Long Time Roosevelt Island Residents Give Very Favorable Reviews To New Foodtown Supermarket - Many Shopping At RI Supermarket For First Time In Years, It's Becoming A Community Gathering Spot

What do you think of the new Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket,

located in the former Gristedes space, that had it Grand Opening on February 7?

So far, every person I've spoken to has had very positive reviews about our new Foodtown Supermarket.

For example,  a 30 year Roosevelt Island resident told me she would never visit the old Gristedes store and would drive off Roosevelt Island to do all her grocery shopping but after visiting the new Foodtown supermarket is:

... grateful that the store has opened up because now I can stay here and enjoy shopping on the Island....  People want to be able to shop and afford to have good food. To be able to work their budget out and include nice food. It's a great start...

A 47 year resident said the recent Foodtown Grand Opening was like a neighborhood:

...reunion seeing so many faces you have not seen in a long time...

Another resident says the new Foodtown Supermarket Cafe is becoming a community gathering spot -  and likes the good cup of coffee for $1.50.




And the Sushi Bar got a rave review too.



 Foodtown representative Richard Cabasso welcomes Roosevelt Island residents to the new supermarket.



I asked the former Roosevelt Island Comparison Shopper about the new Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket who replied:

The former Comparison Shopper is generally happy.

After 37 years here, I'm finally glad to see an improved (but not yet 'perfect') physical plant, with much better utilization of the space for expanded inventory in many categories, keeping favorite products & bringing in new ones.

30% - 40% Lower prices on lots of basics & staples are great -- how long till the "honeymoon" is over?? Some prices on the organic frozen products, ethnic / cultural food items are not so great.

I'm glad that key staff were retained in the produce, dairy, & fish, meat & poultry sections, as well as some cashiers & support staff.

I've walked around a few times with the Deli guy, looking at getting some long-forgotten brands back, making smaller, less expensive ready-to-take items on the shelves next to the Deli counter, and monitoring expiration dates.

The meat, poultry & fish section are better, but suggestions for having smaller packages of certain items for those of us "singles" and fixed-income folks seems to be a challenge still.

Do I really need a 2-lb package of liver? But I do feel like the managers & suits are trying harder.

Now, if they could only eliminate that lingering odor in the far corner of that section where they've moved the plastic containers.

Some goods & a decent fresh rye bread or pumpernickel still seem to be elusive.

Hoping to see a weekly Senior Discount & maintenance of free delivery.

Hoping to see greater efforts to get Islanders of all ages, incomes, abilities, & cultures into the store.

Click here for more info on the Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket and here for the latest Roosevelt Island Foodtown Supermarket most recent store flyer for product listings and pricing.

UPDATE 3:PM - From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

Agree! Just went in today for the first time and was extremely pleased with the new selection, price, the organization and the cleanliness of the store. I will absolutely make this store my new go-to grocery store! Glad to support island businesses! pic.twitter.com/BgfI4h4rPV

— FinnYorker (@NYTTYTTYY) February 21, 2020

I used to walk out with maybe one bag of groceries for $50, now it’s closer to three or four with the new prices, it’s such a huge difference

— hibernal worm (@indigogurt) February 21, 2020