A couple of weeks back, I had to pop into town to Makro (my worst) to pick up something that was on special. It was not a “town day” so Mom (yes, Mom was still visiting) and I were not much in the mood for driving around to get a few odds and ends and went to the centre across the road where there is a Checkers. Well! Was I impressed! Remember I am a Woolies girl. The store was super sparkly clean, incredibly neat, which works for my OCD issues and the shelves were perfectly packed – almost as if they used a ruler. Even better than all of this was their prices!
My kitties soft food sachets were R1.20 cheaper – which is a great saving, seeing that I go through 2 sachets a day. I also checked the expiry dates just to make sure and these had just been manufactured a couple of weeks ago.
They had this lovely stainless steel microplane grater/zester for only R19,99 – can you believe it. Haven’t had the opportunity to use it yet though. Maybe tomorrow. 🙂
Aah, then there was the baking aisle – it was the best stocked aisle I have seen since being back home! They had the largest selection of everything from flour to cookie decorations, including these lovely cupcake wrappers which I have not been able to get anywhere else in PE.
Their fruit and veg was top quality and beautifully arranged – didn’t think of taking a picture at the time – sorry.
Their meat selection was very impressive and we picked up these very reasonably priced steaks for R59.97 a kilo. These 2 inch steaks made their way to our bellies the same day and a couple more into the freezer for a braai soon!
Are all Checkers stores this good? What is the Checkers like in your area?
The Complete Book 
I so seldom go to ours, even though it is good, as the parking is a nightmare 🙂
What a pity about the parking – it is always so off putting when you have to hassle to park. Have a super day. 🙂
Tandy, are talking about the Somerset West one? When last have you been there? It is SHOCKING now!!
So sad that good stores just drop the ball. 🙂
that is so bad to hear! I have not been for ages 🙂
It’s great finding a nice new shop that you like! Here we have 2 Checkers – the one closest to us is disgusting – the smell hits you before you even get inside; the other one is on the other side of town and is really super – spotless, well-stocked, well-priced and they stock a lot of UK products! It’s worth the trip over there to shop for some fancy goodies…I always spend too much when I shop there 🙂
Have a good day, Mandy!
I remember Checkers stores having a really horrid smell years back. Strange that one store can be so bad and then the other so good! I too spent WAY to much! Have a happy day. 🙂
Our Checkers is disgusting!! Not only does it stink and the floors are always dirty, but the shelves are never fully stocked and that same cut of steak is around R89/kg! The staff make you feel like they are doing you a HUGE favour and their bakery items are also overpriced and rarely fresh. “Fresh” fruit and veg is also hard to find 😦
Hi Chantelle, welcome and thanks for stopping by. Oh no, what a disappointment to hear that your Checkers is so urgh! Really odd that they seem to be either super crappy or really good. Have a great day. 🙂
We had a Checkers in Blaauwbergstrand when I lived in Melkbos and now one here in Centurion. Beautiful stores!
Yay, so cool that you also have a good Checkers to go to Douglas. Thanks for stopping by. Have a happy day. 🙂
That steaks looks good for a braai, sounds reasonable priced too!
Hi Raymund, the steaks are very reasonably priced and are superb on the braai. Have a happy day. 🙂
That steak in your deepfreeze – take it out the night before to thaw it out if you want it to be tender. Quick thawing makes it tough.
Hello dear Mrs Huncledon-Brown – nothing worse than a quick thaw. Have a happy day. 🙂
There ain’t one here…I love that zester!
Think you would have to travel quite a long way to get to a Checkers Angie. Have a happy day. 🙂
Although we do not have Checkers, I do know the pleasure of re-discovering a store. A grocery chain that I had long ago abandoned has renovated its stores in my area over the past 2 years. The difference between the old and new stores is incredible and makes the shopping experience so much more pleasant. And those steaks? Buon appetito!
I promise to enjoy my steak just for you ChgoJohn. It’s amazing what a new look can do for a store! Have a happy day. 🙂
I am not a shopper at all so I did laugh when you said it was not a Town Day!, but what is a braai? c
I generally only to the 30 minute drive to town once a week C. A braai is what we South African’s call a barbecue and my hubby will insist that it has to be made with wood and not charcoal. Have a happy afternoon. 🙂
that place sounds so cool and love those baking cups you purchased. now when are you going to use them and bake me up something pretty! LOL!
