First Time at Horrocks in Lansing: What I Loved (And Hated)
Well, I finally did it. I went to Horrocks.
Ever since I moved back to Michigan, I've heard people bragging about how awesome Horrocks Farm Market in Lansing is.
Everyone was right. Mostly. I think I'm going to have a love/hate relationship with this place.
Things to Love About Horrocks
Horrocks Farm Market is one of those fabled places where you're literally likely to find everything you could possibly ever want or need.
It's part supermarket, part greenhouse, part beer garden and part restaurant - and that's oversimplifying.
The sheer variety of products was mind-blowing. I was particularly taken by the bins upon bins of self-serve dry ingredients and the seemingly endless choice of craft beers. The hot bar and salad bar were a surprise. Where else in Mid-Michigan are you walking out with new yard ornaments, freshly ground coffee and a caramel-covered Granny Smith apple?
Every worker I spoke with was kind and knowledgeable.
I'll definitely be back, but my first visit to Horrocks wasn't perfect.
Things to Hate About Horrocks
Granted, I chose a sunny weekend day for my first Horrocks visit - and that probably had a lot to do with why parking was such a challenge. (Or maybe not. Maybe it's always like that.) I circled the parking lot three times before finally finding a spot.
The width of the aisles wasn't particularly generous - understandable with all the inventory on Horrocks' shelves. But as a newbie, I constantly felt like I was in the way of other customers who were familiar with the store and bustling through like it was 6:30 on Christmas Eve and the place was about to close. I wanted to take it slow and soak it all in - everyone else seemed to be very much in a hurry.
Have you ever been to an IKEA? The layout at Horrocks isn't quite as confusing as that, but with multiple wings and compartmentalized departments, it's just as easy to get turned around and lost. If the place caught fire (God forbid), people would die because they couldn't find their way to an exit.
The Bottom Line
Horrocks was worth the visit. I'll do some research before I return and find a time that's off-peak.