Where Locals Shop for Groceries in Mooresville, NC.
© MVL Co., LLC
A friend of mine considered moving to Mooresville, NC from the Bay Area, California. She asked me to give her a tour of the place, and of course, I happily agreed. To my surprise, the place she wanted to go first was… the grocery store?! She’s the cook in her family, so I suppose she wanted to assess the lay of the land. Are there organic meat options here? Do we have artichokes? Bread with a crust? Honestly, I’ve never seen someone be so relieved to find Bounty paper towels on aisle six.
Mooresville has seen a lot of change since my family moved here seventeen years ago. Back then, you couldn't find tofu to save your life. Now, you can get everything from Organic Jade Pearl rice, to authentic German beer sausages, to Icelandic yogurt. The trick is figuring out where to look. Here’s a handy guide to shopping like a local:
Every store in Mooresville has at least one good reason to shop there. To find that reason, or more reasons, I've placed them into the following categories*.
Local Specialty
Next level meat, fish or fajita fixins.
Basics on a Budget
Get in. Get out. Be glad it’s over.
Big ol’ Box Stores
When you need a new pair of socks with your sandwich bread.
Civilized & Savvy
It just feels wrong to shop in your pajamas here.
Treat Yo’self
For the times you’re convinced paying for organic is better.
*I did not include paid membership stores like Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s. But yes, we have those too.
Now, let’s take a closer look at each store! These descriptions are based on my personal experience of living here for nearly two decades.
Local Specialty
Stephen’s Country Store and Butcher Shop.
Shop ‘N Save. Locals know that this gas station on Mecklenburg Highway west of Downtown Mooresville is also home to a first-rate butcher shop. Locally owned and operated since 1978, this little market has everything from giant tomahawk steaks, to crawfish, to Junior’s cheesecake. You can also grab yourself a case of cold cola, beer, or fine wine if it’s your thing. Most folks leave with a Sundrop/cherry slushie and scratch-off lottery ticket in hand. Park in the back if you don’t need gas, because you don’t want to block the pumps. Note: you’ll still need to hit a level 1- 4 store for your other life essentials.
Stephen’s Country Store and Butcher Shop. It’s totally worth the scenic drive out Highway 152 east of Downtown, to gather some traditional southern foods and experience some genuine hospitality. This country store near the Lazy Five Ranch will remind you why you moved here. Stephen has the very best pork chops and thick-cut bacon, plus country ham to serve with your Sunday biscuits. Locals stock up on spicy livermush, pimento cheese, stone ground grits and cheer wine. If you need a gift, pick up some old fashioned candy and pickled pantry delights. If you’re lucky, you’ll snatch up one of his hot country ham biscuits before they’re gone! Sure, you’ll still need to shop a level 1-4 store for your regular items, but you can cover some good protein here!
Mi Casa Fresh Market. This little gem off exit 33 (right near the Southbound on-ramp) is all you need to spice up your menu! Find all your latin favorites including fresh veggies, hard-to-find salsas, fajita fixins’ and very affordable spices. The folks who run this market are the sweetest in town. So take your time exploring new flavors and products you may not be familiar with. From tamarind candy, to Topo Chico sparkling water, to ALL the dried chilis…you’ll find a world of South American flavor right here in little ol’ Mooresville.
Lake Norman Butchery. Premium meats on the pricier side, including beef, lamb, poultry, pork and fresh seafood. Special cuts and holiday orders are a no brainer here. High quality, modern atmosphere, upscale lakeside vibe. Nostalgic New Yorkers will definitely feel right at home here. Note: Level 1-4 shopping is still required for your regular grocery items.
Buddy’s Seafood Market. This little family owned seafood shop carries a nice variety of high quality, fresh caught seafood. The staff is knowledgeable about how to best cook things too. The menu varies according to what they’re catching seasonally, and there are too many items to mention here. But from Oysters and clams, to flounder, cod and crabs, there’s plenty to go all out gourmet or throw yourself a low country boil.
Basics on a Budget
Majestic. German. Mooresville? Yep.
Food Lion. There are six locations in Mooresville, probably one near you. Food Lion is a regional chain store (Southeast /Mid Atlantic). They cater to neighbors with name brand and budget friendly options. This store is heavy on packaged goods, canned goods, hard seltzer and BOGO offers. It’s lighter on the craft beer, fancy cheese and fresh fish. They do have a decent selection of standard fruits, veggies and meats available on the steady. Specialty options like gluten free or vegan are somewhat limited. Coffee is typically ground or in Keurig pods, rather than whole bean. Good variety of hispanic foods and store-made tortilla chips. But if you’re really into Asian or Middle-Eastern ingredients, you’re gonna have to kick it up a notch to Level 3.
