Final word comes from D’Agostino CEO, a resident of New Castle
With 16 comments since publication Friday
September 9, 2011
by Christine Yeres
After last night’s Millwood Task Force meeting ended, Deputy Supervisor Elise Mottel informed reporters that she had finally heard that day from Nick D’Agostino, a Chappaqua resident and CEO of the supermarket chain, who acknowledged that his company would indeed leave Chappaqua and had already signed an agreement with Walgreens. Mottel said D’Agostino explained to her that a broker tried to interest another supermarket in the space but had failed. Walgreen’s stepped up and offered a deal that made sense.
D’Agostino also told Mottel that a 16,000 square foot store such as the Chappaqua D’Agostino’s, (“We show it as 12,000 square feet,” said Mottel, as an aside) can’t offer the kinds of prices consumers can find in a store of 50,000 or 100,000 square feet. Not only was his Chappaqua location surrounded by near competition such as A & P’s in Millwood and Mt. Kisco, Key Food in Pleasantville and the ShopRites in Thornwood and Bedford Hills, but suburban consumers are also free to drive to even larger, lower-cost establishments such as Costco and other discount clubs.
The Walgreen’s, said Mottel, could be expected to carry foodstuffs in about the same proportion as RiteAid and CVS do, in about 30% of their space, such as milk, eggs, ice cream, box cereal, snack food and soft drinks.
Many of us in Chappaqua patronized D’Agostino’s since it opened in 2005, and were well-acquainted with that store’s many fine employees.
The sudden closing of D’Agostino’s, even after months of rumors, must certainly have left most if not all of those workers without jobs or benefits. This in a terrible job market, particularly for older workers and the disabled. My husband and I spoke during the season of rumors with several of the older women clerks, and know that they were very anxious about losing their jobs.
At least one of the “baggers” is mildly retarded—what is going to happen to him?
Is there any way that we can find out what has happened to the D’Agostino employees? Is it possible that some town businesses may be able to offer, or help those employees find, new jobs?
It’s not just about groceries, people. The D’Ag employees served our
community for years, and I know that many town residents are concerned
about their welfare. Let’s see if we can help out.
What a shame that we learn all this after-the-fact. What a shame that our residents were never given the opportunity to help the landlord find a tenant which would meet BOTH the landlord’s & the resident’s needs. What a shame that our Town Board has failed to work with the merchants over the years to make our downtown business district more vibrant and responsive to the needs of our community. This approach needs to change.
We obviously do not need another super drugstore in town. If we really want a supermarket, one thing we can do is refuse to patronize Walgreen’s. I’m not suggesting an organized boycott, but we should continue to use Rite-Aid in town or any of the CVS stores in the area. If Walgreen’s can’t make a go of it here, perhaps another supermarket can.
I would not recommend a boycott of Walgreens. That won’t solve our long term problems. It will only pit landlords against residents. It will only perpetuate the mistrust. We need a different approach. We need to work with landlords to make our downtown better for all - landlords, merchant & residents. We need to start building relationships and TRUST so we can avoid situations like this in the future.
The eleventh hour efforts here were about as effective as the efforts to get the downtown Hamlet plan off and running. It is certainly time for a change in leadership in New Castle.
I’d like to add one more thing to my post above. I realize that I’m focusing on the long term. I realize that residents want and need a grocery store in the short term. But, boycotting Walgreens will not lead to a grocery store in the short term.
The reality is that our town cannot support both a Rite Aid & Walgreens. One of them will likely go out of business. And when that happens, hopefully we will be in a position to work WITH the landlord - whichever landlord that is - to recruit a Trader Joes, Turco’s, Deciccos, etc.
Don’t boycott until you see how they perform. You may like Walgreens. A consideration is that Walgreens would be considered better than Rite Aid by a lot of folks.
