It is being reported today on Gothamist that Starbucks will be closing 600 stores nationwide. It is unknown if the Roosevelt Island branch will be part of those closings.
Residents who rely on Fresh Direct for their groceries should expect that deliveries may take a day or two longer than usual despite our proximity to Fresh Direct’s Borden Avenue, LIC warehouse. This is according to one unnamed driver referring to the ongoing immigration / unionization vote turmoil discussed in today’s New York Times.
According to an interview in the Dec 2007 online real estate publication “The Real Deal” David Kramer of Hudson Related stated that “the developers are looking to bring a food store into [425 Main Street]”.
It was unclear from the article whether “food store” referred to a restaurant to compliment the planned Italian and Japanese establishments (soon to open or still under construction) or as an alternative to Gristedes. It would appear that the space is of ample square feet to support another restaurant but a supermarket would require greater space. As it is the additional truck traffic making deliveries has already tied up traffic outside the subway entrance.
The article also includes the following regarding the empty stores on Main Street in Northtown:
"RIOC comptroller Carmine Tedesco, who is overseeing the corporation's retail development strategy, said the top priorities now are to bring a pizzeria, fish store and bakery to the island, to replace ones that were evicted after falling behind in rent last year. Tedesco said several businesses have expressed interest and are working through the state leasing rules before being approved by the RIOC board.
He has also received several calls from people looking to open a sports bar and a veterinarian clinic on the island, and that he continues to hold discussions with the interested parties. He declined to identify future plans for the RIOC-owned retail space, but said service-oriented retail has been a goal for the island. “
According to the Gothamist, John Catsimatidis, Owner of Gristedes, believes that rising rents will drive grocery stores out of New York City. Many Roosevelt Island residents may not mind if our own Gristedes was one of them as many have complained that their prices have long been too high (due to a near monopoly) and that many products at this location are stale and out of date.
If you are a resident of Roosevelt Island would you mourn a departure of current supermarket Gristedes? Granted Catsimedes is stating that he thinks all supermarkets could be driven out not just his.
The Main Street Wire reported in its September 8, 2007 issue that six local vendors just had their leases renewed by RIOC. I don’t recall any mention regarding the Gristedes lease in recent issue or how long their current lease has. It is felt and hoped that with the addition of the Duane Reade at Southtown that Gristedes will lower prices and increase its quality. We shall see.
But if this Gristedes goes I know some residents will not mourn its loss. The problem is whether RIOC could even replace it with another supermarket chain. That is a whole separate issue as a “full service” supermarket is a necessity on the island. Thank heavens for Fresh Direct.
>Continued Bridge Construction - Weekend advisory re alternating lane reversals due to road work.
> Transit Schedules: Q102 Queens Bus and F Subway Train
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