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.