LIC Grocery Store ALERT: Amish Market’s ‘foodcellar’ opens tomorrow
foodcellar market, 47th Rd between 5th St & Center Blvd, Queens West, LIC
Happy Daze. The long awaited foodcellar (formerly known as and still owned by Amish Market) is opening TOMORROW at 7am. It’s a soft opening, but as you know soft ice cream is still ice cream, and if there is food on the shelves that we can buy, it’s a grocery store.
foodcellar market, 47th Rd between 5th St & Center Blvd, Queens West, LIC
And what a store it is. First of all, it’s gigantic. Tons and tons of elbow room. It’s so big, it feels like a suburban Whole Foods, in mod colors. There’s your standards: oversized produce section, health and beauty, bakery, butcher, and fishmonger. Add to that mix: sweets & chocolates, sushi bar, hot and cold deli, pizza bar, aisles of packaged foods and a windowed seating area. You know, like an Amish Market.
foodcellar market, 47th Rd between 5th St & Center Blvd, Queens West, LIC
Not to mention, finally there’s a place to buy some housewares around here. Ok fine, it’s an overpriced garlic press perhaps, not dishes or pans etc, but still – it’s something.
foodcellar market, 47th Rd between 5th St & Center Blvd, Queens West, LIC
nice!
their household stuff can compete with Duane Reade.
I’m excited for the market. Looks great. I think it’s going to give a few deli owners on Vernon some sleepless nights though. Anyone know how late the FC will be open?
Now is the time for the deli owners to clean up their acts, be imaginative, and sell stuff you can’t find in the foodcellar.
Can’t wait for the opening tomorrow! Lot’s of activity out by the storefront at this moment.
Re: the sleepless deli owners on vernon>
E&I Deli had the neighborhood on lock for the past year, and squandered the opportunity to build relationships with their customers in the neighborhood. Maybe now market forces will make them at least smile, say hello, and thank you once in a while to their customers who visit almost daily.
Glad to give my business to food cellar starting tomorrow!
Arrrgggh…LIQCity…I think you beat me to the scoop by 20 minutes or so. I had the tip yesterday, but I was out in search of the Montauk Monster (really). I got some good pics for the blog though, and a pic of the Duane Reade.
As I’ve said before, you keep me on my toes! Great work!
Sounds expensive.
C-Town 4-eva.
Seriously, I’m not hiking all the way over to QueensWest for food.
But good for you guys.
Speaking of openings, there’s a new sorta upscale 24 hour deli on 23rd St. between 45th Road and 45th Avenue called Tost Cafe. I guess they’ll be in competition with both Court Square Diner and Y&K Deli-Grocery (the latter could use it… nasty). I got a sandwich last night… not bad, and not expensive. Big food menu plus a small but varied selection of groceries (everything from Goya staples to, like, organic cereal).
Also, does anyone know what the deal is with the Wine Bar/Antiques combo place (47th Road I think?).
THANK CHRIST!
Man, never again will I pick through the NASTY produce at C-Town…moving a kitty-cat aside to get at the onions or potatoes. In fact, I don’t think I ever bought anything there to be consumed raw, nor would I advise it.
I bought some generic chicken there once, and it was so flavorless and horrible I wept that the poor thing had to give it’s life only to be tossed into the garbage.
Anyway, it’s great to hear about a new grocery. I am indeed hopeful that I can conveniently buy something other than canned beans or bargain toilet paper in LIC!
YAY!
Long overdue.
I’ve been waiting for 10 years. It’ll be so great to go home and swing by for fresh dinner ingredients, instead of trying to thaw out a dessicated piece meat from the freezer.
Sayonara, Fresh Direct!
#9 you are dead on. The simple joys in life!
Food Glorious Food!
Great pictures! Can’t wait to check it out.
Oh dear god ! Look at the selection. I think I just climaxed.
#7 – Do us all a favor, stick to that side of the neighborhood, no one is asking you to walk here for your groceries. You talk enough BS about everything that goes on around QW, we will gladly let you have C-Town to yourself. Please, do not come here, we already know your party line…. yada yada yada, yuppies, yuppies, yuppies… save it, I’m sure enough of your burn out friends will bash this place no matter how good it is anyway.
