Saturday's opening shot (aka TOO SOON)

Photo by Stacie Joy 

From Wednesday, when we spotted Richie putting out the Halloween candy at Key Food on Avenue A. Can we at least finish summer first?

P.S.

Yes, we do recall when the [RIP] Kmart on Astor Place put out the fake Christmas trees in September. 

Local artist completes Key Food oil painting (and already sold)

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Local artist Steve Cosentino finished up his Key Food oil painting today on the southwest corner of Avenue A and Fourth Street. (First noted here.) 

He'll add some fine detail like lettering and his signature back in his home studio in Peter Cooper Village. The piece should be done in a few days, then it will need about a week or two to cure and completely dry before its new owner can pick it up. (Oh yes, someone has already purchased this! — and it wasn't us.)

To be continued (we hope!). 

You can find more of Steve's work here.

Key Food gets the fine art treatment on Avenue A

Photos by Stacie Joy 

We met local artist Steve Cosentino today at the southwest corner of Avenue A and Fourth Street, working on an oil painting of Key Food, often referred to as the Palace of Versailles of the East Village.

 

This is a work in progress. The light changed, so he started packing up for the day... and will be back soon to finish the painting.

Monday's parting shots

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Eagle-eyed shoppers at Key Food on Avenue A may have noticed what can only be described as a seismic signage upgrade. 

Back around Memorial Day, when the city carried a careless hum, the skies stretched impossibly wide, and hope hung heavy in the air like something we could almost touch, we reported that management had inexplicably decided to retire the store's iconic "CAKES FOR ALL OCCASIONS" sign. No explanation was ever offered. 

The disappearance coincided with a dessert shakeup: the once cake-heavy section was quietly restructured with the arrival of plastic cups of parfaits and boxes of mini éclairs — desserts seemingly designed for people afraid of commitment. Cakes, it seemed, were no longer for any occasion. 

Now, in the latest twist, a bold, multi-font proclamation has been unveiled, "Desserts for All Occasions," showing éclairs that are NOT mini and a parfait with fruit that only exists on an influencer's Instagram. 

It's progress of a sort. Broader. Less committal. Where cake once held the line, now a thousand desserts may step forward.

Key Food new self-checkouts month in review (plus first look at the new dessert signage)

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

On May 15, Key Food officially unveiled its new self-checkout stations — seven brand-new Toshiba SCO Traveler machines have been in service these past two-plus weeks. 

Here's a recap of what has happened here this month. As we've noted, the grocery at Avenue A and Fourth Street retired a row of its self-checkout terminals. In its place: a staffed register, which will make four for Key.  

And I happened to be there when the new machines got the hook-up...

Because dreams do really come true, I had the great honor of being the first customer to scan an item (a banana, no less — and yes, there was drama).

 
According to a high-level, highly anonymous Key source, the new machines are "smaller, faster, and more efficient" and come equipped with cameras that recognize produce by sight. The future has arrived — and it knows your tomatoes.

Two of the seven scanners accept cash and offer cash back, and all are topped with light-up signs that indicate availability or flash for assistance. And yes, that familiar, no-nonsense voice still demands that you "place the last scanned item on the scale." Some things never change. 

There is a new option to select the number of paper bags you need, although you will still need to obtain the bags from a staff member.

Around the same time, the store's floor got a much-needed patch-up, smoothing the path for carts and casual striders alike.

Meanwhile, a new price-check scanner was installed near the Pringles (still on sale), ready to resolve all your label-induced uncertainties.

Speaking of labels — fresh signage is underway. The iconic "CAKES FOR ALL OCCASIONS" sign is being retired in favor of the more inclusive and dessert-forward "Desserts For Every Occasion," a nod to the rise of puddings and parfaits in the section. (Yes, "occassions" was misspelled on the prototype. Yes, they're fixing it.)

We also got a sneak peek at some of the rejected signage options — including one dismissed as "too bubblegum" — and learned that a classic serif font ultimately won the vote. No Comic Sans here. 

The sushi case is also due for a typographic refresh, and store manager Richie was spotted mid-P-Touch session, labeling the new self-checkout lanes with the concentration of a seasoned typesetter.

