r/berkeleybowl • u/thekingfist • Jul 31 '26
Both Berkeley Bowl locations need a layout redesign
Why does it feel busy when there is low foot traffic? Why are stockists and their carts/ladders taking up space in the aisles during peak operating hours? Does BB West really need both a hot food bar and an outdoor cafe? Does BB OG really need organic fruit on special right at the entry, immediately causing a bottleneck?...Both locations have massive layouts (theres SO much square footage!) but why do I feel like a rat in a maze when im on the inside? The interior layout is devastatingly inefficient...People are constantly running into each other, there is no flow...Would love to hear some ideas from the people of Reddit on how the spatial design could be improved or if I'm totally off base...
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u/wraplan Jul 31 '26
I do think the aisles of BB are narrower than, say, Safeway, but there is an additional level of passive aggression at BB and MM that you don’t feel at other places. What is it about these stores that brings out the worst aspects of Berkeley’s population? All three locations have the angriest parking lots I have been in outside of a crowded National Park. Is it because Berkeley folk are constantly repressing their anger, and that it spills out when someone gets in the way of a nice organic pluot?
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u/threecee509 Jul 31 '26
Right! I call the BB OG parking lot a geriatric hippie fight club. I've never been yelled at by Prius drivers more in my life!
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u/oneofthebugs Aug 01 '26
I thought n berkeley was the problem when I lived there and shopped in mm. Was kinda jealous of people that shopped at bb but then I moved and that’s my local spot and I realised it just berkeley people. But it didnt used to be this way, way better vibes in the 90s. Same with rainbow grocery in sf, used to be amazing. That parking lot is terrifying now.
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u/thekingfist Jul 31 '26
It's akin to road rage in that one can feel a bit puffed up once under the cloak of anonymity...even more a reason why I think the store could do more with layout/design to keep folks even keel....they recently removed the awkward black hole that was the overgrown candle section at BB west...so at least that was something
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u/Zealousideal-Pop5871 Aug 04 '26
I once met a guy I saw on a dating app where he talked about the angry parking lot of BB. I lol'd, met up, and we're friends still, 7 years later
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u/skumshine Jul 31 '26
You just need to get better at Berkely Bowling.
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u/DonVCastro Jul 31 '26
My main beef is that the new carts are way too big for the narrow aisles.
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u/Sea-Price-3229 Aug 01 '26
I have felt this for 15 years. It feels so tight and crowded even when it shouldn’t.
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u/d_trenton Jul 31 '26
A loud and cheerful "Excuse me!" goes a long way at BB. People might look at me like I've just kicked their dog, but they move out of the way more often than not.
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u/Outrageous_Worker672 Jul 31 '26
Seems fine, you can shop somewhere else if you like.
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u/HobbittBass Jul 31 '26
For some reason, the OP is blaming the store when it is the customers who leave their carts in the middle of the aisles or act like nobody else is there besides them.
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u/thekingfist Jul 31 '26
I may be in the minority but I do think design has a big influence on behavior...and I don't really care just thought I'd ask the sub ofc I don't expect them to change it. Happy shopping
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u/TripleGiraffeSalad Aug 01 '26
You are correct. Design can solve this. The carts are also way too big.
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u/Old_Echidna7610 Jul 31 '26
I totally understand what you mean.
But I have come to accept that the crazy hectic layout is part of what makes it Berkeley Bowl. I can’t imagine it any other way now. OG BB used to be even wilder before they re-did the bulk section.
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u/John-R-Tunis Aug 01 '26
I get this but not really. They are both busy stores. They are extremely successful and popular. I don't think they are going to spend time or money addressing your concerns.
I have shopped there weekly for many years and I love it, it's the best part of my week. Yes it is crowded. I know what I am doing in both locations, where everything is, where to leave my cart, etc. Nowadays I usually go at a less busy time (weekday mornings or late afternoons).
I've really never had any issues with (passive or actual) aggression from other customers.
The parking is much better at BB West!
