Can New Castle keep D’Agostino’s?
Twilight for D’Agostino’s?
With 30 comments as of Monday, August 15
Another 26 comments as of Friday, August 19
August 12, 2011
by Christine Yeres
I drove over to Armonk Wednesday morning to have a look around the town I’d heard had been through a retail crisis similar to ours: What to do without a grocery store near the town’s center? For about two months now, rumors have flown between store clerks and patrons of D’Agostino’s that the store was fated to leave Chappaqua – and leave a Walgreens in its place. Millwood’s A&P would be nearest and only large supermarket in New Castle.
Believing their store’s disappearance was imminent, over several months D’Agostino clerks have advised customers to “use their points before there’s no place to use them.” A week ago, a department manager said that although the store has been up for sale since last September and there’s been an offer by Walgreen’s, the offer has not yet been accepted.
D’Agostino management has remained silent on the matter. But in the meantime, in case the rumors are true, Chappaqua resident Debby Glickman has passed around an internet petition she intends to present to management of both stores. The petition reads:
Chappaqua has always had a grocery store, and always should… Now Walgreen’s expects to take its place! Please help keep a grocery store in Chappaqua!!
We are on the verge of losing this basic village staple that we all take for granted will always be there. If we allow Walgreen’s to come in to the space, we will have 2 gigantic chain pharmacies in our small hamlet, and 2 CVS stores within 2 miles either way on route 117 as well.
However, we will have to drive 5 to 7 miles to get to a grocery store!
We request that Walgreen’s does not open in place of D’Agostino’s, and that a food store opens there instead.
If you support our efforts to keep out Walgreen’s, and maintain a food store in Chappaqua, please add your signature below today… Time is running out!
“We have about 400 signatures at this point,” said Glickman. “I haven’t come across anyone who doesn’t agree that we need to have a grocery store in town. I’ve made some flyers and talked to some store owners asking them to put them in their windows. I know about the “NO CVS” signs in Armonk, but I think we should focus on the more positive ‘Choose Groceries’ rather than ‘No Pharmacy.’ I plan on contacting the management at D’Agostino’s and their landlord, but I’m not really sure whether it will make a difference for me to call a landlord. I think it has to come from the town.”
“I keep thinking that if I were coming from the City right now and I were looking for a house in Chappaqua,” said Glickman, “I would be very hesitant to move here without a convenient grocery store to shop in.”
In Armonk, the deal is sealed: CVS will move into A&P’s space
Residents stopped randomly on Main Street Wednesday morning in Armonk were all aware of the controversial CVS takeover of the A&P space. Several shop windows still sport signs reading “NO CVS” or “NO CVS—Keep our supermarket right where it is,” but the deal is sealed. After several iterations before the town planning board with a plan by A&P to double its 25,000 square foot space, parking ultimately became the issue over which the town could not compromise further, and the landlord accepted the CVS offer.
NCNOW asked Armonk Supervisor Bill Weaver whether the town had considered a moratorium. “People came to us and asked us to do a moratorium in the business district to keep out what they call ‘formula’ businesses,” said Weaver. “But look, in this kind of economy we’re not doing a moratorium. We have a law now that says any new building over 5,000 square feet needs to get a special permit from the town. But the old A&P wasn’t covered. And since it’s an existing building, going from retail to retail, CVS doesn’t need any special permit either.”
“What we are doing now,” Weaver explained, “is to have F.P. Clark [also New Castle’s planning consultant]do a small report for us on what are called ‘formula’ businesses. There are laws covering them and regulating signage, for example. We’re seeing whether there’s any tightening we can do.”
An embarrassment of riches
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The big difference between Armonk and Chappaqua, however, is that as sad as Armonk residents may be about losing a grocery store that was very near the heart of their downtown, in a public hearing next Wednesday, August 17, residents will be invited to comment on whether they prefer their next grocery story to be located in the very center of Armonk or in a business park out Maple Street on the other side of Route 22. A developer is poised to create “Armonk Square,” in the center of town—and is prepared to make a grocery store its anchor.
“What I’m getting from the public is that they prefer the downtown location. It gets the grocery store near the other shops, making more of a walkable set up than it is now,” said Weaver. Even though the A&P is just a short walk north from the center of town, the in-town location proposed is in its very center, an undeveloped square of trees and weeds bordered by Maple Avenue, Main Street, Bedford Road and Elm Street, on the other side of which sits a church cemetery.
