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May 17, 2006
After Fair Warning, Fairway Opens in The Hook
After months (make that years) of anticipation, the Red Hook Fairway opens today. The 52,000-square-foot store is the biggest in the four-location empire. We'd love to receive reports (and photos) from any eager beavers who make it there today.
Lots of photos by Callalillie here!
Fairway Comes to Red Hook [Gothamist]
Fairway Opens in Red Hook [NY Sun]
Comments
Is there bus service to this neck of the Red Hook woods or do you have to have a car?
Posted by: Anon at May 17, 2006 1:37 PM
B61 runs right to it. B61 runs from Red Hook all the way up to Greenpoint. It runs south west on Atlantic from Jay St Boro hall, then south on columbia (hicks during current construction) then over to Van Brunt and all the way down to Beard Street
Posted by: anon at May 17, 2006 1:40 PM
Just got back. NO BIKE PARKING. What were they thinking? Clearly they don't know a thing about South Brooklyn. Yes, you can chain your bike to the fence, as many people did, but COME ON.
Nice looking produce, decent amount of free samples. Free hot dogs, free Full Throttle if you like that bile.
Posted by: dave at May 17, 2006 1:41 PM
WHAT! No bike parking??????? That's insane. Let's boycott. No, wait, let's torch the place, then boycott. I bet George W. had something to do with it...
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 2:09 PM
hey 2:08pm, be nice would ya? Or at least put your name to your accusations. Dave makes an entirely valid point.
Posted by: Anon at May 17, 2006 2:18 PM
I think what Dave wants is a bike parking valet...and that's not a bad idea. I think I saw has a suggestion box at the checkout counter. Meanwhile, the rest of us will be satisfied with locking our bikes to street signs etc.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 2:23 PM
i'm with you dave. I'm emailing Fairway right now to ask them to include bike parking. Um, unless you're lying to me. Then wouldn't I look foolish?
But actually, I seriously am emailing them to include bike parking. Not boycotting. Not burning. Not all-caps. Just a friendly email note.
Posted by: chuck at May 17, 2006 2:25 PM
where will Ikea be in relation to Fairway?
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 2:32 PM
I like your take-charge attitude, Chuck. So what if they've only been open for 2 hours. I glad someone's will to say something at long last. Too often people just look the other way.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 2:37 PM
and here I thought chaining your bike to a fence WAS bike parking...
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 2:40 PM
I'm not knee-jerkily anti-development. It just seems to me that the store should have done some research to understand the neighborhood; it wouldn't have taken much effort to find that people would really appreciate and make use of bike parking.
That being said, I rode by Sunny's on my way out, and I was depressed by the end to the desolation that made that bar so amazing. Fortunately Fairway probably isn't open at 2 AM on a Friday.
Posted by: Dave at May 17, 2006 2:51 PM
WOW!!! that's all people have to talk about is the lack of Bike Parking or Lack of a Bike Rack. I am fine with a fence...
But really we have been waiting for this store to open for a long time. Can anyone tell me about what's happening inside the store? How are the Prices? etc....
Posted by: JR at May 17, 2006 3:00 PM
I've lived in the neighborhood for about 28 years and I think I understand it and I too might have overlooked bike parking at a giant supermarket. I think most of their clients are buying a lot of stuff and need a car to lug it home. For buying a couple of items at a time, most people use the local store. And for the real locals, they'd walk I imagine.
If you are going to Fairway for the free samples, then... oh, I won't bother.
In any case, HURRAY! A FAIRWAY!
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 3:05 PM
in a perverse way, desolation and absence is what made many of the post industrial city neighborhoods great, at least for me. at one point in time they were all in the middle of nowhere. walking through dumbo, greenpt, williamsburg, meatpacking district/far western chelsea, soho before the coffee bars/tchocke shops and galleries will always be a fond memory.
what aisle is the arugula in?
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 3:13 PM
Don't forget to check out the Art show (BWAC) across the street this weekend, and increase your art collection by patronizing local artists! I think it goes on for another month or so.
Posted by: Ed at May 17, 2006 3:46 PM
Hey Dave- unfortunately I think you have now been targeted by the resident troll- he uses terms like "whiny whiner!!!". And you raised a good point- lots of us don't have cars and use bikes or public transport- why not accomdate that? (Another point to all you pro-development types who don't bother to think about these day to day things).
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 4:01 PM
do you guys bike to Costco too?
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 4:22 PM
why is it the least they can do? what do they owe you exactly?
when did Brooklyn fill up with these entitled idiots.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 4:34 PM
If it makes you feel better about my state of mind, I was *amused* by the way everyone swarmed around the woman handing out samples of shrimp. I've been watching a lot of nature documentaries lately -- it reminded me of dolphins attacking a bait ball:
http://www.oceanfootage.com/oceans/vd?action=popup;product=CM01_096;show_clipbin=1
Posted by: Dave at May 17, 2006 4:46 PM
this from the guy who complains they didn't accomodate his needs exactly?
