Development in and Around Syracuse Discussion

[Fly Rodder]

I'm still trying to figure out how Hannaford thinks they're going to dominate the grocery game in Fayetteville.

 

[Cheriehoop]

thoughts on the Price Chopper/Tops merger? I haven't been in The Chopper in years, I'm not sure I even have their shoppers card anymore. I only go to Tops when I don't want to deal with Wegmans and need beer given that Tops is closer to me. Their prices on just about everything are ridiculous so I wonder how much that will change after this merger goes through.

I had always gone to Wegman’s from when I was first married and they were new to the area when I lived in the city. Later after we moved to Liverpool, I still shopped at Wegman’s. Later when I had 3 sons - 2 teenagers and a young one, all who loved to eat, I did my own personal cost comparison. I went with a notebook and went to Wegmans and Price Chopper to compare prices for the same items. Price Chopper won by quite a bit, I even liked their meat dept better and they made steamed fish dinners for Friday pickup. So I bought groceries at PC but would occasionally go to Wegman’s for their sub shop, their strawberry cakes etc. I should do the price comparison again after this Covid period since that was quite a while ago, but during Covid I did switch back to Wegmans since I use Instacart to pick up groceries. Wegmans pickup was much better than Price Chopper‘s. I never really went to Tops.

 

[KellySyracuse]

I'm still trying to figure out how Hannaford thinks they're going to dominate the grocery game in Fayetteville.

I read speculation at one point Hannaford was buying the old KMart in Mattydale but that was before the pandemic. I wouldn't mind if they moved in there as I really do avoid Tops unless I only need a couple of things and don't want to deal with Wegman's

 

[KellySyracuse]

I had always gone to Wegman’s from when I was first married and they were new to the area when I lived in the city. Later after we moved to Liverpool, I still shopped at Wegman’s. Later when I had 3 sons - 2 teenagers and a young one, all who loved to eat, I did my own personal cost comparison. I went with a notebook and went to Wegmans and Price Chopper to compare prices for the same items. Price Chopper won by quite a bit, I even liked their meat dept better and they made steamed fish dinners for Friday pickup. So I bought groceries at PC but would occasionally go to Wegman’s for their sub shop, their strawberry cakes etc. I should do the price comparison again after this Covid period since that was quite a while ago, but during Covid I did switch back to Wegmans since I use Instacart to pick up groceries. Wegmans pickup was much better than Price Chopper‘s. I never really went to Tops.

I can believe that about Price Chopper, my brother swears by their meat dept. I've never lived close to one that was convenient enough to make me switch from Wegman's but I also never had to feed a family of growing boys either. Wegman's is expensive with the exception of the staples and beer so I usually buy what I can at Aldi and definitely save money there. Unfortunately Aldi does not sell beer and their produce section is dismal to say the least.

edit: One more thing about Wegman's, their meat is not so great and way too expensive.

 

[OttoMets]

I've got to think the merger will hurt the soft retail real estate market in CNY and other areas where there's overlap. Can't imagine they won't close a few stores.

I don't usually shop at Tops because it's a mediocre store (and the one nearest to me is rife with undergrads), but they do have the best bakery of any local chain grocery.

Price Chopper, on the other hand, has a pretty weak bakery (except for some of their sandwich rolls) but better produce and, especially, seafood and meat than the other local chains. My closest store is pretty dirty, but I still go there more than Tops and as much as Wegmans. And in the case of these two stores there is very little demographic overlap and I'm sure both will stay in operation.

It'll be interesting to see if the new company repositions itself, either as a more upscale Market 32 concept or as a no-frills Aldi/Price Rite type of store.

 

[KellySyracuse]

I've got to think the merger will hurt the soft retail real estate market in CNY and other areas where there's overlap. Can't imagine they won't close a few stores.

I don't usually shop at Tops because it's a mediocre store (and the one nearest to me is rife with undergrads), but they do have the best bakery of any local chain grocery.

Price Chopper, on the other hand, has a pretty weak bakery (except for some of their sandwich rolls) but better produce and, especially, seafood and meat than the other local chains. My closest store is pretty dirty, but I still go there more than Tops and as much as Wegmans. And in the case of these two stores there is very little demographic overlap and I'm sure both will stay in operation.

It'll be interesting to see if the new company repositions itself, either as a more upscale Market 32 concept or as a no-frills Aldi/Price Rite type of store.

Are you referring to the Erie Blvd Chopper? I would go there occasionally but found that it took forever to check out. Their produce was top notch and agree about the seafood although I did get some bad mussels from there once. I couldn't deal with the checkout process but it's been a good 7, 8 years since I've been there.

