Trader Joes UWS opens with bare shelves…
They need some shelf help.
As Trader Joe’s reopened its Upper West Side location after a five-month renovation this past Saturday, long traces of customers stretched down Amsterdam Ave. ready to see the new and improved space.
But “space” was all they received, as both flooring of the specialty grocery store — dubbed “the busiest Trader Joe’s in the world” because of its upscale, family-friendly location — have been barely stocked this weekend.
Early customers collect as Trader Joe’s re-opens on Broadway and 72nd Street on Saturday, September 12. J.C. Rice for NY Post
“It’s giving gulag,” grumbled one younger shopper as she scoured the frozen food aisle for a single frozen bundle of gnocchi. “They don’t even have bags of salt,” said another annoyed spice seeker.
Also lacking on Sunday afternoon: pantry staples like couscous, rice and orzo, most varieties of tomato sauce, all sorts of bacon and most sorts of uncooked chicken, including ground chicken, entire chicken thighs and entire chicken breasts.
Eager customers have been left upset after seeing the store’s empty shelves. J.C. Rice for NY Post
Yogurt was restricted to a few of the less well-liked flavors (mango, anybody?).
The frozen food part was lacking Asian specialties like chicken shu mai and scallion pancakes, frozen Mexican dishes like beef, chicken and vegetarian tamales, every sort of frozen pizza and practically every selection of mac and cheese.
Cookies have been also in short provide, disappointing the Sesame Street set. “Long line for no cookies,” sighed a small lady as she trudged away, biscuit-less.
Employees blamed their lack of groceries on delayed shipments. J.C. Rice for NY Post
“There were some delayed shipments, unfortunately,” said a Trader Joe’s worker to hangry customers looking for tomato basil sauce. “But most of the new stuff is here.”
He beneficial the new Chicken Florentine Lasagna as a favourite — though maybe that’s because it was one of the only ready pasta dishes they’d. “It’s actually amazing.”
The store also had a sturdy pile of garlic shrimp chips, the hotly anticipated, Asian-inspired snack that has totally bought out at other New York City places.
When requested, the famously cheery Trader Joe’s workers had no definitive timeline for when the store — which first opened its automated doorways in 2010 — can be totally stocked. “Definitely later this week,” they said.
Until then, maybe hoard the strawberry gummy sweet and pumpkin spice samosas (also sadly lacking) from the Chelsea location until additional discover.
Stay in the loop with the latest trending topics! Visit our web site daily for the freshest lifestyle news and content, thoughtfully curated to inspire and inform you.
