Description
A Message to the Community:
In mid-February, Supervalu Inc. announced that it was pulling all Shaw's supermarkets out of CT. Immediately upon hearing the news, the Greater Dwight Community Investment Corporation and its partners began examining options and seeking a replacement. No one is willing to accept a "food desert" in this neighborhood, and GDCIC is working initially with Yale University Properties, which has both extensive experience in supermarket real estate and a strong desire to avert this possibility.
It is of critical importance that the community remains engaged on this issue. Attached to this sheet we have included a brief survey, the data from which may be valuable in assisting the GDCIC and its partners secure a new, full-service supermarket for the Dwight location. In addition to distributing the survey, here are things you can do to help:
1. Once Shaw's goes dark at the end of March, help us ensure that the Plaza remains a safe place. Visit the site often and shop at the other stores in the center to that it remains a financially healthy community asset. Also, consider creating a formal block watch.
2. Collect the names and signatures of people committed to having a full-service supermarket in central New Haven, and have them complete the survey attached.
3. Make it known in conversations with friends, elected officials, and inquiring journalists that the community deserves a full-service supermarket in this space. If you have a moment, submit a comment to Supervalu, the owners of Shaw's, at http://www.supervalu.com/sv-webapp/contact/contact.jsp. Let them know how important it is to the community that they assist us in obtaining a full-service replacement store (please keep the messages civil, as we continue to work with Supervalu to reach a mutually-acceptable resolution).
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. WE ARE COMMITTED TO KEEPING THE COMMUNITY INFORMED AS THIS PROCESS UNFOLDS. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
What can we do as neighbors? We can go door to door and bring this survey to your neighbors! Instructions for returning the survey are on the bottom of the page: http://tinyurl.com/newhavengrocer
185 Comments
Community Neighbor (Guest)
http://tinyurl.com/newhavengrocer
Moses (Guest)
Eddie (Guest)
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
A supermarket in central New Haven is essential and is a matter of health equity.
For those of you who do not want to print and fill out the survey on paper, a link to the online version of the Dwight Supermarket Concerned Citizens Committee's survey will be posted here very shortly. Stay tuned.
Once it is posted, please circulate the online survey link to all of your email contacts. Encourage as many people as possible to fill it out.
Please post your general comments and ideas on this thread, and encourage your neighbors to do the same. See point #3 above -- share the information here with your neighbors, friends, libraries, schools, etc.
Mark Abraham
Executive Director, DataHaven
Secretary, Dixwell Community Management Team
Bill (Guest)
It is absolutely critical that this space be filled with another grocer. I was speaking with a tenant of an apartment building on Elm Street today. She said that so many of her neighbors are elderly and disabled and absolutely have no other place to buy groceries due to their limited mobility. If you know anyone like that offer them a ride. If you don't have a car, offer to pick up some groceries for them on your bike.
Also there are almost one-hundred people in the community that will be out of work. We need to reach out to them. Is it possible to set up a listserv for this kind of thing? So that we can pool our resources (rides, shuttles, job offers, etc.) and keep these folks in the loop. Anyone have experience with that?
Community Neighbor (Guest)
Help distribute these flyers all over town! Print some of the "25032" PDF's from above and post them on telephone poles everywhere -
People can text "Issue 25302" to 41411 to vote for this issue on SeeClickFix -
Bianca Bowles (Registered User)
I'm sure there will be people who do not see the need for a grocery store here, but I encourage anyone that does to complete a survey and get others to do the same.
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Here is the link to the online survey, if you prefer that to the paper version. The survey will be used by the Dwight Supermarket Concerned Citizens Committee to collect data that may be used to help attract a new supermarket at this location.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/dwightsupermarket
Please forward to all of your email contacts.
Jessica (Guest)
Melissa (Guest)
Citizen (Registered User)
Anonymous (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
R (Guest)
Cedric (Guest)
J (Guest)
This Shaws was always busy when I went in, how could this stay vacant for a long time?
Does Supervalu not like ethnic customers?
Sara (Guest)
eddie (Guest)
Just what the neighborhood needs -- a Whole Foods so that East Rock residents don't have to drive all the way to Westville to stock up on bran flakes and veggie burgers.
New Haven already has plenty of health food and gourmet groceries. What it needs is a good supermarket that sells staples and other foods at reasonable prices.
