Frankenstorm Grocery Chaos: Hundreds Of Hipsters Forced To Wait In Line

Published October 28, 2012

Modified October 28, 2012

<p>Foodtown supermarket in Williamsburg </p>
Gothamist

The FRANKENSTORM hasn't touched down in the tri-state area yet, but it's already caused a wave of destruction at our local grocery stores. The first wave hit the Park Slope Food Coop early this morning, leaving in its wake a Kafkaesque nightmare with 78% cacao chocolate bars. And now, that chaos has wiped out Key Foods, decimated the wine shelves at Trader Joe's, and spread to all the Whole Foods and other supermarkets across the city. "Whole Foods on Bowery is like a hipster-yuppie Thunderdome right now," tweeted Jessica Coen. Click through to check out some tortured tweets from the ground, and send your scenes of grocery store panic and despair to tips@gothamist.com

Oh, by all means, form a line wrapping around the block outside Trader Joe's. There's definitely no other place in the city to buy nuts.
— Claire Kenny (@ClaireicalError) October 28, 2012

Chaos has arrived at my Whole Foods #soupwillsaveyou instagr.am/p/RVeWrTNtdv/
— Allison Rockey (@AllisonRockey) October 28, 2012

Atmosphere at Chelsea Trader Joe's is tense, but so far the veneer of civilization hasn't shown visible cracks. 8:34
— Felicia D'Ambrosio (@Feliciafied) October 28, 2012

Key Foods looks like a goddamn hipster zoo. Bodega shopping it is.
— Danielle Bouchard (@dbouche) October 28, 2012

45 minutes in the supermarket and lines are crazy!!
— vickoboynyc (@vickoboynyc) October 28, 2012

In the 12 mins I've been on line to get into Trader Joe's, I've moved three spots in line and 23 passerbyers have yelled "OMG." #documenting
— Tyler J. Martins (@mrtylermartins) October 28, 2012

#crazy #grocery #shopping in #nyc super long lines #storm #coming. All I need is my batteries charge instagr.am/p/RVRAl2Lo4-/
— Alberto Reyes (@AlbertoReyesNYC) October 28, 2012

My wife just sent this to me. Pre-storm line to get into Trader Joe's in Brooklyn. I repeat: INTO Trader Joe's. twitter.com/jasonWSJ/statu…
— Jason Gay (@jasonWSJ) October 28, 2012

If Sandy proves anywhere near as treacherous as braving the grocery store, I am officially scared. (@ Trader Joe's) 4sq.com/SkNZCK
— Elisabeth Bromberg (@ebroms) October 28, 2012

Line to get into Trader Joe's Wine Shop is longer than line to get into Trader Joe's. NYC knows hurricane prep!
— Chris O'Leary (@ohhleary) October 28, 2012

If anyone wants a cheap apocalypse movie set, I'd recommend Trader Joe's at present.
— Sarah Nashman (@NashmanSarah) October 28, 2012

This is where the water is supposed to be. Lines are 30 people deep at Key Foods in Park Slope in @ Key Food instagr.am/p/RVeRChFENG/
— veggieterrain (@veggieterrain) October 28, 2012

Line at Whole Foods wine store. Kid to mom walking in: "Mom, do you need wine that bad?" Mom: *crickets* #sandy
— Sarah LeTrent (@SarahLeTrent) October 28, 2012