Schooner Bay STX

certain brands of milk do go bad fast regardless of expiration date. true, if you dont refrigerate bread it gets moldy, i do hate to refrigerate bread-gets hard-but have to hear. fruits and vegis go bad fast here too. does not matter how picky you are. dixie has been very lucky up there to get all that nice fresh cheap food at farmers markets

Try Dankin milk at Pueblo. Real milk from the states and costs $4.99 gallon or $2.99 half gallon. If it goes sour before the expiration date the company itself will refund your money.

If you do leave bread in the fridge too long, it will start to go hard, but it only happened to me a couple times. I use it right away.

As for fruit & veggies, I use them fast before they have a chance to spoil.
Sometimes I get a not so juicy peach with a strange texture, but that has happened to me in the states.
It's a crap shoot when it comes to certain fruits and produce that is shipped, just like in the states.

i usually try to get crowley milk but hubby gets milk from pueblo so is probably the brand you mentioned. and that should have been here and not hear. crowley milk is always good but a bit pricey

I only get organic milk, either from Plaza or food town, sometimes stop and shop out west. It's more expensive at 6.49 for a half gallon, but worth it to avoid antibiotics and extra hormones in the milk. The dates have been getting better and better too...my last carton was supposed to expire sept 4th and a couple of years ago it might have gone bad before that. But now it lasts a few days past the expiration date. And usually when I buy it, the expiration dates are not for 3-4 weeks ahead.

Nice article on cows this morning in the NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/09/opinion/sunday/kristof-where-cows-are-happy-and-food-is-healthy.html?_r=1&src=rechp

So, getting back to the discussion about Schooner Bay Market...

If we had our say, how should the store be run?

What should their position in the marketplace be?

How can they differentiate themselves from other similar convenience stores?

What types of goods should they carry or not carry.

What is their sustainable competitve advantage?

Can we formulate a bit of a plan on this thread so they can see what we want to buy and be successful again?

I wouldnt want them to close, but I do think they need to change course.

So, getting back to the discussion about Schooner Bay Market...

If we had our say, how should the store be run?

>>>Hustle! There are too many desks with bodies upstairs and not enough energy and enthusiasm on the floor. Ditch the homeless seating out front, and pressure-wash the entrance area. It smells like pee. Clean the shelves and mdse.

What should their position in the marketplace be?

How can they differentiate themselves from other similar convenience stores?

>>>By not being a convenience store. SBM has always been a place for quality and selection, and a clean, pleasant experience at a higher, but reasonable, price point.

What types of goods should they carry or not carry.

>>>Stock consistently and frequently. Inconsistent stock of unrecognizable brands sends people away. Enough with the housewares, already.

What is their sustainable competitve advantage?

>>>Parking, and if they get back on their game, a pleasant, sophisticated shopping experience.

Can we formulate a bit of a plan on this thread so they can see what we want to buy and be successful again?

>>>Good idea. Here's my 2¢.

I wouldnt want them to close, but I do think they need to change course.

Differentiation should be to carry items you can't get at plaza extra, cost-u-lots or other convenience stores (cheeses, breads, Rao's pasta sauce, quality cuts of meat, at reasonable prices. on stt, Marina Market, Gourmet Gallery and Fruit Bowl all do this at reasonable prices. They have been around a while so I think they do a good business. Of course they have alot more tourist traffic on stt, but a store like that on stx should survive, esp if it is the only one.

I used to shop at Schooner and loved that it resembled one the boutique, "almost gourmet" markets I've been in in the States. It's been a shame to watch its decline over the years, to the point that Foodtown has definitely overtaken it as our "go to" place.

I agree with others--if it wants to become relevant again, Schooner should go back to filling the void that now exists: unique specialty foods that aren't available elsewhere on island (such as craft beers, different varieties of fish, high-quality Greek yogurt), paired with friendly and efficient service. People will pay for that, as long as the prices are not outrageous.

If I were the owners, I'd seriously consider doing a survey of current and potential customers to see what people want. That would be a good first step.

One would think with its location Schooner would be able to do OK if it could give people a compelling reason to shop there.

Bernie

Even though I live in STT I go over to STX often and usually have the Taxi stop at Schooner Bay before going to the hotel for snacks etc.... Last few times I was shocked to see the condition of the place. I understand with Hovensa etc that times are tight but MAN the place is 1/2-3/4 empty the past few times. Schooner Bay used to be simular to Gourmet Gallery but did have some different things in it. It's nice to see the pots, pans, Kitchenaid stuff, etc but you can't eat those things. Much of what I loved to get in there haven't been able to find....... I hope that they get back to filling the void as Bernie stated.....

Hubby and I stopped there on Saturday, after lunch at Sharkey's. It was totally bare. It used to be like a Gormet Market. The deli was empty...........shelves bare and no specialty beer. The help not so friendly either. HUGE disappointment. I don't see them staying open long if they don't get the glitch back.

They used to be a great place. Bakery was outstanding, lots of interesting cheese, snacks, bulk grains and nuts. Couldn't be beat for a sandwich or plate lunch. It is a shame to see it go so far downhill. My guess is that either the owner is running out of capital, or he is sure he knows best and isn't interested in advice.