Anonymous (Guest)
Melissa (Guest)
I'll be pleased if a supermarket goes in here regardless. At the same time I feel high quality food (I don't mean overpriced pseudo-gourmet food at stores who's names I won't mention) at reasonable prices, with a decent variety, would fit the bill. Otherwise I tend to find it difficult to buy food that meets my dietary restrictions (not self-inflicted restrictions, but genuine health issues).
I shop frequently at Edge of the Woods as well and also would not like to see it hurt.
Pat (Guest)
We need quality fresh food year round in New Haven, but without boutique prices. The link between obesity and processed "food" and "fast food" has been established.
I would like to support local growers and not pay to fly in strawberries from South America.
We need sensible change.
Tim Kane (Guest)
RevKev (Registered User)
Want to know more about the health and habits of people in our city? Please join us Wednesday, March 17th at 730 George Street to discuss the results of the Community Health Surveys conducted by CARE: Community Alliance for Research and Engagement in six New Haven neighborhoods last fall. Dwight/West River residents/businesses are included in this survey.
Question please contact alycia.santilli@yale.edu or RSVP on the "West River New Haven" Facebook page.
** If you drive then please park on Winthrop Ave and walk in through the rear entrance of f the parking lot. If you park on the lot you might be towed.
This data will be used to help us in our search for a new market.
Anonymous (Guest)
Steve (Guest)
SLP (Guest)
Brian Virtue (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
KatiB (Guest)
Debbie R (Guest)
Lydia (Guest)
Pat (Guest)
pat
Anonymous (Guest)
Lynn (Guest)
J (Guest)
I know its the internet and I agree that New Haven needs some progressive ideas to attract people to visit/move here but can we think about the residents of the neighborhood that houses this store? Just about every suggestion is aimed towards middle class white people that dont live in this neighborhood. Its the same old song and dance here folks, all but 2 of the Shaws have been bought in CT, if this store was turning a decent profit then why isnt anyone buying it??? Shop-Rite and Stop&Shop have bought 16 of 18 Shaws.
I'm sticking with my first comment, it has to do with the color of the neighborhood. The neighborhood will only get worse now.
J (Guest)
Capanos near deal to buy Shaw’s supermarket in Clinton
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/communities/x1224405950/Capanos-near-deal-to-buy-Shaw-s-supermarket-in-Clinton
Melissa (Guest)
I'm all for the idea of a market hall. At the same time, I don't think it would be particularly successful in this location, not because of demographics, but because of location. All of the great market halls I've been to have been centrally located and in a building of historic value. For example, I lived in Oxford, England, for three years, where they have an excellent indoor market in an old building in the very center of town. Oxford is in fact very similar to New Haven, it's an industrial city with a large working class population, problems with crime in bad neighborhoods, a world-class university, and lots (of course many more) tourists. The market hall works there because it meets the needs of most of the people, with stalls for fresh vegetables, locally made cheeses and game meat, trinkets for tourists, boutique items for the upper class, sandwich and coffee shops for locals, cheap jewelry stalls for local folks, etc. Also a good place for buskers and craftsmen.
I can see something like this working quit well in New Haven if it's done right, but not necessarily in the old Shaws building.
KatiB (Guest)
Melissa (Guest)
All good points KatiB. I especially agree with your last point about needing to be active to make things happen.
At the same time, I've never been to Ferraro's! I'm part of that high-turnover international population that comes to Yale for a few years to get a degree and moves on. We don't know about local favorites, often don't have cars, and get to most things by bus, sharing rides, or walking. If something is visible, downtown and easy to get to, then we pick up on it pretty quickly and frequent it regularly. We also don't have much money, but typically want high quality and a wide variety (foods from home country). Many of us shop at Shaws, definitely, since it's within walking distance to Yale. But I feel a central location would maximize the market hall's use (for example, attract tourists and local visitors) and help revitalize downtown.
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
This is just a reminder to take the Dwight Supermarket Concerned Citizens Committee's survey if you haven't yet. Over 1,700 responses so far.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/dwightsupermarket
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Melissa (Guest)
Nan (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
Lisa Brandes (Guest)
On behalf of the 5,500 Yale Graduate & professional students with whom I work, and the hundreds of Yale employees who shop at Shaws no matter where they live, I do hope we can all work for a full-service grocery store in this location again. Many city residents, whether or not they are connected with Yale, depend on shaws for fresh foods at good prices in a convenient location, so we need to find an appropriate grocery store for this location.
