The former Gourmet Garage location on the UWS is re-opening as a 7-Eleven. The space on Broadway between 96th and 97th Streets is huge, so there’s room for the type of fresh, healthy foods Gourmet Garage was known for, rather than just 7-Eleven’s normal selection of pre-packaged items.
Gourmet Garage closed last December, after the landlord tripled the rent. The new 7-Eleven faces some stiff competition — it’s right next door to a Walgreen’s that sells freshly made sandwiches and salads and a Gristede’s half a block away.
Plus, the gourmet and fresh food offerings of West Side Market and Whole Foods within three blocks. If Gourmet Garage couldn’t make it with 3x the rent, I have to wonder what kind of prices 7-Eleven will be charging.
Gourmet Garage, like West Side Market and nearby Fairway and Zabar’s , are locally-owned businesses, as is Gristede’s.
What do you think about this? We welcome your comments.