Atlantic Superstore

Great store, great location, great staff, wish I could say the people who go here are great, but they aren’t.

I thought I’d post an update to my below review as this store has made some changes over the past couple of years. I find that the prices have become quite expensive and most products are comparable in price to the farmers’ markets around now, so those have become my go-​to places. Superstore really seems to be moving towards the pre-​preapred food market. Freezers that used to have ‘fresh’ meat are now stocked with PC meatballs and the like. The meat section has a limited selection and the people behind the meat counter don’t know anything about where the products came from or how to get a specific cut. There are now a lot of upscale olive oils and jams and things however, the prices on regular items have increased and instead of offering specials, there seems to be offers for more PC points. There are also not as many local products as say, Sobey’s. For those of us who want better prices and to avoid Loblaws’ attempt to homogenize the supermarket world, there are better options out there.

Really this place is fine. It has most of the generic stuff you could want at the drop of a hat. It has self checkout which is nice also.
However, tonight when I popped in to grab a few ingredients to make chili tomorrow, I was browsing the meat selection and because it was quite disorganized under the Lamb heading I was a little slow in finding what I wanted. Well, the dudes working in the meat section were seemingly doing so inventory and essentially bumped me out of the way to continue doing what they were doing.
No eye contact, no «anything I can help you find?», no nothin but ignorance or spatial unawareness.
I’ll be back here as it is the closet to me, but I will make other choices if things don’t improve.

I love this store because it keeps me from going to all the fast food restaurants around, since it’s literally right across the street from the Quality Inn Mic Mac. It’s got as much as you want form a store, but there are some things I think can improve.
1) There’s a salad/​fruit bar in the middle of the produce section, and there’s someone always in there working when I walk in. But if I ask them to make a salad without the bell peppers or (which is odd to me) or to make a yogurt with berries (which they usually have but sometimes run out of) … they refuse and tell you to call in for custom orders… I mean… how the hell did I know you ran out of my breakfast item or that you loaded up salads with bell peppers… (still weird)
2) I also get a half of a pre roasted chicken for dinner. I love Love LOVE the Herb flavored chicken, but I either get the last (or only one) they made for the day, or they’re not there AT ALL… but there’s always BUTT LOADS of BBQ rubbed pre-​roasted chicken… I don’t want BBQ. I just don’t. And not only do they not have the Herb infused chickens, they don’t carry halves of them either… This is their downfall and makes me want to leave sometimes to go get junk food.
3) No beer. Just wine. And not even a lot of wine… just a small selection…
All in all… a grocery store is a grocery store… I’d just really wish they made an even mix of the herb chicken with the bbq… because the BBQ flavor is not nearly as Delish…

This location seems like a standard Superstore with all the standard sections, just on a slightly reduced scale. It’s got a good health-​food section, JOE fresh, and when I visited last week, there were new displays for a new PC-​branded selection of artisan food products, all which looked really cool. I don’t know if it’s a test concept or will be in all the stores shortly, but it was pretty slick-​looking stuff.
Another feature I noticed here, but have yet to see it in other local Superstores was a bread slicer in the bakery section. I think you can choose your loaf and you can independently slice it yourself! I’m not aware of this at other locations.

Growing up, my parents always shopped at Superstore instead of Sobeys, but more often then not, they really are not any cheaper than Sobeys. As an adult, I find myself shopping at Sobeys much more than superstore because their sales seem to be better, however once in awhile I will stop at this Superstore on the way home from shopping or work.
I prefer to get meat here, and I find their bakery section better. However, every time we have been to this superstore lately, we have been approached by PC Financial reps trying to get us to sign up. One lady went on for a good 20mins and we eventually just had to walk away. I understand that they are promoting their product, but to interrupt shoppers valuable time, especially when most of us are in a rush to get in and out, is unacceptable. Also, I always seem to have problems with the self checkout, it is really finicky and 9 times out of 10, it is quicker and easier to just go to a cashier.
Overall, unless superstore has a good sale, like dollar days, I prefer to shop at Sobeys.

This location was recently renovated and as a result the shopping experience has much improved. It’s lighter, airier and better organized. Frankly it was a dim and depressing place before.
It generally meets my needs and is the most convenient spot for me to pick up groceries. I prefer the Sobey’s on Tacoma, but it’s slightly out of my way so I end up here more often.
I don’t find myself tempted by things not on my list. I know this should be an advantage, but part of the fun of grocery shopping is allowing yourself a little treat here and there. Not to say there aren’t good treats to be found — I just don’t seem to come across them as randomly.
It is always mother %^&*ing cold in this store. FREEZING. To the point I often feel I’m coming down with something when I’m in there. Hottest day of summer or most frigid day of winter, you will freeze your buns off here.
One result of the renovation is an expanded joe fresh selection. The children’s section is still there, but now you’ll find a small adult section too. It’s no Portland St or Joe Howe, but it’s awfully convenient.

When I moved to Dartmouth in ’97 the grocery stores here were generally awful. I did most of my grocery shopping across the harbor.
A few years later, this Superstore was built and it made a big difference in keeping my dollars on this side of the water. But as time has gone by, I have become less and less enamored of it, to the point where i now only use it about 30% of the time I go to buy groceries.
Why? Several reasons. First and foremost, I just like Sobeys better. The service is better, the staff friendlier, and the merchandising more honest. Superstore always seems to be trying to trick me (not just this particular store, but all of them). For example, an item marked 2 for $ 5 is $ 2.50 each at Sobeys and most other places. At SS it could be $ 3.99 if you only buy one. I have learned to read the fine print now, but I don’t like that. Today something can be 99 cents, tomorrow it’s $ 2.49, and next week it’s $ 1.77. That drives me nuts. Finally, the PC products used to be excellent, but they are now slapping that brand on everything and a lot of them are pretty run of the mill now.
Specific to this store, it does not strike me as the best-​managed supermarket I have ever experienced. Lineups at cash used to be ridiculous, though that has eased the last while as their business seems to have declined. Many things seem to be out of stock every time I go there, usually the specials, but not exclusively. The staff are often unhelpful or confused, some of them downright rude. The parking lot is a disaster, because both it and the store itself are too small. With Sobeys having built 3 new stores over the last few years in close proximity, I usually avoid this place now. If Sobeys would offer a dry cleaning counter, I could avoid this place entirely.

A solid, reliable grocery store. I don’t ask for much in my grocery store but this meets or exceeds most of my needs.
The fruit and vegetable section is fairly large and selection is usually pretty good.
Bakery and bread goods host far too many delicious temptations.
Checkouts usually move quite quickly.
The store is, for the most part, laid out in the order I expect.
Some important tips:
* It’s always busy at this Superstore. Al. Ways. I don’t know why but it is.
* It’s a grocery store. If you’re looking for a wide variety of Joe Clothing or other stuff, head over to the gi-​normous Portland Street location.
* It’s parking lot is always full. You should expect that you’re not going to get a spot right next to the door.
* It’s got a wine shop but that’s it in terms of liquor.
* If you’re taking transit, there’s only one bus: the #62 which has an unusual schedule. Make sure you know it before you head over.