# What do you call "the food store"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 20, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020 "2014-08-20T17:22:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/61 "2014-08-21T17:43:15Z")
> [@Morelin](#): > > What about A&P? Or Walbaum’s? Neither of those stores exist in New York. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/62 "2014-08-21T17:48:30Z")
I usually call it by name (most often “Lucky” since that’s where we usually go…sometimes “Safeway.”) Other than that, it’s “the store” (“We have to go to the store tonight–I’m out of lunch food.”) ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/63 "2014-08-21T17:49:50Z")
It occurred to me that sometimes it’s dependent on the context of the sentence. For example, if I’m talking about a hypothetical shopping trip, I’ll refer to going to “the store”, but if I’m going to a particular one, or at a particular one, then the name will be used. Sometimes, if the hypothetical trip is groceries-centered, it’ll be “the grocery store”, but if not it’ll be “the store”, because that could encompass the local Kroger, Tom Thumb, Fiesta, Wal-Mart or Target. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/64 "2014-08-21T17:51:25Z")
If I say I’m going to “the store,” it’s obvious I mean Food Basics, since that’s the one closest to us. If I’m planning to visit another one, I’ll say something like “Metro” or “Wal-Mart.” ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/65 "2014-08-21T18:23:00Z")
“The commissary,” “Stop & Shop,” “the store,” or “shopping,” pretty much in descending order. So I picked “Store’s proper name.” ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/66 "2014-08-21T19:45:40Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Neither of those stores exist in New York. You shouldn’t say things do or don’t exist in NY when what you really mean is that they do or don’t exist in your part of NY. A&P is in the Bronx and Westchester at least, and Waldbaum’s is in Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn and Queens. But no Wegman’s in any of those places. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/67 "2014-08-21T20:20:15Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > The grocery store, or just “going for groceries” since I usually hit 3 or 4 stores at a time. I say this, and do this. I might go to Kroger, Target, WalMart, Giant Eagle, Big lots, Meijer, the dollar store, and the gas station on the same trip. It’s rare that I make a specific plan for one store unless it’s the only place that has something- like there’s one common item Kroger does not sell at all for some reason. Giant Eagle does but it’s $4.98, while it’s $2.07 at Meijer. So, I might tell my wife I’m stopping by Kroger to indicate I can’t buy that item. Otherwise I might just stop at a store on my way back home from wherever I have been. Also, as a catchall I might just say “going to do errands”- which is likely to include grocery shopping. OT: When I was reading some articles about Jennifer Huston (Oregon “mom” who committed suicide while her family thought she was out doing errands), I was very surprised by the number of blog commentators that strongly insisted that parents “do not do errands,” and that making such a statement was very suspicious. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/68 "2014-08-21T22:03:17Z")
“The grocery,” when I was a kid, I think? I think I usually say the name, now. Or I call it a supermarket if I’m trying to be correct. But I picked “grocery store.” ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/69 "2014-08-21T22:08:32Z")
The Grocery Store: this means I will be back within an hour with a bottle of Coke, a loaf of bread, and a pack of t.p. The Store: this means a grocery store, since we always need SOMETHING, but can include side trips to the drugstore, the bottle return, etc. Errands: means I won’t be back for a couple of hours (bank, library, shopping for presents, Hallmark store for card, dollar store for gift bag.) Mall: Tie a rope around my waist, hon, Imma going in! Doesn’t happen often, only holidays/birthdays, but will take up most of the day what with driving there, parking, and hitting up the food court. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/70 "2014-08-21T22:13:18Z")
For the main store, I’ll either call it by name (usually Stop & Shop) or grocery store, sometimes supermarket. For smaller markets, usually by name (C-Town, Bravo) because they have an ingredient or three not available in the main grocery store. There are also the Asian markets, which we call Asian market regardless of which one we are visiting, and the countless bodegas, which trade convenience for price. Again, these are just called bodega, regardless of which one we are visiting. ---
**Author:** ![Barking\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Barking\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Dog)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/71 "2014-08-21T22:15:54Z")
Call it the grocery store, as opposed to other stores where you might buy thing other than groceries. And no need to call it by name, since there’s only the one chain. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/72 "2014-08-21T22:28:51Z")
Other: the shops, or the dairy (smaller corner convenience stores in New Zealand). ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2014, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/73 "2014-08-21T22:44:11Z")
Going to the supermarket…which will then be broken down upon questioning ‘Which one?’ (Safeway, Aldi, IGA) so that my daughter or I can determine what we want picked up on our behalf. As the above supermarkets are in three different shopping complexes, the generic ‘supermarket’ is not specific enough sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/74 "2014-08-22T00:45:21Z")
Typically the proper name due to three different chains being within walking distance or a short bus ride. If I feel the need to use a generic term, it’s “the grocer”. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/75 "2014-08-22T01:20:36Z")
> [@vontsira](#): > > Usually, I use the supermarket’s proper name – whichever supermarket I’m going to (different ones, have different and varied pros and cons; thus some “playing the field”). Am in the UK, so using a UK firm’s name as an example: I always say just “going to Tesco”, never “going to the Tesco”. Quite true – unless it’s The Coop (Short for Cooperative, hence Co op) which always takes a “The”. However oldfolk round where live call the Coop “stores” pronounced with two syllables Stoo-wers. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus\_alba](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quercus_alba/32/4061_2.png) [@Quercus\_alba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus_alba)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/76 "2014-08-22T03:46:29Z")
It’s a big building with food for sale, but that’s not important right now. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/77 "2014-08-22T03:48:10Z")
I say “the market” or the name of the store. “I’m stopping at the market after work, are we low on milk?” “I’m going to make a Trader Joe’s run, do you want anything?” ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2014, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/78 "2014-08-22T06:43:42Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Neither of those stores exist in New York. Uh, yes they do. I live in New York and I have never heard of Wegman’s. I would say “the supermarket” and I’m a bit surprised that the results have that as so low. I expected “supermarket” and “grocery store” to be about even. But it also depends on the store. If I was going to Trader Joe’s, I would call it by name, but I would say “the supermarket” to refer to interchangeable stores that have basically the same products, such as King Kullen, Pathmark, Stop N Shop, and yes _Waldbaum’s._ ---
**Author:** ![Morelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Morelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morelin)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/79 "2014-08-23T20:21:37Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > You shouldn’t say things do or don’t exist in NY when what you really mean is that they do or don’t exist in your part of NY. A&P is in the Bronx and Westchester at least, and Waldbaum’s is in Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn and Queens. But no Wegman’s in any of those places. Thank you. A&P used to be in Massapequa, as well, but I haven’t been back home in years, so they may have closed. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2014, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020/80 "2014-08-24T01:18:32Z")
I’m a little surprised Supermarket is doing as badly as it is. I assumed that Supermarket, Grocery store and the Store name would be neck and neck and neck. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-the-food-store/696020.md?page=5)