The simple idea of gathering all the food groups under one retail roof has ruled the grocery business in the five boroughs for decades. For the most part, supermarkets aced out the older mom-and-pop food shops by offering convenience and lower prices.
Now, supermarkets seem to be following mom and pop into history, mainly because of high rent and real estate costs. A City Planning Commission study has found that few neighborhoods have enough supermarkets to meet local needs.
What exactly will replace our vanishing supermarkets is not clear. Online grocers show some promise, but have mostly restricted themselves to the high-rent districts.
The Planning Commission study found that city residents spend $1 billion a year in suburban grocery stores, which are big and user-friendly.
With that kind of money in play, someone should be able to figure out a new urban business model for groceries. The city, which gives tax breaks to enterprises it deems important, should help. Good, inexpensive, nutritious food, such as supermarkets sell, is important to our neighborhoods. Between the city and the business community, a way to save our supermarkets, or replace them, can and should be found.
