Anyone know when the new Compare Foods Supermarket on St Marks and Classon openi

I need milk for my second latte of the morning. Will head over around 8:00.

well, it's open.

saw a guy in there snapping pictures. was that one of yall?

mr. met said:

well, it's open.

saw a guy in there snapping pictures. was that one of yall?

Ha ha - no. :-00

amazing

mr. met said:

amazing

My iPhone photography skills? Why, thank you!

mr. met said:

amazing

Seriously though, it's a great location. That block has been transformed quite a bit

it's...beautiful

Frankly, there was a momentary twinge of revulsion when I stepped in - the cleanliness, spaciousness, etc gave me a suburban/mid-western flashback. It passed, though.

There goes the neighborhood! :eye:

WhyFi said:

Frankly, there was a momentary twinge of revulsion when I stepped in - the cleanliness, spaciousness, etc gave me a suburban/mid-western flashback. It passed, though.

I have just returned from there. Yes, room for two carts and a person to pass each other in the aisle!

...solid name brand merchandise.

Good selection of veggies and meat

so clean.

...about the same brands as NSA.

WhyFi said:

Frankly, there was a momentary twinge of revulsion when I stepped in - the cleanliness, spaciousness, etc gave me a suburban/mid-western flashback. It passed, though.

I might have escaped from suburbia 2 decades ago - only to return for the rare visit to the rents and descendants - but I will take a spacious suburban Supermarket any day to what the city tries to pass off as it's urban equivalent.

Wonder why it's so empty? That's a plus to me, but I thought the way the neighborhood was blasted with flier.., it would be a mad house!

Can't wait to wrap this project and explore those suburban wide aisle!

Does any one know their hours?

SnowboardQueen said:

WhyFi said:

Frankly, there was a momentary twinge of revulsion when I stepped in - the cleanliness, spaciousness, etc gave me a suburban/mid-western flashback. It passed, though.

I might have escaped from suburbia 2 decades ago - only to return for the rare visit to the rents and descendants - but I will take a spacious suburban Supermarket any day to what the city tries to pass off as it's urban equivalent.

Wonder why it's so empty? That's a plus to me, but I thought the way the neighborhood was blasted with fliers.., it would be a mad house!

Can't wait to wrap this project and explore those suburban wide aisle!

Does any one know their hours?

their flyer says they are open 7:30 AM - 9 PM everyday.

...I predict it will start to be packed this weekend, when the people who work regular, 9-5 jobs get a chance to go

I can't wait to see the response.

I wonder what the various long term residents will think? Will they abandon their favorite markets to give Compare a chance. Will Compare be viewed as a welcome addition to the community?

That might all hinge on the price to quality ratio of their products.

I really do hope Fischers can stay competitive with Compare. Time will tell.

SnowboardQueen said:

From their flier, which may be temporary specials to lure as many people in as possible, their prices already beat the shitty Key Food on Nostrand & St. Marks.

And I used to think the Key Food in my old neighbor hood on 5TH Ave was "ghetto", I truly was not prepared for their Nostrand Ave location - which I hear has improved over the years, but still reeks of sub standard quality on every level imaginable.

If Compare is any where above and beyond Key Food on Nostrand on any level, that extra block will be well worth the walk!

You mean you missed the days when the Key Food reeked of old blood and ofal? I could never imagine why anyone would buy meat in there. It was my "canned and boxed items only" store for years as a result of the smell. Went in the other day and was shocked at how much they have cleaned it up.

HomeOwner - I didn't live here when "the Key Food reeked of old blood and ofal." - I'm assuming your speaking of the Nostrand Ave location.

I'm saying, even if that location has been "spruced up", it's still sub standard to me.

And also I'm saying, I though the Keyfood on 5th Ave in Park Slope was horrible.., but that was paradise compared to the present Nostrand Ave location.

Just did some shopping there and was very pleased with selections and prices. I cross referenced their specials with those offered by Western Beef on Empire Blvd and with the exception of some yogurt, Compare foods is cheaper than Western Beef. They are also giving out a free canvas tote to customers today at the check out counter. The seafood section has yet to be filled but I have high hopes based on what I've seen so far.

Just left, it was a pleasant enough experience. Loved the wide aisles and clean store. Selection was OK, B. Prices seemed on par, not hugely competitive.

