Living in the transition between the prosperous uniformity of Johnson County and the hardscrabble diversity of Wyandotte County makes for some interesting experiences. One mile south of my house is Mission Hills. One mile north is the Family Dollar Store and the Merriam Lane Flea Market. One mile east is the Country Club Plaza, but just north and west of our house is a neighborhood that may not be on city sewers.
This is just a roundabout way of welcoming the new Price Chopper to Roeland Park, on the site of the old Venture (remember Venture?) building. The old Price Chopper (aka El Choppo) was a decrepit building that was patronized by huge numbers of Hispanic shoppers coming in from the Dotte. El Choppo was the best place in town to go shopping if you loved Latin cooking and needed a couple of pounds of fresh tomatillos. It also looked like the building was about to fall down.
With the corner being renovated, the old El Choppo was coming down (future home of Lowe's), and a new Price Chopper was going up next door. I watched with some concern -- the new store was shiny, very JoCo on the outside. I crossed my fingers.
Whole sugar cane, only $2.99 each!
The new store opened on Wednesday, and it was everything I wanted. Gorgeous produce, with a big variety of chilis, squashes, and fruits. Lots of bulk dried chilis and beans. A beautiful meat and fish market -- with both chicken feet and whole red snapper, both whole pork shoulders and chicken cutlets. A bakery with pan dulce and Farm to Market breads. When I saw the gleaming tortilleria, I admit I choked up a little.
The best thing about the store (other than it kicks ass!) was the mix of people shopping there. Fairway foodies, and little abuelas squeezing the same fruit. I love living on the crossroads of Kansas City!
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