Erie County Farms needs competition
Jun 23rd, 2008 by douglas
I want to start by saying yes, I know it’s a business. The owner is free to run it as she sees fit because hey, it’s her money. As a consumer I’m allowed to disagree with things. I don’t have to go back if I don’t like something. That’s not the point of what I’m going to say. You deserve better when you spend your money.
Erie County Farms has been a staple in Erie for decades. Growing up it was THE place to go for meats, produce and seafood. Pittsburghers can think of it as Erie’s version of Wholey’s. I’ve always held this business in high regards when speaking of places I loved about Erie. Eventually the business moved from a mammoth storefront on 26th St. to a smaller storefront in the Liberty Plaza off of the bayfront.
Within the last year my mom told tell me that the store is only opened 2 weeks out of the month and that a schedule is available so you know in advance. As luck would have it, ECF was always open when I was home (as with this past weekend) so I honestly forgot about it. For some reason on this trip it started to get under my skin about the hours.
We walked in and the place is a madhouse. While outside I managed to get a cart which was stroke of luck because there were none left inside. The floor plan of the store its good in theory but the flow of traffic to get around is worse than sitting on Parkway East during rush with 1 lane open. You absolutely can not move. There is nothing to guide the formation of lines besides the bodies of people in front of you. I went up to the deli counter and took what I thought was a number for the deli. It said 54 while the digital counter was on 2. The lady next to me came up and gave me her’s (4! woohoo) because she was tired of waiting. SO you’re supposed to take a number but the ticket machine on the deli isn’t the one you’re supposed to use? wtf indeed!
My advise for ordering at either the deli or the cheese, know what you want right away. I knew what I was shopping for but unsure of the brands. Since I jumped far on the list I had to scramble. The boards with items available all mesh together. Old school black board with white font withe the ease of reading an eye chart. The positive side to this is that every employee I have ever encountered at ECF has been extremely nice to work with. The guy I had could tell I was a deer in headlights so offered suggestions on brands.
Lushie and I bobbed and weaved through traffic over to the produce and meat counters. As you can see from above, the meat selection is vast and fully loaded. When the butcher is at the counter you can have custom cuts made and personalized orders. After picking up the steaks things turned and I became irritated. I went over for corn and as the crate was opened this lady in black (pictured above) came hauling ass over with arms wailing. She elbowed her way in and started taking corn and picking through what others had. Then she yelled at a worker that the corn wasn’t fresh enough for her and demanded a supervisor. I said something to her but she just mumbled as she passed me.
I wanted seafood and they’ve always sold fresh seafood here… until now. The only alternative I had was frozen items in the cooler. Not what I wanted at all. I asked around for any place to buy fresh seafood and was told to go to a supermarket. Erie is a port city who takes pride in the lake. Why the hell is there not a fish monger somewhere? Seriously. Every restaurant has fresh Erie perch or some fish on the menu so why can’t I buy it?
I try not to compare Erie to Pittsburgh because they are 2 completely different cities but I must say Erie needs Wholey’s. As a consumer you are getting the shaft from having only one option for quality fresh products under one roof. The most popular answer to my question about seafood was “you should go to Giant Eagle”. Nothing against the big bird but I don’t want a chain. You deserve to have a locally owned place to shop that respects its customers with providing a quality establishment and the best possible selection. As one customer in line said “she’s only open when food stamps and social security checks come out.”
Take some of that time trying to figure out how to bring in tourists and focus on the best resource for marketing, your residents.
What do you think? Where do you go in Erie?
If there are places to shop at they need to get a web presence.
When I was a kid that place scared the hell out of me. I vividly remember the vat of octopus in the seafood section and the open barrels of shelled peanuts scattered about.
My job as a kid was to make sure my grandmother didn’t start any fights and made it out alive. Stories of people shopping out of other people’s carts when they had their backs turned are legendary and absoloutely true.
The closest thing I’ve ever had to seafood is a swedish fish so I wouldn’t consider em an expert, but have you tried the appropriately named “The Last Fisherman” on East Lake Road at the corner of Lighthouse St? I think that’s your best bet for fresh seafood in Erie although I’ve never been inside (and they lack web presence).
On the plus side, Giant Eagle is 24 hours.
Locobone, I remember that octopus thing! When it was on 26th street it was in the back right corner of the store. Everytime I’d go there the guy working would take some out of the bucket and gross the shit out of me.
I’ll have to check it out The Last Fisherman. Honestly, besides shrimp/lobster/scallops I don’t eat seafood. Lushie however likes it so I have to stomach the smell when she shops at Wholeys.
argh, thank you very much for bringing back those crazy octopus memories
When we head back north, our bring-it home shopping trip has these stops:
1) Urbaniak Bros for ham salad, city-chicken, salami, hot-dogs and joan’s horse radish. My dad worked at Urbaniaks for a few years. I grew up on this stuff. We switched to Ted & Pauls on 38th and McClelland … better with no crazy waits in line.
2) Mighty Fine Donuts on 26th and Parade for Creme Filled Chocolate donut heaven … don’t know what it is about this place, but can’t find anything close to these memories.
3) Greek Fry’s from the Greeks on Parade or NY Lunch Chili. Naw, we don’t bring these back home, just the memories
4) Seasonally, Picking Strawberry’s or fresh corn out RT-5 E is always good.
We’re heading home for a 4th of July visit, i’m getting hungry already.
hahaha, I worked at the one on 38th Street while in high school. I forget when it closed but since then it’s been an italian market and currently a breakfast joint. I have some interesting stories of working with that crew. I always wondered what happened to some of them.
If I’m going greek I have to hit Coney Island Lunch in Wesleyville but I do love me some NY Lunch! Erie has the best drunk food I’ve ever had.
lol … Ted’s my uncle … drop me an email if you’re really curious about any of your old crew … i could follow it back
hmmm, Coney Island Lunch … k, we’ll check it out sometime
Wow talk about a small world! I may take you up on that offer