Come what maaaaay!
We admit it- we’re fans of the Grays Ferry Pathmark. It’s large for a city supermarket, has a decent selection of products, offers some pretty good sales, is relatively clean, and the people who work there are generally friendly and pleasant.
Feels like home
For residents of Graduate Hospital, Point Breeze, and Grays Ferry, it’s the most convenient option for shopping for large quantities of food, though without a car (or car share), it’s considerably tougher to appreciate. Then again, with the high prices and poor selection at South Square Market and the never-ending lines at Trader Joe’s, signing up for Zipcar to go to the Pathmark a couple times a month seems like a no-brainer.
Considering our fondness for the Pathmark, it’s with a good bit of shock that we tell you that there’s some surprising competition on the horizon. An eagle-eyed reader told us about a little sign they noticed earlier this week at the corner of 31st & Grays Ferry, on the site of a large vacant lot.
Huh
From the east
Yes, Bottom Dollar Food is planning on opening a new location on Grays Ferry Avenue, right across the street from the Pathmark. And we have to say, we’re a little confused. When they built a new market in Brewerytown last year, it filled a need for a neighborhood that hasn’t had good access to groceries in decades. But that argument can’t be made at this location. Are they counting on their slightly lower prices and easier access for people walking from the neighborhood to provide a competitive advantage? Are they hoping that they’ll be able to put Pathmark out of business? Are they expecting that trouble with Pathmark’s parent company will result in the store closing in the coming years?
On the plus side, another market will mean more choices, greater competition, and lower prices for consumers. Hopefully, both stores will thrive, and the Bottom Dollar will strengthen the business corridor by filling in a large vacant parcel. How things will shake out here in the coming years, however, remains to be seen.