[Updated OMG] An Avenue A product available on Avenue A: an investigation

The other day, EVG reader Nancy shared a photo of Avenue A napkins, which she said she purchased at Key Food on Avenue A.

This email caused some confusion in the EVG Newsroom. As far as we knew, Avenue A products — some 370 strong (for real) — were sold exclusively at Associated.

We thought Nancy was confused... perhaps she was at Associated on Avenue C and Eighth Street. (We make this mistake all the time and only realize it when we don't hear any Mike + the Mechanics or Glass Tiger playing via the store sound system.) 

So we headed over to Key to see for ourselves. 

We don't recall ever seeing Avenue A products here. (Then again, we never realized that Key sold firewood, which was upfront by the birdseed and those big tins of Keebler Export Sodas that no one has bought since 1994.) 

Sure enough, one pack of Avenue A napkins was left this morning ...

... seemingly a popular pick at $2.99...

So we don't know why (at the moment) an Avenue A product reserved for Associated, Met, Pioneer and Compare Foods brands ended up here. 

Meanwhile, the firewood is nearby now...

Updated 7:33 p.m. 

Thankfully, EVG Senior Key Food Correspondent Stacie Joy is on the case now... 

An explanation: According to the store, the issue is that this brand has just become available at the distribution warehouse. So the warehouse is where KeyFood/ManDell shops, and you can select/order anything listed as available at the warehouse. This brand is now listed as "available," so Key bought it and stocked it. 

There are three products from this line now at Key: the napkins, paper towels and, oddly, crackers.

Key Food is no longer open 24/7

You will now need to rethink your spontaneous 3 a.m. excursions to Key Food on Avenue A at Fourth Street.

ICYMI: Key Food is now closing overnight from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. (Thanks to the reader for the photo!) 

We heard rumblings from employees about a late-night shoplifting problem. Plus, unrelated or not, as we understand it, the self-service kiosks stop working for system updates at 1 a.m., so all the people trying to buy, say, beer and chips at that hour have to wait in a solitary line at the only available checkout with the cashier who looks stressed out. 

In other gossipy Key news, we're told that those updates to the aisles (detailed here and here) are on hold for the time being due to the uptick in positive COVID-19 cases in NYC.

H/T Stacie Joy!

At Key Food: Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more

11/16: Updated below! Success!

For the third time in as many weeks, Key Food on Avenue A at Fourth Street will close overnight (tonight, in this case) for "system updates." 

Unfortunately, in the previous two overnight attempts, the updates were the same: unsuccessful. 

This, we're told, is part of a sweeping change to ALL self-serve stations and point-of-sale systems at Key Food stores in the tri-state area. 

Per one Key Food source, as reported by EVG correspondent Stacie Joy:

This attempt may or may not go according to schedule! There have been snafus in trying to do this. The system upgrade will require people to use the new Key cards, so if you have an old card and have not entered your information at the management booth up front (email address and zip code being primary on the list of required info) your card will no longer work after the update. 

The update will also provide an app for people to download on their cellphones, so they can scan the upc code of an item and find the sale price. You will not be able to pay for anything using the app though. 

The systems at this Key Food are ancient and resistant to system upgrades. I have been told that people have been complaining about lack of pricing info and sale prices not being accurately reflected at checkout. I was also told that if the people who shop at Key Food do not like the new system they should complain to the owners.

Meanwhile, Key regulars have noted subtle changes at this Avenue A mainstay. 

For instance, there are now QR codes posted on the Coca-Cola shelves... asking pertinent questions such as, "Best Coke Ever?" (in reference to Coke Zero Sugar)... 

As an EVG investigation shows, the QR code takes one to this on the Key website... 

There are also the new Scan - Enter - Clip notices at the checkout... all part of a new way to save(s?)...

UPDATED:

The software update WORKED, per Stacie...

Previously on EV Grieve:

• MAJOR changes coming to the aisles of Key Food

Once more, Key Food looks to be closing overnight TONIGHT; plus, Thanksgiving in aisle 6

After the cancellation last Wednesday night, Key Food on Avenue A will once again close overnight to update its self-serve stations and point-of-sale systems. (Thanks to Stacie Joy for the top pic!)

