Tell Me Where To Shop If Not At Walmart!

Much is written on kos about Walmart. Generally, I've come to learn it is the source of much evil. Indeed, there seems to be at least one diarist who writes constantly on how horrible Walmart is to our society. One time I made a suggestion in another anti-Walmart diary that although Walmart is likely a negative force in many ways, the company may have a coupla good points. I was nearly drowned in anger and troll-ratings. Fun times.

So, if Walmart is so rotten (and even I think it is generally kinda rotten, at least), then help me find alternatives. Shop for me on the flip.

Below I have a shopping list. All these items would be found at your typical Walmart Superstore. Most would be reasonably or cheaply priced. (Some would be poorly-made, but cheap.) If you refuse to shop at Walmart, where do you go? I should note that I live in Indianapolis and we have lots of stores here.

I haven't done much research. I did go to buyblue.org. It definitely suggests that Walmart kinda sucks and it donates money to Republicans. It does give Costco as an alternative, and I confess I've not been to a Costco and we have one here. However I've been told that Costco is not going to be so useful for buying smaller amounts of items. Generally they sell in bulk. Not saying I won't try that place though.

So other than Costco, where should I shop? Let me provide you with a shopping list and a few rules. Here's what I need to buy:

1. a birthday card
   
2. a crock pot
   
3. some flowers to plant in my little garden - nothing special
   
4. a Nintendo Game Boy game for my daughter
   
5. a few cheap wine glasses
   
6. some oil for my car
   
7. Trivial Pursuit game for the birthday person
   
8. condoms (nonya bizness)
   
9. my prescription (nonya bizness either)
   
10. shampoo
    
11. bread
    
12. some yogurt
    
13. milk
    
14. chocolate Lucky Charms (mmmmmmmmm)
    
15. some soda and some frozen foods
    
16. a coupla tops and jeans for my daughter
    
17. boxers for me (blush)

OK, that should do it. I didn't put fruit or veggies on the list. Our Walmart has sucky produce.

Now for the rules:

1. I don't want to go to a half-dozen places to do what I could do at one place. In fact, if I have to go to more than three places, I gotta wonder if it's worth it. I mean, how much gas and time do I want to blow driving all over? These are pretty common items. Seriously, there is a savings in gas and pollution and time in shopping at one place that is worth something, at least to me.

2. Thus, it may not help to tell me where to get just one of the items. If we do that for every items, I have to drive around the whole city. Try to tell me where I can buy at least a number of items at one place. Or break it into 2-4 places.

3. Don't just suggest another store that you don't know is better than Walmart! I mean, if the point of this is that Walmart is evil, don't suggest Walgreens unless you know they are less evil.

4. Don't tell me about some speciality store that is only in your town.

5. Don't have me shop at super expensive places. I'm not rich. And I'm way better off than a huge chunk of poor Americans.

OK...that's about it. Time for all you Walmart haters to put up or shut up. Can you tell me where to get these items at blue-friendly outlets for a reasonable cost and convenience?  

Good luck!