2 KC Institutions that desperately need updating

There are two--count 'em, two--Kansas City retail institutions in the area that have locations that are in such really awful condition, it's difficult to believe how neglected and downright ugly they are.

The first is Berbiglia's Liquor stores.

The two stores that are ironically closest to the city's most prime retail space, the Country Club Plaza, are a couple of the best, worst examples of ugly retail spots in the city. The first is on Westport Road, just to the West of Southwest Trafficway while the 2nd is at the corner of 45th and Madison.

These 2 stores are dumps. It's stunning this company has the nerve to keep these ugly, rundown retail facilities open. It looks as though they only want to sell to alcoholic street people. Without updating this place, they have a lot of nerve keeping it open. It's an insult to the customers who come through the door. I should think the Berbiglia family is or would be embarrassed by these really awful eyesores, should any still be around, as I believe they are.

Both have what must surely the original linoleum vinyl tile flooring when the shops were opened, they look that bad. They're way overused and neglected. You'd think they'd be an embarrassment to the owners of the chain but clearly they're not. They've been in this condition for years and to date, it appears they have no regard for their stores and, worse, no respect for or appreciation of their customers. They simply want to suck all the money and profit from the stores they can and never update. The customers they seem to be catering to would be the alcoholics off the street. If this isn't the customers they want, they should invest in their stores at least enough to make it clear otherwise.

Their store out on 75th Street, near State Line makes it clear they know they wouldn't have clients without also having a nice-looking, attractive, comfortable store, too.

The second local company that sorely, sorely needs updating and a bit of investment are the two Winstead's restaurants.

Have you been in lately?

Sure, the hamburgers and fries are just as they ever were... but that carpet?

It's not only badly worn in the main path areas but it's downright filthy. Whatever shades of mauve it used to be is now a deep, dark, dirty brown. It is beyon not pretty. It doesn't give you the feeling you've walked into a clean restaurant, certainly. And it's true at both the Plaza location and the one out West on Shawnee Mission Parkway, near I-35.

If the owners are smart, they'll one day put in new carpet, then give the staff a bit of a refresher on great service and have a kind of "Grand re-opening" so it gets them some notice and--shock of shocks--free press, media attention and advertising. Imagine that--helping your business and sales by investing in it.

Both of these businesses need to do just that and the sooner the better.

In each case, would it cost the company to update? Sure, you bet it would.

But would it also pay the respective companies in media attention and increased sales?

I think it absolutely would.

Here's hoping.

Links: http://www.berbiglia.com/

http://www.winsteadssteakburger.com

On the proliferation of inexpensive wine

First, there was, rather famously, "two-buck Chuck", introduced by Trader Joes.

And thank goodness for that.

They started the trend, I think we can say, clearly. That is, a fairly good, everyday table wine.

Of course, for the longest time, we couldn't get it here since we had no such store. Fortunately for us, that's changed with them having come to Ward Parkway Center.

Then, naturally, Walmart had to get in the mix so they introduced their own private label wine for nearly the same price. (It's actually about 20 cents less per bottle, as it should be. The quality, if you can call it that--"quality"--at this price level), is just not quite as good.

Now, I just learned last evening that local grocery store Hy-Vee has their own private label wine for $3 a bottle.

From what I understand, there is actually a glut of oil on the world markets.

I don't know. I can't check that out.

But I do know there is a glut of pretty good, inexpensive wine in the retail markets.

And for that, I'm grateful.

Very grateful.

Have a great weekend, y'all. And drink responsibly, if at all.

On Trader Joe's coming to Kansas City

I've made my first foray into a Trader Joe's retail store.

Yow.

What a find.

Now I'm even more jazzed than ever that this chain is bringing its goods to the Kansas City metropolitan area.

You want bargains?  They gotcher' bargains.

The one I visited isn't even a huge store but it surely had plenty of things in it to make you not want to go anywhere else, that's for sure.

As a small example, I don't, as a rule, buy potato chips since, if I bought a bag, I'd end up marching either completely through it, in one evening, or mostly, anyway, but they have a salt and pepper potato chips bag that is really to die for.

And that's just the beginning.

Whoever started and now runs these stores comes up with the coolest, tastiest products you'll ever want to see--AND NO ONE ELSE HAS THEM.

Go figure.

They have a line of organic soups, folks, in little cartons (they serve at least 3 bowls of soup for you) and they are absolutely delicious.  Some of the examples of them are Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato, Corn and Roasted Pepper, Carrot Ginger Soup and Butternut Squash Soup, to name just a few.  They taste wonderful, they're organic, they're good for you and--possibly saving best for last---they're only $2.80 per carton.  Really.  For three servings of soup.  It's not only outstanding on it's own right, it's also an outstanding value.

They also have a long line of cheeses you won't see anywhere else, along with crackers and cookies that are unique and delicious.

If you're a liquor store owner that is within, I'd say 5 miles of Ward Parkway Mall, where TJ's is going to open, I'd fear for my business as Trader Joe's has not only unique wines from all over the world but they also price them from their famous "Two-buck Chuck" (Charles Shaw wines) to, oh, I'd say a high price of between 5 and 7 dollars per bottle.

I'm here to tell you, this is one great store and one great chain.

They make saving money chic.  Extremely chic at that. 

We'll all look cool saving money.

Take that Wal-Mart.

Link:  http://www.traderjoes.com/

Berbiglia's Wine and Spirits: In the words of Bettye Davis: "What a dump!"

Have you been to a Berbiglia's Wine and Spirits store lately? At least, have you been to the ones near the Plaza and in Westport? I mean really, the founder, Mike Berbiglia, must be spinning in his grave. If there are any Berbiglia's still in town, I would think the entire clan would be embarrassed down to their socks. I stopped in last evening to the one just off the Plaza (4500 Belleview) and the place is just a pit. The carpet has been there for what appears to be decades and is, additionally, filthy. You can't tell if people spilled wine or other alcohol on the carpet in various places or if they got sick. Fortunately, it doesn't smell of either but that's the best thing I can say about it. Secondly, the entire store was so grossly understocked it was embarrassing, too, if not frustrating, as a customer. Third, the music the one clerk was playing--both songs I heard--were so loud and grating as to give you yet one more reason to regret you had come in and want to run out as fast as possible. (Note to owners: maybe it's not such a great idea to have only one clerk manning a liquor store just before 10 pm. Ever heard of armed robberies?). Mind you, I believe the store at 75th and State Line is a nicer looking store but this one, on Main, and the one in Westport (1215 Westport Road) and the one at 43rd and Main--again, just off the Plaza--all 3 are just embarrassing, ugly dumps. It's surprising that a store that pretends to be upscale and that doesn't have any real bargains on wine and that got "BEST LIQUOR STORE" Gold Award by Ingram's Magazine for 2006 would have stores in as bad a condition anywhere, let alone this close to the all important and image-conscious Country Club Plaza. To go in to these Berbiglia stores, if you've ever worked retail, is to assume the owners think you are nothing and have utterly no respect for you at all. I avoid Berbiglia stores for this very reason and won't go back again until they're cleaned up--no matter how desperate I become. Will one person make a difference? Probably not. Not unless he or she blogs. And the word gets around.