#15, wanna make out?
#7
I live two short blocks away from C-Town and I can’t wait for FoodCellar. Even with improvements C-Town selections sucks. Produce is marginal at best, and meat section is poor. It’s basically an overgrown deli and closes early on weekends.
i did a quick walk-through this morning at the fooodcellar before i went to work. looks very nice inside, however not “suburban whole foods” size. its not even 1/2 the size of the chelsea whole foods.
only a few things were priced, but the price points seem very high (even more than i expected). much higher than whole foods as well as e and i on the few items i saw with price tags. a can of dog food was also $1 more than at city pet, thats about a 30% price difference. lets hope that everything isn’t overpriced.
of course it’s overpriced, it’s a direct waterfront location. how high do you think their rent is? astronomical! and their prices reflect that.
wait until you see the prices at duane reade and that asian restaurant. welcome to Midtown East people.
there’s a difference between over priced and really overpriced though… but we’ll see how it unfolds. too early to tell now. i don’t think that midtown east prices would be much higher than midtown prices.
i don’t know who’s going to pay $8 for a single serving frozen pizza though… although i’m sure someone will.
#18
I don’t really care what they charge. Went there for lunch today and there really is no comparison. Where are you going to go? E&I deli where the food gets dusty in their storeroom and there is cardboard on the floor when it rains? Load up the car and drive to the dumpy C-Town in Brooklyn? I’m willing to pay extra for the convience, clean store, friendly staff, and no cheating on the register. I suspect a lot of other people will be as well.
they’re only friendly and clean b/c they have no customers. if they ever get busy (they won’t) they’ll try you just like a mcdonald’s cashier in midtown at lunch hour.
why were people wishing for this store? Could’ve been a great bar.
I can’t believe what I’m reading. People on this board have been longing for the arrival of a grocery store like the second coming. Now there’s one here, and the complaints start pouring in: It’s small! It’s not Whole Foods! It’s expensive! It’s going to be staffed by rude people. Well, you all got the product of what you helped create — essentially a boomtown neighborhood where space is a premium. So deal with it. Enjoy foodcellar, or not.
don’t worry, i won’t. it’ll close down within 9 months.
#23, don’t get so excited. i was saying it is small in response to liqcity’s post that it looks like a suburban whole foods. its ok that the store is small. we won’t make fun of it.
and as a side note: not everyone on this board was longing for this store, so it makes sense that some people would not have a positive outlook. i’m glad its here and remain optimistic that it will be somewhat affordable. if not, then it is what it is.
#18 again
#21, C-Town is in LIC, not Brooklyn. Although there are also C-Towns in Brooklyn.
#26, both are dumpy.
“Could’ve been a great bar.”
Or strip club.
It’s so anticlimactic to have it actually open. Speculation was much more fun. But really, it’s win-win for everyone. The lines will get shorter in E&I, the smugly self-righteous can shop in peace at C-town without yuppies breathing down their necks, and those who’ve bought to flip can mark up their waterfront property another 5% since there’s now a “real” grocery store.
#24, unlikely, however the pharmacy on Vernon (which is oddly never open when I walk past) and possible one of the several delis on Vernon will close down within 9 months or see their business drop off significantly. No way they will be able to compete. Their only advantage is location (near subway).
Subway location is going to win out over the friendliness of the cashiers and a clean floor, every single time. the only people that are now going to shop in the foodcellar are the epopel in avalon north (maybe) and rockrose ll. they barely made a dent in E&I’s bottom line. they expanded without those buildings and were doing fine for decades before them.
But I agree, the new store is a positive thing.
30, I think a lot more people will go to that store. Yes, I think some residents on the waterfront will treat the store like a glorified deli and buy only incidentals there, but these folks probably eat only microwaved meals and Ben and Jerry’s anyway. But for many of us, we finally have a decent grocery store only a short walk away? Why would I continue go to Greenpoint or Astoria to get seafood, meat, and other stuff when I can get it right in the neighborhood?
#30 Subway location is good but when it comes to food variety is even better.
Agree with 32. Quality is also important. Why should I buy partialy melted ice cream, and dusty boxes of food when I can walk a block and get better. If location was everything, then why were people ordering from fresh direct and travelling to C-Town?