Something to consider is that it may put Rite Aid out of business. They are struggling elsewhere. It may be too late to change the plan for King St, but maybe some planning ahead for attracting a store in Chappaqua in the Rite Aid location in the event they do vacate can be discussed loosely now.
Also, though the time lag is a problem, Walgreen’s I think is careful about how they hire. Maybe they can use the D’ag workers since they were all very nice.
Let’s not forget about patronizing our two independent pharmacies, Drug Mart in Millwood and Healthy Choice in downtown. Their owners are members of our community, live here, shop here, volunteer here, coach here and merchandise to suit our local needs. If you want retail diversity in Chappaqua and Millwood, and not just another McTown, shop at our local merchants!
I am confused by Mr. Greenstein’s comment and position. On August 5, Mr. Greenstein wrote asserting town government could not interfere with market forces. August 7th, he encouraged free market capitalism; speculating that Walgreens wouldn’t be such a bad idea if it put Rite Aid out of business and drew in Trader Joes. September 6th he wrote that the town might be “stuck” with a Walgreens it doesn’t want. Today, he laments that it’s a “shame” that residents didn’t have an opportunity to change the landlord’s mind, implying that the town board should have done an undefined something to work with D’Ags to be more responsive to the needs of the community.
Based on the article the decision to sublet the was a private arrangement between D’Ags and Walgreens. As Mr.Greenstein has previously noted, not only is he against rezoning the property (comment August 10), but such spot zoning would probably be illegal (comment August 11th). D’Ags says they tried getting a supermarket there without success. I have no idea what Mr. Greenstein is proposing the town should or could have done given the situation.
I too miss merchants such as New Castle Pharmacy (Starbucks), the Ocean House (Citibank), and the Greeley Deli (Dunkin’ Donuts), but change comes hard and all too often. Looking forward, however, it is disappointing that after a month of addressing, writing, and commenting on the D’Agostino situation, Mr. Greenstein failed to present a plan as to what he would have done or would do in the future as a member of the Board to preserve local merchants and businesses. Modern government must mean more than pointing out problems, bemoaning disappointments and and wishing things had turned out otherwise. I can do that. My five-year-old does do that. I expect more from the folks I vote for. I expect them to have some ideas how to change the course of events when it appears those events are steering off-course.
Well at least the Dag’s store will not be empty. Let’s wait and see what Walgreens will offer in the new location. A drug store today is more like a convenience store, without clothes. Unfortunately, the Chapp Village Market closes at 6pm on weekdays while Dags would close at 10pm which was great. I hope that Walgreens offers more food items like A & S Market in Mt. Kisco.
My sincere hope is that ALL the employees in the Chappaqua Dags are offered jobs at the new Walgreens AND jobs at one of Dags other locations. let them choose which one is better.
But if we do not shop local then more stores will go out of business.
Last weekend I went to LOCAL, the ice cream parlor and it was wonderful. This week I bought school supplies at Rite Aid. I also bought a new thermostat at Chappaqua hardware.
If we do not patronize businesses in our own town, how can we expect them to stay in business!
Mr. Weddle, I appreciate the fact that you read so many of my comments. My wife doesn’t even do that.
But I don’t understand why you’re confused by my comments and positions I still think government should not interfere with market forces (08/05). I still encourage free market capitalism (08/07). And I am still against rezoning the property to be a supermarket (08/10) since it would be illegal spot zoning (08/11). And, lastly, I still think that even with Walgreens opening we may still end up with a Trader Joes (I made that same point in an earlier comment today).
But you failed to recognize my previous letters/comments when I stated that we need to update New Castle’s 1989 Town Development & explore offering financial incentives to landlords to rent their property to certain types of businesses.
And I don’t think you read my letter titled “Town Board needs a different approach to businesses in both our hamlets” in Tuesday’s & today’s publication which I clearly set forth what I would do in the future as a member of the Board to preserve local merchants and businesses. I stated that we need an effective mechanism through which government can work with the landlords and shopkeepers, we need to form a strong chamber of commerce for both hamlets, cultivate relationships and build trust between landlords and the town board and form a Downtown Business Development Committee composed of residents, merchants, landlords & a government liaison.
