West Side Rag begins its new “Whatever Happened to…” column with this followup to the story of Fairway’s Thanksgiving stuffing fiasco.
(Un)Fairway
By Elliot Podwell
I seem to have touched a nerve last month with my essay: “Caveat Emptor: An UWS Market Pulls a Fast One.” In it I described how Fairway, a few busy days before Thanksgiving, placed a large pyramid of bagged stuffing mix in a heavily trafficked part of the store. There was no price on the bags, but I needed stuffing so I grabbed a couple, only to find at checkout that each bag cost a whopping $19.99! The two bags cost me more than the large turkey I also bought that day.
To my surprise, my essay got 13,000 reader views, inspired 128 comments, and was the fourth most-read story in the Rag in 2022. Many of the commenters described equally obnoxious practices at what used to be one of the neighborhood’s best grocery stores – such as, charging more at checkout than the price posted on the shelf, and the reduced quality of various products.
All those comments inspired me to write to Fairway’s boss, Joseph Colalillo, the CEO of Wakefern Food Corp., in early December. Wakefern also runs ShopRite and Price Rite, among other supermarket chains. I told Colalillo my tale and attached my WSR essay. Our local New York Assembly Member, Linda Rosenthal, put a link to my essay in her newsletter and wrote Colallillo a letter of her own, stating that after the Rag’s article “about Fairway’s deceptive practice of upcharging customers, a handful of my constituents contacted my office to share similar concerns and experiences.”
A few days later, a Wakefern customer relations person named Amanda (no last name given) called me. Omitting the price was a careless oversight during a very busy shopping week, she said. The $20 price was also an error. (The correct price, according to my previous research, should have been in the $10 range.) Amanda promised that after the busy holiday season she would send me an email listing changes Wakefern would demand of Fairway. Once Christmas had passed, she said, she’d have more time to communicate with the store and would send me the results.
It’s now mid-January. I’m still awaiting Amanda’s email, and I’ve heard nothing at all from CEO Colalillo. Assembly Member Rosenthal’s letter to him has also gone unanswered, according to her communication director.
So, fellow UWSers, “caveat emptor” remains a good policy for us to follow if we continue to shop at Fairway. As for me, I will no longer shop in a packed store just before a big holiday, when lines are so long that I don’t reject a purchase when I arrive at the cashier and discover that it costs two or three times what it should. In any case, maybe next Thanksgiving I’ll cook something other than a turkey–something that doesn’t call for stuffing.
There should be an auxiliary site called “WSR 2, Electric Boogaloo” where you follow up on stories that got a lot of feedback but might have continuing events.
In particular, information on the sentencing of many of the crimes where the police have successfully apprehended criminals. As well as hopefully positive news about the well-being of the victims of some of those crimes.
good idea!
I agree! I’ve said many times there needs to be a specific status update provided for news items.
How often I’ve wondered, “Whatever happened to the suspect?” or “Is the victim ok?”, “Did the ‘powers that be’ follow up?”, “Were changes ever made”? I’d love to see a follow-up site.
Fairway isn’t the only one. Several times at Morton Williams I’ve shopped on Friday, the first day of their weekly sale. Inevitably sale items do not ring up correctly on that day.
Two days ago I shopped at Target. Their brand of whipped cream cheese, usually out-of-stock, was in stock and marked the usual $1.99. When I checked out, however, it rang up at $2.79.
I must say that I have had no pricing problems at Fairway in a very long time. With the “new” self-checkout I occasionally think the sale price isn’t reflected but the attendant reminds me that the discount shows up at the end. And it always does.
At Target self-check-out, if you see something that was less in the shelves, just tell them and they’ll fix it. They are very fair about that.
Fairway has gone so downhill!! It was one of the perks when I bought my apartment 28 years ago. The “suburbanization” of the offerings, the reduction of the cheese section and the joke of a “bakery”. it’s my last choice these days. I’d rather brave the crowds at Trader Joes or go to the Pioneer for some items.
