Myrtle Supermarket Opening in Late Summer
It’s been a long road, but the supermarket on Myrtle and Ashland, on the Andrea site, is finally happening, and it’s scheduled to open late this summer. Last night we missed the community meeting, but we spoke with State Committee Member Lincoln Restler, who co-hosted the event with Councilwoman Tish James and the Red Apple…
It’s been a long road, but the supermarket on Myrtle and Ashland, on the Andrea site, is finally happening, and it’s scheduled to open late this summer. Last night we missed the community meeting, but we spoke with State Committee Member Lincoln Restler, who co-hosted the event with Councilwoman Tish James and the Red Apple Group. He said there were over 100 residents there, mostly from the nearby low- and middle-income housing developments. Construction has begun on a ground-floor CVS, a small cafe, and the below-ground supermarket. Those attending gave feedback on issues like affordability, local hiring and food choice. There are no other Red Apple Supermarkets in New York, but Committee Member Restler tells us “it will offer a more affordable price point to meet the needs of working families in Fort Greene.” And after pressing him that this was actually happening, he promised “definitely…. finally this is going to be built.”
Myrtle Supermarket Plan Still Alive [Brownstoner]
The Andrea Rents Out [Brownstoner]
Red Apple Grilled On Myrtle Market Plans [Brownstoner]
Andrea 10 Percent Rented, Drug Store to Follow [Brownstoner]
Tish James is one of the few local politicians I like. She does her best to represent ALL of her constituents, not just the poor, or the rich. I’m not in her district, and can’t vote for her. But I see her all the time, advocating for things that are important to Brooklyn, including things that do not necessarily concern her, or her district.
Her large district runs the economic gamut from destitute to stinking rich. It’s not easy balancing the needs of that range, as often, the concerns of people along this economic spectrum are often diametrically opposed. I challenge anyone to do better.
To say she got re-elected, and by a large margin, because she’s kissing up to the poor is ridiculous, not to mention riddled with coded meaning. The poor do not vote as much as the rich, or middle class, and they don’t have the economic clout to get things moving. A wise politician who only wanted to keep getting re-elected, or get pork for her district, would be kissing up to the wealthier set, and would have long ago forgotten there were poor people. The fact that she has not, and continues to advocate for what is right, not expedient, or to please the Amex crowd, is to her benefit. Lowering crime rates, bringing in amenities, etc, etc, benefits EVERYONE. Go Tish!
I think there’s a market for both. Sure, I might personally prefer to get my produce and meat at a farmers market or gourmet store because the freshness and quality will be superior, but I also totally agree that staples (flour, sugar, salt, milk, eggs etc) can be totally outrageous in gourmet stores. And even if I have the money, that’s not how I want to spend it.
I’ve never seen a $10 tomato, but I did once try to buy two tomatoes in Citarella on the UES and they rang up as $8. And that is not an exaggeration. So I say the $10 tomato” is a close enough approximation to make the point. Similarly, I recently went to Foragers in Dumbo to buy some oatmeal and their price was $18. EIGHTEEN DOLLARS for oatmeal. Sure it’s Irish steel-cut oatmeal, but all i wanted to do was make oatmeal cookies. I didn’t need or want $18 oatmeal. $2 quaker oats were just fine.
I agree with many of the arguments that there has to be a culture shift that makes people more willing to pay money for food, and which offsets the fake and unsustainable prices that agribusiness have established. But that doesn’t discount the fact that many people in this city are struggling to make ends meet and simply can’t afford, even if they wanted to, to buy all their produce at local and sustainable markets.
Not to mention the fact that this neighborhood has been without ANY grocery store at all for years. That’s just criminal.
Between this, the Toren, Brooklyn Fare, etc, it’s good that options are coming to the neighborhood that will support *all* of the needs in the community.
> Organic and locally grown vegetables have zero to do with health
Yes, pesticides and chemicals fertilizers have zero impact on human health, directly or indirectly.
“cereals, frozen vegetables, OJ, pasta”
i don’t buy any of those things so i guess i don’t know what you are talking about. generally though i do all my shopping at farmers markets and local delis/specialty stores. i would never shop at an associated. they suck and i’d rather pay more to support small business owners vs. supporting a chain.
Organic and locally grown vegetables have zero to do with health and nutrition, and are all about making a political/environmental statement.
“By supporting “cheap” food you are just encouraging the lack of health and nutrition in this city and in a greater sense this country as a whole”
we’re not talking about big macs and fries here. we are talking about paying 30% less for the same exact groceries – cereals, frozen vegetables, OJ, pasta etc. I certainly advocate spending more money for certain items where low price may truly affect quality (certain meat, for example), but I will wholeheartedly support the “down market” groceries for ordinary daily groceries. I actually agree with Rob here – its really pretentious to reject wholesale the “down market” groceries simply because they are more aimed towards the demographic that cannot afford gourmet (ie overpriced) groceries.
“i see no reason to pay 10 dollars for a tomato.”
hyperbole much, rob? 3 things:
1) i have never seen a 10 dollar tomato, except at the farmers market when the heirlooms are in season. are you saying that it is bad to pay top dollar for fresh, local, sustainable produce?
2) by supporting “cheap” food you are just encouraging the lack of health and nutrition in this city and in a greater sense this country as a whole. i mean look around, everyone seems to have found a way to afford an cell phone, cable TV, gas for the SUV— but then people complain about high food prices? food SHOULD be expensive, or at least as expensive as necessary to support a local and sustainable marketplace. our current system of factory farms and processed foods is literally KILLING us and the envorinment.
3) you eat vegetables???
i shop exclusively at “down market” associated. sorry i see no reason to pay 10 dollars for a tomato.
*rob*
This: “She lies to everyone rich and poor, and she is only interested in supporting policies that keep enough poor voters in her district to keep getting elected. “