I would encourage you to read my letter. Here’s a link:
http://www.newcastlenow.org/index.php/article/new_op_ed_the_town_board_needs_a_different_approach_to_businesses_in_both_o
While I am sure that Dags picked up some business due to the convenience factor, I don’t know anyone who ever used the store as their core supermarket. The pricing at the store was ridiculous compared to the alternatives of A&P as well as Trader Joe’s in White Plains. Chappaqua Village Market is also very expensive but at least they offer a certain amount of custom merchandise in their prepared foods, seafood and meats (as does A&S).
I don’t know anyone who goes to Chap Village Mkt for core items like milk, produce, etc. as well. Shopping local is a great concept, but local merchants need to stay competitive and offer some level of value. Charging twice the price for the same half gallon of milk you can get a couple miles away doesn’t cut it. If people are lamenting about the lack of fresh produce, it seems like there is an opportunity for someone to step up to the plate to provide a store focused on fresh produce (hopefully with many offerings from local producers). Happy to see Dags go and the concept of a 24 hour store that you can go to for a variety of needs (hopefully this will be a 24 hour location) isn’t entirely unappealing.
To Concerned Citizen: Your shopping trip this week is just what the town needs. There is a great organization involving with saving local brick-and-mortar stores called “The 3/50 Project.”
Their advice:
Think about which three independently owned businesses you’d miss most if they were gone. Stop in and say hello. Pick up a little something that will make someone smile. Your contribution is what keeps those businesses around.
If just half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned businesses, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.* Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 of the employed population did that.
For every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.
Chris Weddle, you are spot on, good for you !!!
I heartily suggest that you make your concerns known to the sitting members of the Town Board as well as to those who are running for office.
Greenstein’s response continues to harp on “spot zoning”. There are ways to zone lawfully for the communities needs and wants. He is no planner and as you note, has not bothered to learn what tools may be employed by the town, which, by the way does employ a planner.
Towns may single out small parcels for new zones/overlays without being ‘spot’ zones. All new zones or overlays should be supported specifically or at least conceptually by a town’s comprehensive plan (sometimes called a development plan) for the general welfare of the community. New Castle’s Development Plan from 1989 is woefully out of date.
Either the community as a whole cares about it’s downtown or it does not. This venue is a wonderful place for conversation, but if anyone wants change, they should be speaking to the Town Board directly. it is my
belief that government has a clear and crucial place in planning.
The free market has not worked for our town and I would not vote for anyone who espouses this tea party
dogma.
Ms. Galant,
Let’s clear up your last point first: I think it is a mistake for you to characterize belief in free market forces as “tea party dogma.” Now…
You say Chris is Weddle “spot on” in saying that I offered no plan to preserve local businesses and merchants. But I’ve made numerous suggestions. My suggestions are not “magic bullet” suggestions. My suggestions are process-related.
I’ve stated that we need to update New Castle’s 1989 Town Development Plan—and that starts with a process. I believe that process is to elicit comments from residents and engage them in government. When, in a open letter in NewCastleNOW, I asked residents for their ideas on how to energize our commercial centers in the near-term, and on long-term policy matters that should be addressed in a new Town Development Plan—“Looking for suggestions on how to improve New Castle.” http://www.newcastlenow.org/index.php/article/index/new_open_letter_to_the_community_looking_for_suggestions_on_how_to_improve
— even though many people were vacationing in August, there were over 120 comments posted, from residents and merchants alike. And I will keep that discussion going.
