THE AMATEUR PARKER … Yogurt TakesOver Parking Lot M BY MELISSA BEAN STERZICK


Y FAVORITE LITTLE GROCERY store is actually part of a giant chain. They specialize in smaller-scale loca- tions that sell staples and good-quality


gourmet foods that make the staples seem a lot more glamorous than they really are. Fortunately, the staples are priced competitively, so even though I admit I’ma sucker for the fancy stuff, I’mnot being suckered into paying $5 for a gallon ofmilk.


I like to shop at this grocery store for many reasons. The


staff is sincerely friendly. The sample stand is always going full- speed, and they give my kids stickers and balloons. It makes everybody happy. I’d tell you the name of the place, but if you can’t guess it’s because you don’t have one, and there’s no use torturing you that way. I have been going to this store for the last 9 years and have


learned to steer clear on Saturdays and Monday evenings. On those days, not only is the place packed and inventory low, but the parking lot starts to jamand spill, and it’s a realmess to get in and out. On a busy day the only parking to be found is across the


street, andmetered, whichmeans I have to find quarters, and be ready to carry three grocery bags and my toddler back to my car when I’m done shopping. My willingness to deal with the limited parking proves I really like this grocer and its products. Most days it’s entirely manageable and parking is a non-issue. Until recently. Somemonths ago the United States’ trembling economy got


the best of a mom-and-pop camera store in this tiny shopping center.After they liquidated, the storefront stood empty for about 10 minutes before a frozen yogurt chain signed on. The yogurt people gutted the place and then filled it with self-serve machin- ery, high-wattage lighting, retro tables and chairs, and apple greenmosaic tile. A veritable pro-biotic temple, it hardly matters what the


place is called,we’ve all been in one of them, and the idea is pret- ty simple: Choose your own flavors and toppings and pay for through the nose by the ounce.And it’s fat-free. I tried the yogurt myself. I thought it was sickeningly sweet,


which is probably why my kids loved it and so does everybody else.And I mean love it. I noticed the store’s affect on parking right away. My 8 pmmidweek grocery run foundme in a full, instead of half empty, parking lot. All those extra cars belonged to the


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| 1.800.205.7186 MAY 2010 • PARKING TODAY • www.parkingtoday.com


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