 
Atwater
Member
Username: Atwater
Post Number: 379
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2009 - 5:22 pm: |    |
"young married singles"
Hm, interesting. |
Detroitchef
Member
Username: Detroitchef
Post Number: 106
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2009 - 6:03 pm: | |
holy crap.. I dunno what planet you people live in... but if you put a bodega in Detroit, the crackheads will be lining up to rob the place. |
Urban_shocker
Member
Username: Urban_shocker
Post Number: 76
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2009 - 6:41 pm: | |
Zaccaro's accepted EBT, geniuses. |
Birdie
Member
Username: Birdie
Post Number: 111
Registered: 04-2007
| | Posted on Monday, February 16, 2009 - 6:49 pm: | |
detroit chef, how would a bodega be any worse than a liquor store for attracting crime? |
Urbanoutdoors
Member
Username: Urbanoutdoors
Post Number: 1100
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 12:12 am: | |
well it must have been a very late addition if they did accept it, there were a lot of mad customers in the beginning when they tried to tell people that there system was not equipt to handle EBT.... I personally heard Cindy talk about how she hoped it would never get to that point and how she felt like allowing EBT was just asking for trouble. |
Ashdetroit
Member
Username: Ashdetroit
Post Number: 61
Registered: 08-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 10:29 am: | |
While I would never shop at Zaccaro's for produce , it was a great place to pick up the stuff I often went to the suburbs for (whole wheat pasta, fancy tea, etc.)
I don't think we can blame Cindy for everything. This recession has put a lot of things on hold in the city. Even if you have money, no one is spending eight bucks on pastries right now. Bad timing. |
Sg9018
Member
Username: Sg9018
Post Number: 272
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 10:32 am: | |
Update,
In today's Free Press,
Help offered for Zaccaro's Market in Detroit
Store working with city.
http://www.freep.com/article/2 0090217/BUSINESS06/902170386 |
Iheartthed
Member
Username: Iheartthed
Post Number: 3778
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 10:33 am: | |
quote:detroit chef, how would a bodega be any worse than a liquor store for attracting crime?
Yeah, I'm waiting on that answer myself. NYC bodegas are the equivalent of Detroit liquor stores. They both are known for selling two things: beer and food past that is its expiration date. |
Lakesuperior
Member
Username: Lakesuperior
Post Number: 140
Registered: 06-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 10:34 am: | |
i love zaccaro's, but i can't help but agree with the detroitist:
http://detroitist.blogspot.com /2009/02/its-wonderful-buncomb e.html
zaccaro's could do better... |
Eric_c
Member
Username: Eric_c
Post Number: 721
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 11:03 am: | |
I personally cannot understand why anyone would ever need to leave the Greater Downtown for groceries.
Maybe it's because I'm a single man without a lot of fancy needs, but geez...
Let's see...meat, dairy, the freshest vegetables in the world...Eastern Market. If I'm feeling lazy and don't feel like going out in the winter cold...Harbortown.
Someone above mentioned cheeses...Jesus Christ...R. Hirt has an ENORMOUS selection of cheese. They employ people whose job it is to ONLY slice cheese!
I just can't imagine what people are looking for that can't be found in the Greater Downtown.
I went to Meijer for the first time in six years this past Sunday and damn-near vomited; stringy-haired people in dirty sweatpants, a mother slapping her screaming kid, crammed aisles, long check-out lines.
Ugh. Y'all can have it. I'll take Harbortown and save the gas money. |
Waymooreland
Member
Username: Waymooreland
Post Number: 115
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 11:20 am: | |
I REALLY hope that Zaccaro's finds a way to stay open because I live two blocks away from the place and it means a lot to me and other area residents, but I have to agree with Eric_c. I had no problem shopping for food in the city before Zaccaro's opened and will still have no problem if it does indeed close.
People drive from all over the metro area to shop at Eastern Market, yet there are people in the greater downtown area driving out to the suburbs for groceries. Then there are plenty of perfectly good independent grocery stores like those that have already been mentioned in this thread.