When I can walk an extra
To #29, I hope you are wrong. The Vernon pharmacy is wonderful, really personalized service and nice people. A nd every time I am in there they are doing a brisk business. I moved here recently and they greet me by name when I go to the counter, have my prescription ready, know my insurance and deliver to my door at no charge with a smile. I am so happy to have found them when I moved here and would never change, they’re one of the things that make LIC a “small town.”
I hope the pharmacist owns the building. Otherwise he’s doomed by Duane Reade.
35, what is so great about Duane Reade? Honestly, I hate that store. Horrible, grim cashiers. Pharmacists who treat you like you are annoying them. Awful place. And the prices on all the other crap they sell there isn’t great either.
I didn’t say duane reade was great. But it’s more commonly used as a pharmacy than little mom & pops. If DR is around, people are just more likely to go there. People around here need their personality pills, if you know what I mean.
The pharmacy is NEVER open when I’m home. I leave before 8am and get home around 7-something and I’ve never seen that place open. So, I am going to be happy about Duane Reade.
The new supermarket will do fine. E&I will continue to do fine just because of their location. I imagine they will sell less produce and basics, but they’re going to still get the morning coffee and bagel people and the evening basics people. This is a growing market- everyone will get a piece of the pie!
A few questions-
1. Anyone know the hours of the new supermarket?
2. What is the status of SHI?
SHI will have a soft opening this weekend and the foodcellar is open from 7am to 9:30pm.
Any website info on SHI?
Excellent. Happily suprised about the 9:30 pm closing time.
Just made my second purchase of the day there. If no one else goes I will be able to keep them in business myself.
DR will complement FC very nicely once it opens. the type of groceries that youget in DR are completely different than FC. Between the two stores theres not much that I can think of that we wont have at our fingertips
I like the Food Cellar – a bit over priced but good quality & selection. BUT.. can anyone provide more info about the union busting practices that are mentioned in the leaflet that is being passed out?
I first moved to the area, I too was puzzled by its hours, but you can fax in prescripts and they deliver. The second time I ever visited in person, the pharmacist recognized me and knew my refill was coming up. 1000% better than the CVSs in DC.
I don’t want my pharmacist to recognize me and know that my Viagara refill is coming up. Just me…
well here’s a new article with quite a bit of misinformation:
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080813/FREE/102924608/1061
went to food cellar this evening. they undercharged me for tuna by about $10 a pound… certainly a function of being open one whole day.
otherwise, it’s really nice having a store like this in the neighborhood. it fills a need that some in the neighborhood really wanted and i don’t mind having it here, either. i would be happy going to costco for the big stuff, the greenmarket for the fresh stuff, trader joes for that trader shmoe branded stuff, and e&i for whatever i can’t get elsewhere. screw fresh direct.
Although I live closer to C-town, I will be shopping at the foodcellar from now on, despite the higher prices. At the end of the day, I would rather pay a few cents extra per item to have access to a great selection of organic produce and be able to shop in a nice, clean environment.
Holy crapola, the prices at Foodcellar are high!!!!!!!!! I think it’s even more expensive than Whole Foods! Maybe even Dean and Deluca!
Whats the deal with closing at 9:30!
#50, It’s not a deli it’s a supermarket. 9:30 closing is pretty standard for a supermarket, unless you’re a 24-hour Pathmark.
LIC residents, because of people like 50, are at risk of being labeled the biggest self-involved babies on the planet. Thank god we haven’t ever had to deal with a real emergency in this city.
Notice #50’s user name. With “munchies” for a moniker, he/she might get food cravings at odd hours of the night!
#52, they already think of us that way. And so what? Obviously we know how great it is to live here. Despite some shortcomings, but what neighborhood doesn’t have a few? I like what is happening to LIC. It’s a true, mostly positive change. Keep it coming. I intend to live here for a while.
