought a big carton of artificially sweetened stuff, knowing that it wasn't what I wanted. So if there is really plain plain yogurt to be had I sure hope it makes it's way to Loreto!

lingililingili - 3-19-2011 at 11:20 PM

Alan, have you tried "La Choya" coffees? They have a very dark roast that is really good. We live are used to Pete's Coffee and this is close! They will grind it for you there or you can take home the beans. "La Choya" is located on Colima at 1650 entre Durango and Chiapas. Hope you are as happy with the coffee as you are with the juice!

Quote:

Originally posted by Alan
Lingililingili,

Thanks again for that find (Gloria's Jugos). They now have a new steady customer. Grabbed a gallon first thing this morning. was like biting into the freshest, sweetest orange imaginable. Matched it with some fresh baked Rustico bread from Pan d'ley and I had a breakfast fit for a king. Next on my scavenger hunt is Columbian coffee :lol:

Paula - 3-20-2011 at 07:08 AM

Thanks for the info, Lingili and Kate! Another good reason for more trips to La Paz!

oladulce - 3-20-2011 at 07:14 AM

Lilli guini-

THanks for the coffee resource. What are their average prices per lb/kg?

Alan - 3-20-2011 at 07:25 AM

Saw their ad in the Citizen and planned to check it out. Thanks for letting me know it will be worth the trip.

bajalinda - 3-20-2011 at 03:02 PM

Wow Longlegs...way to go - good for you!

And right - the construction/change-over period was ridiculous. I also refused to go in there during the remodel after a couple of trips where I felt like I had to dodge falling objects from the ceiling. Why they didn't just close down completely and do an all-out remodel over a shorter period of time....well, who knows.

Kate and Lingili - thanks for the yogurt info - I'll be on the lookout for it.

Perhaps the key for those of us who live outside of La Paz is to find out if there is a reliable delivery schedule for the items we crave. I've noticed that the dairy shelves seem to be emptier later in the week - the last time I was in there on a Monday, I found everything I needed. Could be a fluke? Think I'll try to find out from Sara.

On the positive side, I have filled out 2 or 3 customer satisfaction forms at the check-out, requesting specific items, and they have appeared a couple of weeks later, so they are trying. And it's true that even good ole CCC didn't always have the greatest record of supply consistency.

But please get those check-out conveyor belts working!

vandenberg - 3-20-2011 at 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalinda

And right - the construction/change-over period was ridiculous. I also refused to go in there during the remodel after a couple of trips where I felt like I had to dodge falling objects from the ceiling. Why they didn't just close down completely and do an all-out remodel over a shorter period of time....well, who knows.

I found it difficult to believe that they would start a couple of month remodel right during the Holiday season. :?:

But, then again, we're in Mexico, where lots of things don't make much sense. :biggrin:

Bajahowodd - 3-20-2011 at 03:20 PM

Given that it has been posted that not only do they listen to customer requests for products, but also are conscientious enough to follow up on complaints with phone calls, I'd guess that the primary mistake made by these folks was to not be more aggressive with their remodel of the stores. In their defense, it does seem to me that they had a great deal to do to make the old CCC stores into their desired image.

And then there's-

http://www.fageusa.com/

Great stuff. Check out their product line. Although I could find no evidence that this Greek company does business in Mexico, their products are available all over San Diego County in such diverse markets as Vons, Albertsons, Ralphs, Trader Joes, and Costco. Wonder if the Costco stores in MX might carry their stuff.

longlegsinlapaz - 3-21-2011 at 09:14 AM

The opening paragraph of my e-mail to Chedraui read: "Chedraui did a huge dis-service both to themselves & to the residents of La Paz! In my opinion, you'd have made a better entrance to La Paz (& the Cabo store, from what I've heard) if you'd have closed the store during remodeling. Both the Colima & Bravo stores in La Paz were filthy, unsafe, totally disorganized & poorly stocked during the remodeling."

Howodd, you seem to be looking through a very different knothole than the majority of those who live here full-time are looking through!!

