The closely watched space on 68th street and Broadway that once housed Food Emporium could become an outpost of home improvement retailer Lowe’s, according to a report in the Commercial Observer. The retailing behemoth would consider opening “an urban concept” store in the spot, similar to the one operated by Gracious Home a few blocks away.
“Lowe’s is considering space in a condominium occupied by a Food Emporium until May 2013 at 2000 Broadway at the northeast corner of 68th Street, a source with knowledge of the search said. A Winick Realty Group team led by Jeff Winick is marketing the space for Madison Capital. It includes 22,000 square feet on the ground floor, 2,000 square feet on the mezzanine level and 4,400 square feet on the lower level.”
Neighbors have been hoping another supermarket opens in the store.
NO! NO, NO, NO. What the hell.
Am I paying thousands of dollars a month to live in a Midwest suburb? The freaking UWS does not need a redneck emporium like Lowe’s especially two blocks away from Lincoln Center.
See you there.
Re: ” The freaking UWS does not need a redneck emporium like Lowe’s especially two blocks away from Lincoln Center.
Ummm…exactly WHAT makes Lowe’s “a redneck emporium”??? And isn’t that the same mindless stereotyping as, say, labelling the UWS something like “a hotbed of aged-ex-hippie, anti-American, bomb-throwing super-libruls” ??
Perhaps you are confusing Lowe’s (whose stores are much much nicer than Home Depot’s) with Home Depot, whose founder is an unapologetic leading contributor to Rabid Right-Wing causes?
Re: “…especially two blocks away from Lincoln Center”
O.M.G. !!! a “redneck emporium” (your term) within sight of LINCOLN CENTER (cue the orchestral violins and harps). Oh, how WILL the artistes and their syncophant culture-vultures EVER SURVIVE? This is truly T.E.O.T.W.A.W.K.I (the/end/of/the/world/as/we/know/it) !!!!
And Re: “Am I paying thousands of dollars a month to live in a Midwest suburb?”
NO, you are paying thousands of dollars a month to live on the UWS, famed for its tolerance of diversity.
Then again, you could always move to Williamsburg…but you’ll probably hafta grow a beard, wear a flannel shirt, and make your own toilet paper to fit in.
Oh please stop with the hipster snobbery. Lowe’s would be VERY useful on the UWS particularly for those of us who would rather not pay $15 for a hammer at the Algerian-run bodega hardware store (which I’m sure you think is just swell). And where are the snobs when a new Key Foods or Gristedes opens up somewhwere? It’s crickets!
I agree Scott and I grew up on the UWS. Although I would like to see a supermarket, I would also like to see a Walmart… like I said in another post… it’s one stop shopping; hardware, groceries, clothes, electronics, outdoor tools and such. I’m tired of going from one store to another all over the city to find things. I missed out on malls since I grew up here. I’m sure most people who live in the city now have grown up with malls and hate the idea but This is a compromise.
How is already not? Broadway is a suburb already.
So, tell me what you would put in a space that big. When you get so upset like that, I assume you have a better idea. In fact, I just bought new light fixtures for my kitchen, and had to go out to a Home Depot in CT to buy them. There was no place on the UWS to get that kind of merchandise.
Don’t forget that the old Loehmann’s space also has to get rented. As the old hardware stores die off, (and sadly get replaced by wine bars) I actually think a small Lowe’s might be good if they market it correctly. It would give Gracious Home some competition. I love Gracious Home, in theory, but most often, I just can’t spring for their prices, no matter how pretty their choice of goods may be.
The Home Depot on 23rd St. is very trendy and upscale.
I suggested to a friend that a space that big, and that close to Lincoln Center, would make a good Cheesecake Factory.
A standard supermarket. Period. That’s it.
No hardware stores – really, you’re going to regularly be buying light fixtures? – and no mediocre chain restaurants.
This is New York, not Peoria.
See you there, Katie.
I’ll bet that Peoria has more supermarkets per person than UWS Manhattan.
A) If a supermarket was viable in that space, Food Emporium never would have left.
B) Peoria isn’t a suburb of anything
C) You think that hardware stores are “redneck” emporiums? I bet you cry to your super when you clog your toilet.
I suggest a supermarket.