If and when we secure a new store, we DO need to work with NH Transit & parking and Conn DOT to do a lot more traffic work in the area- cross walks on whalley, traffic calming, parking lot safety, bike racks, etc, to make the new store accessible for walkers, bikers, transit riders, and cars.
Lisa Brandes
Asst Dean,
Yale Graduate School
& New Haven Resident
Anonymous (Guest)
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Hey Melissa and Nan,
Thanks for asking. The next meeting is on March 30 at 6:30PM (same place as before) and yes, as I understand it the Committee will be giving a presentation about the survey results.
We'll try to have any updates about next steps and meetings here and at http://www.ctdatahaven.org/newhaven/index.php/Dwightsupermarket.
Regards, Mark
Anonymous (Guest)
I would like this fixed. But an upmarket WholeFoods won't fix it. I can't afford that, and lots of us would probably be taking the bus up to Stop and Shop on Dixwell and Putnam if some expensive store arrives to replace Shaw's. Shaw's had its faults but it was more affordable than most of the places people say are so wonderful.
How about inviting Ferraro's to move into this big space? Or C-Town who closed their store on Dixwell a little while back?
ConcernedStudent (Guest)
Please! I need somewhere downtown to buy fresh produce!
Anonymous (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
Yes to a supermarket!
But preferably not WholeFoods which is far too expensive.
And not Edge of the Woods which is too expensive plus they don't sell meat.
And not Trader Joes which is expensive and pre-packages everything in tiny bundles and, at the store in Orange, often has produce much worse than our Shaw's did.
Just a good grocery store that the neighborhood can afford and we can get to without sitting for an hour on the bus, or divide the space into separate greengrocer, butcher, baker, fishmonger and so on. Under that arrangement, maybe Edge of the Woods could occupy part of the space.
Someone posted about the covered market in Oxford but the real market in that city is at Gloucester Green a few blocks away. The covered market is mostly souvenirs and luxury goods, not everyday shopping.
Katib (Guest)
Brian Tang (Registered User)
As I understand it, Shaws did not go out of business. In fact, this particular location was profitable. It was closed because its parent company shut down all operations in the Connecticut region.
Patrick (Guest)
Citizen (Registered User)
This "Safeway" grocery store exterior has a good logo that'd fit the former Shaws, no? I've sent them a "Contact Us" message informing them about the empty grocery store, and if they might want to step in...
http://www.rampantscotland.com/graphics/safeway4771a.jpg
Marita (Guest)
As others have said, Whole Foods would be great, but Whole Foods is far too expensive for the average middle-lower class resident from this area and would of course, potentially threaten long-time local, Edge of the Woods. Trader Joe's would be fantastic and my first choice, IF it can provide quality produce, meats and fresh fish, on a larger scale than the Orange location currently does. A supermarket like A&P, Stop & Shop, Shop Rite, Big Y, Adams, etc., would be best.
Please find a replacement and do not allow this space to become an abandoned sight again. Thanks.
Citizen (Registered User)
Patrick - ("How about just a regular ShopRite Supermarket. It would fit the mold of New Haven as being reasonably priced and anything else would just be too expensive for the city residences.")
because ShopRite didn't buy this location.
occasional Shawper (Guest)
I have been told by a city official that the Shaw's was profitable, as a writer mentioned above. Shaw's closed as part of larger corporate decision.
Maybe Stop and Shop customers can convince the chain to open a store here. Their trucks are coming to the area anyway...
SLP (Registered User)
Brian Tang (Guest)
robert (Guest)
Erin (Guest)
Melissa (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
Can the GDCIC who posted above initiate a cooperative for this location instead of working on attracting outsiders who don't care about us? I wouldn't mind paying a higher non-member's price if it is still reasonable since the only alternatives are an hour of bus travel or Peapod deliveries.
Could some local chain like C-Town be persuaded to supply a neighborhood cooperative with their transport lines?
Justin (Guest)
mike r (Guest)
Hmmm (Guest)
Melissa (Guest)
Beaver Hill Resident (Guest)
SLP (Registered User)
I fully support a replacement for Shaw's, but anyone concerned about a lack of fresh food on Whalley should stop in to Edge of the Woods. Yes, there is the meat "issue," and yes, many things are more expensive there--but the produce section is a pleasant exception. Edge of the Woods' produce is high-quality, fresh, often local, and comparably or even better priced than the area supermarket chains. Edge has both nonorganic and organic produce. I don't do all my shopping there, but I will often go for produce alone--it's worth it.
