Deeds and Leases

Over the past couple of weeks I have noticed that the Food Emporium in the Quaker Ridge Shopping Center has been completely rearranging their shelves with notable confusion. I could not figure out why, as not much has changed in over a decade. What is the point in confusing people?

While shopping this evening I found out the truth: the Food Emporium is being discontinued and converted into a A&P. When I was growing up in Wykagyl the store was always an A&P: of course this was before “premium” supermarkets existed. I remember it was much smaller; the space to the left of the front entrance was added in the early 1970′s (roughly). I recall buying 1960′s hippie stickers in the stationary shop that used to be there. I still have the pewter peace sign necklace (circa 1969) from that store somewhere!

I spoke to one of the managers tonight and he told me that a lot of people in the neighborhood are very upset and have promised to “never step foot in the store again,” due to the assumed inferiority of A&P’s meat and vegetables. I have no idea if its true or not, but the perception is there.

I told the manager that he should be happy that Wegmans is not moving into the area. If you do not know that name, they are a powerhouse in upstate New York, and make Food Emporiums look like dumps. They are a real powerhouse.

I wonder if it has to do with the forthcoming opening of Fairway in Pelham Manor. It is not that far away, and it is a “cult” store, just like Stew Leonards. Between the two of them, who needs a supermarket, except to buy paper good and cleaning supplies?

Wykagyl has been hit by two shocks in the past week: The demise of Food Emporium and the closing of Poultry Time.  Both will be missed – big time!