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 4:51 PM
Bike parking is a reasonable thing for Fairway to have thought of. Lots and lots of people bike in the neighborhood. But since it's all still under construction I'm sure it's not a problem to put it in. Patience people!
and as for Sunny's bar. they're not really going to be open at the same times. so chill dude. Red Hook will still be mostly desolate.
Posted by: kitten at May 17, 2006 5:12 PM
Isn't this a superstore? What are you buying that you are taking home on your bike? Do you all bike to Costco too?
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 5:40 PM
Yes we all bike everywhere. Don't be so incredulous. Red Hook is remote to say the least and Fairway has good stuff. We need our bikes and backpacks and bike trailers to haul inexpensive goat cheese all over brooklyn.
Fairway. You cheap bastards. Throw us a bone and put in a bike rack. Now! Capice!
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 6:18 PM
I was disappointed with Fairway. Compared with Whole Foods, Costco, or many a smaller market, the staff knew little about products or process -- for example, I asked what kind of coffee was used in the Fairway blend (which was priced well at 6.99 per LB -- and it was organic), and it took five minutes to find a staffperson who knew. Really five minutes. I asked about the Orange Roughy fish at the fish counter and not one of the ten people there could explain what kind of fish/taste it had -- a fellow customer clued me in. Finally, the organization/layout is very strange -- there were teas in three separate sections of the store, so finding a box of Earl Grey proved quite a hunt.
Posted by: Rachel at May 17, 2006 6:23 PM
Re: bike parking
You can ask the city to install a rack (see link to form below) and they will blow you off for 7 years and then go study it and then wait 7 more years and then come and put one in but by them we'll all be using jetpacks anyway so it won't matter.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bikeped/rackfrm1.html
Posted by: Jake at May 17, 2006 7:08 PM
You would be pretty foolish to park your aerospace-grade Cannondale unattended anywhere in Brooklyn.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 7:16 PM
I had to hunt to find things, too. Very awkward layout that doesn't flow well. The staff are pretty rough around the edges. I heard several swears coming from staff members talking among themselves as I navigated the store. I didn't appreciate that, with a child and all.
Posted by: dt at May 17, 2006 7:58 PM
I wonder if that's a by-product of being pressured to hire locally... sounds like they got some kinks to work out.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 17, 2006 8:37 PM
I think you're right, 8:37. I will give them another try when things settle down. Hopefully they will pull it together in the mean time.
Posted by: dt at May 17, 2006 9:48 PM
wow, you guys are prissy.
It's day number one, idiots, of course it's not perfect.
but do me a favor--go to Whole Foods and stay out of my neighborhood.
really, stay away. Red Hook is obviously too rough for your delicate sensibilities.
Posted by: poopy at May 17, 2006 11:04 PM
No, 8:37- it's not because of pressure to hire locally. It's because of not giving staff enough training, it's the first day, they aren't getting paid enough and now they are already worrying about how long they'll have jobs if Fairway doesn't do well.
On the other hand, the much maligned Applebees in Crown Heights hired locally, gave their staff good training and I don't know what else. But the wait staff is lovely, even the regional manager comes to check- So don't blame the people who are hired. Blame the management which doesn't bother to train them properly or treat them well.
But then we know what you were really saying anyway.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2006 12:36 AM
why all the negative comments??
it sounds like one guy that "answers" himself all day.
fairways was nice, just like the one in upper manhattan. a huge warehouse and lots of good produce at nice prices.
im glad it finally opened.
the Boar's head hot dog was excessively salty.
you should have a look on the weekend
Brownstoner! Welcome!
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2006 12:40 AM
rachel must start macing people when they cant tell her the difference between beluga and ossetra.
waiting a whole 5 minutes for an answer??
the queen of england would have his entire family executed.
lighten up people
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2006 1:04 AM
I went around 5pm last night. amazing. Alot of the staff seemed tired, not from lack of training but because it was opening day and they where all running around restocking shelves, cleaning. There was hardly a line, although there seems to be a cart traffic jam at the cheese counter, probably all the park slopers getting the free cheese sample. Besides the park slope mom with a stroller a cart and two semi grown kids bogging down aisles, great experience. Living just off Van Brunt, this is so badly needed, and was nice to see mixed into the crowd locals. Best line of the day was a woman complaining that the catfish was more expensive then that found at pathmark. You get what ya pay for love. Where else in the New York City can you buy a entire filet for 20 bucks? not two cuts of filet mignon, but the entire filet. The dollar baguette is amazing... and they carry Marmite. Marmite brie and baguette. best combo in the world.