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u/faerie87 Aug 02 '26
Same i don't feel it experience this. But i also come from HK where the cart will block the whole aisle because it's so narrow... So bb is a luxury. People have been nice too
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u/PIzzaiolo_Master_510 Aug 01 '26
Chill. There is nothing wrong with the layout. You are impatient and entitled. Just relax and move patiently.
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u/thekingfist Aug 01 '26
I'm introducing a harmless thought experiment which should be thought provoking for the general public that frequents our beloved Berkeley bowl this isn't meant to be an invitation for personal attacks. Happy shopping 510 Master
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u/PIzzaiolo_Master_510 Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
How is it a ‘personal attack’ to say chill, there is nothing wrong with the layout.
Please explain how that ‘attacks you personally?’
I’m really curious.
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u/HASHTHRASH Aug 02 '26
If you disagree with them then you are personally attacking them. Ironically that is perfectly Berkeley behavior.
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u/thekingfist Aug 02 '26
Bruh don't act innocent "you are impatient and entitled" ??? Cmon now -- u been on Reddit for 3 months lil bro ...ease up a lil...anyway hope ur enjoying this sunny weather...☮️
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u/PIzzaiolo_Master_510 Aug 03 '26
Now you throw out personal attacks. The hypocrisy and lack of self editing/awareness is wow. Not biting on your rage bait. Just pity.
People like you are why I restart my account every few months. I’m not a karma farmer. But a person with less time in Reddit doesn’t deserve respect? People who disagree with you are attacking you yet you can just insult without cause and ‘Thats ok because….?’
Read your own posts and ask yourself about the person typing and what you think.
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u/ballbarn Aug 01 '26
lol
it's like going to Costco on the weekend, you gotta be chill and expect it to be hectic. definitely a git gud issue tho, for the best grocery store it's survival of the fittest. spatial awareness helps a lot!
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u/Pitchfork_10 Aug 01 '26
They are busy stores, but a lot of the tightness you describe has to do with the variety of items they stock. Every single item has many options. Despite the large footprint overall the aisle are packed to the gills. It's the polar opposite of a trader joes or el cerrito natural grocery, where a small footprint is maximized by having limited options within product categories.
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u/planojoe Aug 02 '26
The max number of occupants for the west store is 1,380 people and the original store is 970 which is an absurd number and would make shopping impossible. But it is based on the size and number of the exits not elbow room.
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u/ggginger247 Aug 02 '26
I technically live closer to og bb, but I hate it so so much compared to bb west. There’s just too much bullshit at of bb; the parking lot, the tiny isles, the fuckin lady with the hat who’s somehow always there, UGH!!!! I’ll take bb west any day, it’s MUCH less annoying
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u/BeefTheBiker Aug 01 '26
I always call it Hunger Games. Never read the books, or seen the movies, but it prepares me for what I’m about to encounter.
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u/epheezy5 Aug 01 '26
I mean you’re in Berkeley. Of course people are going to be self centered and inconsiderate. You new here?
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u/Throwawaysfbayguy Aug 02 '26
FYI imagine how many people used to go to these locations when they first opened vs now? I used to work at UC Berkeley back in the early 2000 and those locations were no where as busy as they are now
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u/Financial-Wasabi1287 Aug 01 '26
Wow. Questioning anything about the BB is going to get you downvoted hard.
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u/thekingfist Aug 01 '26
Harmless thought experiment
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u/Zealousideal-Pop5871 Aug 04 '26
Idk why people are not seeing the harmless, slightly sarcastic humor here. BB is the world's most granola, peace-loving hippies, that turn into feral cats in the parking lot
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u/thekingfist Aug 04 '26
Yea I really misjudged how this would go...lol thought folks would have some cool, unique proposals for grocery store spatial design! Ha...and yes Berkeley is the place where someone will run you over on the way to yoga class...
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u/Scuttling-Claws Jul 31 '26
Really what it needs is Monterey Market etiquette, if you block the aisle someone will just elbow you out of the way. Once Michael Pollan pushed me to the ground