Midweek Meanderings - Shaka Coffee (Balboa) Closes, the Meaning of "Meat Day", and a Pandemic Flashback

Just a couple of odd and ends for "hump day".

Shaka Coffee on Balboa Closes:

I recently did some takeout from Noble Chef. I parked and noticed the coffee stand in the strip mall had closed.

And the reason was made clear a split second later.

Sigh.....

I mean aren't there already 3 other Starbucks locations within a couple of blocks?

The Meaning of "Meat Day":

So, I did a quick stop at Nijiya for "Meat Day" which is the 29th of the month.

A customer looking at some pork asked her companion why meat day was always on the 29th. Which got me thinking.....I hadn't even thought about the reason.

And then it came to me; 29 in Japanese is something like "ni-kyu/ku" if I recall, and I'm sure you know that "meat" in Japanese is "niku" (肉). Duh, how many years have I been going on meat day and didn't realize this.  I guess I'm not the "sharpest knife in the drawer".

Nijiya Market
3860 Convoy St Ste 109
San Diego, CA 92111

Having a Pandemic Flashback:

Well, this one has nothing to do with food or drink. I made a quick run to our local Rite Aid on the way home today. I walked in and went to the section with cleaners and couldn't believe my eyes.

I then walked thru a couple of more aisles.....

I immediately had flashbacks to March of 2020! I did find what I needed and went to the cashier. I asked him what was going on, was this location of Rite Aid closing? He told me it's just a "supply issue." Well no kidding.

Now to make this even more interesting; I'm wondering if he was actually an employee of Rite Aid or perhaps an apparition? Well, because when I looked at my receipt.....

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Comments

[Junichi]

The Rite Aid in Linda Vista was the same when I dropped by a few days ago. Lots of shelves were bare. I also had flashbacks of the pandemic.

Yes Japanese people love to play with words. As you correctly deduced 29 is ni-ku which is meat.

[Dereck]

I stopped by the Party City off of Carmel Mountain to get some stuff for my son's 18th bday. It looks almost exactly like that Rite Aid, and the checker told me exactly the same thing that you heard there. I'm skeptical since supply chains have cleared up from the most part.

Plus, I really don't like Starbucks at all. The dark roast always tastes burnt, and I love supporting local coffee places.

[Kirk]

Man, it took me so long to figure that out Junichi! ;o)

I thought it was kinda strange Dereck! And yes, I prefer local businesses, it's kinda sad to see this happen.

[Elle]

That's a funny receipt.

I didn't know Nijiya had those discounts. I have heard of Niku Day at Gyu Kaku when they are offering rewards or discounts towards the end of the month.

[kat]

niku 29 :)

[Sandy]

I was at Noble Chef fsor dinner, and noticed the Starbucks first, then saw the coffee stand closed. It seems that all new Starbucks stores have drive-thrus.

When shelves are that bare, I think the store is closing soon.

I'm making a note to go to Nijiya on June 29!

[Derric]

Sad to see Shaka close becuse of yet another Starbucks location. Forum is my coffee shop of choice in the area, and coincidentally I was there yesterday morning, so maybe I'll up my support there a bit more.

[Dave]

Rite Aid is in Chapter 11. I have a feeling "supply issues" is code for money issues :D

[Kirk]

Yeah, Elvis was my cashier Elle! About a week or so before the 29th, Nijiya will put fliers up for meat day.

Yes Kat....took me a while to figure that out!

I feel really bad about Shaka closing Derric.

Yes, I forgot about that Dave. I know the Encinitas location of Rite Aid is set to close.

[Junichi]

I was at Happy Barber getting a haircut today. One of the regulars mentioned that when Starbucks negotiated with the landlord one of their demands was that Shaka leave =(

[Kirk]

I figured it would be something like that Junichi! So sad....

[Pam from Santee]

Is there a Meat Day in February?

[Kirk]

If I recall, they did have one this February 29th Pam! ;o)