You’re not paying just a few cents more…you’re paying 25-30% more in price than other places. The the salad bar is $8/lb, and the hot food bar is $10/lb! For spaghetti and meatballs!
prices are pretty outrageously high, and you are right, we’re not talking just a few cents here.
however the salad bar is $8/lb at whole foods also and the produce is about the same. packaged goods are way overpriced by about 10 to 30% across the board. i guess some folks can afford this, but i am not paying $12 for two chicken legs. i’d rather go elsewhere (even if i don’t get a smile) and save a couple thousand dollars a year.
spaghetti and meatballs, salad bar… that’s exactly not what i need out of my new grocery store. i want to buy groceries to make my own meals… sounds like you need a new restaurant to order take out.
I’m not trying to sound argumentative. But I find it surprising that people are surprised that the prices at foodcellar are as high as they are. I’m not a supermarket expert, but it seems that large parts of NYC are now officially out of bounds for the kinds of reasonably priced grocery stores you find elsewhere in the region — stores that people in LIC are begging for and yet now find out of reach. How bitterly ironic is that? Will all the other retail shops everyone is clamoring for be similarly overpriced? Talk about LIC being a victim of its own success.
LIC as a neighborhood is predicated on the idea of paying less for more. Those who are happy to pay more for convenience do pay more… and conveniently live in Manhattan.
FC definitely judges themselves against Manhattan retail- one of their managers said as much to a friend of ours yesterday, stating blatantly that their prices were in line with Whole Foods- and that may be a weakness for them in the future. Most of us live here not for the amazing neighborhood vibe and energy, but because it’s a nice neighborhood with a short commute and it’s cheaper than Manhattan. While I’m happy to have FC there in a pinch for a few high-ticket items here and there, I can’t afford for my grocery bills to climb 15-25%.
Time will tell if enough people are willing to swallow the higher prices for the convenience. I’m sure many will. But the question is whether *enough* people will pony up to sustain the store over the long term. 20,000 square feet means a tidy rent payment every month and requires a fairly high volume of traffic…
59, I think you have it right. What bothers me is that there is this assumption on the part of those marketing space for commercial uses in LIC that people living here somehow won’t expect or demand to be able to buy groceries affordably (and get other services) in the same way that most other people in the smaller cities, suburbs, and other areas do. Why does it have to be that way? Why is everything always targeted at upper income levels? Have we all given up on the idea that you can create a solid neighborhood with shops and services aimed at people with moderate incomes? It’s one of the features I hate about NYC today. Economic factors are all conspiring to force out everyone who doesn’t have wads of money to shell out on simple things everyone else in the country takes for granted.
Everyone should be happy. Foodcellar, after all, a choice for us. And more choices are good for everybody. Some people want this quality and shopping experience and don’t mind the prices (which, by the way, are the same for this quality at toerh places like Whole Foods. Others do not want to pay for this quality. For those that do not want to shop on this level, there is still C-town and maybe Costco for the big stuff. This is just another choice. The reality is that this is what things cost at markets like this anywhere. It has nothing to do with LIC. All over the country, people either shop at Whole Foods and the like, or they shop at C-Towns and pathmarks. it’s just individual choice–and notw, in LIC, we are able to make that choice too.
61, yes, choice is good and having foodcellar is a positive. Except there is still nothing in the midrange, as in other areas of the country (Shop and Stop, Big Y, for example). In NYC, most people are stuck shopping in either small, dumpy, dirty stores (at prices equivalent to huge, sparkling places outside NYC) or you go to a pricey places like Whole Foods.
#61 – you are right on all accounts except that foodcellar’s prices are often times much higher than whole foods. this is what is somewhat shocking to myself and others. this might not be a big issue for some people, but that extra 20% or so will really add up. i’m sure the store will do fine, i think some of us are just expressing disappointment. convenience makes you lazy anyway.
Want cheap groceries, move to Bed-Sty or the South Bronx.
Place is so nice and right next door, brilliant! One issue they MUST work out…. the 9:30 closing, too many people come home late. This also cuts out the overnight foot traffic which is a constant here, especially if they kept things open. I think something more like 11pm or Midnight makes sense if they must close up at night. Otherwise keep it open 24/7, it’s in a safe spot, it would get constant visits and would liven up the area.
