Author Archives: Bobby Cherry

Ikea cuts popular discount with rewards card

Ikea is dumping the 5% discount customers currently receive on all purchases with an Ikea Family rewards card.

The company says it’s ending this benefit because, beginning in November, Ikea plans to “refocus” its efforts on “new lower price” offers on “hundreds of products across our range that emphasize everyday affordability.”

All currently enrolled Ikea Family rewards members can continue receiving the 5% discount through Jan. 31.

The discount applies to furniture and decor.

The company has been lowering prices and indicating when those prices were lowered.

Ikea’s 5% discount began in September 2022.

Other popular retailer Target has a similar discount that is tied to its Red debit and credit cardholders.

Target customers who have a Red card can receive a 5% discount in its stores. The company began that program in 2010.

Kennywood’s Racer gets final farewell … for now

Blending old and new in an amusement park probably isn’t easy.

And it’s especially not easy at Kennywood, where Pittsburghers aren’t always up for change.

But as the park preserves its past, routine maintenance is necessary.

And, as such, the park’s 96-year-old, only-one-left-in-America Racer won’t open for Kennywood’s Phantom Fall Fest.

Its last day was Sept. 16.

In a blog post, Kennywood explains that the roller coaster’s lift hills need replaced and retracked. More than 1,000 feet of lumber will be used. The work will be completed by the park’s in-house team.

“They’ll start with the left lift hill this year, followed by the right lift hill next year,” Mark Frazee, Kennywood’s content manager, wrote in the post.

Of course, it’s not Kennywood’s only restoration project this offseason.

In August, the park announced that the Turtle would undergo extensive off-season work.

And, Kennywood returned the Kangaroo to the park, adding to its “commitment to preserving the park’s past while moving toward the future.”

Are Millennials going to be blamed for Cracker Barrel’s slow demise?

I thought the period of time when Millennials killed everything had ended.

But, apparently, I was wrong.

Cracker Barrel — the country-themed restaurant known for heavy portions and the gift shop — is in the midst of a generational divide.

A majority of its guests (43%) are 55 and older. But the chain’s ever-important 65 and older demographic has not returned to its pre-COVID-19 levels, Cracker Barrel says.

And, apparently, RestaurantBusinessOnline.com thinks all it takes for Millennials is fried pickles and build-your-own-breakfast: “Millennials, lured by build-your-own breakfast and fried pickles, are visiting more often. But the chain’s important 65-and-over demographic remains slow to return.”

Despite raising prices by 8.7%, the company says the price hike, alone, did not contribute to a “meaningful” decline in traffic (3.2% during the third quarter).

Instead, company leaders believe Cracker Barrel’s traffic decline is related to the broader restaurant industry decline in customers.

Even before COVID-19, Cracker Barrel was never on my radar as a place to eat.

When I think of Cracker Barrel, the immediate first thing that comes to mind is having to wait 20 to 40 minutes for a table. When I was younger, the few times we did go, the wait to get a table felt like a purposeful trap to get people to browse the gift shop. (The gift shop is fun, but not when you’re hungry.)

In addition, the meals just always seemed heavy. So much food. So much heavy food on your stomach.

And, as a Millennial who doesn’t eat meat, the Cracker Barrel menu no longer even entices me. It’s meat on top of meat on top of country-style foods with big portions and loads of butter.

I can get great diner-style food at Eat’n Park that caters to my meal preferences for a great price. And it’s food that won’t make me feel guilty later on.

Earlier this year, Eat That Read This put together a story detailing the Cracker Barrel menu items to not get on your next visit to Cracker Barrel. Zero items on this list surprised me.

But I do like the gift shop.

Photo: A Cracker Barrel gift shop // Todd Van Hoosear

Kennywood’s tumble bug ride closed, will undergo preservation work

The world’s last remaining tumble bug ride has closed.

But fear not: The ride isn’t gone forever.

Kennywood Park announced in August that the 1927-built tumble bug would close to undergo necessary maintenance work.

After 96 years, the ride’s center foundation needs to be replaced, Kennywood said.

“Of course, the turtles and sweeps all attach to this structure – making it an essential part of the ride,” the park said. “Kennywood is committed to the preservation of the world’s last tumble bug, and this replacement project is a critical component of that commitment.”

See photos of the Turtle, and other records from Kennywood Park, in the Kennywood Park Records collection hosted by the University of Pittsburgh Library System.

The tumble bug at Kennywood is said to be the last operating ride of its kind. Many tumble bugs were built by the Traver Engineering Company in Beaver Falls.

Since the Turtle’s manufacturer is long-defunct, the project will be completed in-house by Kennywood’s team of carpenters, maintenance technicians and electricians.

“Because these crews need to disassemble most of the ride and dig approximately 15 feet underground, it’s much easier to get started now, before the ground freezes up during the winter months,” Kennywood said.

Once a staple at amusement parks, the only other known operating tumble bug was at Conneaut Lake Park. The currently defunct amusement park in Crawford County was home to the five-car Tumble Bug, which closed in 2019, making Kennywood’s Turtle the last full-size tumble bug remaining.

Other parks that once had a tumble bug include Cedar Point, Geauga Lake, Hersheypark and West View Park.

And, to clarify, the Turtle will reopen next season.

Wegmans dumps popular pop brand

Say goodbye to W Pop.

Wegmans will no longer carry its store-brand pop (or “soda”), the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported.

The company said the popular drink does not fall into the characteristics of Wegmans’ “Food You Feel Good About” mantra. The long-standing belief at Wegmans avoids artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.

In a statement, the Rochester, New York-based Wegmans said it is “discontinuing Wegmans Brand Soda because it contains artificial ingredients like aspartame and high fructose corn syrup. We are committed to our mission of helping customers live healthier, better lives through exceptional food, and we want you to feel confident in our Wegmans Brand products.“

Over the years, it offered competitive flavors — including Dr. W, Mountain W and Cola (and Diet Cola).

The company hadn’t shelved cans of W Pop in quite a while. But 2-liter bottles were on shelves as of this month.

In a statement to WROC-TV, Wegmans said it “will not be producing any additional Wegmans Brand soda, and anticipate selling through our current inventory within the next week,” according to RochesterFirst.com.

At one time, the pop’s popularity was dynomite.

Wegmans launched its “Food You Feel Good About” effort in 1991 as part of a “commitment of great taste with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives,” the company says on its website.

Since 2014, Wegmans says it offers more than 2,000 Wegmans items that meet its “Food You Feel Good About” standards — noting that nearly 90% of all Wegmans brand items are “Food You Feel Good About.”

The company did not say whether it will replace W Pop with a healthier drink. It offers a store-brand sparkling water and continues selling Pepsi and Coke products.

If you’re looking for a very sugary pop, check out the Sheetz-brand pop.