Meanwhile, we're continuing to monitor the latest on the grocer's aisle-produce switcheroo-ing. 

Key Food Observers have noted that a seasonal change has occurred on aisle 6. The future home of new freezers and temporary home for bulk paper towels and other bulky items is now your go-to spot for roasting and stuffing pans ... not to mention cookie sheets. The Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffings are here too.

Down the aisle, you'll find the cans of Libby's Pumpkin Puree... and other baking items...

Given the time-sensitive Thanksgiving connection, we will likely NOT see any further changes here until AFTER Thanksgiving.

So, question: Where are the bulk paper towels if not here on aisle 6? Back in their old spot atop the aisle one freezers...

In case you were planning on some overnight shopping at Key Food — TONIGHT

Updated 11/4: Last night's install was canceled last-minute due to a glitch at another Key store! They will try again this coming Monday at 11 p.m., per Stacie Joy.

Avenue A's Key Food is currently undergoing a transformation that has seen multiple food categories — Bread! Cakes! ("for all occasions") Nut milks! — change aisle positions in a phased-in approach over the past several weeks. (You may revisit those posts here and here.) 

The latest update will cause the 24/7 grocery at Fourth Street to close overnight — specifically from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Sources tell EVG Key contributor Stacie Joy that the grocer will be updating its self-serve stations and point-of-sale systems — perhaps to update its software for the Customer Loyalty Cards (the ones with "The Difference is Key" printed on them).

Sources also say that it is possible the staff will do some reorganization overnight, but it's also possible that they will not. 

See you at 7 a.m. tomorrow!

MAJOR changes coming to the aisles of Key Food

Top photo from the collection of EVG; all others by Stacie Joy 

If you've been inside Key Food on Avenue A and Fourth Street in recent days, then you likely noticed some changes... especially on aisle 2, where the non-dairy milk brands moved across the aisle and now featuring seemingly more varieties...

Meanwhile, the apple sauce randomly took over the former nut milk space on the shelf in aisle 2. 

Anyway, Key Food sources tell EVG contributor Stacie Joy that this is JUST the beginning of a renovation that will see some significant changes in how you navigate the aisles.

Here's what we know so far. 

Remember the bulk paper towels randomly placed atop the freezer section in aisle 1? 

MOVED!

Those bulk items are now across from the milk/eggs/dairy section, where shoppers may actually be able to reach them...

But what about the nuts, Pringles and rando candy that used to be here? 

AISLE 2!

And as if aisle 2 could hold any more new items, crackers and cookies are here now too...

There are other shelving switcheroos underway that we have yet to track...

Arguably the biggest change is coming to aisle 1... and the freezer section (ice cream, pizza, etc.)

Key Food sources tell us that the freezers are being moved AWAY from aisle 1, which will eventually feature an expanded produce area. Also gone from this aisle: those random middle tables offering up potatoes and onions and stuff.

It's not immediately clear where the aisle 1 freezers will go. (Our source didn't even know.) Many things are being moved, added, subtracted.

All work is scheduled to be completed by Thanksgiving. No word yet if any of these moves will necessitate altering the grocery's 24/7 schedule. 

To be continued... 

Wednesday's parting shot(s)

Halloween season is underway at Key Food on Avenue A. 

Related: Mallomars are on sale — 2 for $5.

With Henri approaching, Key Food still stocked with the essentials

With Tropical Storm Henri on the way, we wondered what Key Food might be like this evening on Avenue A. (Through the years the grocery has been picked over ahead of a storm.) 

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by to check in on essential items... the shelves were well-stocked... Milk! Eggs! Bread! Beer!

And the music was topical as well... Stacie heard Blind Melon's "No Rain" while there... a choice that inspired a sing-along in the snacks aisle...

When it snowed for a few minutes this morning

In case you missed the snow flurries this morning around 7:30... here are two scenes from along Avenue A... inlcuding a shot of Key Food's new awning that workers installed yesterday...

