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Show THE ZEPHYR/F EBRUARY-MARCH 2004 THE ZEPHYR/ JAN/FEB ’90 “with tear-filled eyes” a sentimental last journey to old City Market by Jim Stiles On December 13, City Market moved to Its new location on Malin Street. The new store Is a gigantic bullding by Moab standards, complete with dell, salad bar, pharmacy, wider aisles, taller celllngs, and a blgger parking lot. Across the street, the old City market Illes dark and vacant, a hollow shell of Its former self. But If only that bullding could talk — the storles It could tell. In the waning days of old City Market's life, before they finally locked the doors for good, | took a sentimental last journey to the grocery | had known and loved for over 15 years. As | parked my car, | stared wistfully.at the store’s facade. | had always been Impressed by the sheer beauty of the bullding, that architectural style known to many as neo-classical/quansethuttian. | crossed the lot and started to walk through the automatic-open entrance door; halfway through the portal, however, | was trampled by a family of Europeans who have not yet grasped the concept of entry and exit. As they lifted me from the ground, ! complained bitterly: ago, that | observed a gaggle of shoppers huddled around a display, feeling avocados. It was a strange, and yet moving sight. All of these people, strangers to each other Just minutes before, had now found a common bond and a common purpose — the search for a ripe avocado. Just a few feet away, the Kiwis were on sale. | had never had a Kiwi, and It wasn’t until 1983 that my friend Joan, just returned from New Zealand, persuaded me to give them a try. But it was dark In the car as | pulled one out of the bag and popped It In my mouth. "Good Lord!” | exclaimed, ’They’re hairy little buggers aren't they?” "You're supposed to peel them, you Idiot,” she replied. But It was too late; | was committed. | haven’t been the same since. Passing up one aisle and down the next, | noticed the changes that have occurred In the last 15 years. Our eating and drinking habits have changed drastically. Consider soft drink competition, for instance. It wasn’t long ago that Coke, Pepsi and Seven Up dominated the soda pop alsle. But look at the strange interlopers that have recently appeared: Smucker’s 100% Natural Fruit Sparkler, Calistoga Black Currant Cooler, Colorado Crystal Mineral Water, Sundance Sparkler, Koala, Perrier. It all sounds so ..... healthy The same fate has befallen cereals. Nutritious, good-for-you names like Mueslix, Heartwise (contains psyillium), Oatbake (contains oats), Nutri-Grain, and Frultful Bran fill the shelves. Clinging desperately to a fading past, | solidly remain a Cocoa Puffs - Froot Loops kind-of-a-guy. What | have observed about all cereals is that they look appetizing and appealing In a box on a grocery store shelf, but somehow fall to Inspire me at 7 a.m. as the flake, or nuggets, or whatever get soggy and disgusting In a sea of milk. | shudder at the thought. "This Is the wrong door!” | cried. "Can’t you read?” The German gentleman smiled blandly and replied, "Thank you very much.” | looked at the grinning man and thought about the Berlin Wall’s demise and all the new East Germans that will be able to visit Moab. | shook his hand and said, "God Bless America.” He agaln smiled warmly and repliled, "Thank you very much.” : Once Inside, | stood briefly by the shopping carts, and looked fondly at the famillar scene. To the right, was the bulk dog food display. Before my two old mutts moved on to Dog Heaven, | spent a lot of time and money In this corner. Muckluk, a Husky—mIx and the older of the two, was a voracious eater, an absolute glutton. | fed her twice each day — two cups of Purina, morning and night, and It took her (on average) 14 seconds to consume the contents of her bowl. | once left an open 50 Ib. bag of Purina Dog Chow next to the kitchen stove and drove to the corner for gas. When | returned, the bag was overturned, and at least half of Muckluk was Inside the bag. She was motionless — | thought she was dead. | dragged her out of the sack, only to discover she was asleep. Muck had eaten (by conservative estimate) about 10 lbs. of dog food and now with her stomach bloated and as taut as a snare drum, she was no doubt dreaming of dessert. Twenty minutes later, Muck was on her feet again, looking for handouts. Before leaving, | took a quick look at the Generic Foods Department, a remarkably diverse collection of canned and boxed foods In thelr distinctive black and white packaging. Years ago, in the waning days of my marriage, | considered giving my beloved a can of cut beets as an anniversary present .... shortly thereafter, she divorced me. Was It me or the beets? | guess I'll never know. Saving the best for last, | waved goodby to the check-out staff. Fortunately, thelr shining faces will move to the new store, "providinga continuity that would otherwise not exist.” On lanes 3 and 4, Angle DeMoss and Pam Arthur — they are known locally as City Market’s Dynamic Duo, run the registers. Beyond them siood Ginny Leech, without doubt the most cheerful person | have ever met. Grappling with the plastic bags were Gwen Harper (who should be In an Ivory Soap commercial with her daughters) and Elleen Hayden (who should be applauded for her skills as an Independent businessperson). I sighed heavily. Will It be the same at the new store, | wondered. Will the same esprit exist across the street? The thought was complicated by a recognition of the power these people hold over the citizenry of Grand County. They know everything about us, | realized. | remember the day | bought a bottle of Immodium A.D. and an unnamed checkout person asked slyly: "Having a problem, are we?” Gasp. It was true. My life Is an open book to them. | wondered, Irrationally, If they kept filles. But the fear passed. | trust these people, | concluded. It’s OK. Speaking of free handouts, as | moved past the frozen food department (the staple of Ilfe for single men), | spotted the free-sample lady. Today’s special was tiny little hot dogs stuffed with cheese. Well, why not Indulge In a little wholesome tidbit? It was so good, | had another. | never knew what to do with the toothpicks when | was done with the free sample. 1! could never find a trash can at City Market. | always ended up putting them In my pocket, and severely stabbing myself later. 1! reflected on past Injuries, and those lean times when | tried to make a meal out of free tidbits on toothpicks. Usually the free sample distributor tolerated three passes. Going for four was risky. With one eyebrow arched the woman would ask sharply, "Weren’t you Just here?” "Who? Me?” I'd reply innocently. Once, desperate for one more free sample, | disguised myself ..... Pam and Angle, the Batman and Robin of City Market -...but somehow, she saw through my costume. Leaving the toothpick-speared weenles behind, | saw the frozen wheat tortillas and remembered my 1977 ALL BURRITTO DIET. | spent a lot of time alone. Across the alsle, neatly stacked jars of Cheez—-Whiz glimmered beneath the fluorescent lights. My friend Willie Flocko changed my life when he Introduced me to CheezWhiz Nachos. ! will forever owe him a debt of gratitude. Around the corner, the produce sectlon appeared. It was here, several years | turned to leave, and was once again trampled by a group of unusual looking people. | picked myself up and brushed off the dirt. They were still standing In the doorway. “German?” | inquired. "Park City,” they replied. | looked closer and saw the royal blue lycra beneath the Pategonia Bunting. Weil, of course, | thought. And why not? "Welcome to City Market,” | sald. "The Calistoga Black Currant Soda Is on alsle #5. Good luck.” ° ED GK OO uN CC 0 S | walked through the door for the last time. Don't look back, | said to myself. Don’t look back. PAGE 27 ee ee a It closed automatically ‘behind me. |