Chains Duke it Out for East New York Turf
Crain’s filed this story late yesterday: “A local supermarket union will launch a campaign Tuesday afternoon to bring a 100,000-square-foot ShopRite to the Brooklyn retail center that Walmart is also eyeing for its first New York City store. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 will argue that ShopRite’s wages and benefits outstrip those offered…
Crain’s filed this story late yesterday: “A local supermarket union will launch a campaign Tuesday afternoon to bring a 100,000-square-foot ShopRite to the Brooklyn retail center that Walmart is also eyeing for its first New York City store. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 will argue that ShopRite’s wages and benefits outstrip those offered by Walmart, and that the supermarket would match Walmart’s promise to bring fresh food into the East New York, Brooklyn, neighborhood.” The site, at the Gateway II complex, is owned by the Related Cos.
ShopRite Jockeys With Walmart for Brooklyn Site [Crain’s]
I think the claim that either of these would bring a lot of relief to East New York in terms of food availability is a little misleading. The Gateway II center may sort of, kind of, technically be in ENY, but it’s really well outside the neighborhood proper, next to the highway. It’s very much a suburban-style shopping center, intended to serve people who drive there from other neighborhoods. Poorer Brooklynites overwhelmingly don’t have cars, so the claim about bringing fresh food to poor ENY residents seems mostly like pandering. This would be couple-mile walk each way for most E. New Yorkers, or at best a long bus ride.
Either way, like babs mentioned, a food desert can do with two places (or 1 1/2, closer to my point) to buy food, instead of one.
Does Target sell meat and milk? I never really noticed. Dry boxed food like stuffing, rice, and general goods like etergent, fine. But still, it’s a long way there on the 6 bus to the junction or to the first Gateway.
This area is classed a “food desert,” maening little access to fresh produce. Wal-Mart has tried to gain approval for a store here by saying that it will emphasize fresh food at this location, hence the food connection. Shop Rite would be way better.
“dont think people realize the amout of food walmart sells.” —
well judging by size of people who shop there, obvious the amount of food their customers eat.
a super target or super walmart would be nice at that whole food spot.
yes, pig three:
“Wal-Mart sells more groceries than any other company in the country”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/business/20walmart.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
nor the amount of food it’s typical customers eat lol
*rob*
The non-Supercenter Wal Marts I have been to have similar food selections as the Target in Atlantic Center.
Enough to handle pretty much all of your staple needs, except fresh produce.
Supercenters have a the food selection of a mid to large sized supermarket.
dont think people realize the amout of food walmart sells.