Hi Victoria: I keep writing and calling and commenting since these people took over our Fairway. Bottom line: I’m done. Anywhere else is better. They have brought our neighborhood so downhill that we are borderline slum. I can’t walk on that filthy block with unloaded merchandise blocking the curb and rats scurrying around. 3 can recycling machines and black garbage bags blowing around. We have to live here….I hope they default ASAP….we all want them gone. Whole Foods is great and we cannot wait for Morton Williams to open. No one at that corrupt company will answer a call or letter. Low-end low class 3rd world behavior will put them OUT OF BUSINESS.
So the UWS is now a “slum” comparable to a “third world” country due to the sketchy business practices of one highly overrated supermarket?
This comment feels way out of touch with reality.
Essy: apparently you haven’t been on those trash strewn blocks or actually compared it to other decent east side grocery stores. Additionally, everyone agrees …simply the broken windows theory come to life on the UWS. These owners have taken over our sidewalks and trashed them and turned a once great market into a nuisance. That’s the reality here.
I hadn’t been to Pioneer in decades until last fall. I was amazed at how renovated and clean it looked. Fairway execs should take a cue.
Renovated?? They’ve added some new freezers and they now have price scanners at checkout, but hardly renovated.
Have had similar experiences at drugstore chains and other food stores.
Inexperienced/not enough staff etc to handle logistics may be part of the issue.
Had heard that Shop-Rite – “new owner” of Fairway – was experiencing computer systems integration issues.
Ah, the new Fairway! If only it really were like a suburban supermarket! Then it wouldn’t be illogically organized over two hard to traverse floors, the prices might be correct half the time, and the employees might actually be friendly!
Interesting. I’ve had several lovely experiences recently with Fairway employees, including one tracking me down to offer me something I’d asked about but couldn’t find. It’s almost as if the company has put on a “smile” program.
Yes, I also find them friendlier, but otherwise, I can’t stand the place. For me, it started going downhill when they replaced my favorite fruit section upstairs with beer. Others may disagree;)
Fairway is a far cry from what is was before being acquired by Big Grocery. Yet, I am not surprised by the charged price. For one, Eli’s anything and everything, breads included, is stratospherically priced, A skinny roast chicken for $40 is not unusual at its UES store. For two, since being acquired, Fairway has become known for lower quality, fewer interesting items, and overcharging. It’s now my place of last resort, Congrats on you story getting picked up!
And, BTW, “fewer interesting items”. They now carry a wonderful selection of dried pastas, including San Martino. But, folks, we’ve got to buy things if we expect them to keep carrying them, even if, for instance, San Martino is slightly more expensive than Barilla.
Agreed! ..Very sad. It had always been my go-to place on the UWS.. No longer.
It’s a travesty what’s become of Fairways, first bought by Greenwich finance types, then sold to Jersey. Hoping that West Side Markets ends up with this space when they go under, they’re kind of a rip off but at least they have a decent cheese section.
Fairway is owned by Village Supermarkets, part of the Shop Rite coop. Village operates 30 large (50,000-100,000 sf each)Shop Rite stores, mostly in New Jersey. They also own and operate four Fairway units and four Gourmet Garage stores in New York. The New York stores carry some Shop Rite private labels items under the “Bowl and Basket” label. These items and everything else east of the Hudson River are sold at NYC prices, definitely higher than those in New Jersey. If you or a friend own a car, you can recoup the Port Authority toll by buying just a very few items at any NJ Shop Rite, NJ’s lowest price food store.
And it’s not the only downturn at Fairway. An excellent organic rotisserie chicken at
Whole Foods is $12.99. If you seek out their sale items (and be sure to check that the prices are as adertised), you will do well enough. Their Motherin-Law’s kim chi is $12.00 at Fairway, $10.00 at Whole Foods.
I’ve always liked West Side Market, but one has to shop carefully. And I always double check m y receipt before exiting the store…..