I’ve already stated that we need a Business Development Committee comprised of residents, merchants, landowners and a town board liaison. This committee would help to update our Town Development Plan. I’ve stated before, there are many very dedicated residents who serve on our volunteer town boards, giving hours and hours each week to town matters. But in times like these we need even more help from people who have expertise and even a small amount of time to figure out ways to make connections among the various groups and interests in town. CONTINUED
CONTINUED (to Ms. Gallant)
People deserve to see board members putting their minds to any given issue, to learn their thinking. We need more people to be in on the conversation about what government is doing, should do, or should not do. We have brains in this town. We need to hear from more people about what government should undertake or not undertake. My point now is that these kinds of things need to be discussed by more than any five board members—whoever they are. We need to hear from more people about what government should undertake or not undertake.
This Business Development Committee would be along the lines of what our school district is doing by forming a “Chappaqua Education For the Future” committee. They are looking for a diverse group of community members—teachers, administrators, support personnel, and students—as well as people with some expertise “to help identify and prioritize both educational and structural challenges and opportunities we will face in the next few years, and to establish processes for addressing them.”
For you and Mr/Ms Weddle to insist on answers before that process had begun does not advance the interests of our town, because there ARE no magic answers. But there are habits which town government can and must develop—new processes from which we can develop answers together. Hopefully, you and Mr/Ms Weddle will get involved.
I have personally met the CEO of Walgreens a few years ago at a special needs conference. He was the keynote speaker and had everyone in tears with his warmth and kindness. He spoke about Walgreens efforts to employ people with special needs and shared stories that were both uplifting and frustrating. You can well imagine that many people can be intolerant of people with special needs, but he said they have a unique and qualified support system in place to ‘make it work’.
I hope we can all just give it a chance. The beauty of living in America is that we have the freedom to open a business and thrive with competition. We all have cars, we can all get to the supermarkets when we need them, no one is going to go hungry here.
And no, I do not work for Walgreens!
To Chris Weddle….
Just to clarify, many small grocery stores were interested in D’ags property. Turco’s and Decicco’s were specifically told by D’ags that the space was already taken months ago. ...This was not a decision based on the town’s needs, this was based solely on money!
I’d rather have a grocery store than a supermarket. But, most Walgreens I’ve shopped in are in better shape than RiteAids or CVSs. Just because the DAG CEO is a local resident doesn’t mean he should ignore his company’s bottom line even if the lease to Walgreens is not in the best interest of the community. I agree with Cookie’s comments overall except that there are some residents who don’t have a car or can’t drive, especially among us old folks.
While I may not agree with all Mr. Greenstein says, I certainly appreciate the depth and consistency expressed by Mr. Greenstein in this post and others. You know his position and he does not appear to be afraid to listen to the point-of-view of others.
I am looking forward with great enthusiasm this Saturday’s Community Day event. Let’s show our community spirit and make the effort to shop local, even if it costs a little more than going a few towns over.
I enjoy going to Starbucks on Saturday morning and seeing my neighbors and friends to catch-up. In order to maintain our community, we have to support our local businesses, chain stores and independent stores alike.
Also, what about our young people? Mount Kisco and Pleasantville are better suited for teenagers. Can more merchants consider extending their hours on Friday and Saturday nights to try to encourage the teens to stay local too?
As the former editor in chief of a leading national retail magazine (and now a resident of Chappaqua) I’ve been very intrigued by the debate surrounding the departure of D’Agostino. One question I have not seen addressed is this: Can the building at 411 King Street sustain a grocery store at all?
This is NOT a question for residents to answer based on our desires. Rather, it’s an economic question. Looking at all of the factors that a retailer itself would consider (size of the store, parking, ease of access, etc.) one has to wonder if ANY food store could be profitable in this location. And it would appear the answer is no.
As for the De Cicco location in Scarsdale, there is no comparison to D’Agostinos on King Street. De Cicco is surrounded by more than a half dozen large apartment buildings full of Scarsdale commuters. In short, it thrives off the foot traffic that a small food market requires in today’s retail economy.
