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THE END APPEARS TO BE NEAR FOR KEY FRESH & NATURAL SUPERMARKET

April 8, 2015 | 1:54 PM
in FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
20

key food discount

The Key Fresh & Natural market on 90th street and Amsterdam, recently listed as being up for lease, is now selling all grocery items for 20% off, and an employee says a new market is expected to take over. It’s not yet clear what that market will be — we heard one totally unconfirmed rumor about Westside Market — or whether current employees will get to keep their jobs.

We reported a couple of weeks ago that the space is up for lease at $79,166 a month. It had just opened in August, replacing Saigon Grill.

A company spokesperson did not return a request for comment.

Flowers are also remarkably affordable (though they’ve had that sale for months):

key food flowers

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Brian
Brian
10 years ago

I do hope another market replaces them (ideally Westside; that would be phenomenal). I think their concept and selection was in good faith. However, I was really turned off by the general sentiment of their staff.

I don’t mean to come across as harsh at all, but I never felt welcomed at all in that place, yet would frequently shop there as I wanted it to be successful.

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Christina
Christina
10 years ago
Reply to  Brian

I have not been at that supermarket but I can tell you I have rarely if ever encountered felt welcomed at a Supermarket in Manhattan and I grew up here. I don’t mean to sound cynical and all but frankly I don’t care as long as they are clean and stocked with a variety of items and food is fresh. The cashiers and such are just doing a job and probably not getting paid much.

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Barbara
Barbara
10 years ago
Reply to  Christina

We live across the street and I’ve only shopped there once and, yes, the only cashier (there was a very long line) was amazingly rude. We’ve shopped for years at the grocery store on the west side of Broadway between 89th and 90th and the workers are friendly and helpful. So not surprising that this store didn’t make it. It’s layout is also very confusing.

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Alison
Alison
10 years ago

I was there tonight. They said the store will close at the end of the month. The 20% off is not on dairy or produce. It’s for the food ‘on the shelves’ like pasta and crackers.

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Mark B
Mark B
10 years ago

I always shake my head when businesses like this have rude, unwelcoming staff… who NEVER say “thank you” under any circumstances… just toss your bag to you with a silent look like “now get the f*** out of here.” No wonder you failed! Wake up New York and teach your workers simple customer service skills. A smile and sincere “thank you” go a long way toward loyal repeat business.

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s
s
10 years ago

Heard from worker that owners have other stores outside the city and this was their first try at a store in the city. A different worker said that owners had hoped sales would pick-up as the weather got better and same worker said heard Barzini’s is coming.

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WombatNYC
WombatNYC
10 years ago
Reply to  s

Barzinni should be shut by the DOH .. Nasty and Dirty

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johnny culver
johnny culver
10 years ago
Reply to  s

They have a store on West 125th.

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Reply
Mike
Mike
10 years ago
Reply to  s

They have another store four blocks away.

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Glen
Glen
10 years ago

It was not even that the staff was unfriendly; I really don’t care about that, they were not enough of them, EVER, at checkout even at the peak time at 6:30pm on a weekday. There were five checkout stations and NEVER more than two *very slow* checkout people who both scanned and bagged.

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Christina
Christina
10 years ago
Reply to  Glen

That makes more sense than people being “unfriendly”. If they don’t have enough cashiers or food stocked or fresh food or a clean store, that is much, much more irritating than a smile!!
Except for Trader Joe’s ( which is the store’s MO) I have not come across too big supermarkets in this city that have been friendly! And like I’ve said, I grew up here.

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tom t.
tom t.
10 years ago

Any update on when the new tenant will be moved into the old Food Emp. on 68th & Bway?

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ulisses
ulisses
10 years ago

I was surprised with the closing. Used to go there a lot and staff was always friendly. Hope WestSide Market takes over.

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Michelle
Michelle
10 years ago

I’m a bit sad that this store is closing. I like it so much better than the one on 86th because it’s not as cramped and the items on the shelves aren’t as dusty…

But the customer service could have been a little bit better. Why is there never a butcher behind the counter??

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JonJones
JonJones
10 years ago

Thanks for the post…but what flowers are they selling that are “remarkably affordable”. I bought two bundles of Tulips from the manager last Sunday (just before closing) and he charged me $16, which is $2 more than Whole Foods at Columbus Circle.

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Harriet
Harriet
10 years ago

That’s a shame …. Very good prices, nice staff

$80,000 a month is ridiculous …….

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bob
bob
10 years ago

Great butchers! I miss you guys already

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lucette
lucette
10 years ago

Too bad It is definitely almost impossible to make money when the rent is so expensive. They had excellent prices and their produce was well priced as well.
Too bad that so many of the westsiders use fresh direct. It certainly is much better to pick out your own produce and meats and it keeps local businesses in the area.
Fresh direct can’t bring the forgotten item when you are baking and have run out of butter and eggs or the cream for your coffee.

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Michael McNamara
Michael McNamara
10 years ago

Sorry that place is dreck. I tried shopping there a few times but gave up on it. Too bad also because I was happy to see it open.

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Cate
Cate
10 years ago

It seems that “by the end of the month” came rather sooner, as they’re completely shuttered with a lock around the doors today. They had been closing before 4pm for a week or so too.

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