The only time I really shop for groceries out in the 'burbs is if it's late at night, making Meijer the only option. |
Lugotown
Member
Username: Lugotown
Post Number: 59
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 11:34 am: | |
it's definitely different shopping for just you vs. an entire family. i remember those days, seems like so long ago  . i go to eastern mkt often but they're not always open when i am able to get to the market. also, i get frustrated when i do go there and am only able to get some of the items on my list and have to end up going to the grocery store for the rest. i avoid meijer's or any other grocery on the weekends, it's a mad house.
when you have limited time for shopping or a car full of kids, it's difficult to make multiple stops to purchase items needed. so, i try to shop in the city when i can but to do my serious grocery shopping, i haven't found a place that has a costco and meijer's near each other in the city.
i used to shop at harbortown a long time ago when i lived downtown. i have friends and family that can drive there in 2 minutes, some can walk there but even they can't stand that place and refuse to spend one penny in there.
does anyone go to indian village market? |
Eric_c
Member
Username: Eric_c
Post Number: 722
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 11:46 am: | |
What do they have against Harbortown, Lugo? I'm curious, because I've never had anything but the best experiences and I've shopped there for over ten years. |
Lodgedodger
Member
Username: Lodgedodger
Post Number: 1483
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 11:52 am: | |
>>i love zaccaro's, but i can't help but agree with the detroitist:
http://detroitist.blogspot.com /2009/02/its-wonderful-buncomb e.html<<
That blog hit the nail on the head. |
Spiritofdetroit
Member
Username: Spiritofdetroit
Post Number: 1227
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 11:55 am: | |
A personal call from the mayor - think Kwame would've done that?
Glad to see Cockrel is paying attention to the small details as well |
Lugotown
Member
Username: Lugotown
Post Number: 61
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 11:57 am: | |
i couldn't understand it either cause we shopped there all the time for like 6 years. the main complaints i hear are about the prices, quality of produce/food, customer service and rude management.
they have lived in the area for about 15 years and stopped shopping there about 5 years ago.
i haven't been in there in quite some time. i'm always in the area so i'll have to stop in there one day and see for myself. |
Eric_c
Member
Username: Eric_c
Post Number: 723
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 12:27 pm: | |
Thanks for the reply. That's interesting. I've never been disatisfied with the store - maybe it helps that the owners have been my clients for the better part of those ten years, but I find the management to be pretty good folks, too. |
Danny
Member
Username: Danny
Post Number: 4482
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 12:29 pm: | |
Save Zaccaros |
Detroitbill
Member
Username: Detroitbill
Post Number: 683
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 2:00 pm: | |
I have to totally agree with Eric_c statements that its not hard to do your shopping downtown, I have lived in Lafayette Park for numerous years and buy a wide variety of grocery items.. Between,Eastern Market farmer venues, Hirts, Rockys, Gratiot Market, Avalon Bakery, Downtown Foodland, Harbortown, Honey Bee and University Foods I have a ton of variety, all within walking or short driving distance, I'm constantly scratching my head when reading the ridiculous assertations that you cant buy your food in the city.. One just has to look around you, the same as you would if you lived in Royal Oak, Ferndale or Dearborn. |
Cowboytrader
Member
Username: Cowboytrader
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 2:28 pm: | |
Cindy is no longer interested in owning/running/managing/workin g/thinking/talking/Zaccaros. She lost interest when she found out that the busniness requierd more from her than hiring inexperienced people to run the store. she went through 8 managers, more than 20 workes in six months. Dont blame Detroit, it could have made it |
Troy
Member
Username: Troy
Post Number: 102
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 3:35 pm: | |
She was on detroit today (the other day) and mentioned that suburban organizations were willing to re-locate her for free and give her discounted rent. In that same statement she mentioned that Detroit had not offered anything and seemed not to care. Although she thought detroit was a diamond in the rough for a business. Interesting statement when it is now published that a month prior to her announcing the store closing she decided to not work with city officials that were trying to keep her business going.