Um, no point in insulting people who work with their hands, Kate. Even you need them once in a while. Now, there does seem to be a lot of Home Improvement stuff around here. Gracious Home, Bed Bath and Beyond, and now Lowes. Altho it doesn’t make me happy, no doubt Lowes has seen the money Home Depot is making in their store on the UES (in the Bloomberg condos) and in Chelsea. I imagine that will be the business model they will follow. Not roofing and lumber, but all the stuff a local contractor will need, plus higher end kitchen and bath. I feel bad for that tiny hardware store an 66th and Amsterdam, but they really don’t have much. I’ve generally had to go Beacon Hardware when I’ve felt that redneck need to do something in my own house. Hopefully Beacon is far enough so they will be OK.
I hope their “Urban Concept” includes hardware dimensions that fit 1918-1960 specs!!!! Unlike Home Depot and Ikea and every other housewares stores that thinks living spaces fit within standard housing specs from the 1970s and onwards…..because we don’t have that in the city!!!!
How ’bout a bowling alley or dance hall or a bar/hangout with acoustic guitar music? Or a Mangia – which would (finally!) mean a decent salad bar around here!
I’d even be psyched to have another grocery store so I don’t have to choose between the insane Fairway/Trader Joe’s mob scene and the skank sold at Pioneer.
Forget about it. It’s from another era.
They can’t ever generate the cash flow to pay the rent. What’s wrong with a Lowes? I wouldn’t mind paying $3.50 for a replacement electrical outlet that costs $7 at Gracious Home (but, alas $2.29 everywhere else in America). Personally, I’m tired if shlepping to The Home Depot on 23rd/6th.
Ever hear of Amazon?
Amazing! You decry big box stores moving into big box storefronts, yet suggest people shop on Amazon!
Ever hear of Freshdirect? 🙂
I wish Trader Joe’s would leave their awful, chaotic vertical space, and move into the old Food Emporium space. It would be the perfect combo of the easy to manage, one-level, spacious supermarket that was Food Emporium, but with better prices!! A girl can dream, can’t she?
We thought about the Trader Joe’s idea very early on. But, I assume that Trader Joe’s wants to stay RIGHT NEXT TO THAT SUBWAY ENTRANCE. Location, Location, Location.
Very cool. A Lowes sounds great. The current hardware stores around here have friendly service, but a really rough selection.
We need a supermarket much more than a home improvement center. Regarding Trader Joe’s and Fairway. After initially disliking TJ’s (and vowing never to go back), I have come to really enjoy the store and the shopping experience they offer. Sure, I don’t like it all, but so much is of good/very good quality (their Classic Potato Chips put the rest to shame, the ice cream is great, the chicken very good and the coffee the best) and the variety – including some wierd stuff I’d never try – is interesting…plus the vibe is really good. In contrast, I’ve shopped at Fairway for years and definitely do not like the turn the store has taken since they went public. What’s “fair” about pickles for $4.99 a pound…and a NY strip steak for $33? Or Red Snapper for $36 a pound? You could go to Dean & Deluca for those bucks. To top it off, for what you want, you’d do as well or better at Citarella. Their butcher department may not be much, but the fish and seafood is top notch. So – let us have a supermarket to add to the many reasons that the UWS – when it comes to food – is the place to be.
We need a Trader Joe that is bigger, neater, better organized with shorter lines. This would be a better place.
the only thing worse than this would be a Duane Reade
or H & M to add the already, classy Century 21 (better known as C21) !!!
My friend who works with the real estate firm also mentioned that the container store was considering opening in that space. I think that would be a huge win.
I would totally take a Container Store — too bad. But a Lowes is good. Of course a locally-run affordable food coop would be best..but I can only imagine the rent. (I am in the minority as I don’t “get” TJs and probably the majority in that I have a love-hate with Fairway – but more hate since they went public)….
What’s wrong with a Loew’s???? I don’t mind. Why the huffy puffy?