Residents’ worries about D’Agostino raised at New Castle town board meeting
At last Tuesday’s town board meeting, Rob Greenstein noted during public comment that many New Castle residents were concerned about the possible loss of D’Agostino’s. He asked town board members whether there was “anything the town board can do or is willing to do from a legislative point of view” to keep a grocery store at the D’Agostino’s location, and “would the town board be willing to contact the landlord and lobby on behalf of residents in order to retain a grocery store at that location?”
Supervisor Barbara Gerrard responded, “This is an important issue we’ve been looking at and discussing with consultants for North Castle, which has had a similar issue. We’ve also requested advice from our counsel. As to the second question, Deputy Supervisor Elise Mottel is in the process of drafting the exact letter you’re mentioning. There are no easy answers from the town’s standpoint. We can’t legislate out a drug store, but we do value D’Agostino’s. I’m there three or four times a week and know the clerks by name.”
“I’ve been told over the weekend,” continued Gerrard, “that [D’Agostino’s] plans have been put on hold, but I know that’s not the end of the issue. It’s important that we all work together, and we’ll offer the landlord whatever help we can, legally.”
In fact, yesterday the town mailed a letter from Mottel on Town of New Castle stationery to both the owner of the property in Danbury, Connecticut, and to D’Agostino management in Larchmont. The letter follows:
August 11, 2011
Dear Sirs/Madam,
The New Castle Town Board has heard rumors about the departure of D’Agostino from its store at 411 King Street and its replacement with Walgreen’s or another non-supermarket establishment. D’Agostino is an asset to the Town, and the community values D’Agostino as its local grocery store. If D’Agostino were to leave New Castle and be replaced by a non-supermarket establishment, many of our residents would be forced to drive many miles to get to another grocery store or to drive to other towns. We have heard that our residents are circulating a petition supporting D’Agostino and keeping a grocery store in Chappaqua should D’Agostino leave.
Please let us know what the Town Board can do to help the landlord and D’Agostino so that the location is used for a supermarket. We are available to meet with you to discuss this situation and the options available.
Elise Kessler Mottel
Deputy Supervisor
The town board’s next scheduled meeting is September 6, 2011.
there is a simple answer to this, it would take months to execute and real discipline from everyone. Just don’t shop at walgreens. if the store doesn’t make money, how long will it stay?
the reality of pulling this off is nil, but at the end of the day CVS & Walgreens have determined a formula of stocking their stores in such a way that they are able to pay the rent and make money better than a supermarket can.
Why is D’Agostino’s leaving? Is it not doing well? I do know that when I shop there, I have to be very conscious of expiration dates. I have bought items where they have already expired or are on the verge. I think it is very expensive. Are people shopping elsewhere because they can’t afford to shop there?
I would much rather shop locally but find that things are much cheaper at Key Food or ShopRite. In these tough economic times, I’m sure others feel the same.
I wish we could have another supermarket - with more reasonable prices - it is a necessity.
If D’Agostinos is leaving because they are not making money they really won’t care who takes over their site. Why doesn’t somebody contact Decicco’s, it a great grocery store thats located in Ardsley and Scarsdale. They are small and would fit right into Chappaqua.
Editor’s Note: Decicco’s is about to move into what was D’Agostino’s Cross River location, too.
Who needs a grocery store, let alone another pharmacy, when the Town Board can re-zone the site for AFFH?
I agree with Debby Glickman and in full support of maintaining a food store. Chappaqua needs a food store and not anything else if Dagostino’s is moving out! Please notify me of Debby Glickman’s e-mail, so I can sign the petition.
You can find tHe petition here:
What a surprise! If you haven’t noticed I’m being sarcastic. You can’t open a supermarket, put carpeting down and expect people to pay many times more than the average supermarket. D’Agostino is no specialty market so get real!! Since the space is small we need a store like Trader Joes or Mrs. Greens. Maybe a supermarket could open at another location in town.
Bravo for Dagnostino moving. Though the staff were wonderful, the store was horrible. It was nothing more than a glorified convenience store. What Chappaqua, in my opinion, needs in place of Dagnostino is a store like Dean & DeLuca in NYC. I am not aware of the store Decicco, but high end quality groceries that are fresh, local & organic with speciality departments are in demand. I now have to shop in several stores for my home on a weekly basis. Quality groceries; not just more prepackaged foods.
Three points are minimized or overlooked:
1. Chappaqua has—indeed, has had for a long time—a premium downtown grocery store, Village Market—which charges premium prices for quality products and quality service.
2. For staple goods that are less costly elsewhere, the town could use a supermarket that can survive on competitive prices. D’Agastino is not that supermarket.
