When the Pleasanton-based grocery chain opened its supersize remodeled store in the South Shore shopping center a few months ago, the design wasn’t the only thing that got a makeover. The new upscale environment with its serene lighting and wood accents spawned checkers eerily reminiscent of a scene from Pleasantville. They offer samples in the frozen food section. They not only ask if you need help finding an item, they’ll escort you to it. The meat guy doesn’t let you leave without mentioning his special on ribeye. One checker in particular says his whole hi-how-are-you-did-you-find-everything-okay-here’s-how-much-you-saved-do-you-need-help-to-your-car-you’re-eligible-to-win-a-free-sandwich routine so fast that it takes about five minutes to absorb it all, and by that time you’re in the parking lot feeling discombobulated and kinda creeped out, with ten pounds of ribeye to grill.
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