I think Lowes would be perfectly OK in the empty space on Amsterdam between 100th and 97th Sts. Lots of vacant space there. And would fit right in with the mini mall concept of that new complex. Let’s try a bowling alley in the food emporium space! Or maybe Barnes and Noble would like to try again…
That retail spaces located between 97th St to 100th Street on Amsterdam are crazy expensive to rent. They are all still vacant with the exception of the Ryan Center renting one of the spaces. Associated Supermarket opened a “megastore” on 98th street & Amsterdam and it lasted only a few months because they were unable to pay the rent.I walked by it the same week it closed. The doors were locked and the eviction papers were left by the process server – the papers were folded and stuffed into the door handle.They were not in an envelope. I was nosy and read all the papers. It said that the rent was a staggering $75,000 per month and had not been paid for several months. I put the papers back after reading them. A cashier at the Associated on 97th street told me that they were not making enough money at the megastore. I am surprised that the rent was so high considering it was mostly an underground retail space- the only thing ground level was their food bar and pastry cafe – the supermarket was downstairs).
Someone mentioned Trader Joe’s ! I love Trader Joes, I go to the one on 72nd Street. Two months ago I actually sent TJ a message through their website – I asked if they can open a store farther uptown and I even mentioned the space that the Megastore got evicted from. The rent might be too high for a TJ.
Personally, I’ve vowed never to shop at Lowe’s since this shameful episode:
https://www.cnn.com/2011/12/11/showbiz/all-american-muslim-lowes/
Would love Cheesecake Factory..one can dream..if not then a regular market would be great and well needed…
Lowes would be a nice addition for Manhattan in general.
I approve.
No one asked for your approval!
Is there any way for upperwestsiders in the neighborhood to influence who gets in that space?
I so miss the Food Empotium there for the convenience and the sales were great bargains. We do need another food market in the area very badly. There are enough stores for the occasional need of home improvements and plenty of mom and pop hardware stores in the area would go out of business and should be supported.
How can we have a real voice in this matter.
I agree. The crowding at TJ’s and Fairway indicates the need for another market. Can you imagine running into either supermarket for just a few items. And I miss the deli at FE.
I think a Lowe’s would be awesome! Kate- get over yourself.
Oh and by the way Kate… we’ve all heard of Amazon. They are among the biggest contributors (if not the biggest) to the demise of the mom and pop shops you hold so dear. I assume this means you refuse to use their services.
“Bag? No thanks. I’ll just take these five flats of sheet rock home on my Xootr.”
What a terrible idea for a home improvement area when Gracious Home is one block away (not to mention the mom & pop hardware stores uptown). I wish there was an investor that would provide the seed money to start a UWS Food Coop at this location.
Gracious Home, where we can all pay $300 for a Porcher bathroom faucet that isn’t even in stock (that’ll be 3 weeks delivery time, sir). No thanks.
I fail to understand who’s buying from these national chains? Obviously people who moved here from the sticks and who cant wait to part with their money… After all how else would they spend their spare time?
NY used to the the cultural capital of the US. Not any more sad to say. And these stores pay NO taxes to NY many are listed off shore. What a fiasco.
Having many stores in the neighborhood is a good thing. Lowes is a direct competitor to Home Depot in many parts of the country. It also competes against BestBuy and PC Richards for home appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators and stoves. Many residents will be able to comparison shop to see the items in the store. Some may buy online at Amazon. Nothing beats having a store in the neighborhood for returns and exchanges of products.
Hmmmm, perhaps general contractors, building supers and people who want to perform home improvements themselves? Instead of enlightening their minds at foreign film or Food Emporium, maybe they are renovating their bathroom.
The fact of the matter is that not enough people shopped at that Food Emporium to make it viable. Blame it on Lincoln Center, not a hardware store that will employ dozens of people.
I love that people think a bowling alley should go in there.
Cheesecake Factory…seriously? Why don’t you just walk North on Broadway to McDonalds or South to Midtown, where you can get your fill at TFI Fridays / Hooters / Taco Bell.
Cheesecake Factory not in same league with the fast food places you mentioned. I’ve been a fan for 25 years. I’ve heard that they swore years ago that they would never try to make money in the Manhattan market, but “never say never.” When I go to a Cheesecake Factory, their salads are so big, fresh, and beautiful, that one salad feeds me for two meals. It ends up being a bargain.
I remember when Cheesecake went public and I my only thought was “nothing that has such a large menu can be anything other than mediocre.” It fills a niche — but it is not what I want on the UWS.