3. Surely our free market economy, of competitive enterprises, does not require a town board to tell a property owner whom to sell to or rent to. We have a surplus of regulation out of Washington retarding economic growth. We don’t need it at town level, too.
We need a good grocery store.Why not Whole Foods or Fair Way? We do not need another all-purpose drug store!!!!
Yes, the Village Market is wonderful, but they’re hours are short and selection is good for only smaller purchases.
I agree we need a grocery store. D’Agastino is much too expensive for what they offer (although the clerks are very nice). Whole Foods or Trader Joes would be wonderful.
Everyone keeps mentioning Whole Foods or Trader Joes. I love them both. In fact, I drive to White Plains once a month to shop at both stores. Which I dread, but I know they have the best food and it is worth the drive.
But has anyone tried contacting the management of Whole Foods, Trader Joes or Fairway to advise them of the D’Agostino property possibly being for sale?
They won’t come if they don’t know about it…
I shop at Dag’s for two reasons - convenient location and convenient hours. Yes, the prices are high and the selection can be limited. The employees in our local Dag’s are wonderful and it is a pleasure to do business with their smiling faces.
I would love a Trader Joes to take over. it is just the right size for the location!!!
Unfortunately…that’s not going to happen. Remember when Stop and Shop when out of busienss in Mt. Kisco and a CVS took it’s place?
We can only hope that Walgreen’s doesn’t take it’s place!!
I drive the 5-7 miles to Mt. Kisco as it is. Too pricey to shop here anyway.
I like market forces. I tell my friends that chappaqua’s grocery store is fully carpeted and their jaws fall to the floor. Maybe everybody but me in chappaqua is rich and can afford to pay for carpet and carpet cleaner, but I prefer to drive farther to pay less at A&P. A lot of the time, I drive to super stop and shop in ossining because the A&P in millwood is rather small (by today’s east coast grocery store standards) where I can pay less and purchase anything I can imagine, and I think they’re even 24 hours.
That’s what the market forces bear, that’s what happens.
What about approaching Turco’s?
Let’s go Chappaqua! Keep up the support for a grocery store. We need full support from our residents, as well as our town board. Please help us achieve this by signing the petition. At least the landlord will know that a quality food store is what we want here. The chance of another pharmacy surviving here is not likely based on the residents reaction to hearing about this unfortunate news.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/choosegroceries
I’m in favor of Trader Joe’s! They’re right-sized, environmentally friendly, good to their employees, right-priced and have a great product offering. They’ll bring shoppers to the area without clogging up downtown. Let’s go after them!
Why can’t Dagastino’s lower their prices? I would be happy to shop there more often if the prices were competetive. It is ridiculous to think that ice cream and other items cost twice as much as in a regular supermarket. Why do other supermarkets stay in business? It’s obvious - because the prices are not outrageous. I agree the check-out people are lovely, but the prices are what keep a supermarket going. D’Agostino - can you hear us? We want to keep you here but you have to make some concessions.
@Discriminating shopper
The “town” does have a “supermarket that can survive on competitive prices”, the A&P in Millwood. Yes, Millwood is still part of town.
I would also venture a guess that at least half of the population of New Castle is either physically closer, or has a shorter drive (without having to navigate downtown Chappaqua), to the A&P supermarkets in Millwood or Mt. Kisco, the Shop Rite in Thornwood or Mrs. Green’s in Mt. Kisco than to D’Agostino.
People are suggesting Whole Foods for the site? Really? Doesn’t a typical Whole Foods (outside of NYC) have more parking than the entire footprint of the D’Ag site (including the stores and existing parking lot). The supermarket (which nobody seems to be saying anything nice about anyway) will leave, Wallgreens will come in and Chappaqua will struggle mightily and somehow manage to survive.
With all the top hot shot executives that live in this town, does anyone know how we can get in touch with the top guys at Trader Joe’s?
How about it guys and gals? We have dunkin donuts, starbucks, rite aid. How about adding Trader Joe’s to the mix of chain stores!!!
Walgreens NO
Trader Joes YES
I would not be sad for D’Agostino’s to close, it is very overpriced and as such, I do not shop there anyway. The great majority of people skip this store, - possibly why they want to leave. As far as I am concerned, Chappaqua does not have a valued grocery story now. I will drive to Thornwood or Millwood (about 3 miles) for the grocery store. Walgreens is not ideal as we already have Rite Aid in town, but Trader Joes would be a wonderful option if they want to expand!