Monday's parting shot

Stacie Joy spotted Ramon, a longtime employee at the flower stand outside Key Food, back on Avenue A... he had been away the past few years...

Key Food this morning (March 17)

Key Food on Avenue A at Fourth Street is the closest grocery to my apartment. So I'm more likely to have updates from here as opposed to some of the other neighborhood groceries. (I welcome comments about other markets.)

This morning, there were seven delivery trucks outside the supermarket, delivering everything from dairy to Peppridge Farms.

Key is no longer open 24/7. They are closed from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. for sanitizing and restocking...



They also put a limit on high-demand items like, toilet paper and milk...



They were hit and miss on a few things (boxed unsweetened almond milk, randomly) but generally stocked.

Meanwhile, the Key Food soundtrack was keeping the 80s fresh with "Hip to be Square" by Huey Lewis & News.

This morning outside Key Food

EVG regular Lola Saénz points out the large delivery this morning at Key Food on Avenue A...for anyone concerned that stores are unable to restock their shelves...

The state's plastic bag ban is NOW in effect

[Westside Market on 3rd Avenue]

As you probably know, the statewide ban on single-use plastic bags used at grocery stores, delis and other retailers (anyone required to collect New York State sales tax) went into effect overnight.

So you'll need to bring your own bag(s) to transport your purchases (if you didn't do so already) ... places such as Union Market on Houston at Avenue A will credit you 10 cents per bag...



Unfortunately, this Bag Waste Reduction Law means that we will no longer will have the Key Food holiday plastic bags to look forward to. But, for 99 cents, you may buy this sturdier plastic Key Food bag to carry your groceries...



Retailers are expected to have a stash of paper bags for use — for an additional 5-cent fee.

What else? Here's some details courtesy of the Times:

The ban will not be aggressively enforced right away, but merchants could eventually face penalties — $250 for a first violation and $500 for a repeat.

The exceptions

Stores can give out single-use plastic bags for certain items, including uncooked meat, sliced or prepared food and prescription drugs. Restaurants can provide the bags for takeout. Newspaper bags, garment bags and bags sold in bulk, such as trash or recycling bags, are also exempt from the ban.

Where the fees from paper bags go

Local governments that require a paper bag fee will keep 2 cents per bag to spend on programs aimed at distributing reusable bags. The remaining 3 cents will go to the state’s Environmental Protection Fund.

Gothamist has a nice primer here. For A LOT more details, visit the NYS Department of Environemental Conservation website.

In recent days, the Department of Sanitation passed out free reusable bags ... with Mayor de Blasio helping out this past Friday at Union Square...


[Photo by Derek Berg]

"This is another step to saving our Earth, saving our city," de Blasio said.

About the new mural outside Key Food

If you've been by (or to!) Key Food on Avenue A in the past month then you've likely seen the mural on the Fourth Street wall...



Artolution — "a community-based public art organization that seeks to ignite positive social change through collaborative art making" — is behind this project.

A group of young artists from Central America created the various characters seen on the mural.



The mural was officially unveiled on July 20... and here's what's next for the work...

View this post on Instagram

A sneak peek of today’s big reveal. Each of the individual characters were created by youth who escaped ongoing violence in Central American countries to find refuge in the United States. Their characters and the movements they developed with @kj3t will come to life later in August through Augmented Reality technology. Today the youth will present their mural and performances to the community! The youth are excited, the artists are excited - Let’s get this party started New York City! Join us at Avenue A & 4th Street at 5 PM. With @joelartista @theremustbemorelight @weareroyale @supportkind @styledwithsubstance @rhythmloverevolution #asylumseekers #immigrantart #communityart #youthempowerment #eastvillage #les #joelartista #mascaras #artolution #muralunveiling #performance #youthart #centroamerica

A post shared by Artolution (@artolution) on Jul 19, 2019 at 11:13am PDT

Been waiting to get a photo of the completed work ... though there were always delivery trucks or cars parked on Fourth Street outside the grocery... finally got a shot...