Friday, March 13, 2020

Friday morning grocery store spot check

You all probably heard about, or experienced, long lines at neighborhood grocery stores yesterday — from mid-afternoon into the evening as news of the novel coronavirus grew more troubling.

David Caplan at 1010 WINS paid a visit to Key Food on Avenue A...


And Whole Foods on the Bowery...


And there was the zombie apocalypse at every Trader Joe's.

I went to Key Food on Avenue A this morning around 7:30 not sure what to expect...



It was pretty quiet. There were roughly 10 other shoppers there at the time: two people stocking up on pantry-type goods with the remainder buying items for the day — a half gallon of milk, a box of frozen waffles, etc.



At this hour, you could tell the supermarket had seen a lot of sales, though there were still plenty of items on the shelves ... except for: toilet paper. They were all out. Ditto for Clorox Wipes and other disinfectants. The paper towel supply was pretty low too. There weren't many Coca-Cola products left (at least in 12-pack-can form). However, there was a Coca-Cola truck out front making a delivery. The meat department was pretty picked over, though a worker was taking inventory to replenish the area. (There were also multiple packages of chicken feet left.)





Meanwhile, EVG contributor Steven did a spot check at Westside Market on Third Avenue at 12th Street... he notes that it was pretty well-stocked ... with workers putting out more groceries...



Some of the rice supply was hit and miss...



And we've received reports that the C-Town on Avenue C at 11th Street has an ample supply of toilet paper. For now.

12 comments:

  1. Fresh garlic from China - 5 packs are $1.99 to $2.49 each. The bag label says '5 ounces'.

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  2. I went up 14th Street this morning around 8.30; the line out the door at the 14th and A Trader Joe's stretched almost to First Avenue, at 14th and 3rd it was almost to Irving Place.

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    Replies
    1. I generally avoid Trader Joes.
      Many of the clientele are pushy and rude. Good for them if they want to stand on line. Soviet mindset.

      Delete
  3. The last few days have been really weird. I am now working from home, as are a lot of people in my bldg, so there are suddenly a lot of neighbors around during the day. I've been visiting Rite Aid, Key Food, and other stores mostly out of curiosity. Groceries and pharmacies extra busy, shelves empty, but no one seems to be acting in a panicky way.

    Meanwhile, I'm trying to support the small local shops by buying breakfast, coffee, bagels, whatever, but not sure how long this will last. Is it good to keep shopping and mingling with people? It's hard to deal with an enemy you can't see.

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  4. Trader Joe's line was around the block but the store was fine. They were only letting a number of people in at a time.

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  5. I went to Trader Joe's on A at 8AM - you would have thought it was a general admission concert. Completely nuts -- left after 10 min and went to Target. Not a great selection but I got what I needed and was out within 15 min.

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  6. this blog is the greatest public service and i APPRECIATE IT! think i will go to ray's and stock up on ICE CREAM AND GOOD VIBES!

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  7. Yesterday morning 45 minute checkout line at trader joe. My checkout person said the craziness began Tuesday night.This morning at 10 AM I bought a 24 roll bundle of toilet tissue at Key Food, busy but no lines. They must be getting daily deliveries... Who'da thought

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  8. I just got back from Union Market on Ave A and Houston. It was not too crazy and completely manageable. There was a line to the checkout, but it was nothing compared to what I witnessed at Whole Foods on Second and Houston, which was a shit show. It reminded me of before Hurricane Sandy set in during the last week of October in 2012. Anyways, a majority of the shelves at WF are empty. Even the freezers are looking barren. My best to everyone. We need to look after one another and be kind. Thanks EV Grieve for giving us a platform to communicate with one another.

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  9. Something doesn't add up in therms of collective wisdom, in that while the lines are insane in Trader Joe's many of the bodegas seemed no more crowded than usual and with ample of the supplies being raided a few blocks away.

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  10. EV Grieve's writing is the Best...And there was a zombie apocalypse at every Trader Joe's
    I agree
    I started my shopping a week ago so the wait was not too long, up until this Tues, Wed and yesterday, shelves were empty, lines were long, it was surreal, like all of US preparing for a Stormy weather.
    I was gathering different things from different places. I went to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, EV Organic market, KeyFood, Russo's for pasta and Got "Mi Abuelita" Chocolate from Zaragoza.
    Lastly I've been waiting to find toilet paper, so I stopped at Target yesterday and asked an employee what time they get deliveries on Fri, he said 3 and 5, so I stopped by today at 5pm got my toilet paper, water and was out in 10 min. not bad.
    And a week ago I scored on Sanitizer and Disinfecting wipes from Staples on Broadway, they had them behind the counter.
    Anyway
    I Hope everyone Stays Healthy
    and Strong.

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  11. If you are shopping of or groceries and supplies in order to avoid Coronavirus then going into an overcrowded space like Trader Joe’s is the last place you want to go.

    ReplyDelete

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