Months ago, I went on to Trader Joe’s website. There’s a section where you can indicate where you’d like to see them expand. I would suggest that Trader Joe’s would be a perfect candidate to bring into the D’Agostino space. It would bring people into our community who would hopefully shop at other stores in town, making our downtown a thriving destination once again. If you agree, just go on the Trader Joe’s website.
We emphatically need a grocery. It is right near an elderly residence, and they depend on it as do people who do not drive. Yes there are such people here in town!
We shop at Mrs. Green’s in Mt. Kisco and D’Agostino’s in Chappaqua. To tell you the truth, I’ve never noticed the D’Ag’s carpeting. The clerks and manager at D’Ag’s are great and the items do not seem overpriced for a store D’Ag’s size.
If D’Agostino’s does leave, another food store should take its place. Not only do we need a food store in town, but the food store is the “anchor” business in a small mall with two restaurants—Spoons and the new pizza place. I don’t think that those restaurants would attract as many diners if they shared the mall with a Walgreens— the ambiance would be all wrong. So several businesses may be at stake here; something the landlord should consider.
One additional suggestion is to let Walgreen’s know, not that people will boycott any store it might open in D’Ag’s location, but that there is simply not enough business in town to support another drug store. We have Rite-Aid in town and CVS five minutes away in Mt. Kisco. Why do we need a third drug store? Moreover, when I stop by the drugstore, I try to combine what is usually a quick trip with shopping at another local store. There’s no reason for me to detour to a location where I’d do no additional shopping, such as the small mall where Walgreen’s would be located. I suspect that other residents, too, would continue to patronize Rite-Aid or CVS.
Here’s the link on the Trader Joe’s website to request a new location: http://www.traderjoes.com/about/index.asp On the right hand side of the page, in the middle, is a “Contact Trader Joe’s” section. Select the “Location Requests” tab and then “Show me the Form”
This article mentions that our town has a “planning consultant”? How much do we pay him and, more importantly, what has he been doing?
I fully support debbie`s effort to assure the community that families have a reasonable distance to their grocery store. Would it help if D`Agostino would upgrade their market so that it is competitive with other supermarkets in westchester. good luck - carol leeds riven 8/13/11
This is no different than the book store that closed. Everyone talks about what a pity it would be to lose it, but no one shopped there to make it a viable business. D’Ags is not a viable business because, for whatever reason (prices?, not enough people spend their money there. The store is small for a grocery store and would not support a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods or any chain grocery store. Margins are too thin to have a small store. Even A&P is in bankruptcy. The best use of that site would be for an In and Out Burger or a store like Zabar’s.
Let the free market determine what goes there. If you want a grocery store there, shop at D’Ags.
The A&P in Millwood is not an option for me. Unclean, lack of produce, outdates products. D’Ags, way too expensive. They walked out on their Cross River store without any information given to the community. I believe they have already made up their mind. Every time I shop in Trader Joe’s in Hartsdale I ask about opening a store in Northern Westchester. Their answer is always the same; high rents and a low density of population.
Trade Joe’s requires a population of 90,000 within 3 miles, we have about 32,000.
Whole Foods minimum store size is 40,000 square feet. A store that size requires a minimum of 200 parking spaces.
I go into D’Ags in an emergency, but most of my neighbors and I shop
at Shoprite which is a short ride down Greeley Ave. We find the store a little to priceey and doesn’t really have the freshiest of foods. I’m for the above comment about Traqder Joe’s
De Cicco’s is the best choice. It is a fabulous, high quality discerning market, fit for tastes of New Castle residents. Trader Joe’s would probably not pick that location. I contacted Trader Joe’s years ago, and doubt this would be their choice. However, it would be great if they did. I also think that Chappaqua should have a fruit and vegetable market, as does Armonk and Mt. Kisco. Years ago, for historians from Chappaqua , there was one called Green Pea downtown. They were ahead of their time! Alas, they closed.
I prefer to reserve my negative comments on the present location. All have been noted above.
For historical purposes also, a boycott of Walgreen’s simply would not work. It was tried at Rite-Aid, in support of the then Chappaqua Pharmacy (now Starbucks). When people need meds, or convenience items they simply go to the nearest place.
By Logical, not Emotional on 8/15 at 10:12
I never found D’Agostino’s to be that great. Decicco’s, from what I understand is moving into Yorktown and is a very good store. Why are we stuck with below par stores. We certainly could support Decicco’s, Trader Joe’s, or other stores that are more upscale in food quality. Let’s not accept what is dumped on us without more exploration of the situation.