And if you haven't tried their prepared food/salad buffet, it's wonderful!
Jon (Guest)
This is an urban planning nightmare and if nobody moves in there it will only serve as another example of New Haven on the decline. This neighborhood will only get worse now. The reputation of this city still seems to be enough to keep it from growing which is really sad.
Is this the last Shaws to be bought by another grocer? Last I heard it was 16 of 18 have already been bought and reopened as another store around CT.
zakstone333 (Registered User)
zakstone333 (Registered User)
Deftpunk (Guest)
Racist Moron (Guest)
DeftPunk (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
Citizen (Registered User)
Big Tim (Guest)
Nan Bartow (Guest)
eddie (Guest)
Tim: The area is marginal. It's convenient to people who live downtown, as well as Dwight and Hill residents. I often visited Shaws from East Rock.
I'm not sure what you mean by saying the space is too small for a major chain. Shaw's was a major chain, and this was a full-size supermarket.
The Whalley store was consistantly busy, so there's clearly a market for a grocery store in that location. My understanding, though, is that losses were particularly high. Supermarkets operate on very slim margins, so higher-than-usual losses due to shoplifting, maintenance, etc. can eat away at profitability.
Clearly, the other supermarket chains that operate in this area had a reason for not acquiring this property.
I don't necessarily share your pessimism, but New Haven's Economic Development team definitely has a tough task ahead finding an appropriate tenant for this space.
Stacy (Guest)
Nan Bartow (Guest)
Is the meeting still on for tonight?
"Results will be sent to the Committee and announced at an upcoming meeting on March 30th at 6:30PM at the Dwight Police Substation."
Nan Bartow (Guest)
Jon (Guest)
Stacy- while I can agree that this Shaws was not in the best neighborhood I frequented this supermarket on a regular basis and NEVER saw anything out of the ordinary. In fact there were way less goons hanging out in front of Shaws than the East Haven Shop&Stop.
The image of New Haven is better than it was 20 years ago BUT it still sucks and this has got to be the reason 16 out of 18 Shaws in CT have been bought and this one wasnt. I hear the mayor is/was turning things around but its not what I see. Ask any New Haven taxpayer...
Stacy (Guest)
Jon (Guest)
Stacy- I'll be getting out of here ASAP but while I'm here I will try and stay somewhat positive. I get a bit sick to my stomach when I hear the other Shaws were snatched up quickly because I know this store made money, apparently no store owner wants to deal in/with New Haven and that is the sickening part of it.
This vacant store needs a replacement soon or this neighborhood will slide even farther down than it already is.
Maybe Magic Johnson will open a rent-a-center here...
zakstone333 (Registered User)
Uncle Egg (Guest)
Gee, Stacy. Thanks for summing up my hometown in three words.
Have you actually been to New Haven, or are you basing your conclusions on what you see on Page 2 of the Register?
You don't mention the fact that New Haven is an educational, cultural and culinary center. You ignore its fascinating colonial history, its natural beauty, architecture and parks. You also completely dismiss the people who actually live here, unless you mean to suggest that 123,000 people -- people of all ages, races and beliefs -- can all be waved off as "liberals" (which apparently means their lives are insignificant).
Yes, New Haven has its problems, and no one who lives here is unconcerned by the crime and taxes -- which is why we're here trying to come up with solutions. However, one problem we could live without is smug, ignorant suburbanites spewing poison at our community.
What exactly are you doing on this forum? You have contributed absolutely nothing to this discussion, nor have you informed the worthwhile debate that's under-way on this forum. Please go darken someone else's doorstep with your sour, offensive and ill-educated generalizations.
Steve (Guest)
Stacy (Guest)
Uncle Egg Wrote:
You don't mention the fact that New Haven is an educational, cultural and culinary center. You ignore its fascinating colonial history, its natural beauty, architecture and parks. You also completely dismiss the people who actually live here, unless you mean to suggest that 123,000 people -- people of all ages, races and beliefs -- can all be waved off as "liberals" (which apparently means their lives are insignificant).