Meanwhile, the new cash drawers were filled with ones, fives, and an aesthetically pleasing coin assortment.

If you're wondering what beats carried us through this transformation: Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love," followed by Europe's "The Final Countdown," capped off with the Eurythmics' "Would I Lie to You?" A fitting trio for a store that's balancing nostalgia with a leap into the checkout future.

Monday's opening shots

Photos by Stacie Joy 

An observance of Memorial Day, and likely the Fourth of July, at Key Food on Avenue A...

We do not know what might remain of the Key Holiday Decorating Budget for the remainder of the year.

Also, we still need to post the updates on the new self-checkout scanners and "cakes for all occasions" signage, whose place is being kept warm by the Heritage American flag bunting.

Updated: Checking in on the Key Food checkout situation

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

As noted this past week, Key Food at Avenue A and Fourth Street retired a row of its self-checkout terminals.

In its place: a good old-fashioned staffed register, which will make four for the grocery. 

The move is part of a broader effort by store management to ease congestion and improve the checkout experience. The new models — arranged in a single pass-through lane — aim to speed up transactions and tighten security, potentially reducing the familiar bagging-area standoffs that not even a surprise Mike + the Mechanics track can fix.

Store manager Richie added that the full point-of-sale overhaul should be completed by the end of May.

And the new human-operated register will be up and running "soon."

One question remains: will the CAKES FOR ALL OCCASIONS signage return to the relocated cake station, now with random puddings and parfaits?

Richie wasn't sure. I made a case for its reinstatement. 

Updated 5/11 

The new checkout is now in service...

Lane change underway at Key Food

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Workers yesterday removed one of the self-checkout lanes at Key Food on Avenue A and Fourth Street...

Coming in its place: A good old-fashioned staffed register, expected to be installed by the end of the day. 

As we first noted on April 22, Key management wants to enhance the checkout experience. 

"We felt that another standard lane would help reduce some of the backup we've seen at the staffed registers," a high-level Key Foods source previously told us.

What else can you expect here? The rest of the aging self-checkout terminals will soon be getting the boot. The new models will be arranged in a single pass-through lane with upgraded technology to speed up the process and enhance security. 

The move should also provide more streamlined access to the mysteriously popular canisters of Keebler Export Sodas that line the wall along the checkout area.

Key Food moved things around. We took notes.

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Lost in Key Food on Avenue A? You may not be alone!

As we mentioned on April 22, Key was going to rearrange a few things ahead of a checkout aisle upgrade. 

First stop: the cake aisle — or rather, the former cake aisle (top photo). Gone are the "cakes for all occasions" signs (graduations! backyard parties! cake-worthy Tuesdays!). 

In their place? Soup. And packaged sides of an ambiguous nature. Think shelf-stable mystery mash.

Looking for sushi? It's no longer near the front. The nigiri's been quietly relocated to a smaller case near the deli. (Slim pickings if you wander in post-8:30 p.m.) 

What took its place? An expanded cake-and-dessert section, now featuring puddings and parfaits — but oddly, no signage about what occasions they're for.

And the cheese? Oh, the cheese. It's been divided like a dairy diaspora. Most of it now lives in dueling cases at the back of the store, flanking a surprise pasta island. Except feta, which has defected to hang with the olives and hummus where the original cheese section once stood.

Meanwhile, at the deli, the rotisserie chicken corner is thriving, now offering seasoned options like adobo and Italian herb, as well as Murray's organic birds for the purists.

As for the signage — look closely, and you might notice a new font gracing the iconic yellow Key Food signs. When asked, store manager Richie, who usually makes them, shared that this round came courtesy of "one of the scanner cashiers." A bold typographic pivot.

Despite the store's reshuffle, shoppers remained unfazed on Wednesday night during our first reorg visit. The aisles were calm, with a low-key energy. Phil Collins on the store's sound system.

Perhaps in the East Village, a little chaos is just part of the charm.

Check out the updates coming to the Key Food on Avenue A

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Some big changes are coming to the Key Food on Avenue A. 

