Aldi’s

Aldi’s amazes and upsets me. Odd. I stop at this store «occasionally’, when I have time to kill. About once a year. There is nothing here that screams that I need to come back and stock up.
The one positive is the chocolate variety which expands into chocolate covered cookies. Chocolates are to die for and please don’t get me started on cookies. «Le Petit Ecolier» — brand I love — can be purchased here at a MERE fraction of the normal cost under the heading «Milk Chocolate Coated Butter Cookies». Simple. Yet effective and tasty.
Aldi’s does have some cool stuff. I love the seasonal things. Today I bought Marzipan Stollen. I also bought a freaking Barbie doll that was mislabeled. Thought I had «Monster High» and I only have a dream Barbie. That cost me «gummy» points. Anyway, Aldi’s is just OK.
Aldi’s and Trader Joe’s are owned by the same company. My suspicion is that most products available for sale are made by the same producer. Whatever. Prices are just, OK. Not super reduced. Meats are über pricey, or maybe just for this location. I was and am still amazed that I found chevre, flavored with cranberries and/​or cinnamon (two varieties) which I am able to pair with my roasted beets.
Big issue here is check out. There has been one open. With a checkout queue going up the frozen aisle. One person… with ‘tude. Seriously. Customer service is what it sounds like. CUSTOMER SERVICE.
I guess once a year is enough for me to establish the fact that I am far more rooted in other small businesses. Aldi, it has not been a fun ride but I believe that we have never been coupled and we shall go on our separate ways.