Is is just me or is something fishy going on. What is she looking for and what kind of game is she playing.
I enjoy shopping at multiple locations over one giant market. This supports more employees, usually provides higher salaries, more tax revinue for the city, specialty small grocery stores provide a unique shopping experience and provides personality to the whole experience.
I enjoy Avalon for baked goods, Goodwells for organic and hard to find diet restricted items, HoneyBee for winter produce and all things mexican especially locally made items, Hirt and Rockys for specialty items, eastern market for vegetables, and university for staples / general dry goods (greatly increased selection for vegan and vegetarin options over the last 10 years of shopping there).
If more people took the approach of supporting detroit business even if that means seeking them out, going the extra mile, or paying an extra 5% then we wouldnt be asking ourselves why are these stores closing and others not opening. It is a personal thing to support local for me. I enjoy doing it even if that means sacrificing a bit if I have not been able to find a specific item in the city.
Back on topic (something smells like a rat with the refusal to talk to the city initially then going to the public stating opposite) |
Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon
Post Number: 9010
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 3:36 pm: | |
Thanks for that, cowboytrader, I've heard similar from other folks who worked there.
Another entrepreneur who forgot the greatest liability in any enterprise is often the one at the top. Often the one with the gumption to start a thing is the worst to run it, those actions take very different muscles! |
Cowboytrader
Member
Username: Cowboytrader
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 4:18 pm: | |
Cindy put Zaccaro's out of business, not the times or location.end of story |
Lodgedodger
Member
Username: Lodgedodger
Post Number: 1485
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 8:33 pm: | |
>>I went to Meijer for the first time in six years this past Sunday and damn-near vomited; stringy-haired people in dirty sweatpants, a mother slapping her screaming kid, crammed aisles, long check-out lines.<<
And city grocery stores are different, how?
Try shopping in the off-hours. Sunday mornings at 8:00 AM are the perfect time to shop at Meijers. Stock people aren't blocking aisles while loading the shelves, screaming Godzilla babies are still at home with their parents, and the free sample folks haven't yet set up shop.
Get a cup of coffee and shop at your own pace. |
Lodgedodger
Member
Username: Lodgedodger
Post Number: 1486
Registered: 05-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 8:34 pm: | |
Amen, Cowboy. |
Urbanoutdoors
Member
Username: Urbanoutdoors
Post Number: 1101
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 9:13 pm: | |
Welcome to the forum Cowboy, I agree 100 percent |
Bobby08
Member
Username: Bobby08
Post Number: 125
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 9:14 am: | |
U know I used to shop @ Walmart in Dearborn. Yet, I ceased due to it seemed to have turned into a cattle call for kids running all over the place, bad customer service, long lines, poor service in general. The prices were decent, however, when you add the pain of fnding a parking spot, long lines, crowds, bad service, its not worth it.
I shop @ Harbortown as well and there have been times where I expereinced poor CS service by the teenage cashiers, I even had to report one of them. Indian Village market on East Jefferson has improved yet, I dont trust the meat section at all anymore. |
Detroitbill
Member
Username: Detroitbill
Post Number: 684
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 9:28 am: | |
I really find the meat vendors at the Gratiot Central Market in Eastern Market to be excellent, plus they are open most days and prices are reasonable and the meat good..I dont buy meat at any grocery store anymore, It really is the best, Some of my friends from the burbs say the same thing.. |
Lugotown
Member
Username: Lugotown
Post Number: 63
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 11:10 am: | |
i agree, best place for meats, always quick and great customer service even when they're really busy. i love the range of selection even though i usually only buy the same few things every time. eastern market reminds me of the mercados in the islands. wish we had the same warm weather year round here . no such luck. |
Cowboytrader
Member
Username: Cowboytrader
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 9:09 pm: | |
Its a shame that Cindy had to go through so much just to find out what, after 80% discount, Products not to sell in her next store. |
Bragaboutme
Member
Username: Bragaboutme
Post Number: 609
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 9:21 pm: | |
So true Cowboy. |
Lugotown
Member
Username: Lugotown
Post Number: 66
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2009 - 10:27 am: | |
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/a rticle/20080811/VIDEO/67919813 /1115 |
English
Member
Username: English
Post Number: 450
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2009 - 11:03 am: | |
So what's the status of things now? Has it closed? About to close? |
Lakesuperior
Member
Username: Lakesuperior
Post Number: 142
Registered: 06-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2009 - 3:39 pm: | |
i went last night about 5pm and bought a few things. the shelves were pretty bare but there was a fair amount of salad dressings, salsas, etc. i bought a bar of soap, some tea and chocolate. it was pretty awkward feeling. i've shopped there since it opened but i still felt like a vulture there for the 20% liquidation sale... |
Eastsideal
Member
Username: Eastsideal
Post Number: 331
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2009 - 4:21 pm: | |
I was aghast at how amateurishly the place was run. And it now appears that, like far too many wannabee Detroit businesses, they were grossly undercapitalized. So they didn't even last as long as I thought they would.