 

[shandeezy7]

Price Chopper meat department is definitely better than Wegmans. As mentioned, their seafood options are also much better and larger. Since there are no Price Choppers out here in Buffalo, it will be interesting to see what happens post-merger.

 

[OttoMets]

Are you referring to the Erie Blvd Chopper? I would go there occasionally but found that it took forever to check out. Their produce was top notch and agree about the seafood although I did get some bad mussels from there once. I couldn't deal with the checkout process but it's been a good 7, 8 years since I've been there.

Yep, their staff are pretty nice and I'm told that they actually do clean the store nightly. But their clientele is all over the map, for better or worse, and some folks really make a mess of the place by mid-afternoon.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Worked at price chopper from High School to College. I heard they had been hurting a bit the past couple years. Their seafood section is outstanding.

 

[FloridaFan]

I haven’t been up to NY in like 4 years but how is chanantrys doing? It was always my favorite grocery store to go to and my great aunt lived over by the one in Utica and it was a blast

 

[Marty McFly]

Been to the Chopper on the Blvd, the store itself is ok. Agree that the checkout process and clientele leave something to be desired. Traffic flow sucks too. I prefer Wegmans. Solid variety of stuff, fresh, stocked well, etc. Tops in Fayetteville is pretty decent (all-be-it) overpriced. The produce doesn't get restocked often enough, and is pretty mediocre at its best.

 

[KellySyracuse]

In pandemic, NYC families discover homes in CNY: ‘I couldn’t imagine a more magical place to live’

Abundant green space, good schools, affordable homes attract new residents

www.syracuse.com

"...many families who have traded in the congestion and cost of New York City for more affordable, more spacious homes in Central New York during the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic has changed the way people in many industries can work remotely, proving that they don’t have to live in New York City to do the same jobs.

Real estate records show dozens of people with Downstate addresses bought homes in the Syracuse area in 2020. Real estate agents say they have waiting lists: More people are looking for homes here while fewer homes are for sale.

...“People are finding new ways to live, and they’re finding out about CNY, and they’re moving here.."

 

[721Comstock]

In pandemic, NYC families discover homes in CNY: ‘I couldn’t imagine a more magical place to live’

Abundant green space, good schools, affordable homes attract new residents

www.syracuse.com

"...many families who have traded in the congestion and cost of New York City for more affordable, more spacious homes in Central New York during the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic has changed the way people in many industries can work remotely, proving that they don’t have to live in New York City to do the same jobs.

Real estate records show dozens of people with Downstate addresses bought homes in the Syracuse area in 2020. Real estate agents say they have waiting lists: More people are looking for homes here while fewer homes are for sale.

...“People are finding new ways to live, and they’re finding out about CNY, and they’re moving here.."

This is true about the Hudson Valley too.
Real Estste market here went to plaid starting last April, primarily w people coming up from NYC area.

We had 3 houses in our small ‘hood sell last year:
one went quickly for $40k over ask (which was high), another for full ask (ditto), and the house across the street sold in under 48 hours at full ask - which was $100k more than they (over)paid for it 2 years earlier, having done zero improvements.

 

[OttoMets]

This touches on a concern that many had about autonomous vehicles but that applies to remote work as well: it'll promote sprawl.

 

[Fly Rodder]

This touches on a concern that many had about autonomous vehicles but that applies to remote work as well: it'll promote sprawl.

It will, but I wonder where the tipping point will be. There will be a lot of people who don't want to live in NJ/NYC area - but there will also be a lot of people who still do.

Also, too, lots of people buy camps in the Adirondacks and then sell them 2-3 years later when they realize it's not as much fun as they thought it would be.

 

[Cusefan0307]

This is true about the Hudson Valley too.
Real Estste market here went to plaid starting last April, primarily w people coming up from NYC area.

We had 3 houses in our small ‘hood sell last year:
one went quickly for $40k over ask (which was high), another for full ask (ditto), and the house across the street sold in under 48 hours at full ask - which was $100k more than they (over)paid for it 2 years earlier, having done zero improvements.

We sold our house for 50% more than we purchased it 6 years ago last May. We had 8 offers the first day it was on the market and a couple of them were 20% over the asking price. The local housing market is insane right now.

 

[upperdeck]

thoughts on the Price Chopper/Tops merger? I haven't been in The Chopper in years, I'm not sure I even have their shoppers card anymore. I only go to Tops when I don't want to deal with Wegmans and need beer given that Tops is closer to me. Their prices on just about everything are ridiculous so I wonder how much that will change after this merger goes through.

