January 4, 2008
Ellwood Thompson’s to Eliminate Paper & Plastic Bags
I was at Ellwood Thompson’s yesterday and you know what they told me? In addition to no longer having plastic bags in 2008, in a few weeks they eliminate paper bags as well. Your options: buy (ugly green fabric) reusable ones that cost $1.99 or carry your stuff in your arms. If you ask me, that is pretty typical of Ellwood’s approach to customer service.
I am all for supporting reuse of bags and recycling, but to me this seemed a bit extreme — especially in light of the fact that Whole Foods Market will be coming to Short Pump this Spring and there have been unconfirmed whispers that the mysterious Trader Joe’s will follow suit. Just to let you know how pro-reusable bag I am, I carry my reusable bags into *gasp* Walmart, and endure many huffs and puffs from the Walmart clerks who are just not used to that, and find it so much more trouble than double plastic bagging excessively.
When I asked the Ellwood’s manager on duty what he would do if someone forgot their reusable bag, he said they had two choices — no bag or buy a very expensive reusable one. No other options. I won’t even mention all of the other bad customer service I observed on this visit. Ellwood Thompson is in for a rude awakening when Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s do open.
Personally, I like Trader Joe’s approach to reusable bags. Give people the freedom to choose, paper or reusable ones, but make the reusable ones so cool looking, sturdy and practical, that you just really want to use them. Trader Joe’s bags are made out of Polypropylene, a woven plastic type surface (think tarp) that is incredibly sturdy and wipes clean easily. The handles are long and reinforced nylon webbing. And best of all, they make a statement. In fact, they have trouble keeping them in stock they are so popular. And, they sell them at a loss, because they want you to own one and use it. Helps the environment and it is free advertising for one of the coolest grocery stores in the country.
This is also an example of ET’s approach to the environment. Making people pay for bags if they forget their reusables seems less deplorable than continuing to provide disposable bags. I think people will get into the habit of keeping their grocery bags in their car so they always have them when they need them. I applaud ET for their commitment.
I agree that sucks. But, at the same time I think some places needed to force people into using a reusable bag. I think it’s a good idea.
I think this is awesome, finally a local retailer is brave enough to go bag free. American consumers are so sold on plastic bags, they aren’t even given a second thought by the huge masses. Sometimes you got to make a big statement like ET is doing to get the point across.
I think a plastic bag tax on stores is fair, and in order, if they want to charge for them or do away with them to off set the tax, then that is the desired result.
That or require plastic bags to be biodegradable, the technology is there, but it isn’t “economic” because of plastic’s domination of the market.
I agree that we should be given an option for at least paper (it’s an industry that’s important to Virginians). I have reusable bags and sometimes I just forget them! I’m a concious consumer, but occassionally life gets crazy and I could see myself buying a large amount at ET and being forced to buy bags because I can’t carry the load and I don’t have my bags. HOWEVER, to say that Richmonders need to drive ALL the way out to Short Pump in order to get their groceries is both environmentally un-friendly and more annoying than a 1.99 grocery bag.
For years in NoVa it was the bane of my wife’s existence to go the local Safeway, Giant or Shoppers Food Warehouse and have checkout clerks mutter and fume at the thought of having to use our well used LL Bean boat sacks instead of double bagging plastic. What is/was the problem with people like that?
I’m all about the world but I concur - indicative of ET’s customer service. For being such an eco-friendly establishment, maybe their 2008 resolution can also be to improve their people skills. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a smile or “hello” from an ET employee. I’ll try to not shower or shave for the next two weeks and maybe someone will acknowledge me when all I want is a vegan cookie and some kombucha tea.
Whoa, where’d all this ET hating come from? I don’t shop at ET a whole lot, but I’ve been treated pretty well when I have. I’ve had conversations with checkout clerks and have had many questions answered by the fresh fish guy, who is nice.
I used to live in walking distance and frequented the store for years. ET employees have always treated me well.
I agree with Justin. I’ve found their staff to be friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful. Furthermore, given the general market of people that ET caters to, I don’t think it will be as much of an issue regarding the bags as everyone thinks.
I heard from an employee at ET that they will not get rid of the paper bags until they can start using bags made from sugar cane as a replacement. I have read that sugar cane bags breakdown in a landfill after only 1 month, compared to decades for your average plastic bag.
Wow, that is good to know. I had not heard of sugar cane bags. Seems like the perfect compromise! On another note, I was at E.T. this morning and the clerk asked to look inside my Trader Joe’s bag to see who made it, so they could get some made! Maybe someone there reads my blog?
Is fashion really more important than the environment? It saddens me to think people are more concerned about how “cool looking” a bag is instead of applauding a bold stance a locally owned and operated business that supports local farmers and cottage industries is taking to lower their impact on environmental destruction. If the T.J.’s bags match your outfits better can’t you use those at Ellwood Thompson’s or any other bags for that matter? I don’t think your only option is to carry your groceries in your arms or buy one of their “very expensive” $1.99 bags.
