Shop WIth a View

09/02/06 - posted by Carol Gould

I lived in the Inner Sunset from 1973 until 1994. In the 70s and early 80s I would do my grocery shopping at the Safeway "at the beach," at Balboa and 48th Avenue. It was a bit of a drive, but I enjoyed the trip through Golden Gate Park once a week. Mostly, though, I loved walking up and down the aisles and getting that big beach view whenever I headed west in the store. It was so peaceful and soothing, and if I went in the afternoon I might be treated to a glorious sunset. It made the normally mundane experience of grocery shopping really special, and something I actually looked forward to.

Then, at some point, to my dismay I saw the beginnings of a housing project on the empty lot that had been Playland. The condos went up, and the view was obliterated. I couldn't believe that someone would spoil that fabulous view for the shoppers at Safeway. I was really sad that my little weekly treat was to be no more. I moved my grocery store to the safeway at 7th Avenue, and went to the more expensive Park and Shop at Funston and Irving. Sometimes I braved the freak show at the Cala at Haight and Stanyan. BUt grocery shopping just wasn't fun anymore.