Would be nice The BPCA as it's constructed does whatever it wants in spite of the communities please ... if you have envelopes filled with cash , pay for play gets you anything — JJ on In the News: Timeline for the Food Emporium Replacement

The Laughing Man parklet is fantastic. It should be replicated throughout the neighborhood (and city). — Jonathan on Seen & Heard: Zara Is Open

Actually they are not going to decommission. Squadron wants to have it taken over by the City instead of the State having control. He wants it to be run more like a Community Board with more community members holding positions on the Board. — TribecaMom on In the News: Timeline for the Food Emporium Replacement

I've been to the Best Market in Harlem countless times. It's a pretty decent store. Nothing overly fancy, but clean with an especially nice produce section. This area needs an alternative to Whole Foods and I'm happy to hear another grocer is taking the space! — C.J on So What Is Best Market?

One can only imagine relative efficiency, less political paybacks, and perhaps just a touch of community involvement. — Rohin on In the News: Timeline for the Food Emporium Replacement

"Michael R. Levine is a Director in the Investment Sales Division at Eastern Consolidated, specializing in the sales and acquisition of all commercial property types with an emphasis on mixed-use buildings and development sites. "His significant deals include negotiating a joint venture between a prominent New York City developer and the long-term owner of one of Tribeca’s last remaining vacant lots, 411-413 Broadway aka 64-68 Lispenard Street, where the partners plan to build a 50,000-square-foot, mixed-use project" http://www.easternconsolidated.com/people/michael-r-levine 50,000 SF is roughly the 8,500 SF x FAR of 6. — James on Is This Parking Lot the Next to Go?

I agree. Only had a not so great experience with fresh produce, everything else was great value. Little known fact that TJ's is owned by ALDI and it's basically as great as ALDI in it's home market Germany. — Dave on What Is It About Trader Joe’s?

just a follow-up on the j&r story from last year-- you did a terrific job of reporting and sussing out who was being truthful and who wasn't... Thanks again! Park Row is fab! — morris greeley on Is This Parking Lot the Next to Go?

Three bags of groceries at Food Emporium or Whole Foods = $150. Three bags of groceries at TJ's = $75. — Carol Adams on What Is It About Trader Joe’s?

I was a cynic too. Maybe this is moot, but you should try going to one that isn't in the city to get an clearer sense of the appeal. I recently moved to LA after 17-ish years in Tribeca. TJs are everywhere here, and I must say, I'm thankful for them. I never went in to any of the NYC stores because the lines to get in and check out were too long. I figured, whatever money I'm saving isn't worth the aggravation of waiting to get in/shoving your way through the store. After moving to CA, and shopping there, while having an actual sense personal space around me, I think I finally understand the appeal. It's all true; inexpensive, quality, & friendly service, (its easier to observe when you're not shoulder-to-shoulder, going through the place.) As others noted, the one thing that is mediocre is the produce, but it'll still hold you over in a pinch. And make sure to refrigerate the bread, because it really does seem to mold faster. — DB on What Is It About Trader Joe’s?

What happens if they decommission the Battery Park Authority? — Rob on In the News: Timeline for the Food Emporium Replacement

"We’re going to start quarterly community meetings with the Authority and the community." Of course they are now that Squadron and others are moving ahead with plans to decommission them and has the support to probably get it done. — TribecaMom on In the News: Timeline for the Food Emporium Replacement

It looks like another parking lot is about to bite the dust. The lot at the corner of Broadway and Lispenard Street has drilling equipment testing the ground and there are paint markers on the asphalt that look like possible drill sites. I think this testing to find the quality of the earth underneath and that will determine the height they can build. — Terry on In the News: Timeline for the Food Emporium Replacement

I am ready to welcome Best Yet to TriBeCa. Love the idea of a family owned business and I hope they are able to retain some of the employees. — Huck's Mom on Another Grocer Wants to Take Over the Tribeca Food Emporium

ALF, Is this based on facts or is it speculation? If you have solid information, we would all love to know it. — Huck's Mom on Another Grocer Wants to Take Over the Tribeca Food Emporium

The LaBoz brothers (there are four) divide up Lower Manhattan with many many low rise rental buildings I SoHo and Tribeca. I've lived on Duane St for over 40 years and have worked with Al over various issues. I tend to believe him about not going that high. However , He's not renewed Capitals lease and they will be gone by January . . I do get heat and elevator complaints as a Community Bd member . But in the general scheme of things, I'd rather work with Al than some unknown corporarate entity. And they do support small businesses like my shoe guy who is super good. — Jean on 44-Story Tower Rumored for Southeast Tribeca

Love the photo of the reflected Racoon Lodge sign. Reminds me of some of Huck Finn Mom's amazing paintings. — SJW on Seen & Heard: Dahlia’s Has Reopened

If there is an organized effort to help keep George around, count me in. — Stacey on So What Is Best Market?

Shake Shack is a mystery to me. I'm vegetarian and not particularly interested in expensive greasy fast food that's mostly meat (and cholesterol.) I get that it's upscale MacDonalds. But I would never eat at MacDonalds and it's not like I've been jonesing for an upscale, pricey MacDonalds either. I don't get it. I've only ever shopped for wine at Trader Joe's and yeah, they have really good wine for low prices, which is nice. The food - well, honestly, the lines are always so long at check-out that I bail. Too much of a madhouse. — Will on What Is It About Trader Joe’s?

Everything is cheaper and still good quality. The end. I can get practically a month's worth of food for less than $100. There is almost nothing priced over $5. No, we're not big cooks, so maybe that's key for us. But still, relatively healthy and 1000x less expensive than Whole Foods, where I can't walk out for less $50 no matter what I get. And the employees are always seemingly genuinely pleased to be there. The whole vibe is positive and upbeat and just a good experience -- even when waiting in a mile-long line. — Ryan on What Is It About Trader Joe’s?

I love this entire debate. It's what makes Tribeca citizen so good and me so happy to live here. I love the specificity and passion of the responses. I will say that I used to go to visit family on the west coast and smuggle back TJ truffle oil (for a tiny fraction of the usual price) and molasses cookies that were dreamy. Sadly, neither of them are still there. But I think the readers have done a good job of explaining the merits. Plus, little free cups of coffee. And I think you couldn't be more right about shake shack. The burgers are just ok, the shakes are pretty good, and the fries are out and out bad. It's not the worst in the world, but the hype is totally lost on me. — Jenny on What Is It About Trader Joe’s?

I very much agree. Food Emporium has always been the supermarket that has the items that FD and WF doesn't have. — Toni Silber-Delerive on Another Grocer Wants to Take Over the Tribeca Food Emporium

30% less on most items and higher quality compared to WF. Nuff said! Stay away from the 14th St store which is much too small. Also, excellent helpful staff. — Dixie on What Is It About Trader Joe’s?

@Doc: Yes, i have been to Westside Market (my friend lives one block from it) It is like 80% Whole Foods type of products and 20% Conventional...Best Market will provide a mix that is more like Food Emporium had (much more emphasis on conventional products) and THAT is what we need over here, not another Whole Foods...one is enough... — Craig on Another Grocer Wants to Take Over the Tribeca Food Emporium

Agreed, charango. They're charging $6,000 for newly renovated apartments. No need to tear anything down as they're already making a mint. — Donna on Another Grocer Wants to Take Over the Tribeca Food Emporium