As a Chappaqua resident for over 17 years, I choose to support and regularly shop at the small businesses within the area. As many of you seem to be concerned with D’Agostino’s demise, there ARE other food stores within the community…why not try a locally owned food store? Perhaps my favorite food store, The Chappaqua Village Market. They are my favorite food store because I buy all of my meat, fish, and produce from there. I am always pleased with the quality of the food; and the owners Vinny, Randy, and Tony are always so helpful when it comes to cooking suggestions.
To “shop locally” means to shop at small businesses within a community… businesses which make a community unique and personal; businesses who give back to the community in taxes, charitable donations, and community-based events. “Mom-and-Pop” businesses are a dying breed, being pushed out of communities by large corporate-owned companies (which many of these comments seem to be against the notion of a large company moving in). At a “Mom-and-Pop”-run store you’re going to pay a bit more, but you will be receiving way more; in regards to quality of product, individual service by employees, and the business-owner themselves, who prides their business on providing only the best experience for his/her customers.
Support ALL our great locally-owned business in Chappaqua!
This issue is all about zoning and money. (hey what isn’t these days?) I remember many years ago when we had Gristedes food store where rite aid now resides. Everyone was very upset over the “takeover” yet Rite aid did very well and continues to stay in business. We shop at D’Agostino’s because it’s really the only game in town. When you have to run out for milk or eggs, you really don’t want to spend 1/2 hour..so there we go. I do shop at Mrs. Greens in Kisco, but their prices are just as insane as everyone elses. I moved to Chappaqua from Armonk.. when I was an “Armonker” we proposed taking all the acreage on old route 22 for a whole foods (where the old bowling alley used to be) and we were told the EPA was buying it to keep the land “green”.
I can’t help but think there’s something missing from the story that we just don’t know. Why is it that many of these local village markets are closing? My friend lives in Somers and has to drive several miles to food shop because her supermarket was also taken over by a CVS. I don’t really get it, but showing support for our local vendors seems to be our only hope.
Last fall, an article in Crain’s said that D’Agostino was selling all three of their Westchester stores. http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20101014/REAL_ESTATE/101019922
According to the D’Agostino site, they only have two stores in Westchester now, Chappaqua and Rye Brook.
http://www.dagnyc.com/StoreLocator.aspx
And, this is hearsay, but a local friend of mine said he’d heard that Trader Joe’s had looked at the space and decreed it too small.
I used to live in Chappaqua, but now live in Briarcliff, and I still make the trip once a week to Chappaqua Village Market for their cooked dinners and side dishes when I don’t feel like cooking! My family is always happier when I bring home their food than when I cook myself! Haha. At my dismay, I only recently found out about their pick-up service, which has been implemented 2 years ago; which I’ve been using A LOT! I call my order in to Vinny or one of their staff, and it’s all ready for me to pull up to their back door and they even carry it out to my car! It saves me the headache of finding parking amidst all that construction
Walgreens will move out too… rent is way to expensive in this town, it is not a real viable option for making money, only large chains who are aiming for black can move in.
If Walgreens has the money then they should get the land… this is America, believe it or not Chappaqua is not exempt.
For all the people who are advocating a Whole Foods or Trader Joes, think of all the traffic problems we would have. We can barely handle what we have now in terms of parking and driving through the town. Imagine the line of cars on the unfinished bridge going all the way down the street. Keep DAgs or get Mrs Greens to move to that location.
I have always found D’Agostino to be outrageously overpriced and I never shop there. Key Food in Pleasantville is only 2 - 3 miles away. Shoprite in Thornwood is not much further and has the best prices.
Businesses in Chappaqua need our support to survive. This means we all need to help take the initiative to shop locally and help advise businesses on ways they can be more attractive to our neighbors to get their business too. Village Market is one success story along with Mikolay, Susan Lawrence et al. We need to all work together to create the best community we can. Having a master plan, organizing an effective chamber of commerce, soliciting inclusivity, offering diversity, and working together as team to support our town, will make it a better place. We can be more proactive in promoting a vibrant business community which can brings jobs, opportunities and more prosperity to this town.
Even though Trader Joe’s stated requirements are a population of 90,000 within 3 miles, as one goes north, the population density thins. This causes a concomitant desire to travel a greater distance to acquire high quality foodstuffs for our families. I strongly believe that residents of Briarcliff/Pleasantville/Mount Kisco/Bedford and north would frequent a Trader Joe’s in Chappaqua. I would think that increased consumer interest would benefit other vendors in town.