I would like to add besides Ellwoods going crazy with all their new changes people should also take into consideration that everything they do is MARKETING. They DO NOT believe in the community or being “green” etc, etc. I worked their for a few years and since the new management changes they have raised all of their prices, discontinued many popular items(that had nothing wrong with them), they cut every workers hours including the usual amount of profit sharing they recieve and use the excuse “you should be glad you are getting anything” all because they want to take over the entire shopping center and expand, etc I could go on all day long with the things wrong with this place. They are currently finding any reason to lay people off including taking peoples health benefits away from them (like a struggling single mother who will stay unnamed.) MANY MANY long term employees including almost ALL the managers have quit because of how, for lack of a BETTER word, EVIL this place has become. Customers and workers are both unhappy for a GOOD reason. Boycott Ellwood Thompsons.
I also used to work there and have quit because I can’t look shoppers in the face anymore and lie to them anymore, which is basically what they are forcing us to do. Granted, it is nice that they are being environmentally friendly and what not but they are fooling all of you. Whole Foods is much more worth it. The CEO Ryan and manager Garland are basically two idiots they got from other major corporations to make changes to only benefit themselves and step over whoever it takes to accomplish this. I’ve seen many valued managers/employees leave the store and whatever shred of values/morals Ellwood Thompson’s had left, left the store with them.
Owner - Rick Hood - Unintelligent, wealthy businessman that pretends to understand the values of the business he bought from his ex-partner, yet he drives an SUV as his sole mode of transportation and directs his employees to throw away items that he feels don’t give the impression of sustainability.
CEO - Ryan Youngman - what he lacks in qualifications he makes up for in “energy” or so thinks the owner. Not sure the energy is “all natural”. This guy is clueless and on some kind of self-important ego trip, but hey, it’s all good. Keep raising prices and cutting labor. The customers won’t notice.
Director of Operations - Garland McQueen - McDonalds anyone? This guy is as conventional as they come and what does he do here anyway?
I will do my best to shop in town. I will not make a special trip out to Short Pump for groceries…hell I barely visit my friends and relatives who have moved out to the counties. Why? because the landscape is depressing.
I’d rather conserve gas and not see the ugly blight on the planet that is Short Pump.
I’m sure if you forgot your bags you could just put them back in your cart and transport them to your car. It’s really no big deal. With 2 children to tote along,I’ve forgotten my bags- and just put ‘em back in the shopping cart after they’ve been charged. No. Big. Deal.
I applaud Ellwood Thompsons for all the outreach they’re doing.
Naturally fake. What a joke. Witches, funky cashiers, with skull and bone tattoos, grotesquely revealed midriff’s and butt cracks showing over low slung jeans, moldy bread, fruits and vegetables thrown out as opposed to given to employees, or the homeless. All they need now is some bats….and they’ll be just another haunted fake natural store at the end of the block. Hellhood Thumbsons is the epitome of fashionably natural. Great looking on the surface been when looked at deeply you’ll see constant critical health violations, 7 as reported last Friday on Channel 12 restaurant report. A constant watch on the State web site will keep you abreast of the others they have and correct on the spot. So no applause, props, ups, or nods up should go to Hellhood as this is a clear green marketing move to make you feel good. And though it sounds good regarding the bags…it’s fake…and not as green as one would think. When you can’t recycle food in people, and you band your employees from even going near the dumpster where the food is thrown….how green can you be. Green with envy maybe…or green with money. Lets explore it….Nectarines $2.29 lb at Good Food Grocery, $3.99 at Hellhood Thumbson’s, Annie’s Goddess Dressing $3.69 at Hellhood, Trader Joe’s own Goddess $1.99 (taste the same) . Hellhood has enjoyed the luxury of being the only game in town for many years (15 or so) since Fresh Fields, Integral Yoga, and Fare Share closed or left Richmond. The luck of that luxury has run-out. So there are other options in an around Richmond for natural food eaters and those that are concerned with the environment and their health. Now that Hellhood is not the only game in town maybe they’ll be more apt to up grade their standards of customer service, their quality of presentation, their response to customer needs, and avoid being on the critical violations list with the health department…as it appears they are a permanent resident. Good Food Grocery is a long standing, family owned business that has maintained their commitment to natural foods and community health since 1985. Check them out if you still like smiling faces, helpful employees, and the original spirit of the natural food store prior to it going corporate. Hellhood is a corporate wannabe…and the fake no bag campaign is not exactly a quantum leap in that direction.
Actually, they allow us plenty of free food.
The “critical” health violations were essentially a snafu; if you eat out at any fan restaurant or nearly ANY restaurant in Richmond you’re going to be eating from a MUCH MUCH dirtier kitchen. Also the violations were immediately corrected.
I don’t have a single tattoo, my pants have a belt. Mold is a naturally occuring organism. If it’s in your food, report it or return it. Mold can accumulate in any environment.
As far as the management goes - yes, they are near imbeciles. And greedy. The rest of us (employees) are good people. We care about our ‘customers’ (friends), and MOST of us have ethical minds. I help everyone to the fullest extent possible.
You can’t make everybody happy.
ALSO:
There is no TRUE environmentally reciprocal “natural/local/organic whatever” market out there.
You know what every liner, in every trash container, in every store, EVER, is made from?
INDUSTRIAL
GRADE
PLASTIC