If you love to cook, then you know grocery shopping can be nearly as fun as it is to cook up all those wonderful finds. People who have a passion for food love supermarkets and will spend more than the average amount of time just browsing, especially in a unique store.
If you're one of those people - or know someone who IS - then these eleven stores should keep you (or them) sufficiently satisfied for quite some time. Take a look at these supermarkets ranging from "the store with everything" to "the store your parents shopped at when you were a kid."
1. Boulineau's IGA Grocery Store - 212 Sea Mountain Hwy, North Myrtle Beach
What? Where else will you find a grocery store with a (faux) lighthouse out front AND surfboards at each register? Still not convinced this place is unique? How about a grocery that's so big it has elevators and a second floor with specialty stores? Boulineau's is a truly memorable experience. They've been serving Cherry Grove residents and visitors in one way or another since the 1940s.
2. Hub City Co-op - 176 North Liberty Street, Spartanburg
In Spartanburg, head over to Hub City Co-op. Don't let the "co-op" in the name keep you from this amazing community resource where their speciality is natural and organic food and products. If nothing else, on your first trip you can make it your mission just to grab some fresh flowers and a bottle of wine for dinner tonight.
3. Rosewood Market and Deli - 2803 Rosewood Dr, Columbia
You'll find fresh local produce from South Carolina farms at Rosewood. The store has been in business since 1973. That's a LOT of trips to farmers markets and small farms around the state! Rosewood is a full-service grocery story and has a deli with in-store seating. Go hungry, come home full and with lots of groceries!
4. Hochstetler's Country Store - 1470 S Walnut St, Seneca
Hochstetler's in Seneca is a full-service, locally owned and operated grocery and deli. Need eggs? They'll have them. Bread? You bet. What about the all-new hottest cheese in the universe, a.k.a. Carolina Reaper Cheddar? I'm on my way to buy it all right now while you're busy reading this, so, no, they don't have it. Just kidding, I'll leave one behind for good measure. This family operated store even has fresh plants for your garden. What more could you ask for in a grocer?
5. Boone Hall Farms - 2521 N Hwy 17, Mt Pleasant
Veggies straight from the farm? Yes, please! Especially when the farm is practically right across the street. Boone Hall Farms is a local go-to spot for folks on the north end of Mt. Pleasant. This amazing grocery store has a wonderful cafe, so you can fill up before you shop - you know, so you don't buy everything in sight out of sheer hunger.
6. Grits and Grocery - 2440 Due West Hwy, Belton
Although more "grits" than "grocery," this unique destination eatery that also sells homemade preserves and breads belongs on the bucket list. You'll know you've arrived when you see the huge rooster on the corner of the property.
7. The Co-Op - 2019 Middle St, Sullivan's Island
At The Co-Op, the idea is: don't leave the island unless you absolutely have to, like in an emergency if you break a limb or something. Otherwise, the Co-Op has all the necessities: fresh veggies, milk, bread, beer, wine, stuff to make dinner. What more do you need at the beach? Okay, maybe some sunscreen. We're willing to bet they have that too.
8. Hutto's Grocery - 1310 Cannon Bridge Rd, Cordova
Hutto's is a small family-run grocery to the southwest of Orangeburg. Step back in time with the hospitality and service you'll find at this friendly full-service supermarket with everything from fresh meats to other staples, like bread - and donuts. Yum. Step back in time and into that magical period when grocery shopping meant personal service from the owners of the store.
9. S&A Discount Grocery - 4-8 Blackstock Rd, Inman
Discount supermarkets are sprouting up all over the country, including this one that opened last year in the old Antique Mall on Blackstock in Inman. Here, you'll find discounted, overstocked, damaged, and close-out items at rock bottom prices. It's not unusual to find items at S&A that are 75% off the cost of regular supermarkets. Yes, please! I don't care if that can of soup has a ding in the side. Do you??
10. Pepper Palace Charleston - 84 N Market St, Charleston
You may (or may not) be surprised to learn there's a supermarket JUST FOR hot sauce. Yes, it's a franchise store but that doesn't mean we can't include it on this list because it's still special. Right? Bring your guts and numb your tastebuds before you head over to the Pepper Palace because they actually have samples you can try IF YOU DARE before you commit to taking a whole bottle home.
11. Shuman's Foods - 121 Shuman Dr, Reevesville (St. George exit from I-95)
Who knew bacon could be so AFFORDABLE? Apparently everything is affordable at Shuman's in Reevesville. They're located about half a mile off Interstate 95 and well worth a stop because this is a wholesale supermarket that doesn't require a membership card to shop there. They posted the special shown above on their Facebook page Thursday, May 25th. Bacon lovers are already in their car right now headed to Reevesville because they know two packs for five bucks is a real steal.
Whether you're making dinner for one, two, or a dozen, these 11 supermarkets have something you'll find valuable in the meal prep. Have you shopped at any of them? What's your favorite supermarket in South Carolina? We'd love to know the answer to either, or both questions in our comments!
Prefer to have a hearty steak tonight, prepared by someone else (a.k.a. a chef)? You'll find the perfect spot on this list of 15 mouth-watering steakhouses in South Carolina.
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