Employees seemed to be genuinely trying to make the experience pleasant, but need they need more training. The woman at the checkout seemed quite perplexed with "cash-back" option that was offered and I choose.

If my grocery bill is $21.00 and I key in $60 for cash back and $81 is charged to my card, may I please have my $60.00. It should not take another asst. manager and then manager to be called over to figure that out.

Side Note - recognized the owner of Keyfood - Nostrand walking around looking dismayed. i doubt he's felt the impact on his business yet, but by next month he should.

I wonder how keyfood - Washington ave will be affected?

Overall, I'm happy to have a cleaner option with a bit more selection and much wider aisles.

Employees seemed to be genuinely trying to make the experience pleasant, but need they need more training. The woman at the checkout seemed quite perplexed with "cash-back" option that was offered and I choose.

If my grocery bill is $21.00 and I key in $60 for cash back and $81 is charged to my card, may I please have my $60.00. It should not take another asst. manager and then manager to be called over to figure that out.

she should be fired and the store should be burned to the ground.

Went to Compare foods today!!!! just to check things out. New clean & fairly empty.....

The wife wanted to spin through to check it out, so we swung by for a few items last night. It seemed as if everyone else in the store was in the 'checking it out' phase, too - no one was loading up a cart, but everyone had an item or two in hand, if only out of politeness. Once our supply of goods dwindles a bit (fulfilled a massive shopping list at Joe's the other day), we'll definitely be back for a real shopping trip.

Oh, a couple notes -

Was a little disappointed that we didn't see any, well, what I would consider 'good' cat or dog food options.

Wife was very happy to see a wide range of Mrs Meyers products.

Product placement was sometimes weird. For instance, Ghirardelli chocolate chips were not anywhere near the Hershey's, Nestle, Baker's chips - they were a couple rows over in more of an organic section.

In general, a wide selection of most product types. Lots of ethnic goods.

Was disappointed by their natural/organic selections. Not even a whole side of an aisle or anything even if you combine it with the organic produce section. Not sure if they have any but couldn't even find organic bread.

Though, they had a good natural detergent selection between 7th Gen, Ecover, Mrs Meyers, and the panderlifically named Eco Cool (as if people's main motivation to buy environmental products to appear cool).

Anyway, between Compare and Pine Tree, I'll probably take far fewer trips to Flatbush Ave to get some decent groceries.

The Manager's contact information can be found on their website you should ask them to consider stocking the products you don't see. Most supermarkets, especially new ones, are willing to do this in hopes of gaining your customer loyalty. I was able to get Western Beef to stock some low sodium products by just asking the manager to order them. Give it a shot you might be surprised how easy it is.

Did some shopping at Compare today. The woman working the checkout counter was kind enough to ask if I had found everything I was looking for today. I told her about a couple of items I was unable to find, she wrote them down and said the Manager would order them and they should be in stock by next Friday. I was also impressed with the fresh bread selections. They also deliver. Job well done indeed.

anyone know if they have opened the seafood section yet?

Looks like they were still working on refrigeration/electrical in the seafood dept. today. Not stocked yet, just some frozen fish options in freezer adjacent to seafood dept. so far.

One thing that I was excited to notice - above the fake juice section (across from the wall of oils as you enter aisled section) is a big sign that reads "BEER." Let's hope that this gets checked off the list sooner rather than later.

The seafood section is now open.

Here is my report:

1.

The seafood guy is actually a vendor that operates inside of Compare. One pays the seafood guy, not at the row of cashiers. This is similar to Western Beef.

2.

They had a lot of seafood. Fish, shrimp, crabs, etc.

3.

I bought the fresh garlic shrimp. They were already cooked, spiced, shelled and de-veined.

4.

It was $7.99 a lb.

5.

I mixed the 1/2 of the shrimp into my linguine for tonight's dinner.

6.

I will use the other half in a chinese stir fry I will make tomorrow.

Conclusion: Compare is closer than Western Beef, and provides equal value. Western Beef does not carry cooked fresh shrimp. I will now go to Compare for seafood.

This concludes my report on the Compare seafood section.

Bought 1 thick fat tuna steak for 7.99? a lb. good price. will marinate with shoyu, ginger and scallions. The fish looked good.