West Side market (on 97th & Bway) keeps raising their prices and charges way more than other supermarkets for same items. Their dating system is also misleading. You think you’re buying an item that will last a few days, only to find that the day after you bought it, it has turned moldy. There is no quality control at that store. Caveat emptor – you betcha!
Yes beware of that Westside Market, they sell a lot of expired stuff and I agree about getting it home and the next day it’s off. I don’t trust their dating system one bit.
Best cheese section on the UWS is at Zabars!
I’m glad the Fairways are closing. Total rip offs.
Did you report this to the NYS Attorney General’s office? Because they owe you a big, fat refund at the very least.
I was at Morton Williams this week, where a $5 jar of mustard sells for $9!
The fact that CEO Calico hasn’t responded to either Mr. Podwell or NYS Assembly representative Rosenthal says it all.
“Like No Other Market” ….there you have it.
Some states have had laws that when the register rings a price higher than what’s posted on the shelves, the store is required to give the customer 5 or 10 times the difference (in addition to using only the lower shelf price). An idea for Mayor Adams?
Adams is the Mayor, not the Governor.
Anything from Eli’s is highway robbery. At the east side store they literally transfer candy from its original packaging, re-wrap it in cellophane, and sell the (smaller) bags for a shocking markup. Their bread is fantastic, though. Caveat emptor!
That’s not an unusual business practice and plenty of retail stores operate that way. Stores buy in bulk and sell in smaller packaging all the time. How do you buy your medications, deli counter food, vegetables and produce?
Well First of all, when it rang up at $19.99 I would have said deduct that from my groceries now. Do not be tempted to feel you have to buy it at that price, even at $10.00, I would not have bought it. We must send a message that we do not plan to pay all those ridiculous prices they are gorging us with
I didn’t want to wait on a long line once again a few days before Thanksgiving. They did give me a refund for one of the bags, which I didn’t use, a few weeks later. Elliot
OUTRAGEOUS!!! a refund on ONE of two overpriced bags??!!! They should have given it to you for NO CHARGE right then and there. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER SHOPPERS NEVER NOTICED/DID ANYTHING ABOUT THAT OVERCHARGE!! WHAT A WINDFALL FOR FAIRWAY!
Fairway isn’t a neighborhood store anymore.
The amazing thing to me is that several self checkout machines are always broken, as many as half on many occasions and no one cares and we stand and wait. Also the professional shoppers get to cut the line and don’t have a limit on the on the number of items and we just stand and wait. That’s just how it is now. Take it or leave it I guess.
I had asked Linda Rosenthal on her website as to whether the issues with Fairway pricing also extended to INSTACART as being disabled and a senior I need delivery of groceries. Fairway has gone down hill but most places have with prices UP!
NYC law requires prices to be displayed and requires stores to charge the lowest of the marked price, shelf price, sale price, or advertised price.
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/about/PricingLaws.pdf
Enforcement mechanisms appear weak — there is no system for consumer reporting, no redress for the consumer, the penalty is only assigned by a commissioner after inspection or hearing, and the fine to the store can be as low as $25.
Other states have much better consumer price protections. For example in Connecticut and Massachusetts, if the item rings up higher at the register, the consumer gets the item free (up to certain value).
https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Common-Elements/Common-Elements/The-Get-One-Free-Law
https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-item-pricing-law
Writing to the stores will have no results. If Rosenthal really wants to help, she can pass better NYS consumer pricing protection laws.
If an item rings up incorrectly at Whole Foods, they will give it to you for free.
They used to do that at Food Emporium at 49th and 8th. No more.
I imagine buying Eli’s anything could be purchased at Zabars at a much more reliable price since they’re the makers of ‘Eli’ breads and stuffing ….. !
Eli and the Zabars at Broadway and West 80th St went their separate ways decades ago. No love lost there.