Whining about the rent, long after you've signed the lease, just makes it more obvious that you're clueless about what it would take to even attempt to survive in this business. |
Jt1
Member
Username: Jt1
Post Number: 5781
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2009 - 5:26 pm: | |
I was a frequent shopper there and thought the place was nice, prices were fair on what I bought and the staff were all very nice.
I commend Ms. Warner for taking the risk. Whether or not she was prepared completely doesn't change the fact that she was silling to invest her money to try to make the place better.
I hope Zaccarros can find a way yo saty open as shopping there was an enjoyable experience for me. |
Swingline
Member
Username: Swingline
Post Number: 900
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2009 - 5:37 pm: | |
Never appeared to me that the place was amateurishly run. Service was always first rate with knowledgeable people. The problems appeared to stem from the business plan. Product mix, pricing, etc. In my unprofessional opinion, the store needed more everyday stuff sold competively priced as a loss leader to bring in more customers more frequently. Then, you get folks buying more of the higher margin stuff on impulse with less guilt because they have also accomplished some everyday shopping. Just a theory though. This closing sucks. |
Dbc
Member
Username: Dbc
Post Number: 187
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 3:42 pm: | |
My wife and I went there a few times and really liked the place. Despite the complaints on this forum about product selection, service, and price, we found it absolutely comparable to similar-sized markets out here in DC. (Granted, we did not have any cheese sliced or sandwiches made, as I recall comments about long waits for those items.)
I love Detroit and miss it dearly, but I question whether a market like Zaccaro's could have survived in that location given the economy. I'm not disagreeing that she overpaid in rent and was understaffed and undercapitalized, but their product selection - including the fresh cheese, sandwiches, and coffee - and prices were akin to any upscale market I've been to in DC, Chicago, or New York. Sorry, but you don't go to places like this expecting to save money and buy mass-produced staples. |
Hondo
Member
Username: Hondo
Post Number: 1
Registered: 02-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 6:45 pm: | |
it's not surprising it failed. i talked to cindy a few time, detroit is not northern mi, she was clueless. who needs over priced mediocre products like stonewall kitchen? every time i tried to shop there they didn't have what i need, not even buttermilk or fresh chicken, a basic. you can't run a market without being there, and what was with the really old fish in the case. maybe i can whine and get free rent |
Rjlj
Member
Username: Rjlj
Post Number: 814
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 7:11 pm: | |
Hondo, did you even speak to the management to tell them what you were looking for? or do you just bitch like everyone else? |
1kielsondrive
Member
Username: 1kielsondrive
Post Number: 925
Registered: 08-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, March 01, 2009 - 12:31 am: | |
Awwww Rjlj, lighten up, will ya'. |
Roadmaster49
Member
Username: Roadmaster49
Post Number: 123
Registered: 01-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, March 01, 2009 - 8:28 am: | |
1kielsondrive,
Rjij comments aren't as bad as Hondos. I am a bit suspicious of 1st time posters who are 100% negative without cogent comments. This has been a prett good post going back and forth. |
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