The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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The right stuff
Local shoppers have two good alternatives
By Majida Rashid, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: January 11, 2007
When it comes to grocery shopping in Saline, Busch's ValuLand and Country Market are the main outlets local residents turn to, bypassing larger chain-operated stores such as Meijer and Kroger in neighboring cities.
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Busch's, a privately owned company, was established in 1975 by Joe Busch and Charlie Mattis. There are 12 stores in Michigan employing 1,200 workers from across Michigan and Ohio.
The Saline store opened in 1977 and employs 130 people who work three shifts, keeping the business open from 6 a.m. to midnight. The Saline store's specialty of in-house salads and baked goods is the top-selling item.
"Many customers shop by the meal, but that happens all over," said Mike Bires, director of the Saline store.
Bires, who has been with the Saline store for three years and with the company for five, says the competitive nature of the business is what makes it so unique, so Busch's strives to satisfy all tastes.
"We prefer to shop at Busch's because they have more choices and carry more brands that we like," said Geri Cogan of Saline, a teacher in Ann Arbor. "I like their produce and meat, especially because of its packaging. It fits into a small space. They also carry a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables."
Busch's also gives back to the community by sponsoring events such as the Saline Celtic Festival, Holiday Parade and various school events. This year, the store helped raise money for the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce by holding a raffle and donating the raffle prizes of groceries. Busch's also donates food to Food Gatherers.
Located at the corner of Industrial and Michigan Avenue in Saline, Country Market is a third-generation family-owned company. It was established in 1934 by Jackson resident Frank Kennedy and features 11 stores in Michigan. The location in Saline opened in July 2005 after the company that operates Country Market bought the former Farmer Jack store.
Excellent customer service is what the store prides itself on. Organic items are the top sellers not only at the Saline location, but also in Dexter and Chelsea.
"It seems the closer our stores get to Ann Arbor, there is more of a demand for organic and natural products because of the awareness of healthy living," said Mickey Zippay, store director for Country Market in Saline, who has been with the company for eight years.
"Customers in this area buy a lot more high-end products," he said. "For example, customers in our Jackson stores may buy more Campbell's soup while in our Dexter, Chelsea and Saline stores they purchase more Progresso soups."
Competitive prices on natural and organic items keep the traffic flow to the store, he said. In addition, Country Market offers special sales, and the strip mall hosts spring and fall festivals every year that bring in new customers.
Of the 500 people employed by Country Market, 75 work at the Saline store. Most employees are from Jackson, Lenawee and Washtenaw counties. The Saline store has two shifts and is open from 6 a.m. to midnight.
The store's competitors are Busch's, Meijer's and Wal-Mart, Zippay said.
Like Busch's ValuLand, Country Market gives back to the community, sponsoring various community events in Saline, including the Saline Celtic Festival and football team.
Jeff Frumkin, 56, and his 16-year-old son, Brandon Nehl-Frumkin, are regular shoppers at Country Market, stopping in two to three times a week. They say the store's charity is one reason they do business there.
"We mainly go to Busch's for our shopping because they support Scouting and other youth activities in the Saline area," Frumkin said. "So we try to pay back by supporting them."
Originally from Detroit, the family moved to Silo Ridge subdivision 10 years ago. Frumkin works in the provost office at the University of Michigan. Fresh produce tops the family's list of shopping because they like to prepare meals from scratch. Frumkin likes to cook pasta, while his son spices it up with sauces.
"The cleanliness is what keeps me coming back to this store," Frumkin said.
Andrea Smith, 35, of Saline is a stay-at-home mom who takes care of her three children, Hayden, 9, Hope 6, and Carter, 2. She shops three to four times a week and mostly at Country Market.
"Prices here are good," she said. "It's easier to get around. The aisles are bigger and there is more space compared to Busch's."
Milk, cereal, fruit and diapers usually make her shopping list.
"I take their weekly sales paper and plan according to brands with special offers. Usually one brand out of several is on sale," she said.
"I also like coming here because they are nice and friendly, and you never have to wait long in line. And if there is any problem, they take care of it right away."
Majida Rashid is a freelance writer. She can be reached at .
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