I got a few excited calls today to tell me that a big truck loaded with several giant things was unloading at Romero's. By the time I got there, one standup beverage cooler was being wheeled in, and a second, larger one sat on the flatbed waiting to unload.
It's obvious that beer and ice cream are getting priority, but it causes me to wonder if the new meat display case is far behind. Could it be that all of your emails to the Regional Manager of Romero's/El Rey actually had some impact to cause this new equipment?
No....as someone pointed out, we are merely a blip on the radar screen here and without any influence here. Or are we??? No matter what the answer is, we ARE getting new refrigeration equipment here at our tiny Romero's and I'm grateful for that.
See photos...
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Does it smell better around the meat counter already?
How about a whole new store??
How about some parking too?
We were in the NEW Riba Smith store in Chitre recently and I spoke with the manager (have I become the supermarket Nazi??) who told me that they are building in Santiago next and then in David. We found things like grits and yellow rice and other wonderful stuff there. The store in David is supposedly going to be built on the vacant land on the 4 lane highway, a few blocks before the new overpass, on the right, where the overpass construction equipment was staged for the last year or so. They have just installed the new blue sewer pipes there and it is leveled and empty.
Then, I will never have to go into Romero's. I'd drive to the north side of David to shop at Riba Smith!!! Life is getting better each day.
Yes, the parking issue has become critical. There's very little parking to begin with, and a large portion of what little there is is taken up by outside vendors. I go to Romero now only when I absolutely have to, and I buy very little because I have to schlep it a long way.
Today's the Day! New meat coolers being installed this morning.
Was in Romero yesterday and there was about 1+ inches of water standing in front of the meat counter. Had to wade thru it. Is that normal? Next time I won't wear sandals...
Not normal, but not a surprise!
I have not given up...first the beer/ice cream coolers, then the new vegetable cooler. The manager tells me they are waiting to receive the new meat case...maybe in 3 months????? YIKES! In the meantime, I've been buying some meats at Canasta Basica which has GREAT pork chops and chicken breasts. Otherwise, it's PriceSmart for me.
And in case nobody has mentioned it lately, the rust is on the outside of the case, not the inside where the carne is.
I'm not going to say that I find the looks and smell of the Romero meat counter any less distasteful than Penny does. But, in concert with Bruce's observation, Panamanians are far better at extending the useful life of everything than any us gringos will ever be. If it's not broke, don't fix it --- and if it is broke and it can be fixed with duct tape and bailing wire, then that's good enough. It's not such a bad thing if you think about it.