Do you sincerely believe that we're going to be ordering food items online?? I've learned to adapt to what's available locally, as have my friends & neighbors. There's already a large variety of imported food & non-food items available here. I personally don't ever feel the necessity of making a supply run down to Costco in Cabo....but I do know a few people who opt to do that. There's plenty here already & IMO if someone can't survive on what's available locally, then I guess maybe those people forgot or were incapable of leaving their USA mentality & standards at the border....or Baja isn't the right place for those people to live.

The majority of my friends & neighbors of all nationalities are on a limited income & for most, including myself, ordering food items online is outside the scope of financial reality, let alone practicality!

Your post reinforces my long-held belief that there is clearly a different thought process between people who vacation in Baja occasionally & those that live here full-time. The occasional visitor can haul all their mandatory food items down with them in quantities sufficient for their length of stay. Those of us who live here make do with what's available locally & last I heard, no one has died of starvation or pined away from deprivation....though my dogs are really torqued over the sudden lack of dog treats! They keep looking at me trying to figure out exactly what it was they did to not deserve treats any more....whatever it was musta been really BAD....if only they could remember! :lol:

For those who live further out of town like bajalinda, it's even more hassle & expense to make supply runs into town when items typically in stock are all sold out. I know that in the old CCC days, Thursday was the day the perishable dairy products were replenished. I didn't think to ask the General Manager if there's a certain day of the week that Chedraui gets those items....I was too amazed over his call to think that clearly.

Bajahowodd - 3-21-2011 at 01:31 PM

Hmmmm. Don't see where I made any suggestion about online ordering. Pointed to a quality product.

Not sure why you need to draw some line in the sand between full time, part time and tourist people in Mexico.

comitan - 3-21-2011 at 03:26 PM

:barf:

comitan - 3-21-2011 at 04:01 PM

Larry

I have to agree with you, tho I feel I've been treated very well.

longlegsinlapaz - 3-22-2011 at 09:57 AM

Howodd, then what was your point in posting that URL & saying "Check out their product line"....why? What difference does it make to those who live here full-time what CA stores they supply? Or even what supplies CA stores carry?

The "line in the sand" (your words, not mine) dividing tourists from full-time residents exists, it's not something I created, it's not discrimination or a slam. IMO, it's a revision in thought processes, how we adapt to the cultural differences & what's available here. This is home for many of us, not a vacation that we take somewhere different before we return to a home NOB. Those who are here full time have learned to adapt to what's available here & accept what's not. It's simply a fact of life that we aren't in Kansas anymore, Toto! Our eating habits have changed, by necessity based on what's available locally, possibly for reasons of health or simply to adopt a healthier diet....like Comitan wanting non-fat products....or buying locally for a myriad of personal reasons. I sincerely believe that vacationers & full-timers have a different mindset, different priorities. My use of the word different doesn't mean wrong, it simply means different. There is a cultural mindset adjustment living here full-time & it takes time for most to evolve to the reality of an entire new way of life & all that entails. Does that make sense? Anyone who can express it more succinctly, feel free to jump in!

lencho, are you suggesting that the employees....cashiers & stockers....are imported from outside of La Paz rather than local hires? I know management must be, but in hindsight I've only recognized one Customer Service Desk person & I haven't seen my old buddy from the seafood counter.

Bajahowodd - 3-22-2011 at 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
Howodd, then what was your point in posting that URL & saying "Check out their product line"....why? What difference does it make to those who live here full-time what CA stores they supply? Or even what supplies CA stores carry?

The "line in the sand" (your words, not mine) dividing tourists from full-time residents exists, it's not something I created, it's not discrimination or a slam. IMO, it's a revision in thought processes, how we adapt to the cultural differences & what's available here. This is home for many of us, not a vacation that we take somewhere different before we return to a home NOB. Those who are here full time have learned to adapt to what's available here & accept what's not. It's simply a fact of life that we aren't in Kansas anymore, Toto! Our eating habits have changed, by necessity based on what's available locally, possibly for reasons of health or simply to adopt a healthier diet....like Comitan wanting non-fat products....or buying locally for a myriad of personal reasons. I sincerely believe that vacationers & full-timers have a different mindset, different priorities. My use of the word different doesn't mean wrong, it simply means different. There is a cultural mindset adjustment living here full-time & it takes time for most to evolve to the reality of an entire new way of life & all that entails. Does that make sense? Anyone who can express it more succinctly, feel free to jump in!

lencho, are you suggesting that the employees....cashiers & stockers....are imported from outside of La Paz rather than local hires? I know management must be, but in hindsight I've only recognized one Customer Service Desk person & I haven't seen my old buddy from the seafood counter.

