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Is Manhattan ready to buy in bulk? The NY Sun is reporting on a Costco store possibly moving in to Manhattan's Upper West Side, between 59th and 61st streets. Not everyone is embracing the idea, and local officials, labor unions and the community "may block the outlet from opening at a time when New York consumers could use the access to the lower prices available at the discount chain." One major point for the opposition is raised by City Council member Gale Brewer, who says, "I assume you need a car to go to Costco, and I thought we were promoting public transportation and bicycles and greening." Transporting the bulk items is one problem, but do most New Yorkers shopping for discount products in bulk even have room in their apartments for gigantic jars of pickles and vats of mayo? Probably not. The last attempt Costco made to move in, 8 years ago, was thwarted by the community.
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This was already debated at length on Curbed today.
Except not everyone here follows Curbed and vice-versa.
do most New Yorkers shopping for discount products in bulk even have room in their apartments for gigantic jars of pickles and vats of mayo? Probably not.
First of all, Costco does not only sell bulk items. Obviously if it opened a UWS location, it would need to tailor what was sold to the community it was serving. If it was just selling gigantic jars of pickles and vats of mayo, it wouldn't get business sufficient to make the expense of a UWS location worth it.
No need to worry, the good residents of NYC won't stand for competition, as they continue to believe in union/protectionist arguments about non-existent mom & pop shops. Also "Costco" seems far too pedestrian for our fair city.
Other box stores, like Circuit City, Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, are okay. Kmart, okay. Old Navy, okay.
Walmart and Costco, not okay.
where exactly is there room between 59th and 61st? maybe over on 11th ave?
I've gone to Costco stores in Maryland and California. I must say they do what they're supposed to. They offer a lot of goods at very low prices. In most cases it's branded stuff and in large quantities. There is a valid question - how do you get it home? The answer is car or cab. Is it ecological? How do the local stores get their goods? Is it worth the difference or the effort? I say, probably. So far Whole Foods and Trader Joes are packed whenever I go there. That has to tell us something. I think we're all a little sick of Dag's and Gristede's, their limited selections, incompetent help, unkempt stores and high prices.
Let em come.
Why not? The worst it could do is siphon off some of the mess that go to the UWS Fairway location. And let me get this straight: the city council doesn't want me to use a cab when I take home an air conditioner, microwave, or other large purchase from a store? Bite me city council. I make a once a month grocery run to Fairway and use a cab to come home and I don't feel bad at all about it. I'm sure the infallible city council does that or uses a delivery service. Let's see you strap an air conditioner to your tandem bicycle.
Mr Mel. You make a great point. We encourage these local stores like Dag's and Gristede's that allow the worst sort of people to work there and are generally unwelcoming places. At least when I go to Best Buy or Costco I can count on a general level of help or you'll have corporate on you.
How about the ecology of less packaging when buying in bulk. Instead of having tiny individually wrapped packages of everything, you can get more in just one large package, thereby saving the earth.
In addition, the savings to local small businesses would be extensive, particularly restaurants and even for things like office supplies.
Don't see how this would work in Manhattan?? Are people going to bring their own bags (Costco doesn't use bags) and those little old lady shopping carts with them? I don't see that happening.
The truth is many New Yorkers, residential and small business are already traveling outside Manhattan to go to big box stores such as Costco and if anything there would be less traffic coming into Manhattan as more purchases would be made here.
As far as what New Yorkers can showhorn into their apartments you'd be surprised when it means saving some cash. Many of us buy TP and paper towels in bulk because paying supermarket prices for 2 to 3 rolls is nuts.
Coincidently, today's Democracy Now had and author talking about how Costco actually is a worker-friendly company (compared to Wal-Mart and its ilk.)
I cut my food and staples bills by 1/2 by shopping at the Yonkers Costco every few months. It would be fabulous to go to 59th St. instead. Why would you need a car? Taxis have trunks! And everything does not come in jumbo packages that need giant pantries for storage. Manhattanites (who are used to substandard grocery store chains and/or overpriced "organic" markets) do not understand how inexpensive shopping can be for the rest of the world which has choices. What are we afraid of? Losing access to the narrow little dirty aisles and overpriced merchandise at Gristede's? It should also be noted that Costco employees make $16.95 an hour and the company has been lauded for its human resource policies. It is not a business like WalMart which makes its profit on the backs of its workers.
I live in Manhattan and travel to the Costco in Queens by subway. And yes, I take a little old lady cart with me.
The question is asked:
"but do most New Yorkers shopping for discount products in bulk even have room in their apartments for gigantic jars of pickles and vats of mayo?"
Why do people always assume that we are buying gigantic jars of pickles and mayo? I buy bulk toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, soap, toothpaste and vitamins. And believe me, it's cheaper than what I get from any of the chains in Manhattan.
I've also noticed that stores such as Gristedes are feeling the pinch. I went in one the other day and they were selling bulk packaging of potato chips.
I say bring Costco on. A bit of competition never hurt anyone!
I doubt that the UWS will allow a gigantic warehouse in its neighborhood.
I'm all for competition, especially when it comes to food stores, but you have to consider the ramifications from having a Costco. Costco sells non bulk food items such as milk, eggs, juice, fruit, maybe alcohol, etc. If large groups of people start buying their food (and perhaps,alcohol) from Costco, then the local bodegas and wine shops will really suffer. (of course, some people will still shop locally for convenience). Anyway, if your corner stores suffer, then they can't renew their leases. If they can't renew their leases, then the usual suspects will take over their stores. All together now - Duane Reade, Rite Aid, and MORE BANKS. Is that what you want? Hasn't the UWS suffered enough the past 3 years?...
As far as labor practices, Costco has a good reputation. Sam's Club, which is owned by the same family behind Walmart is the warehouse that would create concern.
You don't think that Costco would follow Home Depot and BedBathBeyond's lead and tailor the stores to Manhattan? I wouldn't be surprised if Costco offered delivery for the Manhattan store.
I ordered an outdoor dining table and chairs from Crate and Barrel on 61st & Madison back in May. They delivered the order for $15 and I had it that evening. I believe they use private delivery services and I'm assuming the trucker got the $15.
There are plenty of these deliverers (usually messenger services) in the city and being owner drivers (in most cases) they work all hours. The delivery charges are probably higher now because of the fuel costs or the stores may be subsidizing them. My point is that it can be done reasonably.
And to #13, no, the Upper West Side has not suffered enough.
I think it's a great idea for Costco to move to the UWS. Now, the people who can afford to live there can buy their caviar in bulk.
Bring on Costco!!!! New Yorkers are resilient and resourceful. They will figure out how to get their groceries home!