People love their chicken. This reminds me of when the new Chick-fil-A opened in my area. It has a two-lane drive-through, and that drive-through was backed up about a mile all the way back to the highway for Chick-fil-A. I don't get it.
But all I can say is it must be nice to have that kind of disposable income that you can shop at such a high-end, frou-frou grocery store.
Must be nice indeed. I’m hoping we can make quality AND affordable grocery stores cool again! That’s the trend and hype I want to see (and I’ve never tried Chick-fil-A!)
I think that's a good goal to strive for. I'm not sure why we can't live in a world where everyone gets to eat.
I was introduced to Chick-fil-A in Pennsylvania when I babysat a couple of kids for a professor I had when I was pursuing my master's degree. It's faster food. I won't say it's fast food because it's a little bit above that. And they have good chicken, but not worth sitting in a line for a mile for. Just like, I wouldn't stand in line out the door around the block for chicken nuggets. I don't care how much they cost or how good they are. lol
Here is what I think: the people waiting in line at Meadow Lane might genuinely be doing okay financially. But the people who CAN'T afford to wait in line for hours (because they're working multiple jobs, caring for family, etc.) aren't visible in this story.
I will give you another example. Trinidad has a 10% unemployment rate. But carnival is in 3 months, and you would never believe this to be true.
I actually had conversations with people who are unemployed, and this is what I got: when people can't afford homes or financial security, they redirect that desire toward microbursts of luxury.
Meadow Lane's success doesn't mean the affordability crisis is overstated. It means there's a subset of people with disposable income and time who are willing to spend it on status signaling. That's always been true in NYC as it is in Trinidad.
Totally fair perspective! And thanks for sharing, Neela. The part I struggle with is the city today seems to be firing on all cylinders. Almost impossible to book dinners, shows, and events. Places are packed on a random Wednesday night! Of course, that doesn’t mean a silent majority or group is not struggling - and they most certainly are - but the city feels very alive despite both sides of the political aisle highlighting all of its problems (for political gain).
In reality I think it’s some combo of both, which is what I tried to convey - people are struggling, but they’re also being told they’re struggling. Everything is relative, especially when comparing yourself to others on social media.
Regardless, I wish there was this level of hype for a high quality AND affordable grocery store!! 😊
Yeah unless you get a rent stabilized/controlled apartment those prices are $1550 apartments are long gone!! OC weather is hard to beat too… although we do still have squirrels here 😉
Thanks, John. That is interesting to read. It seems a world apart from my experience in Minnesota, where we keep finding people coming to our church with more needs and more stretched finances (since most of us here don't live in the stock market world). Thanks for showing a little clarity about the contradictions in NYC.
Thanks for reading, Hans. And a good reminder that real life is not Wall Street or coastal America.
I just wish more people would rush toward promoting affordable groceries if that's really the direction we want to go instead of glamorizing a luxury store that's out of reach for most of us.
And I get the idea of what people believe about NYC. I spend the better part of my career avoidind NYC. I'm retired and lov it here. In 23 years here, we've never had delivery, we have no cars, we cook using the finast ingreedients. We support the arts, museums, opera, dance. We don't travel much anymore. We walk and subway whenever possible. It's not rich, it's a lifestyle. Writing and reporting whole stories does not sell viewing minutes or get clicks. So whats the solution?
NYC is not dying. It's all about being the kind of new yorker you choose and can afford to be. You choose to live in Manhattan for exclusivity, close to shows,concerts, dance, opera. You want that stuff in walking distance so you choose. Want a water view, high floor, park view, anything if you're willing to pay the price. When I couldn't afford it, I lived two hours away, took a train in, and sat in rear seats of performances I could afford. It took many years of work to get here. What's your point.
Hi Don - did you read the story? I never said NYC was dying - that title (and the first sentence) is a reference to the hyperbole many distribute online.
But here's the core thesis of the piece in case you missed it:
"Meadow Lane has exposed the U.S. consumer disconnect between reality and sentiment. New York City can feel very unaffordable when people compare themselves to the phantom “rich” in their social media feeds. But consumers are clearly healthy enough to stand in line for hours for the privilege of buying some of the following menu items Meadow Lane offers. . ."
I did read the entire article. For every price there I can easily find more affordable options. If you choose to shop there I guess their marketing people got it right. There are eight options for food within two blocks of me. From high end to veggie stands, one on the sidewalk opposite a Whole Foods. People choose. Many choose not to cook and complain about high prices of delivery. The media is quick to pick up on $$$. Put comps to your list, even caviar, and the reality is quite different. Media perception is not the reality we are experiencing.
People love their chicken. This reminds me of when the new Chick-fil-A opened in my area. It has a two-lane drive-through, and that drive-through was backed up about a mile all the way back to the highway for Chick-fil-A. I don't get it.
But all I can say is it must be nice to have that kind of disposable income that you can shop at such a high-end, frou-frou grocery store.
