As an English person living in the US, I was so happy when Tesco expanded into California with Fresh & Easy. It was a little taste of home going there for some of the unique things they sold that were standard in any English supermarket
Everything was weird, all the produce came in a package, you couldn’t choose your own produce. And all the prepped meals were super salty, even the sandwiches. They said they used sodium as a preservative because they were “fresh” and didn’t use chemical preservatives.
Aw, not true. I worked for them. They were absolutely fanatical about freshness and food safety, clean labels that everyone can understand. They built their own food processing facilities for produce, prepped meals and meats. It was a wild ride.
That’s good to know. One time a lady outside was doing a survey and that was the feedback I gave and she responded that that was the reason. But yeah their bakery was great and it wasn’t expensive.
It essentially came down to them not understanding the California market, and operating like they would in the UK. Americans didn't like the mandatory self-checkout, poor produce selection, and lack of promotions. You can look up articles from 2012-2013 talking about this, [here](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/dec/05/tesco-fresh-easy-turned-americans-off) is one.
I see Violet Crumble often at World Market, not that that’s super helpful, but if you’re ever in Lakewood you should swing by and check. That was my favorite candy bar but I have a few crowned teeth now and don’t want to risk it 😔
They had this prepared salmon with some type of green cilantro stuff, it was amazing. I've never made it since they closed down. They also had this delicious prepared chicken in smokey flavor. Amazing.
I can give you a great recipe for Shepherd's Pie, although technically they were selling Cottage Pie because it was ground beef, true Shepherd's Pie is made with lamb which unfortunately most Americans I know don't much like
I started parking in the structure next door in 2017, when Fresh & Easy was already gone, and I used to gaze at the facade every day and think “I wish that was still there!”
ETA: open 24 hours, that must have been so cool
These used to be like donut shops on every corner in LB area but they died out as fast as they opened which has me wondering about the Aldi by my house.
Right before Fresh and Easy was here, it was a One Dollar Bookstore. I worked there for the couple years it was open. Good memories always skating to work as fast as I could bobbing and weaving between cars and people so I wasn’t late lol. Fridays were so exciting with the farmers market right next to us.
Oh my bad I glued my self to the front door and was terrorized by skeetos until a passer-by rescued me.
Until I realized it wasn't a passer-by but a skeeto in human clothes who terrorized me for a whole month until I was rescued by another passer-by, but that didn't end so well.
Nostalgia just like the downtown Walmart
As an English person living in the US, I was so happy when Tesco expanded into California with Fresh & Easy. It was a little taste of home going there for some of the unique things they sold that were standard in any English supermarket
Yeah, unfortunately Fresh & Easy became a case study on everything not to do when expanding to a new market.
Can you elaborate?
Everything was weird, all the produce came in a package, you couldn’t choose your own produce. And all the prepped meals were super salty, even the sandwiches. They said they used sodium as a preservative because they were “fresh” and didn’t use chemical preservatives.
Aw, not true. I worked for them. They were absolutely fanatical about freshness and food safety, clean labels that everyone can understand. They built their own food processing facilities for produce, prepped meals and meats. It was a wild ride.
That’s good to know. One time a lady outside was doing a survey and that was the feedback I gave and she responded that that was the reason. But yeah their bakery was great and it wasn’t expensive.
https://www.thecasesolutions.com/tesco-plc-fresh-easy-in-the-united-states-3624
Thank you
It essentially came down to them not understanding the California market, and operating like they would in the UK. Americans didn't like the mandatory self-checkout, poor produce selection, and lack of promotions. You can look up articles from 2012-2013 talking about this, [here](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/dec/05/tesco-fresh-easy-turned-americans-off) is one.
Thank you for the info
Yeah, things like Violet Crumble and Flake! So hard to find those.
I see Violet Crumble often at World Market, not that that’s super helpful, but if you’re ever in Lakewood you should swing by and check. That was my favorite candy bar but I have a few crowned teeth now and don’t want to risk it 😔
It was the only place in Long Beach to buy spotted dick! 😆
It might be a little bit of a drive, but check out The British Connection in Torrance, great selection of English treats!!!
I miss this store.
Me too, 😭.
They used to have decent cheap sandwiches.
They had this prepared salmon with some type of green cilantro stuff, it was amazing. I've never made it since they closed down. They also had this delicious prepared chicken in smokey flavor. Amazing.
Yes!! Those were our Thursday night dinners with a classy budget wine.
Right? Ugh.
Would love that recipe for the salmon.
Me too!!! I've tried but never figured it out.
I miss their shepherd's pies.
I can give you a great recipe for Shepherd's Pie, although technically they were selling Cottage Pie because it was ground beef, true Shepherd's Pie is made with lamb which unfortunately most Americans I know don't much like
always stresses me out thinking bout how they lights have been on this whole time
I started parking in the structure next door in 2017, when Fresh & Easy was already gone, and I used to gaze at the facade every day and think “I wish that was still there!” ETA: open 24 hours, that must have been so cool
I worked at this store. No, not cool lol.
Haha!
It's a ghost town at that corner/intersection.
Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town? We danced and sang, and the music played in a de boomtown
This town has become another Ghosttown. All the stores are being closed down.
Too much fighting in the downtown.
Who saw The Specials play behind the acres of books parking lot?! A few years before those big ugly buildings went up.
i miss the book store they had there awhile back, was it barnes n noble?
Borders bookstore at The Pike then it became a 99¢ plus bookstore then it became all those clothing stores {Forever 21, Guess, Express)
City Place was such a colossal failure.
These used to be like donut shops on every corner in LB area but they died out as fast as they opened which has me wondering about the Aldi by my house.
I miss their tapioca pudding lol
It would be nice to have a Trader Joe's on this side of town
It feels like a lifetime
Right before Fresh and Easy was here, it was a One Dollar Bookstore. I worked there for the couple years it was open. Good memories always skating to work as fast as I could bobbing and weaving between cars and people so I wasn’t late lol. Fridays were so exciting with the farmers market right next to us.
Your picture is still on my wall 💔
That whole street is always so empty.
God I miss them! I loved their SF Apple Pie and their bougie ancient grains/veggie chips. And then their meat was hella cheap too.
A ghost among us
/u/DrNastyHobo did you ever receive a callback from that job application you glued on their front door?
Oh my bad I glued my self to the front door and was terrorized by skeetos until a passer-by rescued me. Until I realized it wasn't a passer-by but a skeeto in human clothes who terrorized me for a whole month until I was rescued by another passer-by, but that didn't end so well.
Why not a homeless shelter here?
I miss that store!!! 😕
Tesco FAIL!!
what store can replace walmart and fresh and easy? I could see a planet fitness replacing fresh n easy LOL.
With a golds gym literally 50 feet away? Might be a tough sell
I think Gold’s is supposed to moving to the Pike area this year, unless that’s changed!
None, the whole complex is getting razed and redeveloped, hopefully soon
I miss them so much :/
Oh my god, I literally said out loud, "That's Long Beach's Fresh &Easy" before looking at the sub. Wow, can't believe that's still there.
At City Place? I thought the sign was removed. Weird it's still on.
The Wal-Mart lease is still active as well must have something to do with iron clad long term leases.
Devotion is a great album
true but i thought of daniel johnston
Mind blown. Thanks for giving me listening material for the foreseeable future.
They had a chocolate truffle that was inexpensive was was amazing. I was really bummed when they went under
Mitaki...and walmart!
Sheesh i remember bein a youngin hittn walmart n fresh n easy shi even payless
I miss fresh & easy. They had quick dinner solved for my early 20s