Dear Jewel-Osco Customers,

Two weeks ago, Jewel-Osco re-grand opened 16 stores throughout Chicagoland, implementing some of the best in fresh standards that we feel you deserve with new programs, like our juice bars, designer cakes, and fresh, hot foods, and also programs that you know and love, like great prices on the items that you buy most every day without a card. We want your neighborhood Jewel-Osco to feel like your local farm stand, general store and corner drug store all in one. Because we are a “new” Jewel-Osco, we have an incredible opportunity to create stores for your neighborhoods, because our decisions are being made locally– sometimes right in your store.

At our 16 stores, in honor of the completion of their remodels, we decided to try something new. We sent thousands of households in the neighborhoods closest to those stores a special ad, showing great prices that were applicable to those new locations only.  When we made that move to celebrate the remodel’s completion, we decided to try a new concept, and only have the mailer ad apply to those stores specifically. Ultimately, that caused confusion with you, and for that, we’re sorry.

I heard you loud and clear, and want to do what’s best for YOU, our customers, and ensure that you leave our stores totally satisfied. Beginning next week, your Jewel-Osco ad will again apply to all of our stores.  We apologize for any confusion that we caused, but we do hope that you enjoy the special re-grand opening prices for our remodeled locations (see the list below!). Feel free to stop in and chat with your neighborhood location’s Store Director to discuss any questions that you may have.

Sincerely,

William Emmons

President, Jewel Osco

Remodeled locations:

• 21164 S. La Grange Rd, Frankfort, IL
• 2501 W Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg
• 944 York Road, Elmhurst, IL
• 7342 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL
• 1224 S Wabash, Chicago, IL
• 153 Schiller, Elmhurst, IL
• 370 N Des Plaines Ave, Chicago, IL
• 1300 S Milwaukee, Libertyville, IL
• 122 N Vail, Arlington Heights, IL
• 440 E Rand Rd, Arlington Heights, IL
• 1485 Palatine Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL
• 4042 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL
• 4734 N Cumberland, Chicago, IL
• 45 Plum Grove Road, Palatine, IL
• 423 E Dundee , Palatine, IL
• 3400 N Western, Chicago, IL

I call BS ’cause they’ve always had different ads for grand opening stores. But Jewel blinked first and that’s all that matters…well, except for that stupid “great prices on items we buy everyday” ’cause they sure ain’t, bucky.  If these are no loyalty card prices, please, bring back the card!

Starting Black Friday through December 1, Wet & Wild cosmetics (among other brands) are 50% off! Well, you just know that W&W has a ton of 99¢ liners and nail polishes, don’t you?  And you know that the 11/17 rp had a $1 coupon for W&W products, don’t you? And while you won’t get cash back into your hot, little hands (like Walmart), Jewel coupon policy (unchanged) allows for the overage to go towards other items in your cart.  I always end up with a big bag of makeup for the food pantry – you know they take more than just food, right?

You might find some decent prices on Covergirl eye shadow singles – use the $4/2 coupon in the November P&G (exp. 11/30).  There’s a $1.50 and $3/2 coupon which probably won’t be that terrific…check the clearance!

You know how that last revision (November 1, 2013) kinda messed things up for both Jewel employees and coupon customers because mebbe corporate didn’t think things through? The just-released JEWEL-OSCO COUPON POLICY clarifies that Jewel will accept those manufacturer coupons with the “Use at” or “Redeemable at” wording, but not the “Redeemable ONLY at” wording.  So print the latest coupon policy and hope your store got the news.

Jewel EE shopping: Two boxes saltines, four five lb bags of flour, two cans baking cocoa, eight cans of cooking spray (assorted varieties), two large bags of shredded coconut, couple of pounds of Brussels sprouts and two packs of Extra gum to use up the overage from paying with all coupons and the $20 store cat…OOP was 65¢ – but at least I got four stamps after putting out all that cash!

and this is why you always shop your basement first…btw, noticed that the EE cheese crackers were considerably more than Cheez Its…

Kitty points out that the BOGO Essential Everyday coupons in the 11/17 rp are manufacturer coupons, while the EE coupons in the latest Big Book of Savings (exp.11/26) are store coupons!  If you’re looking for turkey or chicken stuffing mix, coconut flakes, instant mashed potatoes or cooking oil spray, use both coupons and save even more!  I just found out that the house elves have once again used up al the spray and placed empty cans back on the shelf.  Bad Elves!

Right now many of you are holding $20 store cats in your hot little hands, wondering about the best way to use them.  Obviously the best way is to find family with receipts to post-redeem!  Second way is to avail yourself of sales and coupons – as in this picture of 20 boxes of Essential Everyday unsalted butter.  EE butter is on sale for $1.99 a box through the 28th (Thanksgiving Day).  Use the BOGO EE coupons (up to $2) from 11/17 rp and grab butter for a buck a pound!  Buying 20 boxes allows you to use the $20 store cat and change; buy 22 boxes, pay $2 and change and you’ll get four Rachael Ray stamps (otherwise you get only three).

Yes, I prefer the European-style butters, but we’re talking about $3 for 8 oz, so realistically it’s not gonna happen too often.  I used EE unsalted butter quite often pre-flood and it’s a good quality butter – it’s not like I’m making that much of a sacrifice!

Last day for this Jewel sale and a convenient coupon!  Mrs. Cubbison’s Croutons are $1.59 each and BOGO.  Use this $1/2 coupon and pay 58¢ for both!  You must register, but don’t need to sign up for email and special offers.

thanks, feelgood!

Earn $20 off your next grocery purchase WYB $100 in select gift cards.  Pictured on the cat alert: Applebees, Aeropostal (not sure, it’s blurry), Bass Pro Shop, Kohl’s, iTunes and MasterCard ($25, $50, and $100 denominations only.)  Says selection varies by store. 1 per transaction. expires 1 week after issuance. Dates are 11/20 through 12/3.

When I saw Mastercard, I remembered Visa back in September, 2011…remember?

Thanks, Kitty.