Sounds like you need the government to keep your little utopia going. That is a recipe for disaster.
New Haven needs businesses, jobs, and a government that promotes and attracts economic development. Think about it. You cannot even keep a decent grocery store because taxes are too high and safety is a major issue.
Phil S (Guest)
Uncle Egg (Guest)
Stacy and Phil: What are you talking about? Yes, New Haven has problems. We all acknowledge that. It also has some very attractive qualities that make it worth putting up with crime and taxes to live here. Those of us posting on this forum are trying to help figure out ways of addressing it. If you look at the posts here you'll see suggestions spanning the entire range from pragmatic to utopian. Your comments contribute nothing to this dialogue except bitterness, apathy and resignation. As far as I'm concerned, those are just variations on cowardice: You don't like what you see and you're afraid to change it.
I challenge either of you to contribute a constructive comment toward the solution of the problem at hand: an empty lot in a neighborhood that needs a supermarket. If you cannot do so, please go preach your gospel of fear and capitulation wherever it is that you happen to live.
Ronald L. (Guest)
moses (Guest)
Stacy (Guest)
I think the problem has been identified as to why a grocery store does not want to come to New Haven. Either you don't want to look at the problem or what is necessary to fix the problem. The problem with New Haven and many other cities and now carrying over into states is that people are moving on to more favorable business climates. You tell me what you think it will take to get a grocery store into New Haven or any other large business for that matter? I am open for discussion but the problem is right in front of you to see and you don't want to open your eyes.
Tony (Guest)
There are far more profitable places for an outfit to places it's resources than New Haven.
1-Factor in the New Haven taxes.
2-Factor in the added cost of additional security inside and outside the store.
3-Factor in the lost revenue because after the sun goes down, so will business.
4-Factor in the lost revenue due to theft.
5-Factor in the added cost of cart theft and shoplifting.
6-Factor in cost structure of potentially having to deal with a union down the road.
*There are many other reasons but it all comes down to there are far better alternatives for someone to invest their capital.
Jon (Guest)
Nan Bartow (Guest)
Join your Community Management Team. If you don't know where and when it meets, check with your alderperson. S/he can tell you the details. If you live near Beaver Pond Park (Beaver Hills), come join us and help us restore, replant, and clean up the park. Thanks for being positive and pro-active. There's a lot that you can do to help out and check the downward spiral. But you will feel more powerful if you have a group of people to work beside you.
Moses (Guest)
I am asking you to view New Haven as a diamond in the rough. A city which has resources waiting to be tapped.
I see New Haven filled with groups and individuals who are gifted and want to do what is necessary to define themselves and their community by their fortitude and strengths.
We are the determinants of what our future will be here in New Haven- Not the government ,not business, and definitely not money as worthless as it is.
We can all give up because of a problem or we can all stand up and seek solutions. I will go down fighting for my community and the people who I am privileged to share it with. I welcome all who embrace these ideals... Shall we join forces?
Moses (Guest)
wow (Guest)
wake up (Guest)
Closed wake up (Guest)
Citizen (Registered User)
Eva (Guest)
Reopened CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Nan (Guest)
Elliott (Guest)
Brian Tang (Registered User)
moses (Guest)
Brian Tang (Registered User)
It is possible that making Whalley Ave more inviting to bicyclists and pedestrians would help make it easier for businesses to survive here.
If you are interested in the long-term future of Whalley Ave, a public meeting on that subject is scheduled for this Thursday, April 8th, 5:30–7:30PM at the Beecher School cafeteria (100 Jewel Street).
Personally, I would like to see European-style cycle tracks on Whalley Ave near where Shaw’s used to be. More info here: http://seeclickfix.com/issues/9507
Citizen (Registered User)
moses (Guest)
Citizen (Registered User)
Jon (Guest)
At least turn the lot into a weekend swap meet and charge some dinero, do something.
How much money did Stefano give to Shaws to open in 1998 anyways? Should have made it a 20 year contract instead of 10...
Peace Train Peter (Guest)
RevKev (Registered User)
Steve (Guest)
Please keep your irrelevant opinions to yourself. This is a site for discussion problems and solutions to those problems. We don't need cynics and whiners.