I go to Tops alot just because they are so vastly cheaper than Wegmans on almost everything and have much more Variety now that Wegmans stopped selling so many name brands. If it gets cheaper even better.

 

[shandeezy7]

We sold our house for 50% more than we purchased it 6 years ago last May. We had 8 offers the first day it was on the market and a couple of them were 20% over the asking price. The local housing market is insane right now.

Over a 6 month period last year, we put in a dozen offers on homes, almost all of which were 15-20% over asking. Didn’t get any of them. We finally got an offer accepted on a house on the 13th try, which of course turned out to be a bad omen for us. Three months in and I just had to unexpectedly put a new roof on. Also, the market appears to still be hot. House across the street just sold for $30k over asking.

 

[shandeezy7]

Happy Tuesday, y'all

 

[KellySyracuse]

way too young to die, his food was unique and pretty damn good

Obit: He helped pioneer the modern food truck scene in Syracuse

Steve LeClair worked as a chef at Antonio's before launching Street Eats.

www.syracuse.com

"Before 2012, the “mobile” food scene in Central New York consisted primarily of hot dog carts and the occasional larger vehicle serving burgers, sandwiches and other staple items.

The came Steve LeClair. His Street Eats food truck served more “gourmet” items like chicken adobo tacos, burgers with strawberry rhubarb bacon jam, and a sandwich called The Kraken (balsamic-marinated veggies on a ciabatta roll with feta cheese and pepper and sunflower seed pesto). And lots of specialty cupcakes.

Street Eats helped trigger the rise in the modern “elevated” food truck scene in the Syracuse area, which now includes dozens of vehicles. It came not long after the food truck wave began sweeping the nation.

LeClair died this week at his home in St. Augustine, Fla., where he and his wife Danielle hard relocated in 2014 to help operate The Beachcomber Restaurant on St. Augustine Beach. He was 53."

 

[OttoMets]

way too young to die, his food was unique and pretty damn good

Obit: He helped pioneer the modern food truck scene in Syracuse

Steve LeClair worked as a chef at Antonio's before launching Street Eats.

www.syracuse.com

"Before 2012, the “mobile” food scene in Central New York consisted primarily of hot dog carts and the occasional larger vehicle serving burgers, sandwiches and other staple items.

The came Steve LeClair. His Street Eats food truck served more “gourmet” items like chicken adobo tacos, burgers with strawberry rhubarb bacon jam, and a sandwich called The Kraken (balsamic-marinated veggies on a ciabatta roll with feta cheese and pepper and sunflower seed pesto). And lots of specialty cupcakes.

Street Eats helped trigger the rise in the modern “elevated” food truck scene in the Syracuse area, which now includes dozens of vehicles. It came not long after the food truck wave began sweeping the nation.

LeClair died this week at his home in St. Augustine, Fla., where he and his wife Danielle hard relocated in 2014 to help operate The Beachcomber Restaurant on St. Augustine Beach. He was 53."

Yeah, was sad to see that, feared that's who it was before I could even click on the headline. Great food and a good guy. I'd always hoped to visit him down in St. Augustine (but don't really want to go to Florida, ever).

 

[FloridaFan]

I’ll have to go down there one day soon and pay my respects. It’s only 45 minutes from me

 

[KellySyracuse]

I went to the Salt City Market for the 1st time today right after getting my vaccine at the Oncenter. I didn't happen to notice a sign or placard on the outside of the building which I thought was odd. Shouldn't there be a big sign in neon lights? That would be cool.

Otherwise I loved the place. I had the jerk pork from Erma's Island, it was so good. Just the right amount of heat and flavor was out of this world. I'm going to have to hit this place more often for lunch, next up will be the soul food stand.

I sat in the bar and ate while drinking a Middle Ages Red Ale, what a wonderful way to spend the day.

 

[longtimefan]

I went to the Salt City Market for the 1st time today right after getting my vaccine at the Oncenter. I didn't happen to notice a sign or placard on the outside of the building which I thought was odd. Shouldn't there be a big sign in neon lights? That would be cool.

Otherwise I loved the place. I had the jerk pork from Erma's Island, it was so good. Just the right amount of heat and flavor was out of this world. I'm going to have to hit this place more often for lunch, next up will be the soul food stand.

I sat in the bar and ate while drinking a Middle Ages Red Ale, what a wonderful way to spend the day.

Here's to days like that once again being the rule rather than the exception.

 

[tptcuse]

Here's to days like that once again being the rule rather than the exception.

On a related note, I am going to designate a friend or family member to punch me in the face if I start talking about being "bored" when this virus finally gets under control.