Grocery Shopping on Roosevelt Island
Kensington Brooklyn blogger has been posting and readers commenting upon the the quality and variety of grocery shopping options in their neighborhood which I found very interesting as it pertains to Roosevelt Island. For a very long time our only grocery shopping option was Gristedes (I think an earlier and smaller version of the store was called Sloan's) and the Deli on Main Street. Then, a few years ago, Fresh Direct came into existence and I think that Roosevelt Island was one of their first test markets. Other options are the Food Emporium on First Avenue, the Trade Fair on 36th Avenue or Costco on Vernon B'lvd, both in Queens.
My preferences for quality of food, service and price has been for Fresh Direct and Food Emporium. Gristedes is used primarily for convenience due to being on Roosevelt Island although now that am living in Southtown, Food Emporium may be more convenient, particularly with monthly metro card. I have rarely gone into the Deli so I hesitate to offer an opinion on them but I do remember that during the blackout several years ago they were the only store open providing much needed supplies including water and there was no gouging at all. In fact, they were extremely helpful during that period. I have never shopped at either Trade Fair or Costco so cannot venture an opinion.
6 comments :
My understanding is that Trade Fair will deliver across the RI Bridge and is quite reasonable. Supposedly the Food Emporium on First Ave aka BridgeMarket will also deliver to the island. Not sure what their fee is though.
When the Tram was out and I commuted through the F Train at 63rd and Lex I used to shop with regularity at the Food Emporium on 63rd and Third.
For all of us it will also be interesting to see the product line at the Duane Reade as most of them have a refrigerated section with essentials and a small aisle set aside for dry goods.
I was told by the customer service desk at Food Emporium that they only deliver to South Town buildings on Roosevelt Island.
The Gristedes is totally overpriced. They sure take advantage of their quasi-monopoly on the island. A jar of Nutella (the small one, mind you) is six bucks! That's an item that goes for $3.50 even at places like the Food Emporium. Don't get me started about the attitude and work ethics of the staff.
Btw, there is a new player for grocery delivery in town. It's called Bread'n'Brie and they deliver to the UES, RI, and LIC. I tried them last week and they are quite okay. They are definitely not up there with Fresh Direct in regards of product variety but the prices are a little better.
What RI needs is something like a Whole Foods or a Trader's Joe. I think LIC has potential for those kinds of stores, especially with the Avalon buildings coming up.
I wss at Food Emporium tonight and was told they deliver anywhere on Roosevelt Island for a charge of $4.95.
I will try Bread n brie and let you know my impressions. Thanks for the suggestion.
Time to start complaining to RIOC about Gristedes. They were given a new long-term lease with the caveat that they keep the groceries fresh and price-competitive. Let's make a fuss!
Are you sure that Gristedes was recently given a new long term lease? It seems unlikely that RIOC would encumber this space with a new long term lease when they are considering a RFP for a master lease encompassing all of the retail space under their control.
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