Millwood’s A&P is inferior in quality to any of the area grocery stores, in my opinion. Although it is the most convenient location to my home, its fruit & vegetables are sub-par; there are clearly visible freezer & refrigeration issues; I have had to return bad meat on several occasions, etc.
Yes, these small village markets are wonderful, but the last time I went into one to buy a shiva dinner for four, it cost me nearly one hundred dollars. Yes, it was a nice dinner, but who can afford that on a normal budget? Not me, for sure. There just has to be a better way for these nice shops like Village Market, Susan Lawrence, etc. to keep pace with the real people who live here. When people are struggling to stay in their houses, no one is going to pay $20 for a pound of uncooked fish. I’d love to support these local business, but, sadly, cannot.
Has anybody been to a Trader Joe’s lately? They are big stores that generate a lot of customers. That site (and supporting roads) could not support the kind of traffic that the store would produce. The backups trying to get into and out of that lot would be ridiculous
@ Chappaqua Resident above-I agree with you about shopping locally! Save our town and shop at local businesses… just look around at many of the empty and rotating store fronts of what were once thriving small businesses. I feel that many people think that “shopping locally” for food means shopping at a farmers market, I disagree. I certainly trust more in buying my food from a refrigerated store, than in an open-air market subject to the elements. I think that first and foremost, shopping locally should be patronizing the local businesses and stores in our town which are open 7 days a week, providing services for their customers and investing time and money into this community. Our town has so many wonderful small business owners, who doesn’t love Barry at Family Britches!? Or Susan Lawrence?
But I really enjoy the Chappaqua Village Market for their fresh foods. I like knowing that the meat and fish I buy there is not pre-packaged, and it can be custom cut and prepared each time I place my order. They pack a lot of food and products into a small store, I always find what I need, and know most of the staff by name. I appreciate the services from the owner and butchers, who take the time to ask me about my preferences, and the detailed cooking instructions that are always provided with my custom-cut piece of meat.
“I strongly believe that residents of Briarcliff/Pleasantville/Mount Kisco/Bedford and north would frequent a Trader Joe’s in Chappaqua.”
Yes, but if you rely on people coming that distance, why would you ever choose Chappaqua as your location? Mount Kisco for example gives you greater relevant other retailers in close proximity and likely lower rent as well.
The New Castle Police Department has had plans to expand their Headquarters. The problem is, that the current physical location of the Police Department can not support their plans to expand. Now is the time, to call up the Town Planner and see what ideas or thoughts he can contribute to the potential closing of DAGOSTINO. Idea: It has always been a struggle for Chappaqua to support 2 Supermarkets. The Chappaqua Fire Department is too small, the New Castle Police Department is busting out of its seams, the Chappaqua Ambulance needs more space. Why don’t we make the Village Market property serve the needs of the Municipality, and promote the more visible location of DAGOSTINO. Planning is not an easy topic to address, but MONEY and Horse Trading can go pretty far and make all HAPPY. Food for thought!
I emailed DiCecco’s and they operate in anywhere from a 10,000 to 40,000 square feet. They said that they already know that Chappaqua meets all of their demographic requirements.
So - what should we do next?
Judging by most comments nobody really liked Dagostinos or the other super markets in the area. Thats why Grand Union and Gristedies are gone and Dagostinos is going out. Look around, ALOT of super markets are gone or have closed up in Westchester county, it’s not just a Chappaqua issue. There is very little profit in raw fresh food, alot of expenses in equipment and refrigeration costs and a short shelf life is probably some of the reasons why most are in trouble.
Everyone sells food now, gas station marts, pharmacies, costco, sam clubs, wallmarts, kmarts.10 years ago, all the above never sold fresh food just packaged foods. The industry is flooded!
I would assume most residents are aware what it costs to live here, then why would you think it costs less to run a business here? I have been here for over 15 years and seen plenty of places come and go. I have spoken to several store owners recently and they have many issues and concerns which are not being met. The town supervisor is running out the door, the town administrator left, revolving police chiefs, the bridge disaster, and almost impossible to navigate this small town.
I would suggest if you live in the area shop local,and that doesn’t mean a farmer’s market that is open 1 day a week and really gives nothing back to this community. Are they paying rent to the town? Are they paying town and school taxes? Are the paying sales tax? Are they paying for electricity and garbage removal? Are they paying for the town employees who clean up after they shut down on Saturdays? Are they inspected for food laws? Who thinks it is a good idea to buy milk, cheese, meat and fish on a tray of ice thats been sitting out all day? I certainly would not buy any of that!
