1.

FiDi hating is not so much about the semantics of "grocery store" or how close there is one. There is already an Associated on Fulton Street, as well as a few smaller upscale markets in the neighborhood.

The problems are demand and quality. There aren't enough retail spaces available in the neighborhood to facilitate the expansion of local services for residents - including food markets. And Gristedes, if you're at all familiar with their other outlets, is a very low quality chain of supermarkets - why, there are two of them in BPC in buildings less than 20 years old, and both are grimy as if they were in Crown Heights. (Not to mention that the selection/quality of good available is terrible, and the prices are stratospheric) Even if they opened one GOOD Gristedes on Maiden Lane, they'd need TWO more good ones on the east side of Broadway to provide enough service to the incoming residents.

I suppose FreshDirect mitigates this situation a lot, and I do think that this new supermarket, given its location, is a big win for the neighborhood. I hope they keep it clean, that's all I'll add to that.

2.

"Demand and quality"? Gristedes makes the 4th "food market" in the area that, when you really think about it, just isn't that big. Not for nothing, but what are people cooking that they can't find food in Jubilee or Zeytuna or Associated (if you have to) or Gristedes (now open)?? I used to live at 23rd and Park and my food market was the Associated at 22nd and Park. The next closest I remember was Eden on 3rd Ave; not exactly a convenient walk in the rain. Where's the outrage about the lack of amenities in Gramercy?

Face it, there is not going to be a Whole Foods on Broad Street. It won't fit any more than a Target would. If that's what you want, you'll have to make the 15 pilgrimmage all the way up to Warren Street (Saddle up the mules!) But if you don't need your grocery stores (or any other retail outlet) measured in thousands of sq ft, than FiDi does just fine.

IMHO