I know I'm late to the party, but Dolls?????

Where will I ever find a suitable chicken salad replacement!!!!

I must be late to the party too. Did something happen to the chicken salad? Or to Dolls?

All of my friends on facebook indicate that it is, in fact closing. I just called to confirm and they are closing, maybe before the weeks end. They attributed to both the larger chains inching closer, accompanied by Azalea and the bank right next to them being boarded up for so long, that it's just not bringing in the traffic. I would agree, everytime I ate at Azalea's, I would generally get something from Dolls while I was there. Sad to see em' go.

This is a blow. They've been my grocery for so long.

[Robin Garr]

Just found out about it from Jesse on Facebook. Then Googled, and Business First has a story today.

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/n ... ville.html

(Pay-to-play page, but you can answer a dumb poll to get through for one story.)

Folks, this is why I rant about chains. They come in to town with pretty shelves and bright lights, and people flock away from the local indies that support our town, are run by our neighbors and give our community character. ARRGGGGHHHHH.

Just found out about it from Jesse on Facebook. Then Googled, and Business First has a story today.

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/n ... ville.html

(Pay-to-play page, but you can answer a dumb poll to get through for one story.)

Folks, this is why I rant about chains. They come in to town with pretty shelves and bright lights, and people flock away from the local indies that support our town, are run by our neighbors and give our community character. ARRGGGGHHHHH.

So true.

Just found out about it from Jesse on Facebook. Then Googled, and Business First has a story today.

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/n ... ville.html

(Pay-to-play page, but you can answer a dumb poll to get through for one story.)

Folks, this is why I rant about chains. They come in to town with pretty shelves and bright lights, and people flock away from the local indies that support our town, are run by our neighbors and give our community character. ARRGGGGHHHHH.

We'll get our Trader Joes, but at the end of the day we'll be essentially reduced to Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and the regular chain grocerers. No one can argue the quality of a Trader Joes, nor of many other fine chains, However, the presence of the originals, in whatever city, neighborhood, or street, is what adds character and distinction apart from other qualities. Thankfully, many immigrant arrivals are presenting a counter current with the rise of countless ethnic shops offering wonderful, ecclectic goods. Sometimes we tend to overlook these stores. I was convinced when I went looking for bean sprouts and basel in a Vietnamese store a few years ago and paid a dollar each for quantities too much to use. Another example was feta. The Russian store had it in a barrel like in the old days. The owner points to several qualities and let's you taste first. It was great!

Doll's has been around since I was a teenager. In this case I can't see how it was a chain. It would seem to be the overall economic slump. The only possibility I could imagine would be Fresh Market up the road.

Trader Joe's - big deal.

[Robin Garr]

The only possibility I could imagine would be Fresh Market up the road.

I thought of that, too, although John Doll (is that Bud Doll's real name, or is John Bud's son or other relative?) named about every other competitor BUT Fresh Market in the Biz First story.

Personally, I think Trader Joe's is more of a threat to Lotsa Pasta, which I hope is strong enough to fight 'em off.

The only possibility I could imagine would be Fresh Market up the road.

I thought of that, too, although John Doll (is that Bud Doll's real name, or is John Bud's son or other relative?) named about every other competitor BUT Fresh Market in the Biz First story.

Personally, I think Trader Joe's is more of a threat to Lotsa Pasta, which I hope is strong enough to fight 'em off.

He did mention to me the grocery at the xway was a factor, I assume he may have been talking about that.

The only possibility I could imagine would be Fresh Market up the road.

I thought of that, too, although John Doll (is that Bud Doll's real name, or is John Bud's son or other relative?) named about every other competitor BUT Fresh Market in the Biz First story.

In the Biz story, Fresh Market was named first.

Competition from Fresh Market, Costco, Kroger and Target stores, which offered customers lower prices during the economic recession, also hurt Doll’s Market’s sales.

Another factor in their declining that was cited in the article was the "unsuccessful" expansion in 2001. I will certainly agree with that. After the expansion Dolls was basically two completely different stores. They had a new section which was modern bright and open and they have the old section which was cramped and crowded. If they had modernized the entire store they may have been able to fend off new stores coming into the area and still be prospering.

What should have made them stand out was the overall customer experience. The store and staff both contribute significantly to this. They really didn't succeed in creating a great experience in either aspect in my opinion. The store definitely didn't contribute and in many cases we didn't find the staff overly friendly or helpful. Without a great customer experience to tilt the tide customers are definitely going to go when they get the better price!

[Robin Garr]

What should have made them stand out was the overall customer experience. The store and staff both contribute significantly to this. They really didn't succeed in creating a great experience in either aspect in my opinion. The store definitely didn't contribute and in many cases we didn't find the staff overly friendly or helpful. Without a great customer experience to tilt the tide customers are definitely going to go when they get the better price!

Okay, I don't understand it, because this reminds me a little of the AP Crafters discussion, Mark. I've always found the staff at Doll's to be quite neighborly and helpful, and far more ready to help than at Kroger, for example, or even Whole Foods.

I have to agree with Mark on this one. I always enjoyed shopping at Doll's when I lived in St. Matthews and still say they have the best beef in town. But, I also always said, best beef but rudest cashiers. Kroger runs a close second on cashiers. Now, with the exception of the extremely cranky people in the bakery, I've had great service at Whole Foods.

Also, good service both in the store and at the cash register when I'm at Burgers.

Oh, no.

Well, I personally am crushed, although my business will be OK. Doll's was our first customer and one of our most consistently supportive. I know most of the folks who work there from making deliveries and I just can't believe that I'll never take another delivery there.

Doll's was one of the only markets in town that would actively promote a locally produced product, simply because the quality was higher. I hope that former Doll's shoppers will continue to frequent Paul's Fruit Markets, Lotsa Pasta, and Rainbow Blossom since they too share the same philosophy.

Now I need to go call my friend Linda at Doll's and wish her the best for the future