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.
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
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.
Swiftburgh! From the Carnegie Science Center to Primanti Bros., here are 13 things to do during your June 16-17 weekend in Pittsburgh for Taylor Swift. And, of course, these things are themed with Taylor Swift lyrics!
13. It’s a roller coaster kind of rush
Get that roller coaster kind of rush at one of America’s best amusement parks — Kennywood Park!
Experience record-breaking thrills on the Steel Curtain, and check out Kennywood’s other wildly popular coasters: Phantom’s Revenge, Thunderbolt, Jack Rabbit, Racer and Sky Rocket.
And take a spin out of this world on Kennywood’s newest ride — Spinvasion. It’s the first of its kind in America!
Be sure to get some Potato Patch fries while there.
There are so many great places to eat in Pittsburgh.
You could go bougie, but why? Save that money for Taylor Swift merch!
Go to Primanti’s to chow down on the iconic sandwich with coleslaw and fries on it.
Be sure to get cheese fries, too.
Visit the Primanti’s in Market Square or Strip District.
Also recommend Bella Notte in the Strip District. Hands down, my favorite pizza in Pittsburgh.
11. See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns
The Carnegie Science Center might as well change its name to the Swift Science Center.
The facility — located next to Acrisure Stadium — has two epic Taylor Swift special events.
First up is the “Laser Taylor Swift” laser light show at the Buhl Planetarium.
“Calling all ‘Exiles’ and ‘Anti-Heroes!’ The Laser Taylor Swift sets hits from all the singer’s eras to dazzling laser lights and special effects,” the science center says about the show. “The question is: ‘Are You Ready For It?’ Warm up for the Eras Tour with us!”
And, as the science center notes, “If you didn’t score tickets to her concert, Laser Taylor Swift is the next best thing.” (Is it, though?)
The laser light show is an additional charge to the regular admission for the science center.
The light show will run daily at 2 p.m. through Sept. 4. Between June 12 and 15, the center will add a second showing at 4 p.m.
Be sure to check out the center’s Miniature Railroad & Village to find 10 tiny Taylor Swift figures — with each Taylor dressed as an era, of course!
“She may not fit into the Miniature Railroad’s timeline or aesthetic, but Taylor Swift never goes out of style,” Rosalie Garfinkle, assistant manager of the miniature railroad, said in a news release, according to WPXI.
The science center will close at 4 p.m. June 16 and will not be open June 17.
10. My baby’s fly like a jet stream, high above the whole scene
7. It feels like a perfect night for breakfast at midnight
Sheetz food and drink!
You can get breakfast at midnight at Sheetz — a unique and totally fun 24/7 convenience store with locations all around the Pittsburgh area. Take it from me: A certified Sheetz Freak.
Of course, if you don’t want breakfast at midnight, Sheetz offers pizza, hoagies, milkshakes, loads of appetizers and so much more.
6. Green was the color of the grass where I used to read at Centennial Park
Point State Park fountain and Pittsburgh skyline
It might not be Nashville’s Centennial Park, but Pittsburgh’s Point State Park offers gorgeous views of the city skyline, all three rivers, Acrisure Stadium (where Taylor Swift is performing) and Pittsburgh’s hills and valleys.
And, yes, the grass is green, and you can read on a park bench at Point State Park.
Be sure to check out the fountain, too! Just don’t get in it.
5. The world moves on, another day, another drama, drama
Take in another drama, drama in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District with Pittsburgh Public Theater and the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.
CLO’s “Anything Goes” runs June 13-18 at the Benedum Center.
4. You held your head like a hero on a history book page, it was the end of a decade, but the start of an age
Learn about Pittsburgh’s history at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District.
The center features set pieces from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” “Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation,” “From Slavery to Freedom” and more. Plus, check out Western Pennsylvania’s sports history at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum (Heinz History Center admission includes admission to the sports museum).
On special exhibit now is “The Negro Motorist Green Book” — a look at the travel for African Americans in mid-century America.
3. And I think you should come live with me and we can be pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t home the weekend Taylor Swift is in Pittsburgh, but you can still tour PNC Park — one of America’s best ballparks.
The tour showcases a number of areas throughout the ballpark.
2. When they point to the pictures, please tell them my name
There are several art and photo galleries to visit in Pittsburgh. These are just a few:
Space Gallery; 812 Liberty Ave., Downtown Pittsburgh
Carnegie Museum of Art (admission includes the Carnegie Museum of Natural History); 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland
1. Hold on to the memories, they will hold on to you
Make the most of your concert experience! Whether you’re going into Acrisure Stadium to see her show or you’ll be dancing and singling along outside, just have fun!
BobbyCherry.com 