58, 59 I disagree. LIC is no longer predicated on the idea of paying less for more. While there still is a value relative to Manhattan, I no longer think that people are moving here solely for bargains. Being one of those who recently plopped down money to buy one of the new condos, I can tell you that I could have easily found something for the same price in Manhattan. Would it have been new construction, would I have outdoor space, would there be a doorman a washer dryer in unit, etc.? Probably not, but if being Manhattan was important I could have easily found something a little less nice and still been able to afford it. Fact is that I chose to live out here and I’m not priced out of Manhattan. At prices averaging between $700-800 sq.ft. and rent averaging somewhere around $40 sq.ft. I’m sure many others are in the same boat. Food Cellar is appropriate given the demographic of those moving into the area and they should compare themselves to Manhattan. This in NYC where time is money. I have a cleaning service come by once a week so that I don’t have to do that myself. I could do it myself My laundry is picked up cleaned and delivered as I don’t have the time to slave over washing and folding. I have a dog walker. Same thing applies to food. When I get home from work at 9pm I don’t mind spending $8/lb for hot food because that means I won’t have to cook or order in. Or that I won’t have to go running around to C-Town or pre-planning every meal weekly on Fresh Direct. I think FC will not only do well, they will thrive. And by the way the other shopping alternative out there such as Fresh direct really aren’t that much more cheaper. C-Town might be cheaper, but the quality was also poor, and they do not offer the same type of products that FC does.
There’s a very decent supermarket in Greenpoint – Key Food on McGuiness. It’s walkable from LIC.
I want #66’s life because he/she has a good one and is obviously not living it.
I don’t want #66 life…sounds boring and sad
Ok so they’re handing out a flyer when you go to the foodcellar saying that they violate labor practices and refuse the workers the right to unionize. Food Workers Union is protesting them, and supposedly the owners of Amish Market are under Federal Investigation for violating Labor Laws. Whether it’s true or not I have no idea, but I support labor rights so the flyer says if you do too you should tell the owner Erhan. He is there running the foodcellar everyday.
#66’s life is horrible beyond belief. Doesn’t even sound like a responsible human adult. And I bet they don’t care if their laundry place, cleaning person or dog walker is paid a livable wage.
i think it’s funny that #66 has a washer/dryer unit and still has their laundry done for them…do you do anything for yourself? Such a strange world we live in.
From Time Magazine July 2007:
“While chains like Whole Foods are making inroads across the U.S., independent, non-union grocery stores are proliferating too, and many lag on labor standards. On June 19, for example, the New York State Labor Department learned of potential labor violations at one of the grocery stores in the Manhattan-based Amish Market chain. The Department sent investigators to all 11 of the chain’s outposts, and the preliminary findings suggested minimum wage, overtime and tip-credit violations, according to Commissioner Patricia Smith — charges that Amish Market downplayed, calling the investigation routine. ”
I’m frankly hoping that I don’t end up with a reason not to shop there because I like the place.
To #72, 71, and 69. My life is great thanks for your concern. Part of what makes it great is being able to spend time doing the things that I want to do. While spending evenings and weekends cleaning the house and doing laundry sounds like loads of fun, I’d much rather pursue other interests. I worked hard to get where I am and make a contribution to society every day. My family is taken care of and my goal in life is to make my kids life better than my own. Just because I have a little extra money left over at the end of the day to get some assistance with household things or to select a store based off convenience instead of price does not make me any less human or a bad person. I will not feel guilty for being able to do that. My parents cleaned other people houses when I was young. They didn’t have enough money to pay for school, so I went to school during the day and worked nights to put myself through school. I busted my butt and graduated with honors because I knew I had to work 2x as hard as those trust fund kids who had every advantage in life. They would graduate and get jobs at daddy’s place, or with one of daddy’s golfing buddies. My parents were not well connected. I knew I would have to earn whatever I got. While other bought cars and took fancy vacations, I saved every penny to buy a place. As time went on the sacrifices that I and those close to me made along the way started to pay dividends. As a result I treat anyone working for me the same way that I would treat my mother, because it was my mother when I was growing up. You don’t know anything about me. How dare you judge me.
#1-#73 can’t you neighbors get along instead of spending countless hours online sending nasty comments about grocery stores? No wonder why I have the time to do my own laundry.
#74 = George Washington
Get off your high horse stupid, no one is judging your made-up life.