A high-level Key Foods source outlined what shoppers can expect in the coming weeks as the store spruces things up, from checkout to cold cuts. 

First up: the checkout lanes. Starting in early May, Key Food will be removing one of the self-checkout lanes and bringing back a good old-fashioned staffed register. 

"Hearing the feedback from customers and management, we wanted to improve the checkout experience," the source said. "We felt that another standard lane would help reduce some of the backup we've seen at the staffed registers."

At the same time, the store is replacing two of its older self-checkout stations with new fixtures.

Then, in mid-May, the rest of the aging self-checkout terminals are getting the boot. The current 11 self-checkouts will be reduced to seven, all of which are newly installed and arranged in a single pass-through lane. The new stations won’t just look sleeker — they'll come equipped with upgraded technology designed to speed up the process and enhance security. 

In addition to the checkout upgrades, Key Food is making changes in and around the deli department. A small standalone refrigerator dedicated to sushi — an EVG customer favorite! — will be added by the end of May. 

The store will also reorganize ("reset") the deli area to better support its grab-and-go options. Cheese and prepackaged Italian cold cuts will move to the current dairy section.

"We're very excited about the updates and hope you and our customers like the changes," the source said.

Friday's opening shot

Happy Valentine's Day from Key Food (and Little Debbie) on Avenue A...

Monday's parting shot (chicken warmer edition)

Photo and text by Stacie Joy 

The new signage with a drop-shadow font at Key Food on Avenue A reads: 

Please Do Not Rest Basket or Belongings on Here (Chicken Warmer). 

So, how many baskets and bags have been melted that they would need to make this chicken-warming station signage?

Scratch that: The random songs of the 80s and 90s return to Key Food

Reporting by Stacie Joy 

The static-y-sounding versions of the delightfully eclectic hits from the 1980s and 1990s are back at Key Food.

This past week, reader reports came in that the soundtrack of our shopping lives returned to the grocery on Avenue A and Fourth Street after a 13-day hiatus. (This marked the second time the music died here in three months.)

However, it sounded as if you were listening to, say, Chaka Khan's "I Feel for You" on a radio with abysmal reception.

According to store manager Richie Gaitan, while the music is back, it does not sound great as the store waits for a part to arrive for its PA system. In addition, the in-store intercom system is still not working, so you won't hear them calling for Ralph in produce or someone to "look at the broken recyclables machines" outside. 

There is no estimate on the music repair date; it will be "when the part comes in...soon, I hope." 

In the interim — classic Halloween decor is up for your enjoyment.

P.S. 

During the research of this post, I heard in order: 

• Level 42's "Lessons in Love" 

• Men without Hats' "The Safety Dance" 

• Cutting Crew's "(I Just) Died in Your Arms"

The silence of the lamb chops: Key Food's sound system takes another break

Reporting by Stacie Joy

For the past week or more, the gloriously random songs from the 1980s and 1990s have sounded scratchy at Key Food on Avenue A and Fourth Street. 

It was scratchy, not in a remixed way, but rather like the PA system needed repairs. It was very noticeable.

Howard Jones, Mike + the Mechanics and Glass Tiger never sounded so bad. (Really.) 

And last night, there was just silence, like in August when the PA system went down. 

According to nighttime co-manager Nigel Swift (below), the machine that supplies the music and the intercom is again broken.

A new part is on order and they hope to have it repaired in less than a week. 

In the interim, enjoy "Songs in the Key of Silence."

Summer ends on a positive note as the shopping soundtrack of our lives returns to Key Food

After nearly three weeks' worth of deathly silence in the aisles of Key Food, we heard the familiar strains of Janet Jackson's "Control" upon entering the grocery at the start of the Labor Day weekend... from her third studio album of the same name (1986). 

Hop to it 

I'm in control, and I love it, hahaha, that's right 

Control

Now I've got a lot 

Control

As previously reported, the PA system at the grocery on Avenue A and Fourth Street went kaput (paraphrasing), and management needs to wait for a part to arrive to jumpstart the music and the directives for store personnel (Richie, line two, please). 

The store is open 24/7, and you'll always hear some random song from your deep past booming from the PA above.