ELEVATED

In 1960, when Del Webb created Sun City, Arizona, and realized it was good...very, very good for his bottom line, he purchased additional land and set about planning, designing and building its sister city, Sun City West, Arizona. Once again, he saw that it was very good.  Del Webb was on a roll.

In the mid-1990s, he crossed Grand Avenue, and transformed desert and dust-blown cotton fields into a luxurious golf course community, calling it Sun City Grand.  Del Webb had created his piece de resistance.  It would get no better than this.

All those who moved into Sun City Grand knew that was true.  They looked at each other with no little sense of awe and gasped, "We're the lucky ones."  And they were.  Simply being born when they were born qualified them to purchase a home and live in this grandest of all age-restricted communities.  Everything was new.  Everything glistened in the blazing Arizona sun.  The community's color scheme met Pantene's approval.  A carefully designed, always sparkling river flowed through the center of the Village, curving artfully here and there to create sheltered seating areas under the ficus trees.  Commerce (with the exception of two banks and one pharmacy) was banned. 

Last year, Sun City West stunned the West Valley by announcing that it would tear down its "Sundome", a huge performing arts center that Del Webb had built for that community many years ago.  Times change, tastes change, and the performing artists of the ''50s,' 60s and '70s  who had filled the Sundome to capacity were dropping over faster than replacements could be found.  So...out with the Sundome, and in with the newest and most modern Fry's grocery store in the entire United States.  In Sun City West.  Sun City Grand sniffed, but they wouldn't have wanted it anyway.

Until last week.  The Grand Opening of Fry's.  A Fry's with acres of artfully arranged fresh fruits and vegetables.  Aisle upon aisle of frozen meals (retirees hate to cook).  Warm, crusty, chewy artisan bread.  Fresh meat labeled "Prime."  Fresh shrimp larger than your hand.  Brand-new-clean grocery carts.  Staff who will not only tell you where to find popcorn, they beg to escort you there.  Beers from around the world.

And somewhere, in the midst of this overwhelming excess, you come upon "Elevate."  A rather attractive wine and cheese bar.  A real wine and cheese bar.  (Wine by the glass, beer on tap.) In the middle of the grocery store.  I don't know who thought of this, but God bless them.  I hope it catches on.

 

Cheers!

Margie