I
For real. If I didn’t have to go do my own laundry right now, I’d spend an hour spouting my life story on this blog about a grocery store. Some day…
Why do you find #66’s lifestyle so disturbing? Once upon a time in the very long ago I had a very demanding job in the Fashion Industry. I was far from rich, but I had a dog walker, sent my laundry out and had a cleaning person once a week in order to survive the daily rigeurs of life. I was livi ng a life full of adventure and travel – a life I never dreamt of having when growing up in a modest home in PA. Those days are long over. Now I have time to fuss over my own laundry and cats do not need to be walked.
From yesterday’s “Daily News”:
“Battered by rising rents and taxes, one-third of the city’s supermarkets – about 500 – have vanished in the last 10 years.
Big-box stores and drugstore chains are fast replacing traditional supermarkets, which in too many cases can no longer afford to stay in business.”
So I guess you can’t just move to Bed-Stuy or the Bronx for a cheaper supermarket.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/08/13/2008-08-13_city_supermarkets_are_dying_commodity.html
What a strange and unhealthy place New York is becoming. Groceries, the most banal of consumables everywhere else in the free world, are now luxuries. People with the convenience of washing machines send out their laundry. People hire other questionable people to walk the neurotic dogs they never see because they get home from their awful jobs at 10pm every night. And then they brag about how filled with adventure their lives are on weekends. All too sad.
I heart #80.
#75, Can you please explain where as 73 I made a nasty comment? I’m simply trying to learn what the story is. I’ve already said I like the Food Cellar. That’s why I’m all the more concerned with the allegations. I would much prefer to learn they are untrue. If they are true I will think twice about shopping there.
I think they are true. SADLY. I think we do have to do something about this. If they are overcharging us, at least I don’t want to hear that they are cheating their employees on top of that. I don’t know what we could do though.
Simple, don’t shop there. They go out of business and reputable business takes it place.
Life is not as hard as you make it out to be people!
84, Actually the union organizers are not asking for a boycott. They are asking that people express to the manager that they care about the issue. I think that is both fair and realistic.
To those who are concerned about the accusations of labor malpractice on the part of Foodcellar: All the complaints (and there are only a handful of them) come from Amish Markets in Manhattan. The reason that union workers are picketing in LIC is that one of the owners of an Amish Market is a partner in Foodcellar. I am an employee of Foodcellar who makes minimum wage, and, for what it’s worth, I would add that there has been no foul play here at LIC. The owners of Foodcellar are both decent and generous individuals who have little gain, and certainly no interest, in exploiting their workers. Those who have had their consciences ruffled by the pamphleteers out front: you can rest easy. Also of note: Foodcellar is almost certainly going to extend its hours, in all likelihood staying open till eleven. Having just opened, prices will definitely fluctuate, and to the benefit of consumers. If you complain about price, we the employees, and those above us, will hear you.
85, do you really think that many people living in the those waterfront towers give a rat’s behind about how fairly supermarket workers are treated?
I think it’s ironic that 66/74 is touting how he/she learned the benefit of a dollar and his parents instilled a great work ethic in him- yet his/her own kids will see that “someone else” does the laundry and “someone else” walks the dog…
86, you make minimum wage? You express yourself a lot better than some college professors I’ve had. You should either get yourself a better job or stop impersonating a worker at foodcellar!
I think Trader Joe’s has the same situation.
#89: Thanks, but since I’m in college right now, I don’t have the time or experience to get a higher-paying job. Plus, as I said, the one here is working out fine for me.
91, you sound like a nice kid. But don’t be too nice. Your bosses are getting away with murder for paying you and your coworkers peanuts.
#92, you will be washing #91 clothes and walking her dog in a few years. Why don’t you follow her lead and stop complaining and do something to better yourself instead of waiting for an handout?
93, what the hell are you talking about? I’m telling this sweet person to not be a tool for the man. What possessed you to even bother commenting on my completely innocuous remark?
Oh great, drive away a worker willing to honestly and openly communicate here. Don’t you love blogs? It’s like talk radio with a bunch of obnoxious hosts.
there is no way that is a worker. wake up people.
duh
#80 = D.I.Y. Rawk.
