Hello everyone!
I live in a pretty great location – it's just a short walk from a major intersection where all the buses and trains converge. The area's really lively with a constant flow of customers, and we've got a fantastic zoo and arboretum just a short drive away.
The Spar store is located in a standalone building.
Spar took over the location about five years ago, after the previous store called 'Gorodchanka' didn't quite live up to expectations. The parking lot is tiny, to put it mildly.
The store's open from 7:30 AM to 11 PM, which is super convenient.
I really appreciate that the store's open so late. Sometimes I'll be cooking dinner and realize I forgot to pick up something. No problem – I can still pop in and grab it before they close. Or if I'm heading to work, I can stop by and grab a quick snack.
The store starts with the entrance, and the doors are automatic. That's a huge plus for a supermarket. When you're lugging heavy bags out, it's a real lifesaver to have the doors swing open for you.
I've noticed that when a store first opens, they often put up cameras near the entrance for storing bags. It's not a big deal, but it's there. And then they just take them down later. To be honest, it's not just Spar – you see it in almost every store now.
There are always shopping carts and baskets waiting by the entrance.
Right by the entrance, there's a display showing the current promotions in the store. It's super helpful for deciding what to buy.
I always stop by these stands and check out what's new. The next thing you'll find is a small bread shop where they bake the bread right there. Don't go in on an empty stomach, the smell is overwhelming. It's hard to walk by without buying something, especially the bread with cheese.
The first section is the produce stand, and I've got to say, it's always perfectly organized. You'll never find any wilted or rotten fruits and veggies. Compared to the prices at the neighboring stores, Spar might be a bit pricier, but they always have sales on different items, making the price really attractive. Plus, I love their selection of fruits and veggies – they always have everything I need.
What really caught my eye was the massive selection of juices and drinks.
It looks like all the top brands have their products stacked up on these shelves.
The dairy section has a great selection of local products. That's another big plus for this store. Everything is always fresh. I mean, they don't have to ship it all the way from another part of the country. We've got plenty of dairy farms around here. I prefer the milk from 'Irmen'' farm. And when I'm short on time or don't feel like going to their branded store, I just grab it all at Spar. The price difference compared to the branded store is around 3 to 5 rubles.
On the opposite shelf, they've got cheese, oil, and pickles.
The pickled cabbage and carrots in Korean style are actually pretty tasty – I end up buying them sometimes.
They've got bread to suit every taste and budget.
I'm a fan of this little Dar'nytskyi 'Novy' bread from Tomsk's Pishchevoy Kombinat 'Lama'. What really won me over is how well it's baked and stays fresh for over a week.
Spar is the go-to store in town for their meat department. You can always count on a fresh cut, and it's cheaper than anywhere else. They've got weekly deals on different types of meat, and people even come from other neighborhoods to shop here. I'm a loyal customer – the meat is always top-notch, and they give you exactly what you ask for.
The deli and seafood section is small, but they've got everything you need.
I've walked past Spar's in-store bakery and couldn't resist the temptation of their freshly baked goods. The aroma is incredible, and it's hard to pass by without buying something. I've got a bit of a weakness for their pastries and cakes, but I try to limit my purchases to just breakfast items.
The ready-to-eat section has a great selection of salads, pizzas, meat dishes, and Korean-style salads. It's a popular spot among the locals, especially the staff from the nearby bank, pharmacies, and medical center.
I've discovered that Spar's ready-to-eat section offers a 30% discount on all items from 9 PM to 11 PM. It's a great deal, and I've seen many of my neighbors take advantage of it. I've even joined in on occasion when I'm feeling lazy or have unexpected guests.
The booze section is pretty big.
But I don't usually buy booze there. If I need something, I head to KB.
During the hot summer months, you can grab a cold drink from the fridge in the store's lobby.
Right now, with temps soaring to +31, those drinks are flying off the shelves.The poultry section is tiny, but it's always packed with customers because they often have sales.
I'm a big fan of the spice and sauce section. Spar's got the best selection.
Spar also carries some products you can't find elsewhere, like natural ice cream.
When you're done shopping, you can grab some extras for yourself or as gifts. I love that they've got a whole section dedicated to print products like books, crosswords, and word searches.
If you're buying something as a gift, they've also got a great selection of greeting cards to go along with it.
One thing I really appreciate is the little stand they've got for people who love canning and preserving fruits and veggies. It's super handy during peak season when everyone's trying to get their harvest in order.
I've been shopping here for a while now, and I'm so glad they've implemented self-checkout lanes. It's made the whole process so much faster, especially during the evening rush when everyone's trying to get home. I always think to myself, 'thanks to the management for saving me time – it's priceless!'
The store has its own loyalty card. I got one when I first started shopping here.
The loyalty card used to be free, but now you can buy it at the checkout for just 35 rubles. It's a great investment, though, because it pays for itself with the discounts on sales.I love how bright and clean the store is. I've never seen a janitor, but somehow it stays spotless.
The cashiers are super friendly. They always greet me with a smile and a 'здравствуйте' (hello). They also help customers use the self-service kiosks.
I'm giving this store 5 stars.
P.S. Sometimes I catch myself thinking how lucky I am to have a store like Spar nearby. And that's not all – it's right in my neighborhood!
Take care, everyone!