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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

It's A Jungle In Here!

Last weekend we decided to make a run down to the Cincinnati area and Jungle Jim's. A grocery store but a big one...and one filled with all manner of delectable goodies from around the world. And, some slightly nauseating ones as well...or so said my daughter. But then, what to tweens know about sophisticated cuisine anyway? We were there for 3 hours and had a good time perusing the foods of the Netherlands, England, Ireland, China, Italy and more. Their row of hot sauce alone is amazing....
Hot things need their own fire equipment right?
Hot Sauces from around the country and the globe, sauces with Scoville ratings ranging from 0 to 4,000,000 Units, collector series hot sauces, and the hottest sauce legally available in the U.S.. .... and yes, it HAS been featured on the Food Channel and Good Morning America so it must be THE place to be seen right? Of course, no one really saw me except these fish and they weren't talkin'.
Lookin' at them lookin' at us lookin' at them...
Near the store's entrance, two life-size plaster giraffes are surrounded by a family of plaster elephants in a shallow pond. Brown plaster chimps hang from the roof over a stand of giant plaster fruit. There is a 5-foot tall Gorilla hanging "King Kong" fashion on top of the enormous Greenhouse. At this point you realize this is no ordinary supermarket...aw come on. What gave it away? Oh..the gorilla...yep. Does it every time.So sit right down and you'll hear a tale...
There's a forty-foot boat in the fish department labeled "S.S. Minnow." Cartoon silhouettes of the Gilligan's Island crew are painted on the windows. Stuffed monkeys dangle over the banana display, and you select the fungi of your choice from a giant mushroom. When automatic sprayers turn on to mist the vegetables, they're accompanied by thunder and lightning. A full-size authentic horse-drawn buggy looms over the Amish-style meats and groceries section, and a large animated lion dressed like Elvis sings every five minutes on a glittery stage. Now, let's talk about the restrooms. Uh huh. Restrooms. At first glance, a Jungle Jim’s restroom might confuse new customers. What appears to be handicapped-sized port-o-lets are actually faux entrances to a hallway, adorned in a jungle motif, leading to an exquisitely decorated 10 stall restroom, complete with flowers, marble, soft green tile, tropical pictures and more."I’m all about putting smiles on people’s faces," said Jungle Jim’s Owner Jim Bonaminio. "People are so tense these days. Those bathrooms just seem to make people laugh and that’s what we’re all about: laughing and having fun."
And uh huh. It WAS fun.

24 comments:

Melissa said...

I remember seeing this on TV. Anna Marie would just have fit in there!

PAT said...

J and I would love to visit Jungle Jim's. What a place!

Pat

Cherdecor said...

What a place! My husband said that he has read about it. I will have to ask my relatives who live in that area about it.

That was not a shopping trip, that was a field trip. . . 3 hours?!? So fun, I bet!

I had to laugh about the lightning and thunder in the vegetable aisle!

I must put a link to your post. What a great experience!

Rosemary said...

Wow,
What a great place!!! I want one of those here.
Rosemary

Gretchen said...

Mercy! That's a store! As always, your pictures are amazing and tell such a story that you barely need words. But I love your words, too. :)

xxxooogretchen

Janet said...

You have to love a businessman who designs a great Ladys' Room. Let's face it they are usually pretty mundane at best and I am a girl who has seen them all :>)

Janet

SweetAnnee said...

OMG..what an experience..I would love it!!
Lucky you!!!!

thank you for sharing, Deena

Mom2fur said...

That looks like a really fun place!

Anonymous said...

I my what an awsome place to visit. You really get to see and do some neat things where your at. I would spend a fotune.

Meggie said...

Who whould have thought you could have a good old field trip at a grocery store? Go figure!

Phill said...

Thank You.
:)

Phill Adams
Director of Development
Jungle Jim's International Market, Inc.
Fairfield, Ohio 45014

angelsamoungus said...

How close is this and I have not been there yet. Next time you go-can I go with you guys? Rick is not one to enjoy something like this.

Take care,
See you guys on Sunday
Love,
Terri

BittersweetPunkin said...

That looks like fun!! And I thought Whole Foods was a treat...boy I need to get out more!

Love the Paris Hilton hot sauce...
Hugs,
Robin

Sugar Bear said...

What an awesome store! I wish we had one out this way.
Karla

Cheryl Wray said...

I love going to stores with exotic, fun foods. Problem is...I always end up buying too much of it!

What a FUN place!!!!

Anonymous said...

What a fun place - that hot sauce with PH on it is so funny! I can see why you spent three hours there! I hope they had lots of free samples to snack on!

Manuela

Anonymous said...

Boy oh boy! I got excited when Trader Joes came within an hour of me! Jungle Jim's looks amazing! My crew would have to send a search party in for me, I'm not sure 3 hours would have been enough! Who knew Ohio could be so "internationale"! Glad you had fun!

Andi said...

Oh My Gosh!!! You even got a comment from their Director of Development!!! How cool is that!!!

This is a place I would LOVE to visit...next trip to Ohio and I'm there!!!

Glad you're back!!!

Lucy Stern said...

Oh Man! I'm drooling to go inside that store!... I could easily spend 3 hours in there checking out all of the displays and FOOD. Now I am hungry.

Anonymous said...

We may have to put that place on the Red Hat agenda *wink*

I'm so nervous about making pictures in stores any more since I've been told twice now at the mall, no cameras...did you ask first or just go to shootin'??

I would love, love, love to see the tea section!

Sandi McBride said...

Wow, what a fun tour, Susie! Jungle Jims...why does that name ring a bell? You like hot, you need to try a bottle of Good Old Blenheim's Ginger Ale...they make it in Blenheim, SC...hot? It's WONDERFUL!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a wonderful place!! I would love to go there. I love great grocery stores that carry everything you need or even think you need! Way cool!
Hugs,
Penny

Anonymous said...

Trailer Trash sauce?? OMG..

Andrea Frazer said...

Hilarious!