Must be nice indeed. I’m hoping we can make quality AND affordable grocery stores cool again! That’s the trend and hype I want to see (and I’ve never tried Chick-fil-A!)
I think that's a good goal to strive for. I'm not sure why we can't live in a world where everyone gets to eat.
I was introduced to Chick-fil-A in Pennsylvania when I babysat a couple of kids for a professor I had when I was pursuing my master's degree. It's faster food. I won't say it's fast food because it's a little bit above that. And they have good chicken, but not worth sitting in a line for a mile for. Just like, I wouldn't stand in line out the door around the block for chicken nuggets. I don't care how much they cost or how good they are. lol
Exactly, Bette!!
A tale of 2 cities :)
Here is what I think: the people waiting in line at Meadow Lane might genuinely be doing okay financially. But the people who CAN'T afford to wait in line for hours (because they're working multiple jobs, caring for family, etc.) aren't visible in this story.
I will give you another example. Trinidad has a 10% unemployment rate. But carnival is in 3 months, and you would never believe this to be true.
I actually had conversations with people who are unemployed, and this is what I got: when people can't afford homes or financial security, they redirect that desire toward microbursts of luxury.
Meadow Lane's success doesn't mean the affordability crisis is overstated. It means there's a subset of people with disposable income and time who are willing to spend it on status signaling. That's always been true in NYC as it is in Trinidad.
Just my 2 cents, John.
Totally fair perspective! And thanks for sharing, Neela. The part I struggle with is the city today seems to be firing on all cylinders. Almost impossible to book dinners, shows, and events. Places are packed on a random Wednesday night! Of course, that doesn’t mean a silent majority or group is not struggling - and they most certainly are - but the city feels very alive despite both sides of the political aisle highlighting all of its problems (for political gain).
In reality I think it’s some combo of both, which is what I tried to convey - people are struggling, but they’re also being told they’re struggling. Everything is relative, especially when comparing yourself to others on social media.
Regardless, I wish there was this level of hype for a high quality AND affordable grocery store!! 😊
I think we're mostly agreeing! The city IS alive and thriving in visible ways.
But 100% agree - hype for affordable quality would be the real win!
sooooo I shouldn't move back yet? lol
I spoke to my old landlord maybe 3 months ago.
I was checking for apartments for a friend who recently moved to NYC.
In 2018, we paid $ 1,550 for a 700 sq ft apartment in his building in Elmhurst.
Today is 2600 - wtf lol
I mean, rent is no different in OC.
But it's not a box. Plus, I have squirrels.
Yeah unless you get a rent stabilized/controlled apartment those prices are $1550 apartments are long gone!! OC weather is hard to beat too… although we do still have squirrels here 😉
I got chased by a squirrel this one time in NYC
They are not messing around there.
Happy Friday, John.
Thanks, John. That is interesting to read. It seems a world apart from my experience in Minnesota, where we keep finding people coming to our church with more needs and more stretched finances (since most of us here don't live in the stock market world). Thanks for showing a little clarity about the contradictions in NYC.
Thanks for reading, Hans. And a good reminder that real life is not Wall Street or coastal America.
I just wish more people would rush toward promoting affordable groceries if that's really the direction we want to go instead of glamorizing a luxury store that's out of reach for most of us.
All the best to you and everyone at your church.
And I get the idea of what people believe about NYC. I spend the better part of my career avoidind NYC. I'm retired and lov it here. In 23 years here, we've never had delivery, we have no cars, we cook using the finast ingreedients. We support the arts, museums, opera, dance. We don't travel much anymore. We walk and subway whenever possible. It's not rich, it's a lifestyle. Writing and reporting whole stories does not sell viewing minutes or get clicks. So whats the solution?
NYC is not dying. It's all about being the kind of new yorker you choose and can afford to be. You choose to live in Manhattan for exclusivity, close to shows,concerts, dance, opera. You want that stuff in walking distance so you choose. Want a water view, high floor, park view, anything if you're willing to pay the price. When I couldn't afford it, I lived two hours away, took a train in, and sat in rear seats of performances I could afford. It took many years of work to get here. What's your point.
Hi Don - did you read the story? I never said NYC was dying - that title (and the first sentence) is a reference to the hyperbole many distribute online.
But here's the core thesis of the piece in case you missed it:
"Meadow Lane has exposed the U.S. consumer disconnect between reality and sentiment. New York City can feel very unaffordable when people compare themselves to the phantom “rich” in their social media feeds. But consumers are clearly healthy enough to stand in line for hours for the privilege of buying some of the following menu items Meadow Lane offers. . ."
I did read the entire article. For every price there I can easily find more affordable options. If you choose to shop there I guess their marketing people got it right. There are eight options for food within two blocks of me. From high end to veggie stands, one on the sidewalk opposite a Whole Foods. People choose. Many choose not to cook and complain about high prices of delivery. The media is quick to pick up on $$$. Put comps to your list, even caviar, and the reality is quite different. Media perception is not the reality we are experiencing.