Glad to have this store in our building, but we really need to lay into them to pay their employees a proper wage out of all this high priced food. Food Cellar is owned by the same people who own Amish Markets, right? Well check out this article from Time Magazine last July, 2007:
“While chains like Whole Foods are making inroads across the U.S., independent, non-union grocery stores are proliferating too, and many lag on labor standards. On June 19, for example, the New York State Labor Department learned of potential labor violations at one of the grocery stores in the Manhattan-based Amish Market chain. The Department sent investigators to all 11 of the chain’s outposts, and the preliminary findings suggested minimum wage, overtime and tip-credit violations, according to Commissioner Patricia Smith — charges that Amish Market downplayed, calling the investigation routine.”
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1648055,00.html
Email Erhan Bahceci to urge him to take care of his employees properly:
info@foodcellarco.com, or call him at: 718-606-9786
Here’s a copy of the email I just sent to Erhan Bahceci at info@foodcellarco.com (copy and paste away!):
Dear Erhan,
I am writing you for two reasons:
1) The prices at your new store here in LIC are much too high and make it cost prohibitive. Remember, you are competing against Fresh Direct, so you should check your prices to make sure you’re competitive or you won’t survive.
2) I am urging you to take care of your employees properly by paying them a living wage (comparable to what Whole Food pays their employers) and by letting them organize into a union if they wish. DO NOT HARASS THEM! I stress this with capital letters because I uncovered the following article in Time Magazine from July 2007:
“While chains like Whole Foods are making inroads across the U.S., independent, non-union grocery stores are proliferating too, and many lag on labor standards. On June 19, for example, the New York State Labor Department learned of potential labor violations at one of the grocery stores in the Manhattan-based Amish Market chain. The Department sent investigators to all 11 of the chain’s outposts, and the preliminary findings suggested minimum wage, overtime and tip-credit violations, according to Commissioner Patricia Smith — charges that Amish Market downplayed, calling the investigation routine.”
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1648055,00.html
Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing back from you…
This sound great. Lower prices reducing revenue and increase costs. Perfect 1-2 punch. What school did you go to 100?
I really don’t understand the hate. If you don’t like the prices or labor practices don’t shop there. Quit being a buzzkill for those of us who are excited about businesses investing in our neighborhood.
I agree. It would be nice to take into consideration the hard work, money and effort the owners have put into the place. How do we know what the working conditions really are? To bash them on a neighborhood blog is inconsiderate to me. As all of us, they have families to provide for and it’s one thing to stay away from a business that you do not like but to come to LIQcity to hurt their business or for anything other than general information of LIC says more about your personality than about the businesses you are complaining about.
I and other Citylights residents will wait for Metfoods. Foodcellar is too expensive for us. We own the neighborhood and Foodcellar better take notice that we call the shots. They cannot do anything without our permission. Get used to it.
103, if you “own the neighborhood” and “call the shots” – how did foodcellar manage to get into LIC in the first place? Oh, and open its doors? Me thinks your perceived power has ended.
It was fun while it lasted, huh?
MetFoods sucks. Have you been to one? You’re going to be crying for anything else.
Duane Reade will be opening soon- they’ll sell milk and plenty of foods with preservatives, so everyone will be happy!
101, 102 – Why are you using words like ‘hate’ and ‘bashing’? It seems to me that everyone who posted their concern has been even-handed and non-inflammatory. They are just interested in the issue.
If Food Cellar is following the fair labor laws that helps me to feel more comfortable whatever the prices. The more open they are on the subject the better it will be for their business. I would also like to see similar transparency from the Food Workers Union. What specific information do they have regarding this store?
#104 – judging from your comments you must be one of those idiots who bought at Arris Lofts. We warned you that you should have bought at Citylights and you didn’t listen. We destroyed your building on the internet – ha ha ha. Though I have been told that I can’t make too much more fun of you now because your building is now adverstising on Queenswest. You learned a painful lesson on who runs the neighborhood.
Now it is Foodcellars turn.
who is this clown?
Hey, 106…I’m in Citilights…so how’s that going with you ruining the neighborhood?