First world problems come at you fast. Actually the best policy would be a hearty thank you to Shoprite Corp for leaping into breach & saving the bacon of Fairway 2+ years ago along with all of us neighborhood fairway shoppers. the bought the store, kept it operating up to present time w reasonably prices and excellent inventory supply. That 20. you paid & surely afford, likely goes a long way to helping the store which by any standard partic in this city/national economy is likely not a profit center for Shoprite but a well assumed responsibility and a regional jewel all the same. UWS thanks you, Wakefern, youv maintained a geat store and necessary neighborhood resource & same is gratefully acknowldeged.
I keep wanting to like the new Fairway, but they make it so hard. I go there with a shopping list and always leave without several items because they’re out of it. And the same items remain out of stock for weeks, if not months. It’s like they don’t know how to run the place for its demographic. Cento peeled tomatoes vanished literally months ago, never to be seen again. The pricing is so questionable. When I told the cashier an item showed rang up $1.50 higher than the shelf price listed, she simply said “The prices went up.” Why not change the signage? The one bright light is Jerome. Jerome is everywhere, greeting customers with a smile and going the extra mile to help find something. But even Jerome isn’t enough to make Fairway my main store. Trader Joe’s and bi-monthly trips to Long Island are our new way of shopping.
Fairway’s sloppiness in pricing has been going on for some time. On several occasions I just happened to notice being overcharged (usually when they have a “special” on an item). When I’ve pointed it out at the cash register, the checkout person had to get someone to go to the item, etc. and for a dollar or two the entire line was held up for another five minutes. Their excuse was always the discount price hadn’t yet been put in the system. Fairway hasn’t been the same since they originally sold out to a conglomerate.
Thank your the update. It’s important to keep them on notice that these transgressions and overpricing are still on people’s agendas…..
The Westside Market is also disgraceful. They do not put prices on most their items. During the holiday season I wanted to purchase an 8 ounce package of Philadelohia cream cheese and they were charging $9.00. Just gouging g the public. And they wonder why theft is up. Shame on them all.
Fairway has descended drastically from everything it used to be, and I hate shopping there. It’s dirty, has far less variety, the quality is dreadful and the prices are INSANE. I lived here in the mid-late 70s when Fairway was a mecca! People from all over the city and beyond came to buy the freshest produce, a wide variety of superb cheeses, unusual items that could not be found at other grocery stores. I still live a block away, but now the produce is pathetic, not fresh, the fruits and avacados are so hard could be used as weapons (or else they are rotten), and shockingly overpriced. I used to be the envy of all my friends because I lived (and live) one block away. Now I order online or go to Pioneer, also overpriced but times are hard, they are honest, the employees/managers are flawlessly helpful, and it is always well stocked. And God bless Zabars, for a million reasons. I never ever feel cheated when I shop there, the food is very good, the managers are terrific and open minded. And they even had toilet paper displayed in their windows when the pandemic began! The biggest difference between Fairway and Zabars (and also Pioneer) is that Fairway doesn’t care about their customers. And it shows.
There’s a Fairway on the UWS?
Underpaid, according the the shelf price, for something yesterday. My savings because of bad coding was 25%.
It’s clear that the “management” of the store is incompetent at many levels.
I don’t know what happened to James Governale, whom Wakefern had brought back, but the woman who is his replacement has no idea of what’s going on in the store.
I have already shifted my shopping to Trader Joe’s on Broadway at 72nd St., and Pioneer on Columbus. With selective purchasing, I find the quality of my food stuffs to be as good if not better than when I went to Fairways for everything. And I feel that the voting with your dollars will send a message to greedy purveyors and I do not miss the chaos.
Mostly miss the great and varied selection Fairway had.
mostly in cheese but also the Spanish hand milled chocolate . Balsamic spaghetti sauce. Olives by type not generic assortments.