This economy is hurting most of us, my suggestion is save money on packaged foods from the big stores and spend the extra on quality goods and services from your local stores. Is there ever any chamber of commerce meetings?
So basically, poster, you’re telling us to get used to the idea that Dag’s will go. And that leaves what? The Village Market? It’s a specialty store that I sometimes go to for things I can’t find quickly at Dag’s. But neither Dag’s nor V.M. has the produce I want. The produce I want is at farmers markets. If I don’t have one here, I’ll go to Pleasantville’s. So how would it help to NOT have the farmers market at our train station?
THe farmers market at the chappaqua train station is the reason my friends and I go with our children and husbands into downtown Chappaqua on Saturday mornings. It’s the best thing that’s happened to the downtown in years. I stop at other stores too when I’m downtown.
You sound as though you’ve been in - or are - in the food business. It’s good to remind us that the food business is hard, that it’s hard to keep “raw fresh food,” but people want better raw fresh food now than traditional markets are providing. I want fresh produce from the people who are growing it. I want them to keep growing it and will support them wherever I have to go to do it. I’d rather do it in my own downtown.
You’re suggesting that we should buy meat and produce at Village Market (which is fine for some things) and packaged foods at big box stores. I don’t want packaged foods. I filled a large shopping bag with produce last week - celery, squash, beets, corn, onions - for $20 and we ate like kings all week. And yes, I want fish from a bed of ice. It’s fabulous.
Farmers markets do not support local businesses!!!!!!
For me, having farmers’ produce available in my own town once a week (hey, I’d prefer twice a week) makes this a better place to live. It makes the downtown more attractive to me and my friends and causes me to hitch other errands onto my fruit and vegetable shopping. That supports the downtown.
It’s at 565 signatures right now, Thurs. Aug. 18 at 4pm.
Dags—- overpriced, poor selection, cleanliness questionable.
Villaged Markup—- Great for the carriage trade but for anyone watching their food budget,fuhgeddaboutit.. High quality meats, but the turnover of the “fresh” fish is low.
Millwood A and P. Has cleaned itself up over the past couple of years….if only it could be managed like it’s younger sibling in Mt. Kisco…
Clearly the market has spoken—If D’ags was even marginally competitive on price, more people would shop there.
We definitely need a grocery store. Would love whole foods or Trader Joe
Just to clear the air, I already stated I was an “ex food broker” one who has been selling food to big and small companies through out Westchester county for over 10 years! So I do have much insight to what I am talking about. Also I said Dags will probably go, it may be to late for them, however I do hope some other grocery store will move in, as I will need to shop there as well. I never mentioned the Village Market by name but you are correct I do shop there… it is a wonderful store (for me). It is a small store and does not meet all my needs but it has a lot of things for me but possibly not for you. I also shop at 2 other food stores, 1 dry cleaner(15 years), 1 jeweler, 1 pizza shop, 1 pharmacy etc.
I also stated that ” buying milk, cheese, meat and fish on a tray of ice that’s been sitting out all day?” In my opinion not a very great choice. Those that disagree may want to call the health department and ask them. Once again I used to sell food for a big company I know many food handling laws. Who wants to get sick? I never said anything bad about their local fruits or vegetables.
Every town has a farmers market so they are here to stay, they provide different things to different people. Does anyone remember the pull up dry cleaner (van) at the train station? Does anyone think that was good for the town? Or good for my cleaners that have been here for years? The answer is no. But I assume it was good for the residents that saved money.
Yes we all need to save money some way some how. I enjoyed eating at Grappolo what happened to them? The main issue is…Lets all work together and patronize ALL the local businesses! We need them and they need us. If we do not… next year at this time we will have even more problems.
Farmer’s markets are great - however, they are seasonal. Where should we buy our produce in January?
We absolutely need another supermarket. The Village Market is wonderful but small - would they ever consider moving up the hill to the present D’Ag location? Probably not but it would be wonderful if they could!
Harriet, the chappaqua farmers market wintered at st. mary the virgin, the episcopal church next to bell. I’m not sure that’s where they’ll be this winter, but that’s where they were all winter long. and it was great.
I’m very surprised at the negative comments regarding the Farmer’s Market. I’m finding it a wonderful addition to Chappaqua, bringing so many people into town on Saturday mornings. The atmosphere is so relaxing (the music has been great) and it shows that people will shop in Chappaqua if they see things that they like.