Coming soon, I promise! Have a super day. 🙂
I don’t know Checkers (or Woolies :)) but can completely relate to the thrill of discovering great places to shop! My kitty would be very jealous of your kitty’s soft food… only the hard stuff for our guy! hee-hee… have a great day Mandy!
Hi Kelly. Our 3 are SUPER spoilt! Our 2 girls get a little bit of soft stuff for breakfast and dinner, our little boy refuses to eat it so he gets a little milk for breakfast – it is supposed to be bad for them but I am sure he will paw the fridge open to get it himself and they all get treats at bedtime and an all day buffet of the hard stuff and lots of fresh water. Have a super day too. 🙂
Our local Checkers is an amazing store, love it 🙂
It does seem that they have come a long way from years ago. Have a fabulous afternoon. 🙂
Hmm… no Checkers here, but after reading this post I wish there was! I love the cupcake liners!!
I am super excited to use these liners! Have a happy day. 🙂
—Mandy,
my 2 tabbies LOVE Friskies :)))))) xxx
Yay, we are united by fur children who love Friskies! Have a super day Kim. 🙂 xo
Hi Mandy! We don’t have Checkers either, but I love when you find a good, bright, clean store full of surprises! And I could totally use a good microplane! I have to find one of those. 🙂
The microplane was definitely my favourite buy of the day. Have a great day. 🙂
I don’t have a Checkers here, but that steak looks great. And the store sounds wonderful
I was very impressed Kay and the steaks are outstanding! Have a super day. 🙂
awwhhh we’ve got three kittehs…one is a little bit older than the two..i just give them the dry ones, am surprised theyre not much into those ones =( I don’t know whether I should be happy or not. LOL. Anyhoo, so lovely of you to drop by in our foodies site! take care always sweet mandy! – http://www.meowiesfoodies.com
Hi Meowie, it was lovely to see a post from you again. Our one kitty is also quite a lot older than the other 2. Keep well and have a happy day. 🙂
Hm, I have never heard of the store, but glad to hear you had a good shopping there. Love the polka dot liners. I’m so weak of polka dot items….
Nice to learn something new about you Nami – I used to love polka dots when I was a young girl and then strangely went through a paisley phase. Have a super day. 🙂
We don’t have that chain here, but it’s nice that you found something that’s run so efficiently! Great prices are an added bonus! Long may it continue that way! 🙂
Absolutely Celia, however it seems that not all branches are as good – from reading other comments it seems a branch is either super good or super bad! Pity. Have a great weekend. 🙂
The baking aisle is always SO dangerous for me. Guaranteed every time I walk through, I buy something. Cooking stores are much, much worse. Don’t even let me in one!
You and me both Caroline – I seem to get stuck in the baking aisle and have to work my way through every single item! Have a happy weekend. 🙂
I love finding new stores that I immediately fell in love with! And those cupcake wrappers, so cute! LOVE them!
I was thrilled to find the cupcake wrappers Roxana. They make for such pretty presentation. Have a great weekend. 🙂
The only “Checkers” we have, at least in my area of the U.S. is a burger joint with drive throughs on both sides…But, I likem pretty good now and then, as fastfoods go.
God Bless You
paul
Hi Paul, hmm, I like the idea of a drive through. Doubt the stores here would implement something like that though. Have a super Sunday. 🙂
Don´t have those stores here but I know what you mean about finding a new, good one. Supermarket shops are a big and rare event for me (it´s a long way) so when I find a good store, I get all excited too!
It was the same when we lived in Mauritius – but unfortunately there wasn’t a lot of choice in total and quite often couldn’t get what we were looking for either. Have a super day. 🙂
I work for the company that make the wrappers and we are so pleased to hear people love our products and are always open to comments and fresh ideas. Thank you for a great blog.
Hi Carol, welcome and thanks for stopping by. I absolutely love the wrappers and have subsequently been able to find the swirly ones in silver, which I used in a post on Tuesday. Have a super day. 🙂