Posted by: pd at May 18, 2006 8:14 AM
BTW, ride your bike down, traffic on Van Brunt seems to have exploded, and they deliver as far away as the Heights and Park Slope. Then head over and buy a Key Lime Pie at the next pier or stopped by Baked or grab a bottle at Le Nelle's
Posted by: pd at May 18, 2006 8:17 AM
My husband and I went for a tour last night. Boy the store was crowded.
There was an equal distribution of bemused white Heights yuppie types cruising the cheese aisle / stunned cart-full-o-Pampers neighborhood residents ("GET THOSE HANDS OUT OF THE OLIVES - COME HERE. SPIT THAT OUT. I TOLD YOU YOU WOULDN"T LIKE IT!") / kidking screaming overstimulated toddlers in strollers with backpacked parents and NO cart / Bensonhurst seniors ("Marlene, I lost my husband somewhere" "Lucky you - maybe he won't come back")
There was a LOT of everything. Kind of a rambling layout. I couldn't find dog food - it might have been near the organic stuff. Wierd right?
I wondered if Brooklyn could really support this place. The variety of prepared food combined with a lack of public transportation seems worrisome. I doubt someone would spend an hour and a half on the B61 just to go get a salad with a sliced egg and bacon with an order of braised lamb shanks.
I was amazed at the stacked-to-the-ceiling tree kinds of organic chard piles and other quickly perishable stuff. I know this isn't Pathmark at the Atlantic Center, but I wonder if they won't have to scale back on some of this.
The fish looked great, the meat looked amazing, everything was there, in major abundance.
THe parking lot was a destination alone,
It seemed more expensive than the Key Food on Fifth Avenue ( four bages = $40, including sixpack.)
Posted by: Coward at May 18, 2006 8:28 AM
"Besides the park slope mom with a stroller a cart and two semi grown kids bogging down aisles, great experience..."
OK, I gotta ask. Did she tell you she was from Park Slope? Is it obvious that only someone from park Slope would do this? Or was she wearing a "Screw You, I'm Taking Over This Whole Aisle Because I'm a Spoiled Yuppie from Park Slope" T-shirt? Those are selling like hotcakes!
Posted by: linusvanpelt at May 18, 2006 9:35 AM
Oh my, so you couldn't find things or your way around fast enough in a new, huge supermarket. I felt the same way the first time I went to Whole Foods at Union Square. Where IS everything?? And TWO floors worth?? Maybe they should have handed out maps at the front door! I eventually found what I wanted after three go-rounds. To all the Type A's out there (myself included)...relax!! It's just a supermarket!
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2006 9:39 AM
Take it easy anon at 12:36 a.m.(also known as B2xBklyn). Management and employees deserve equal "blame" for less than perfect service.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2006 9:45 AM
Fairway has been open here all of 1 day so be patient everyone. The employees will learn and the store will work out the kinks. The other Fairway stores have items all over the place also. Half the fun is the exploration and finding new products to try while looking for staples.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2006 9:59 AM
anon 9:45- Wha? And since we're making assumption, I can assume you are the troll who's been making this blog a misery for everyone. Sorry dude- try again.
Posted by: anon 12:36 at May 18, 2006 10:03 AM
Why does everyone assume a mother with a stroller is from Park Slope. I have kids and I've been living in RH for tens years.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2006 10:18 AM
Unfortunately the term "Park Slope Mom" (like W-burg hipster) has become a generic metaphor... kind of like "Kleenex" vs. "facial tissue".
The term is no longer necessarily a geographic reference.
(BTW, I did not make the original statement in question).
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2006 11:25 AM
I ride a scooter. Will there be a place for me to park somewhere, all alone, marked in gold?
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2006 5:57 PM
How do the prices and quality compare with Costco? And I'm wondering about cowards' post and whether or not a Fairway so far out of the way will be able to attract enough people. I think probably, yes. But there is a huge market that is not address- the no car/public trannie people. And as more and more stores get built in difficult to access areas, I'm curious to see if the city supports them with more infrastructure.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2006 7:14 PM
I can't wait to ride my Park Slope mom butt over on my bike and buy, buy, buy. I will stand in front of the cheese counter and hog all the free samples I can get.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 18, 2006 11:55 PM
Anonymous 1:04am,
What is ossetra?
A prison upstate? A new bone loss + erection disorder drug (or wait...are those the same...)?
hee..please no one mace me.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 19, 2006 2:52 PM
So, let me get this straight...
The place was packed, and the parking lot was packed, and yet some people are worried if this business will survive.
Hah.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 19, 2006 2:58 PM
did anon 7:14 say trannie? awesome
Posted by: beef stu at May 19, 2006 3:27 PM
Yeah, I hear the "no car/public trannie people" used to wait for cars in the _____-packing district.
Posted by: Anonymous at May 19, 2006 3:46 PM
It can be packed but they still have to make a profit. The overhead must be huge- it would practically have to be packed 24/7. time will tell.
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