$32.33 USD

I'm sick of overpaying at Whole Foods. However, they maintain some mysterious power over me, which pulls me back into the store over and over. At Henry's, a similar basket of goods would cost about $15. I paid $3.99 for that string chese block in the back. The apple here costs $.88, where its about $.10 at Henry's. Once I bought an apple and a pair from Henry's for $.17. It seems pretty silly to go through the process of operating the cash register for $.17. I bet that organic natural soda behind me in line rung up at $3.99.

So what is it that makes people happily and loyally overpay for their groceries at Whole Foods? The quality and variety of the food? The swankiness of the store? The social scene? I have to admit, for me, it's the Old World atmosphere of the store. It's the people behind the counters cutting and weighing the meats. It feels like a market.

There must be other happy shopping places in town. I know that Ranch 99 is the closest thing to a Chinese market, and people really like it. There has to be a nice little market in Little Italy as well. I'll find something.