Howard Glickberg retired on Tuesday from Fairway the store his grandfather founded in 1933 as a small fruit and vegetable stand. That small stand gave way to the iconic Fairway Market on 74th street and Broadway. Since then, the store has expanded to 15 locations, and is now a publicly traded company.
Howie was the brainchild behind Fairway’s rise, turning the store on 74th street into a one-of-a-kind market with hard-to-find items from all over the world. He started working at the company in 1974.
As the company says:
“Back in the 1970s, Fairway was an unassuming Upper West Side, one storefront shop that offered the best values on fruits and vegetables and penny candy out of self-service bins built into a wall. The neighborhood truly loved and embraced it, food lovers traveled across town to shop there, and soon the three partners started to realize their vision of expansion. They brought in traditional groceries and specialty items, and started hiring the crew of ambitious, hardworking foodies who would one day become Fairway’s experts, department heads, and vice presidents.
Fairway took over the space next door, and by the mid-1980s talk of Fairway Market was reaching a fever pitch all over town and beyond. Fairway was always first to offer unique, different, imported, things-you-didn’t-know-existed foodstuffs. The low prices captured lots of attention and the new-and-improved product offering earned a new-found respect. Newspapers, magazines, foodies and the like could not stop writing and raving about it.”
But the Glickbergs sold their majority stake in 2007 and the company is now forced to please shareholders along with its famously sharp-elbowed shoppers. And it’s been taking some flack from investors; the stock has fallen and the company hasn’t turned a profit since it went public last year, according to Institutional Investor. The publication also says Fairway has “an executive compensation issue,” paying directors $12.1 million in 2013.
We’ve heard grumbling from some shoppers that Fairway ain’t what it used to be, but this may just be traditional Upper West Side kvetching. Let us know your feelings (respectfully!) In the comments, and take our poll below.
Oh, and congratulations to Howie Glickberg — you’ve had a fruitful career! Here’s what Howie says in the farewell announcement (he’ll remain on the company’s board):
“I’ve dedicated the past 40 years of my life to building the world’s greatest food store,” said Mr. Glickberg, who is a “young 67” years old. “It’s been my life’s work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the past when I would take a little vacation, I would somehow wind up visiting a supermarket. And if I saw an apple out of place I would fix it. So I’ve never traveled anywhere without Fairway on my mind.”
Mr. Glickberg said that he plans on spending the next 40 years doing just that-traveling – as well as fishing, playing golf and “just relaxing. I’ve earned the right not to have to fix that out-of-place apple anymore.”
[poll id=”27″]
Prices have risen, especially on meat and seafood. It’s still the best place to shop, though.
Obviously being forced out, but that’s the way of Wall Street. Just saw FWM’s 18-month chart, yikes! Almost Enron-like. Fairway wanted to play with the adults, now they are. Good luck to the guy, I am a Fairway shopper and like it, especially their olive oil. Whole Foods and TJ’s are hurting them however.
I’ve been shopping regularly at the original store for 35+ years and seen all the changes. The story has been rapidly going down hill since the company went public. They over-expanded for starters and seem to have cut costs where ever they can. Most Fairway “branded” items are no more (e.g. salad dressing) There all mostly commercial and lower quality brands. What is still made is not as good. Soup being one major example.
I usually shop on Sundays and suddenly they are always out of one item or another. Oh, the quality of the check-out staff has also declined. I don’t see the long-term staff anymore.
I’ve been shopping at the UWS Fairway for 30 years and I have definitely seen a decline – especially in the quality of the produce and in the service. My guess was that the decline in quality produce was due to over expansion and the resulting inability to adequately stock all their stores. It’s disappointing and I miss the Fairway of the 80’s and 90’s. As for the service, it has taken a serious dive, with the exception of the meat department. Those guys are great; very helpful.
More often than not I now opt to shop elsewhere (elsewhere meaning anywhere but Trader Joe’s). Fairway’s no longer worth the combat operation necessary to shopping there, I’m sorry to say.
