New Upscale Grocery Store Faces Criticism and Success
A newly opened upscale grocery store in downtown Manhattan has found itself in hot water due to its high prices. This comes right after the store had to temporarily close when shelves were quickly emptied following its opening.
Meadow Lane, located at 355 Greenwich St. in Tribeca, has gained a surge of customers since its debut last Friday, prompting the store to implement purchase limits on certain items. These include Siberian caviar priced at $625, extra virgin olive oil at $65, matcha powder for $74, and gluten-free chicken nuggets sold at $15 for just half a dozen.
“We can’t keep up with the demand,” said founder Sammy Nussdorf, also known online as “Brokeback Contessa.” “We’ve surpassed all expectations.”
However, Nussdorf, who is 28 and a New Yorker, has also been the target of death threats and online vitriol, especially as calls from socialist mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani denounce the wealthy. He mentioned that the anger toward his store reflects a broader societal discontent.
“We’re getting death threats. People are saying they’ll burn our stores down and throw rocks at our windows. The hatred is palpable. Every little flaw is under scrutiny. It’s a politically charged environment,” he shared.
The timing of Meadow Lane’s opening might not have been the best, Nussdorf admits. It coincided with a period when SNAP benefits for many struggling New Yorkers were put on hold during a government shutdown.
“Of course, I didn’t open overnight. I wasn’t aware my SNAP benefits would be canceled. It seems more about the narrative than the truth. This situation has opened my eyes to a side of humanity I didn’t know existed,” he reflected on the criticism.
The store is currently selling hundreds of pounds of chicken each day, and according to the operations manager, “We’re running out of fridge space to handle all this demand.”
Customers can’t seem to get enough of the crispy chicken nuggets and a $20 Chinese chicken salad, which is packed with a tangy dressing and an array of crunchy vegetables.
As for the backlash, Nussdorf views it as a double-edged sword. “All the negativity just boosts my engagement and relevance. I have long lines and over 100,000 followers now. That’s not what they want, but it’s what’s happening,” he noted. “There’s clearly a market for this.”
New fans have already appeared, including Barbara Corcoran from “Shark Tank,” who was seen shopping for popular items like those chicken nuggets.
By Friday afternoon, Meadow Lane had sold out of most goods, and the crowds kept coming throughout the weekend. By Monday, they needed to close for inventory and restocking.
The store has adjusted its hours on Tuesdays, opening later at noon and often closing by 4 p.m., after many items are gone. “It was initially set to stay open until 9 p.m., but we wanted patrons to fully enjoy their experience,” Nussdorf explained.
Due to high demand, shoppers are now limited to five prepared meals each. The store also actively informs customers via social media to prevent disappointment when items sell out.
Nussdorf mentioned that people were waiting in-store for fresh batches, but the crowd made it difficult to prepare anything else.
Other popular menu items include Horseradish Leek Chicken Salad, Miso Salmon Bowl, Cacio e Pepe Macaroni and Cheese, and Grandma’s Meatballs.
Additionally, Meadow Lane’s reusable totes—styled in a blue and beige check reminiscent of designer brands—have become a hit.
Looking ahead, Nussdorf plans to expand the product range as new supplies arrive. He envisions that once the store is running smoothly, it could open earlier, at 7 a.m., and close later, at 9 p.m.
The store boasts a striking interior designed by Sarah Carpenter, featuring sculpted corners for customers to place their baskets while checking out.
Nussdorf aims for Meadow Lane to cater mainly to New Yorkers rather than just social media influencers.
“Local businesses thrive on local support,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Kate Friedman, a 24-year-old visiting from Chicago, found herself in line to experience the store firsthand. “I think [Nussdorf] is great, and as someone who’s gluten-free on TikTok, I can’t wait to try the chicken nuggets and matcha,” she shared.
