I've been shopping at Shop N Kart for several years; this is one of few places where us locals shop regularly. I can often find the exact same products seen at Market of Choice, but for a fraction of the cost. I think this place is more word of mouth, while tourists seem to be directed to the Ashland Co-op and Market of Choice (all are good choices).
Shop N Kart is the kind of place that you check out the sales and then decide what to cook for dinner. I regularly find excellent wine prices, huge craft beer selections, LOTS AND LOTS of locally made products and plenty small batch locally produced Oregon products available (extensive selection of Rogue Creamery cheeses and locally made cheese curds are always available).
For the last couple of years, I put together holiday gift boxes with food products made here in Oregon. Last year was breakfast themed: local Rogue Valley Coffee (whole or ground), local jams, honey (local), small batch local nut butters (Ashland business), Yes! Bakery gluten-free bread (Ashland business) and I always like to throw in a couple of unique flavored organic dark chocolate bars (Ashland and local). When it's on SALE... BUY A BUNCH!
Customer Service is always good (friendly and attentive), but today it was OUTSTANDING! I stood in front of the La Croix selection of 12-packs (don't judge) and they seemed to have every flavor but the one I came for. One of the workers *new staff, I didn't recognize him* asked which flavor I was looking for. I told him and he scanned the shelves and the stack and asked if I had a few minutes and he would go check the stock in the back and to continue my shopping and check back on my way out. Um, yes!
LESS than 5 minutes later, the staffer found me in a random isle and had 4 boxes of the flavor I was looking for?! Of course I took all 4 :D People are complaining about staffing shortages, but Shop N Kart is consistently what I would consider possibly over-staffed, but I'm not complaining. This place must be doing something right, because I have come in on several occasions and had some pretty obscure inquiries and Shop N Kart staff has ALWAYS come through of at least was able to find a solution. 5-STARS! If you NOT in a hurry, you WILL BE PLEASANTLY SUPRISED with both the selection and the prices on the most obscure health conscious products; not as organized like a Safeway so take your time. Come in with an open mind and you will find gems in every nook and cranny.
The corner sections are a way to try high quality food and beverages at deeply discounted prices: the wine towards the front, produce discounts on the isle behind the bananas/plaintains, frozen deals by the bulk dry section section, use-soon meats under the sausages/ across from the frozen pet food. Too many deals to list, but bring your own bags, take your time and you will not be sorry.
PS NOT the place for college students to pick up processed food and ready to eat items; those are all over priced here *supply/demand* read more