Jim’s Cracker Barrel has all the product variety of chain grocery stores, but with some big advantages? short or non-existant lines and personal service.
‘We don’t have long lines for the most part,? said manager Rich Walker, whose family has owned the business for 21 years. ‘We’re more personal and friendlier because it’s family-owned and smaller than most places. We’re able to take care of our customers better.?
The 4,000 square-foot Brandon Township store has clean, spacious aisles filled with hundreds of food items, as well as health and beauty supplies, cleaning items, and paper products.
The grocery section was recently reset to make shopping easier. Walker said some older items were phased out and newer items were brought in.
‘We have the same variety as bigger stores, we just don’t carry as many sizes,? he said.
The market’s produce department has all the ingredients for fresh salads, as well as fresh fruit. Apples, oranges and grapes are available year-round and other fruits by season.
The meat department cuts all meat on site and meat can be cut to specifications with notice. Additionally, staff butchers will process customers? deer meat.
A deli offers delicious hot foods such as lasagna, hot wings, hamburgers, hot dogs, pepper steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, a fried chicken dinner, chili and soups. Sandwiches are also available and cold items include potato salad and coleslaw. For dessert, there are dognuts, brownies and pies.
A dairy department and frozen food section round out the store’s perimeter. A pharmacy is also located inside Jim’s Cracker Barrel, so prescriptions can be conveniently filled.
The market has a wide selection of wine, beer, and liquor. Lottery tickets and money orders are sold and copy and fax machines are available for customer use.
Jim’s Cracker Barrel accepts manufacturer’s coupons, as well as WIC and food stamps.
The store has about 10-12 employees, including Betty Pyenta, a 16-year employee.
‘Customers like us because the store is clean and they can get through quickly,? said Pyenta. ‘Employees are like family and our prices are competitive.?
Customers are like family, too.
‘I been here since I was a kid and I know the customers as family,? said Walker, noting that he knows about 40 percent of customers by their first names. ‘They’ve watched me grow up and I’ve watched some of them grow up. People who come in here are treated special? not just another customer in a line. We try to take care of our customers the best we can and we hope to stick around.?
5500 Oakhill Road in Brandon Township. The store is open from 9 a.m.- 9:30 p.m Monday through Saturday and Sundays from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Summer hours are 8 a.m.- 10 p.m. during the week and Saturday from 9 a.m.- 10 p.m. Sunday hours remain the same. (248) 628-6888.