While this blog was started by the need for a grocery store at the D’Agostinos location, latest entries have focused on the Saturday-only Farmers Market at the Chappaqua train station. I agree fully with Richard Arthor’s comments above concerning Saturday’s Farmer Market’s lack of refrigeration, bypassing of health laws, and contributing NOTHING to Chappaqua’s financial/tax revenue base. There is also a point of truth that must be made: the two or three individuals who organize Saturday’s Farmers Market at the Chappaqua train station charge vendors at least $60 each time they set up a display. Do the organizers pay sales tax on the hundreds or thousands of dollars they collect each Saturday? It appears that only the organizers benefit in a major way from this largely noisy conundrum each Saturday (I object to the loud music/noise of the small bands they bring in to attract shoppers, loud noise perilous to the sensitive ear drums of shoppers and our children, alike). After patronizing Saturday’s Farmers Market on two occasions, I stopped doing so disenfrachised by the loud noise, much higher prices, and poorer quality (such as diluted honey) than what I find at area health food stores like Mrs. Green’s—which stores, by the way, pay taxes to their respective towns, respect refrigeration and health department laws, and do not unilaterally benefit a few individuals who give nothing back to the financial health and tax base of our community.
Let’s support a new grocery store at the D’Agostinos location, a store like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, a store that will bring us the fresh produce, good selection and quality, cleanliness, and reasonable prices we need—and a store that supports the tax base and financial health of our community.
In the 5 years I have lived in the area, I have shoppped in the D’Ags about 8 times… mainly for toilet paper, cup cake liners and other non-food items. I found the quality of their inventory to be inferior and their prices to be very high. Their shelves often contain out of date/expired items and I always find the carpeting in that store to have a funky smell. Or perhaps it’s not even the carpeting…..
I don’t necessarily want a Walgreens in the space but feel that the D’Agostino’s is no added value for the community. DeCiccio’s or a store like Turco’s would be a great choice for the spot although both may require more square footage than is available there.
The comparison in the previous post of Mrs. Green’s produce to the farm fresh fruits and veetables is astounding. Fresh picked vegetables from local farms versus picked over vegetables days, maybe weeks old vegetables at Mrs. Green’s. And Mrs. Green’s vegetables and fruit are no bargain either. I’ll give my money directly to the farmer any day of the week. The organizer’s have done a wonderful job and get my thanks for the continuation of this community event.
After living in Chappaqua from 1963-1986, I now live in Cross River/South Salem and have been dealing with the “world’s largest convenience store”, D’Agostino’s, for many years… dirty, way overpriced, but the only game in town. Everyone in Lewisboro was glad to see them go in June. DeCicco’s Tuscan Market opens in the same location this weekend. I encourage Happy Chappy residents to visit and see for themselves what a new DeCicco’s looks like. It is the best alternative for keeping a grocery in town.
As for the Grappolo comment, Chappaqua will have a new restaurant in that space run by an extremely successful restaurant professional this fall… think the Deer Park Tavern in Katonah before it burned. Go to the Bissel House in Ridgefield, CT for a taste of things to come… You will love it!
As for the site, the Police idea is an interesting one, but would still leave us without a grocery. The size of the space is the problem, grocery stores need more square footage. A magnet store like Trader Joe’s would be great, but the traffic would be unbearable and the space is just too small for serious consideration.
D’Agostino is a terrible supermarket, and I’ll be happy to see it go. I agree that we need a great source for groceries in town, though, and not a Walgreens. A store like Trader Joe’s wouldn’t work in that space because it would create way too much traffic. But what about at Chappaqua Crossing? That would be a perfect spot for a larger chain like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. I was recently shopping at the White Plains Whole Foods and they had set up a kiosk at the exit gathering information on “Where should our next store be?” They had shoppers write which towns they live in on a list. I asked the woman running it what towns were most popular, and she said Chappaqua and Mt Kisco. So they are obviously considering opening another location. Can the town board actively appeal to Whole Foods to bring that location to Chappaqua? With a nice grocery story in Chappaqua Crossing, having a Walgreens in the D’Agostino space wouldn’t be much of an issue.
On another note, if the Village Market kept better hours, I would much rather shop there than D’Agostino. How about being open past 6 and on Sundays?
Other smaller chains like DeCicco that might want to open in our area include: Zeytinia (location in Croton) or Turco’s (location in Yorktown.) Both are great and would be a perfect fit for our town and the D’Agostino space. Town Board: please try appealing to these companies.
I just learned that Walgreens is also opening up a new location in Thornwood, where the old DOCS offices were located. Seriously? SERIOUSLY?
If one of the reasons other supermarkets won’t open up here is the cost of doing business in the area, maybe that’s something that should be addressed first.
