May 17, 2008: Vol. 31, No. 20

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May 17, 2008 / Brooklyn news / Bay Ridge–Bensonhurst

Key Food fight

By Ben Muessig

The Brooklyn Paper

Bay Ridge is hoping that the pen is mightier than the store.

Irate Ridgites are petitioning against the closing of the Key Food on Third Avenue and 95th Street, which is slated to close and become a Walgreens pharmacy in June.

BoroDeal

“We don’t need a pharmacy — we need a grocery store,” said 93rd Street resident Denise Loli, who along with other protesters has gathered more than 1,000 signatures. “That property has been a grocery store for over 50 years and it should stay a grocery store.”

But elected officials say that if the store has been sold, no number of signatures could force a grocery to move into the site.

“Our role is very limited, but we’re trying to intercede if the property hasn’t been sold,” said John Quaglione, spokesman for state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge). “If it has been sold, then it’s a commercial business replacing a commercial business on a commercials strip — there really isn’t anything that we can do about it.”

Key Food officials did not respond to calls for comment.

←Park Slope: ‘Park’ Slopers rejoice! Alternate-side parking suspended for summer

→DUMBO: Big ‘signs’ of improvement

Reader Feedback

Patricia Corbett from Bay Ridge says:

What we need here in Bay Ridge is very large Super Markets. Many of us still feel the loss of our A. & P. store that had been located at 68th Street and 4th Avenue! Remember hearing at that time that another Super Market was going to take its place but when that didn't happened we had to travel out to Key Food or to Foodtown. It's nice to have a choice as to what is on sale here or there and then make the choice of where to shop at. Truthfully, the last thing we need is another Bank or Drug Store. What is happening to our neighborhood? We need to speak up and get what our community really needs!

May 16, 2008, 1 pm

Michael from Bay Ridge says:

I totally agree with Patricia. There are far too many drug stores and banks. Are they really making more money than supermarkets?
The city ought to give subsidies to keep supermarkets open. Buisness that enrich quality of life (and food is a big part of quality of life) ought to be encourages, and ugly, anonymous, useless chain buisnesses discouraged.
Bay ridge is a wonderful community, let's not let it turn into an strip mall.

May 20, 2008, 10 am

michael from Brooklyn says:

While I sympathize with those affected, I am surprised that so many seemed to feel that gathering signatures could do anything for what is solely a private matter (yes, with an impact on the neighborhood) - not to sound mean, but it seemed a little naive...

May 20, 2008, 10:20 am

Mohamed from Bay Ridge says:

I also agree with michael, this is a totally private matter. It is easy to want a few more supermarkets in the neighborhood, and you'd be right to say that Bay Ridge could use a couple more, but to put things into perspective, most of my neighbors , I notice do the COSTCO thing. they nit pick at the neighborhood stores for selling things a dime or two higher than there bulk buying. They only go to the Associated or the FOODTOWN when they need a handfull of items. Without neighborhood loyalty it is foolish to think that any type of business could survive, and that is just what is missing in Bay Ridge, consumer loyalty. Do you remember the Grand Union? It closed down roughly 25 years ago, when the Pathmark in Coney Island opened up. Why do people assume that stores will just exist if they themselves don't patronize them. My advice to Key food: "Don't even look back".

May 21, 2008, 6:29 pm

Mike from Bay Ridge says:

Government policies shape what type of buisnesses open and close. Costco can only exist in indusrtial zoned areas, where large trucks can operate. Also small buisness incentives can encourge local markets who do not have the money to invest in high cost accountants to ease their tax burden (as lagrger chains have).
To say that it is a private matter is to ignore all the circumstances surrounding the matter.
Plus the city has to work to preserve quality of life and often involves itself in things that could be called *private* matters, such as supporting private theaters, encouraging farmers markets, etc.

May 22, 2008, 7:08 am

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