Sincerely,
Steve
Wondering (Guest)
Peace Train Peter (Guest)
Doug Hausladen (Registered User)
Peace Train Peter
The problems are a challenge, but I don't think you are valuing the economic value of a grocery store in this location. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of people in the immediate vicinity that were walking to Shaw's and now will have no other option for groceries, other than commuting hours on a beleaguered bus system that cannot efficiently run down Whalley.
What people in this forum are saying is that we are committed to helping be the change in New Haven. This will be no easy task. We have seen millions of tax dollars going to projects without the desired outcome. We have also seen inspirational efforts create change with little or no tax dollars and just community involvement.
Have a little faith and be willing to do the good work that is needed, and you'll be surprised what we can create. There is a big need to be more "business friendly" in our town, and there are a lot of reasons why this impression is felt, but there is also a real need for business to be more "community friendly". We need more partners in food distribution chain like you see at Minore's Market and Edge of the Woods. Partners in a community that won't shutter their doors at the first sign of trouble. Partners that will dig in with the surrounding neighborhood and fight the fight that's worth fighting, and this forum is saying that the neighbors without access to healthy food are worth the fight.
Jesper (Guest)
New Haven Resident (Guest)
When I first heard about all of this, I couldn't believe it. I love all the positive attitudes displayed here but, I am sorry Doug, when you say:
"The problems are a challenge, but I don't think you are valuing the economic value of a grocery store in this location."
I don't think you realize what you are saying. Obviously the company that decided to pull out did assess the "economic value of a grocery store in this location" that is why they decided to pull out. If it was profitable, they would have remained. I highly doubt they would walk away from making money -- that is why they are in business.
I completely agree with Peace Train Peter's statement:
"Wise up and realize that New Haven is in a downward spiral and the politics of the city do nothing but keep that spiral going."
It is not just to keep the spriral going that is just a byproduct. The real agenda is to keep the status quo. One way to do that is to control who votes. The easiest way to do that is to cater to people who don't vote and drive out the types of people that do vote. (Before everyone goes crazy and says "I vote, I always vote", look at the voting statistics for this little town of approx 124,000 -- it is pathetic.)
What I think is you guys should organize and turn the Shaws on Whalley into a food co-op. Why not?
Doug Hausladen (Registered User)
New Haven Resident:
Shaw's market share was being hurt in the entire state of CT and therefore their corporate owner decided to pull out of the entire state. Shaw's didn't pull out of CT because the Whalley site was not profitable. There were 2 stores not purchased in the state, and to presume that you or anyone on this forum would know or understand the complex variables of why these were not purchased, is out of scope. What is known is that this was the most profitable Shaw's location at a point since its opening (as has been reported by various officials). The demographics that are widely distributed DO NOT include the 19,000+ students in the area and therefore have an income distribution that is not based on reality. As you have your doubts, I will share mine. I highly doubt that a full market study was concluded that would show accurately the profitability of the area, and this is being shown through the survey being led by the Greater Dwight Development Corporation. This is business, and business is FAR from perfect, so to assume that the reason this store wasn't purchased was because it wasn't profitable, is not accurate.
On to the co-op: this would be a great solution and a stronger tenant that would have more vested interest in seeing the neighborhood survive and thrive than say a corporation with only interest in the bottom line. Currently, the Shaw's parent company has a lease on the site for another 8 years and could, if they so choose, leave it vacant. One would ask why they would do that. I would suggest that there are economic benefits for competitors to leave a food dessert in the Whalley corridor, forcing people out of New Haven for shopping. Perhaps these competitors that were purchasing other Shaw's locations feel it is in their economic benefit to make a deal with Shaw's to leave it vacant.
Uncle Egg (Guest)
Resident: Just because Shaws wasn't making enough of a profit to keep that location open doesn't mean it's a lost cause. There are other companies that specialize in urban locations, which tend to have higher overhead and losses. They tend to operate at a higher profit margin, which means slightly higher prices.
Personally, I'd love to see a co-op or something similar, but I suspect that that's more of a progressive pipe dream than a pragmatic solution to the problem. (Go ahead, prove me wrong.)
In any case, it's pretty clear that there's a demand for a supermarket of some sort in this area -- it's just a question of what company or organization is best suited to capitalize on that demand.
Brian Tang (Registered User)
Brian Tang (Registered User)
Sorry for the grammatical error. I meant to say:
“I attended a Community Development meeting about this yesterday. Apparently Shaw's WAS profitable at this location. The only reason that the store closed was that Shaw's shut down ALL of its operations across the entire state. I repeat, Shaw's WAS PROFITABLE. They closed because of a corporate reorganization in which the company decided to focus the Shaw's brand in other regions.”