I have been a lifelong Upper Westsider and grew up with Fairway being my go to store (and my mother’s fave, too). I too have noticed some deterioration in the quality since they were purchased by the conglomerate, but I am happy that they were saved from bankruptcy by that and I still consider them much more preferable to shopping at Westside Market. Westside is SOOOOO overpriced on so many items, it barely is worth it to me to ever shop there. I also like going to Pioneer because they are clean, generally much quieter and calmer to shop in and their employees are all lovely and helpful. The quality is good and they do carry some “exotic” items for those who are interested in such. Their prices are sometimes higher but again, it’s a matter of being selective in what you buy at each store. And while I do like Trader Joe’s, I hate their crowds, so it’s rare that I go there. Overall, I’d say we are blessed in that we have such a selection of markets all within a fairly small geographic area.
The checkers at Pioneer rarely are friendly, nor smile. We only pick up a few items there. Fairway has definitely changed under the new ownership.
The warmth of the atmosphere has changed, cheese department is not as good, the fruit and produce section is just OK, prepared foods are not as good, the prices are higher, the help is hit and miss depending who you ask help from.
We now shop more at Citarella and Zabars than before.
gee, every “error” they made was to their benefit. i guess they consider their customers pretty stupid.
I’d like to offer a comment “for two cents plain.” Yes Fairway was a fair store–until purchased by Wakefern/ShopRite. To-day’s Fairway doesn’t compare to the better ShopRite markets in the White suburbs. We here in Manhattan seem to be second class. . . . I prefer to check out with a live cashier to help him/her keep their job. And I have no trouble in raising an issue at the checkout should there be an apparent mis-pricing. I stood on line until my turn, and need I delay the line about mis-pricing, so be it. . . And may I amuse my fellow readers by relating an incident once in Fairway; I was “carded” by a cashier when I purchased a six pack of ginger beer (which is a non-alcoholic soda). Smile.
As a long time UWS resident I am saddened by the way Fairway is today. Their choices have diminished . I haven’t been there in many months. Fairway has turned into “ShopRite” with no reflection of the clientele unique to this ‘hood.
In addition to all of the pricing problems, there are two others that I would like to mention:
1. What happened to all of the employees that used to work where the self check-out machines are? I refuse to use the machines and will wait longer on a line where a person works as a cashier. I care about the people who lost their jobs to a big rich corporation who cares nothing about them.
2. The blasting music is really offensive to my being. I have asked the manager to lower the volume many times. Of course nothing happens.
Maybe it is time to send letters en masse to not only the WSR but other publications as well. And copy our elected officials. And copy the corporate company.
Thank you. Maude
The only thing I like about Fairway IS the music!!!
I hate the music.
Your initial complaints may have been misdirected, since Wakefern Foods is the cooperative that is a conglomeration of separate companies that actually own and operate the individual supermarkets in that share the same brand name. Wakefern provides shared warehouses and distribution and marketing to its members/owners, but the Fairway stores are specifically owned and operated by Village Supermarkets, which is owned by the Sumas family. Village Supermarkets also owns specific Shoprites, like those in West Orange and Livingston, NJ, but other Shoprites, like the one in nearby Bloomfield NJ are operated by different owners. You should be contacting the Sumas family directly on this issue, perhaps they’ll be more responsive.
Maybe ask management why they totally destroyed the fish and meat sections….about the worse i have seen anywhere in a long time
And speaking at pricing issues at Fairway, have you noticed how at the deli section none of the meats or cheeses on the back wall have prices posted? Is that even legal?
Fairway at 74th street was my go to store for more than 20 years but since the owning family sold to a corporation they’ve been on a downward spiral ever since! I only go there no to buy one thing that is still the best in the world; Fairway Trevi Umbrian Olive Oil!!!!!!
In the last year or so, Fairway prices have skyrocketed.!!! You can do much better if you shop at another market! (But not Citarellas), they are outrageous too!!!
Brilliant!,,,The ‘wise shopper’ shops wisely and carefully Thank you for your diligence on our behalf..
.But isn’t this a sad sad situation?..It feels like we are on a downward slide AGAIN..Is the Mayor really going to do /Cutbacks on our Libraries..anyway…