Supermarket Zhang is a Rua Lombinha general store offering good variety, fresh fruit and local products. Open daily and useful in a pinch, but watch for card surcharges, double-check change and receipts, and expect service that isn’t always welcoming.
When you walk in out of necessity and walk out with an opinion
Rua Lombinha is full of small shops where you pop in for something quick without much thought. Supermarket Zhang is one of them. From the outside it barely stands out, but once inside it’s clear that there’s more on offer than you expected.
The catch is that the experience here depends not only on what you buy, but on how the whole process unfolds.
A neighbourhood general store with ambition
Supermarket Zhang is a small neighbourhood general store, well stocked for its size, with everyday basics, snacks, fresh fruit, drinks and household items. It’s not a large supermarket and doesn’t try to be, but it covers a lot of quick needs for this part of Santa Maria.
It’s also open on Sundays and keeps long hours, which is exactly how it ends up on many people’s regular routes.
Real variety in a small space
Objectively, the selection is solid. Fresh fruit — sometimes well priced — local products, pantry staples, breakfast options and a few unexpected items for such a compact shop.
Some reviews highlight that they source fresh produce from local farmers, including papaya, and that the overall range is better than in many nearby mini markets.
You walk in expecting the usual… and end up checking one more shelf.
PACE, SERVICE AND ATMOSPHERE · Where things get complicated
This is where Supermarket Zhang divides opinion. Some customers describe friendly owners and decent service. Others report unfriendly staff, uncomfortable looks and a generally unwelcoming atmosphere, especially for certain customers.
On top of that, a recurring sore point appears: extra charges for card payments. Several people mention unannounced surcharges, incorrect change or receipts being thrown away, which quickly undermines trust.
Trust fades fast
Charging a fee for card payments — particularly without clear explanation — is a red line for many. Combined with abrupt or rude behaviour, some shoppers simply advise using nearby local stores instead.
The result is straightforward: even with good stock, the experience doesn’t always match the potential.
Keeping your guard up helps
Ask in advance if there’s a surcharge for card payments.
Always check your change and request a receipt.
If you value warm service, this may not be your place.
For quick fruit or basic items, it can still make sense.
Good products, uneven experience
Supermarket Zhang has clear strengths: variety, fresh produce and a convenient location. But service and payment practices weigh heavily on the final impression.
It may solve a problem quickly… or convince you not to return. And in Santa Maria, where alternatives exist, that usually makes the difference.
Here you don’t decide with your wallet alone. You also decide with your patience.