No takeover (Guest)
I do not blame Shop Rite for not taking over this location, especially since part of the deal was that they would have had to keep the employees of Shaws Whalley. As a Caucasian American, whenever I entered Shaws Whalley, I received negative vibrations from the mostly-African American employees, as though "Whitey don't belong here."
The location was also unsafe, proven by the fact that they always needed a security guard present, and crazy homeless people hung around the bottle return area, with its unclean, sticky floor.
I'm glad that location closed.
Yaakov Jacob Komisar (Registered User)
@No takeover:
I used to go to that Shaw's location frequently, as well as to the laundromat a few doors down. I never once got the feeling you describe as "Whitey don't belong here."
Nan (Guest)
eddie (Guest)
Hey, No Takeover. Seems like you let your imagination get away from you. I regularly visited this Shaw's; employees there there were no more (or less) inattentive than their peers at the Super Stop & Shop locations in Hamden. Negative "vibrations"? Please!
The clientele may indeed have been slightly scruffier than you'd find at a suburban supermarket, but I think your sense of danger was all in your head. All supermarkets have security guards, and yes, the bottle return areas tend to attract the down-and-out. (By what twisted logic would you assume that people are dangerous just because they're homeless, anyway?)
Whatever the case, I think you will find that property far more dangerous as a vacant lot than it ever was as a supermarket.
chris (Guest)
Bill (Guest)
The fact remains that if you treat your workers like crap they are going to provide bad service. If you give them an opportunity to advance, provide meaningful perks and benefits, and perhaps even have the potential for ownership/management (e.g. Food Co-op), then they will give you the best service in the world, b/c they will have reason to care about their job.
elaine (Guest)
Yaakov Jacob Komisar (Registered User)
It looks like Food Bazaar might be a really good fit. This is from their press release about the Bridgeport store:
"The Food Bazaar of Bridgeport is owned by the An Family, who has been in the supermarket business since 1988. The 22-year-old chain, whose 16 stores are located in NY, NJ and now in CT, specializes in running inner-city supermarkets that cater to a variety of ethnic tastes, from Caribbean to West Indian to African to Asian. “We pride ourselves on going to great lengths in order to provide each of the communities that we serve with the flavors that they love and recall from ‘back home’ as well as providing a culinary adventure for those seeking something new and exciting,” said company spokesperson Suzanne Kuczun."
Ashley (Registered User)
Anonymous (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
"...we make it our priority to enter so-called "underserved" communities that other major supermarket chains flee from. While those chains may not be interested in providing these communities with high-quality products at low prices, we make it our duty because we know that everybody deserves to feed their families with high-quality, affordable food."
"We provide health coverage that is funded 100% by the company, paid vacations, sick days, personal days and skills training classes."
http://www.myfoodbazaar.com/AboutUs/BogopaUSA.aspx
Mike (Guest)
Yaakov Jacob Komisar (Registered User)
Anonymous (Guest)
kelly (Guest)
cheryl (Registered User)
Anonymous (Guest)
Fairway is one of the best larger food markets I have been to. They are opening the first one in CT later this year.
A place like this belongs in New Haven. Check it out.
http://www.fairwaymarket.com/stamford.html
moses (Guest)
Morris Cove Mom (Guest)
Doug Hausladen (Registered User)
Need one, but I won't use it (Guest)
I rarely used the Shaws on Whalley because of the "customers". Panhandlers outside AND inside the store, rude and obnoxious people littering the isles - I overheard racist remarks about myself on multiple occasions, since I apparently never got the memo stating that slightly tan people weren't allowed inside.
Forget the 1st of the month when food stamps were issued, the wait in checkout lines even "express") was regularly 30-45 minutes while listening to complaints from people "only" being able to afford two grocery carts of food. I can't imagine how distasteful it was for employees and store security. Being laid off by Shaws was likely a pleasure. With the high amount of theft in the store, it's a wonder the prices weren't tripled in this location.
So, sure, bring a store back to Whalley so these idiots won't go to the ones I shop at. The same issues will probably lead the next store to extinction as well.