How about a Walmart. One stop shopping.
A Walmart! I like it. Can you imagine how the Jane Jacobs and Wes Anderson thumb-suckers on the UWS would react? You’d have an epidemic of strokes and aneurysms that would fill up St. Luke’s for weeks. And I’d get that flat-screen TV for $169. A win-win.
It seems that an important issue to consider would be the amount of traffic – trucks, cars & pedestrians – generated by a store such as Lowe’s?
The amount of traffic congestion in the area has increased substantially in just a few years, since Century 21, Apple and Trader Joe’s opened. Now, shoppers (including tourists) come to the area specifically for these stores whereas the Food Emporium was mostly a neighborhood store used by local residents. These big, chain stores are changing a residential neighborhood into a commercial area.
Broadway & Columbus are already so congested. It is easy to imagine that Lowe’s could put traffic at a standstill.
Lincoln Center, being located at the northern end of midtown, large population density, tourists and high end consumers has made this part of the UWS what it is today.
The foot traffic for this new store is already there. Lowes will not be catering to a suburban type market, where you can drive your car or truck in front of the store and pick up your purchases. Deliveries to the store will probably be after hours when traffic is light. Large box items purchased will be delivered directly to the consumer from an offsite warehouse.
Not really Lisa. Traffic flows perfectly well around the Home Depot on 23rd St. You should visit that store and then comment.
Still hoping for another Supermarket.
I’ve brought back hardware items from Home Depot in Florida. Having Lowe’s nearby in the neighborhood would add variety to the neighborhood and convenience.
What does it really say about the UWS that more people commented on this story than the one about seniors losing their housing!
The developer buying the Williams Residence from the Salvation Army should offer to put in a supermarket after the seniors have been relocated.
All the protests from the surrounding UWS will go poof!
I guess these seniors aren’t very cyber?
ADD: 3 times as many!!!
It would be too small a place for a real Lowes store that is usually over 100,000 sq ft. It makes no sense.
No Lowes! Or any other chain for that matter! These chains are running small buisneses out of town and are taking over the UWS. The thing that makes NYC unique is the lack of these kinds of places that currently overrun the rest of the country. Break it down into smaller stores if necessary. Let’s not let UWS turn into a strip mall!
The UWS is not a strip mall. Business type does not make it so. The outer boroughs may fall more into that category. NYC has had many chain stores, some home grown and some not. Duane Reade is a locally founded chain store many seem to hate. It is invading the suburbs.
With a long stretch of stores, the closest to strip mall style is Columbus Square located between 97th and 100th streets on Columbus Avenue. It doesn’t have the large parking lots in front of the stores, but there is paid hourly parking as part of the development underground.
In small towns across the country, strip malls have small mom and pop businesses. They are probably copying our urban model of stores situated side by side on a street.
Too late! It already is one. Small businesses are a thing of the past. What would really fit in is a gigantic waxing, tanning, nail salon, that also serves lattes and does dry cleaning while you wait.
Hahaha Sean. And also grooms your dog to Boot!
Exactly.
lots of hyperbole.
The UWS is not a mall or strip center. many more components go into a suburb – one being reliance on cars. Stores are one component but not the defining one that makes a city a city ..
also, nail salons in this city are small businesses. you may not like them, clearly they are doing something right.
The days of buggie whip stores is over too.
we are not going back to the past, better to embrace the present and future.
How about a strip mall with actual strippers?
The UWS already has plenty of traffic on Broadway. More semi-trucks delivering merchandise on such a congested area is ludicrous. Save the “mom and pop” hardware stores.
I agree but Broadway has always been a high traffic area. For delivery trucks included. Broadway has been the main street for business. As far south and far north as the avenue goes.
I’m always torn about these questions – I do like Kim and pop stores for some things, but for others, I like having the range of choice that you can get in the chain stores. I don’t think we can have only one or the other.
Get used to it – it’s not the end of the world – there is a Home Depot on 23rd Street, how long did you think it would take – a new supermarket would be great, but they don’t make enough money to pay the rents.
I hope Gracious Home does not go out of business because of competition. It is the best store in NYC (USA).
Up-vote from me for a Lowe’s or Home Depot.