There’s also no comparison to the Trader Joe’s in Eastchester, where there are nearly 6,000 residents per square mile, versus Chappaqua’s 1,000?
I also do not think D’Agostino’s demise was related to high prices. I used to live in Scarsdale, and I know that De Cicco was not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. On the other hand, it was convenient—and that’s very key to this debate.
A location like 411 King Street, like so many other locations across the country, are being filled by chain drug stores, a la Walgreens, because they have a natural advantage over the food stores. It’s called the Pharmacy. The drugs that people need on a daily basis are the traffic drivers that bring them through the doors. And in the world of retail, that traffic is king.
A word about Walgreens ... The formulaic approach that any chain store uses can, indeed, be a turnoff. And Walgreens, with its sterile aisles and mass market store fixtures, is no exception. But you may be surprised to learn that among the many chain drug stores, Walgreens is among the most progressive. Did you know that in some of it stores in the Tri-State area, it carries fresh foods, including an arrangement with Zabar’s? It even has a sushi bar at a location in lower Manhattan!
This is not to suggest that Walgreens will ever be able to replicate the type of selection that D’Agostino had. Nor will it try. But I think that once it’s in, residents will be very glad to have a convenience store where products in the areas of beauty, first aid, pharmacy, seasonal and food (milk, eggs, soda, beer, and who knows what else) will be readily available at mass market prices.
As for a food store, this is where the Town Council of New Castle can earn its stripes. If a food store is that much of a dire need in central Chappaqua, it is contingent upon the Council to identify a location, a developer and a time line for such a project. At the end of the day, though, the economies of scale may preclude such a project from ever taking place. As an observer of the business of retail for more than 15 years, I can assure every Chappaqua resident that the trend among grocery stores is definitely not toward small downtown locations—and for good economic reasons.
@Concerned Citizen
The teens do stay in New Castle. Just go by Rocky’s on a Friday or Saturday night. OOPS - I forgot, Millwood might be part of New Castle, but the west side of Route 100 certainly is not “local”.
There are several points I’d like to make about some of the above posters:
1. Independently-owned small businesses pay more for products than the large supermarkets and chain grocery stores which buy products in large bulk quantities. It is obvious why the cost of similar items cost more in smaller stores. If you are looking for higher quality and or better service expect to pay more.
2. The idea of a 24-hour a day grocer is not profitable for 98% of all business owners. It is unreasonable for a store owner to remain open for 24-hours; especially in a suburban town as ours, where the cost of labor and electricity alone would not be covered by the sales during those hours. What for the convenience of a few people a week!
3. There is SOMETHING missing between the residents, town officials, and merchants of our once great community. I would suggest my fellow residents to speak with your local business owners and convey your needs and suggestions. And if… the town is listening send out some questionnaires to the local merchants to improve relations and communication so everyone can begin to get on the same page.
4. I have lived here for a long time. To all the complainers Gristedies is gone, Grand Union is gone and now Dagastinos is gone why were they not competitive or profitable? And why is A&P closing up in Armonk? I wouldn’t count on Costco or Wallmart moving in anytime soon!
5. Good luck and shop local before they are all gone.
Ms. Galant,
Just to be clear, does believing in free markets automatically mean that you are in the Tea Party? I never quite thought of it that way. I guess then that I am in Tea Party. I think most Americans would actually qualify. I have a suggestion - Cuba may be the right place for you. Warm weather, Caribbean fruits/plants and a government establishment that may be better tailored for your beliefs. Just a thought…
How about supporting the local businesses that support our community!
Do we need another Pharmacy that doesn’t support local schools and community affairs? Drug Mart and Healthy Choice are great pharmacies that Donate to many local charities and school functions. Just look at all the high school sports banners and school playbills, etc. Maybe would should patronize them instead of the mega chains who give back nothing. If you don’t shop in Rite Aid or Walgreens, they will go away like Eckerd did in Briarcliff Manor.
Support your local pharmacies with great personalized service!
