Woolworths

When it comes to buying fresh produce, you’re always better off heading to the markets for higher quality at a cheaper price. But out of hours, when the local grocers are closed and you need an emergency onion/​bag of flour/​bottle of milk then this Woolies is your best bet in Fitzroy. There’s a larger variety here in comparison to Coles, and the self-​serve check out is bigger.
Best bits:
— There’s a DVD machine if you need a night on the couch watching a trashy movie
— On weekends they have a sausage sizzle that helps raise funds for a local organisation
— There’s a basic bottle shop if you also need a basic bottle of wine for that couch session
— Lots of rooftop parking

It’s a supermarket!
They have products on shelves, etc. I’d say this one is on par with most inner city /​suburban stupidmarkets, i.e. an average range, average fruit and veg and a liquor store add on. They are getting super tricky with their own brand products though. I think I almost bought some Maarsbars and Cronflakes last week. Same but different.
Shopping.

Scary place.

Why can’t we have an Aldi near Smith Street in Collingwood? At this Woolworths the vegetables are limp, the shelves are stacked with inferior home-​brand products at higher prices, the layout of the store is non-​sensical and the international food section is a joke.
I loathe coming here even if it is just to pick up toilet paper. The Coles around the corner is just as bad. And the NEVER have any limes or shallots. What’s with that.

A visit to the Smith Street Wooly’s is rarely forgettable. In the six months of frequenting the supermarket, due to having recently moved nearby, I’ve witnessed all kinds of bizarre shit. This includes: a car crashing into the glass window near the entrance; violent showdowns right outside the front door, several people caught steeling, leading to a deluge of yelling and verbal abuse; and all kinds of general psychotic behaviour, both inside the store and just outside it’s doors.
The other day, as I was about to walk inside the supermarket, I watched a man pee on a car (his junk out for all to see) parked right outside. Then as I left the supermarket, I watched another man walk up to a cab, which was pulled over to the side of the rode, and spit through the open window (presumably hitting the passengers in the back seat)… the cab sped off. Whilst none of this can be blamed on Woolies, it’s worthy of note that this kind of thing just comes with the territory.
The staff and security there definitely deserve pay rises (whatever they currently earn)!

I would be lying if I said that everything was just peachy at the Woolworths here.
Often frequented by the homeless and junkies, medical emergencies are often played out on the bench at the front. That guide dog coin collector must have seen it all.
However, once you’re inside the supermarket, it feels just like the usual Woolworths and there’s usually a good supply of fresh fruit, herbs, vegies and meat. Being a big supermarket chain, there’s not a lot that these guys don’t supply at competitive prices. Plus, now they have self-​serve checkouts, things can move a lot quicker and you’ll be back to your home in no time to cook up a storm. Parking is on the roof which is awkward for all those bad knees out there, as the access is down a flight of stairs or to walk around to the front of the store from the side street. Once out the front of the store, expect to be asked for money.
Conveniently there’s a Woolworths liquor store attached so you can pick up wine or whatever it is that you please on your way.