#103 & #105 I live in Citylights and form reading the stupidity you wrote you probably live some where under the bridge. Liqcity maybe you should delete thses post as they are misrepresenting a whole community within our neighborhood.
Oops meant #106 not #105.
With comments like #103 and #106, is it any wonder tha Citylights residents have the reputation that they have?
Alright, someone, backstory, please. Explain how residents of this Citylights building and the Arris building ended up getting in a “feud”. They are, like, 10 blocks apart, and would seem to have little to do with one another. Why isn’t Citylights feuding with all the other Queenswest buildings next to it. This whole issue is constantly referenced, but I can’t make heads or tails of how and why this is exists as a situation, period. The rest of us couldn’t give a shit about either of your buildings.
lol what the hell, reading some of these comments makes me glad I’ll be moving outta here in 3 months. So freaking sick of all the annoying loud and stinky dogs all over Avalon riverview. Freaking starter babies making the lobby smell like S**T.
p.s. the prices at food cellar suck, but the produce is actually pretty decent. So I just buy produce there and the rest at trader joe’s.
Brandon,
There is no feud. However, I think there is one person that thinks it’s funny to instigate a feud and post negative comments of both buildings so that he/she could get a reaction. Unfortunately some people fall for it.
116, are you talking about that bizarre guy who used to post comments at QueensWest.com? He is completely ridiculous.
#117 not only QW.com but also on curbed and now in LIqcity.
I find it you ignore it it goes away. It’s no fun posting to yourself. They the person goes back to curbed.
If movie theaters sold groceries, they would have prices like the Food Cellar.
i think the market is great,all we have do is just give this guys some time. i am going to store every night after work and i see a lot of specials wich i think is great i bought i gallon of milk for 3.99 wich i think is great again.i have no doubt that this market is going to do great.i love it.
as someone who was critical of the high prices of fc on this thread, i also have found some positives at the store. so in the spirit of fairness… the food at the hot food bar has been exceptional every time that i have had it. very good quality and at a really good price. the salad bar is a also very fresh.
the produce is also very fresh and tasty and well priced (compared to similar stores in manhattan at least). its great to be able to pick something up and go home to eat it right away.
i still won’t buy a lot packaged goods there, because the prices are still high, but the reasons above will keep me coming back.
Any truth to a rumor I heard about MetFoods opening in the former Mainco Elevator building on 51st Avenue between 5th Street and Vernon Blvd.?
Hey!First time on this site–have read ALL the postings re: FC , DR, and the buildings in the area–moved in 11 yrs. ago into citilits. bildg.—Love the bldg.— most people are pleasant, polite and fun–BUT TO SUPERMARKETS!!!! Waited ll yrs. for one to open — very disappointed–comments re: prices are \on the money!!\ LOL — true–fresh produce is great as is hot and cold bars BUT selection of bottled, canned. boxed, etc. is VERY limited compared to most reg. sup.mkts. Also, way back , #67 mentioned a really import. point and —so far– no one has commented–i.e.–there is a very good Key Food over the bridge at greenpt. and Mc Guiness—a short drive, taxi ride away—he/she mentions its within walking distance but thats about 20-30 brisk min. and a heck of a walk back if youre rolling or carrying groceries—Personally, until something more reasonable with a more \normal\ selection opens in the area—Ill stick with Key Food—-and see what DR has to offer—–and, yes, the probability that there might be some pay issues involving employees at FC troubles me a lot and is another reason NOT to shop there!!! Try the Key Food—and I DONT work there!!!!
Addendum to my posting (#124)—-Key Food mention was #68—NOT 67 and—no—havent heard anything about a MetFood on 51st.
Suit yourself. More room at FC for me. I’m heading there for now. If you leave now by the time you get to key food, I’ll be bak home enjoying my food.
Citilts11 (#124 & 125) was just expressing his/her opinion, as is what boards such as this one are all about. It was a respectful post. Why would you want to make a sarcastic,insulting and disrespectful remark about someone voicing their opinion, #126? If you disagree or just don’t like someone’s opinions, then why not post your reasons in a respectable manner? Do you have the need to disrespect and insult others?
Charlie.
Send tips, feedback, and death threats to info [at] liqcity [dot] com
hallelujah