Uncle Egg (Guest)
Wooster Sq. (Guest)
Me, Myself, and I (Guest)
Jon (Guest)
me myself and I-
I'm with you on that. I shopped there for the last year and it was my favorite of all New Haven chain grocery stores. Good selection, nice employees and believe it or not I'm white and have blue eyes.
Of course most of the city needs to clean up things, its certainly not just the Dwight area. The cops, for example, dont quite get the whole "presence" thing in N.H. but with the city in financial ruin(even though we pay some of the highest taxes in the USA) what can we expect?
"racist comments in the store?" my GOD man, leave your mothers basement on occasion(and take the white hood off too). dinner is ready upstairs.
NewHaven GreenDrinks (Registered User)
Doug Hausladen (Registered User)
Please find below links to a Community Planning Survey for the Dwight/West River/Edgewood area's application for the federal Promise Neighborhood funding. If possible, please send to your email distribution lists to solicit as much feed back as possible from the community members. This is an open process that is requesting the opinions from members of the community in order to better shape the Promise Neighborhood Planning Grant.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/promise2010
The community meeting held last night was covered by the New Haven Independent. I was asked by the Greater Dwight Development Corporation and the Dwight Central Management Team to take the community input into the digital world and create the survey. This will greatly help the grant writers gain a better sense of the neighborhood's needs and barriers to success.
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/an_elm_city_harlem_childrens_zon/
Best,
Doug
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Brian (Guest)
ian stereomedia (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Some of you may be interested in this issue as it relates to attracting and retaining a supermarket at this location.
http://www.seeclickfix.com/issues/9507
Based in part on the recommendations of a SCRCOG plan currently being finalized, Whalley Avenue is going to be rebuilt between Westville Center and Downtown New Haven, including the area along the former Shaw's site. In keeping with the city and state's new complete street laws, a number of citizens have been requesting that the SCRCOG include a recommendation that would accommodate cyclists of all ages and abilities. At a major public meeting last night, dozens of citizens spoke up in support of allowing cyclists access to the corridor, instead of "recommending" that they take alternate routes like Edgewood Avenue.
Not only is this essential for transportation and environmental justice reasons, but in terms of economic development, the Whalley Avenue corridor's businesses will only be able to succeed if they are accessible to all residents.
Anonymous (Guest)
"Indie food market competing for ex-Shaw’s site in New Haven"
http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/07/08/news/new_haven/aa3nekeyfoods070810.txt
Yaakov Jacob Komisar (Registered User)
juli (Registered User)
pardon this slightly off-topic post, but i recently learned of a really inexpensive and easy way to grow your own vegetables indoors- several in one window. you make it yourself with recycled water bottles, etc.
it would be a great way for new haven residents to supplement their diets with healthy, fresh food while we wait for shaw's replacement.
http://www.windowfarms.org/
http://www.dailycandy.com/all-cities/video/culture/79514/Plant-the-Seed
cheers!
juli
who cares (Guest)
zeadd1969 (Guest)
Doug Hausladen (Registered User)
zeadd1969 - i believe there are a lot more people using urban farming techniques than you think. just yesterday i was at a bbq on Ella Grasso Blvd (just up the road from shaw's) and the house had a small vegetable garden. it's amazing what can be done in the little space -
juli - have you set these up? i could really dig doing this in my apt downtown and i have loads of windows -
Moses Boone (Registered User)
Let's all look at what is possible, and go forward....
RevKev (Registered User)
Doug Hausladen (Registered User)
Anonymous (Guest)
zeadd1969 (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
Y'know zeadd1969, when you put it like that....
Who wants to start a "Transition Dwight/West River" group so we can start getting ideas like this publicized and begin implementing them in some way? The 'transition town' movement (started in UK) promotes not only food security (like window farms) but also energy independence, improved transportation, skillsharing and all around better living.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/support/what-transition-initiative
Moses Boone (Registered User)
John (Guest)
Citizen (Registered User)
Scott (Guest)
EconomicRealist (Guest)
Beaver Hill Resident (Guest)
ID (Guest)
Doug Hausladen (Registered User)
Doug Hausladen (Registered User)
Closed Doug Hausladen (Registered User)
Stop & Shop has confirmed they will be renovating and opening a new Stop & Shop location at the former Shaw's on Whalley Avenue
http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2011/02/01/news/doc4d4859001f809318317550.txt
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Melissa (Guest)