I guess that I overlooked the " ex-pats in La Paz" header on this thread.

If you care to scroll up and see the original post of this thread, it had absolutley nothing to do with dairy products. :lol:

So, to somehow take after me for introducing a very fine product line, that perhaps many nomads who live, at least part time NOB, would find interest in, just doesn't make sense to me.

This forum has participants, that represent a broad spectrum. Probably, the majority are not full time ex-pats. That doesn't mean that anyone, would be incapable of offering good insight
Unless one is a shut-in with nothing more to do than to criticise.

bajajazz - 3-23-2011 at 09:17 AM

Personally, we find the new incarnation of the old CCC operation ridiculous. Oversized and trying to do to much in too many different areas of merchandising -- and not doing any of them well. Want cheap clothes? Want overpriced electronics? Want to walk a half mile to get a bottle of milk? Go to Cheddies.

We find the Aramburo markets on Madero and Forjadores to be far more convenient than either of the Cheddies. The Forjadores store is stocking American products with increasing frequency and the butchers in both stores are accessible and very agreeable in cutting-to-order. The stores are reasonably sized -- big enough to contain what we need, small enough to find it quickly and get out promptly. Best of all, when you enter an Aramburos' you know you're in a grocery store, not some Wallyworld knockoff.

CP - 3-25-2011 at 01:36 PM

YEAY! Thanks for the unsweetened yoghurt tip. Used to be that we might luck out and find an errant container of Safeway brand at the Ley in Cd. C., but now they carry the dark blue Lala we found this week.

MitchMan - 3-25-2011 at 05:21 PM

Does Mexican butter smell like cheese to you? Sorry for the hijact, just wondering.

rob - 3-26-2011 at 08:56 AM

Yesterday we checked out Aramburos again (based on comments in this thread) for the first time in 8 years - a clean store with good people and reasonable prices - and Tillamook Sharp Cheddar as promised. They even had Coleman's mustard powder, a Baja first, and tougher to find even in Alta California!

The one less than sweet note was the fact that that the dark blue Lala "natural " yoghurt clearly states that there is added sugar.

CP - 3-26-2011 at 09:15 AM

The unsweetened Lala is actually a darker blue than the sweetened blue one. The darker one has a green dot that states Sin Azucar. Just had some. Definietly sin azucar.

comitan - 3-26-2011 at 10:19 AM

Rob.

Smart & Final usually has the Coleman's Mustard in the large cans, but you have to ask for it.

bajajudy - 3-26-2011 at 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rob
!

The one less than sweet note was the fact that that the dark blue Lala "natural " yoghurt clearly states that there is added sugar.

La Pura makes a yogurt without sugar.

I was in Chedraui(SP?) in San Lucas Thursday and was pleased to find Jimmy Dean sausage, corn meal, Pork and Beans, a lot of Roland products, and English muffins.

bajalinda - 3-26-2011 at 01:05 PM

Back to the question of delivery schedules for Chedraui La Paz. I did email Sara about it and discovered she is in Cabo - for some reason I thought she was based in La Paz. In any case, she replied very quickly that she had forwarded my email to her colleagues in La Paz so that they could answer my question...so far, I have heard nothing from them - it's been 3 or 4 days now.

Yesterday, a Friday, the dairy shelves were well-stocked at the Colima Chedraui and I got everything I needed, so there goes any theory I had about skimpy selection at the end of the week.

As Rob mentioned in his post, we were very pleasantly surprised with Aramburo's. They also had good butter and many of those Springfield brand items that we were used to seeing at CCC. They also had the La Pura unsweetened yogurt.

Alan - 3-26-2011 at 01:12 PM

lingililingili, Choyas was perfect and now I am a hero with my neighbors for sharing it with them. Thanks