I stopped into Baza, the Russian grocery market off Needham St this morning. There was a big empty display case with a sign that said “Sorry for the inconvenience. Baza is temporarily not selling alcoholic beverages”.
Does anyone no know the story? Looks like some sort of regulatory infraction to me, but that’s just a wild guess.
Sorry Jerry, I wouldn’t know. You reminded me of something I had long forgotten: I went there ONCE last year. No preconceptions, no expectations, in a good mood. Just simply had stumbled across the place, not heard about it and thought I would go in and check it out.
Without a doubt, (and you will never hear my say this ever again about any place else), they contained THE absolute RUDEST collection of employees I have EVER seen in one place. It was CONSTANT. One employee after another, culminating with a cashier who clearly didn’t care if I bought food, lived or died on the conveyor belt. No smiles, no greetings, no humanity.
The whole atmosphere and the suspect food had a silent depressing air about it.
As I trudged through the parking lot to my car, and drove out on Needham Street, I was so glad to be re-entering the Matrix and leaving the post-apocalyptic real world.
Mark speaks the truth
@Mark – What? You don’t love that authentic Russian customer service?
Yes, the employees can certainly be brusque and unfriendly.
Mark: You reminded me about a friend of mine who frequented a Russian market and noted the same routine universal glum and dispirited demeanor of the cashiers. One day he was checking out his groceries and was clearly surprised to note that the cashier was smiling and happy. He commented to her that she was the only Russian that he had ever seen smiling. She responded: “I’m Bulgarian!”
Baza? I like the place, but then, I don’t mind if people are brusque. I’ve actually found the people there to be friendly, just quirky. When you get a smile it’s authentic. My wife and I have had plenty of nice experiences there.
No idea what’s up with the alcohol sales though. I’d guessed either they didn’t have all the necessary permits, or else they got caught selling to minors and had their license to sell suspended.
Just to be clear, whether it was because I was naive, in a fog, in a focused daze or whatever, when I stumbled across this place, I had no clue until half-way through my only visit that it was a Russian grocery store. I just kept wondering what this collection of people were so miserable about.
Every time I go into a store, I’m not expecting to be greeted by a Disney-like employee but I cannot underscore how bad this was. Simply asking a question, “How much is this?” , “Where are the tomatoes?”, “Hello” (at the cashier) were met with hostile stares and in the case of one question, just ignored and turned back to stocking food in the aisle. Again. And Again.
The only thing missing from my experience was a small navel band playing “Nearer, My God, to Thee”.
Or “naval” Either way.
They have great chicken meatballs and a unique cabbage dish on their hot bar!
I have been there a few times and found helpful employees and unusual and delicious food. the produce is fabulous. I tried the stuffed cabbage (all cooked) and loved it The frozen fish was the best I’ve ever tried. Maybe you reviewers
should try smiling at them and see what happens!
Hi Penny,
I tried. On my one visit there, I was pleasant, made a joke and smiled to all six different employees and was met with indifference, baleful stares, blank stares, rude silence and in the case of the cashier, outright aggravation at having to be at work. Worst shopping experience in my life, hands down. Maybe it was just a cycle that day, and maybe sometime I’ll try again but, whew. The worst.
I had the same experience, Mark. I always go out of my way to smile and attempt to get the other person to do so, as well. They were just not having any of it!! My husband likes the produce there so I let him take care of that part of our grocery shopping….
If Newton, or any other suburb around here, had a newspaper worth worth its salt, we might learn the story of troubles at Baza. I was there around noon on Wednesday when a city(?) official was overseeing the clearing and disposal of prepared foods from coolers and the hot table. Too bad, I come to pick up lunch. Hmm, maybe not too bad. I’ve been a fan of there wide selection of European specialties and fun pastry
for a long time and wish them well despite the dour looks. Just be glad YOU didn’t spend a large part of your life living in Russia.
the employees are delicious. you didn’t sample them correctly