Aldi. German grocery store chain (kin to Trader Joe’s) with quality goods at bargain prices. It’s not trendy like a Trader Joe’s, but once you get to know it (there are a few quirks), you’ll wonder why you haven’t always been shopping here! Consistent, mostly pre packaged produce makes this store Instacart friendly. Variety is limited, so you’ll have to combine a level 3 store visit to find something like rice noodles or fresh fennel. Meats and fish are good quality and come fresh or frozen. Aldi has the most affordable wine, eggs, olive oil, rice, hand soap, and toilet paper in town. What it lacks in ethnic foods, it makes up for in chocolate and brioche buns. Plus there’s a mystery aisle for fun home, garden and German finds. Quirks - bring a quarter to rent a buggy (aka shopping cart). Bring bags or buy them there, because it’s ‘Bag Your Own’.
Big ol’ Box Stores
Walmart. Just kidding. You knew we were kidding, right?
Target. If you’re looking for mostly packaged goods with a side of underwear, shopping at Target for groceries is for you. You can sip your Starbucks while snagging the snack brands you love, without the high prices you hate. Strengths: wide selection of brands (including their own private label); canned goods; frozen foods; domestic (and some craft) beer; kitchen items like tin foil, dish soap, and toothpaste. Their fresh produce and meats are a little limited and not local. Parking is, uhm.. Target parking, so you’ll want to make the most of your big box store visit by picking up a few other things you need like a new bathing suit, phone charger or some socks.
Walmart/Neighborhood Walmart. Walmart is Walmart. But the Walmart Neighborhood Market On E. Iredell Ave near Downtown is a little more user-friendly. The produce section is pretty great actually, and usually surprises me with a low price special on berries or other produce. Dairy and cheese is basic (think Yoplait yogurt and port wine cheese balls). But, they’ve got a fairly decent range of wine and beer. They also have a thoughtful selection of gluten-free products and trendy health ingredients like raw organic cane sugar, chia seeds and other smoothie additives.Their health and beauty section is a little bigger than most, so you can grab some new mascara and epsom salts for your bathtub (or your roses). Self-checkout means you’ll be tempted to steal a candy bar for the inconvenience (don’t), but you’ll almost never have to wait in line.
Civilized & Savvy
Lowes Foods. Half expensive grocery them park, half expensive Neighborhood Walmart.
Harris Teeter. The original Mooresville grocery store that grew up into an impressive regional chain. Modern and more upscale, with two locations on the lake side of town. This is the most complete supermarket in Mooresville, featuring a deli, pizza bar, fresh made sushi, bakery, and a sometimes there onsite butcher. Beer and wine? Yep. Whole bean coffee? Yep. Gelato? Also yep. Many gluten-free, vegan and international ingredients are available. Prices are higher, but there’s a convenience to one-stop shopping. Keep your eye out for weekly specials, and save on fuel with your loyalty points.
Lowes Foods. This is a North Carolina grocery chain featuring national brands alongside local brands and southern products they’re particularly proud of. It’s the only grocery store in town where you can drink beer while pushing your toddler around in the buggy. The draught beer and wine bar is a bit of a social scene actually. But it doesn’t overshadow the full service deli, bakery, bbq smokehouse, and seafood department. They think out of the box here, with square cakes and other little extras. The produce section is extensive albeit slightly more expensive. You’ll find a smaller selection of the requisite packaged goods, dairy, and health and beauty products because this store is more about perimeter shopping. If your style is to shop fresh and frequently, you’ll probably be very happy here.
Publix. Young professionals and retirees looking for healthy pre-made meals love shopping here. They have what you need to save time and effort, even if they don’t do much to save you money. Publix definitely has a strong following, so the best I can figure is it comes down to a feeling of civility and ease. They are very big on service, and they hire great employees to carry your groceries out to your car and make your experience more personal. Located at the hard-to-access corner Brawley School and Williamson Roads, across the street from Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods. Coming soon, an additional location closer to downtown Mooresville on highway 3.
Treat Yo’self
Fresh Market, Cornelius.
Note: Technically, there is nothing in this category in Mooresville. Yet. But if you absolutely need to listen to classical music while perusing hand-crafted soy sauce and organic meats, these are the nearest shopping spots for you.
Fresh Market. Exit 28, Cornelius. This store delivers a relaxing and bougie shopping experience. It’s fun to browse the myriad of imported cheeses, small-batch soy sauces, organic gluten-free crackers, bulk spices and unusual bulk candies. They have a small floral section, an extra large produce section, and a high-quality meat and seafood counter. They carry a unique wine and beer selection if you’re curious about branching out and trying new labels. It’s not a place to get your toilet bowl cleaner. But, when it comes to specialty pre-made salads, take & bake gourmet pizza, picnic foods and other special indulgences, you won’t be the least bit disappointed.
Whole Foods. Exit 25, Huntersville. This used to be a high end shopping experience. However, with Covid and Amazon’s local grocery delivery on the rise, this location now feels a bit like an amazon pick location. Employees race around filling carts, rather than offering to help you find something. Popular items can be out of stock, which makes shopping here a risky move if you’re trying to find all your ingredients for a recipe. But this is still the place to gourmet-up a cheese board, find an impressive tea, get gluten-free panko bread crumbs, or ensure that what you’re cooking for dinner is sustainably produced, pasture raised, grass fed and chemical-free. The organic health and beauty products section is fun to browse if you’re looking for a holistic splurge. Just watch out for dashing carts.
