How to Rein In Wayward Grocery Carts
* We don’t even have to be original when looking for solutions to wandering grocery carts (“Merchants, Cities Clash Over Abandoned Carts,” July 31)! In Victoria, British Columbia, we saw pens for the carts [in] the parking lot. No carts at the store entrance. A quarter in the coin box turned a cart loose; when the groceries are in your car and you return the cart to the holding pen, your quarter is returned. You’re too lazy to walk the cart back? Kids are lounging around just looking for an chance to get the quarter.
In Richmond, Va., the “front porch” area of the store is ringed with metal pipes set in concrete at distances which will not allow the carts to get through. You leave your full cart and bring your car to be loaded. This solution brings up complications, I’d think: pilferage from the carts (or always shop in pairs) and the lineup of cars trying to get in position to unload the carts.
Either way, carts stay in the parking lot.
ELLEN LEWIS
Brea
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