The moment they went public, the store hit the skids. Instead of catering to their loyal customers, their imperative is to PROFIT for shareholders. Prices have skyrocketed, quality, availability and customer service are much worse.
Speaking of soup, they don’t even peel the vegetables any more. (It probably saves them a nickel a quart.)
I’m no expert, but why would anyone invest in a store that expanded way too fast, and with such high management salaries?
It’s a shame, they used to be the best store in the city.
Also want to add my best wishes for a wonderful retirement to Mr. Glickberg. Congratulations!
I was so looking forward to the store at 6th ave and 25th but the produce prices are about the same as Whole Foods and the checkout process is a disaster. I rarely shop there. I keep going to Whole Foods instead. The management seem to not be paying attention – just go to Whole Foodsand look at their checkout process. Compare.
I go to the second floor all the time and love it. Prices for organics is best in the area and I always find organic strawberries.
i started with fairway i 1979. it was half as big. three owners used to stand out front, gabbing, every day.
i like the comments here, they are personal, not whiney, and though i don’t agree with all of them, they’re probably right.
but the organics section upstaris, where i mostly shop nowadays, is closer to the old store. decent bulk food array, some oddball stuff and the one thing they are always out of but i can’t get anywhere else. i’m not telling.
the stairs up are a serious challenge which keeps my old body healthy. probably keeps some people away. i love (yet never use) that ridiculous elevator. yesterday, on the way down the stairs, my overstuffed ‘one bag’ broke wide open—its handles ripping off. everything tumbled down the steps. within seconds two staff attended, picked up everything for me.
what i miss from the old days—they used to have these really superior plastic bags that are probably sold somewhere now as ‘permanent’, reusable bags. but it’s a good thing they toned that down.
Many of the items i loved are no longer carried. and the Staff has become generic. No more specialty olives like picholine or lucs, No more olive or Onion Baguettes, The cheese selection is as well much smaller. The great balsamic pasta sauce is gone as well as the hand milled Spanish chocolate. Everything seems much more catered to the mass produced markets
yeah, you’re right, the cheese section ain’t what it used to be. it was great (bigger and kept getting bigger) when the original guy (who became an author) worked in the department. he was always enticing shoppers with samples and gab.
The organization of the food categories is A mess. Last night at Fairway 125 st I had to go to aisle 11 for a box of dry onion soup and aisle 4 for bouillon. I had to circle around looking for everything and then took another few minutes to find help to guide me.
Why are some non-organic veggies (root vegs and others) mixed with the organic produce. It is obvious the store is being run by corporate suits, not grocers.
Fairway is the same but the arrival of Costco ,Trader Joe and others has made it less necessary and unique.
I can’t believe all the complaining o this site. Prices have gone up-but that’s true EVERYWHERE. Fairway is still the best place to shop on the UWS. I think that their prepared foods are way better than Whole Foods and their meats and fish are always fresh.
One example: Fairway used to have a great cheese department. Now it’s mediocre! Can’t even get a decent Comte.
The reason the fruits, vegetables, cheeses etc, are way less abundant than before the hedge fund took over the store is because, they no longer have the money to buy a large variety of cheeses, for example.
All the income is being used to pay down the massive debt the hedge fund put on the store in the overzealous quest to expand.
Right on Eve, however, the money from 74th st. goes to
support the newer stores. The indiscriminate price raises
on everyday products like orange juice, tomatoes and
coffee mate of 25% to 35% overnight go to support the other
stores.
I went into FW the other day, and saw that the price of the plum tomatoes have been raised from $1.99 a pound to $2.99 a pound.
This is simply outrageous and should explain to the Wall Street thugs who run the company why the store is empty while Trade Joe is jam packed.
You cannot price gouge your way into profitability.
Shame on Fairway. My prediction is it won’t survive.
The President position at Fairway has been a revolving door since going public. The new president has no experience in the NYC market. Meanwhile, executive compensation and the debt service make profits virtually impossible.
Further, Fairway has a real personnel problem. It is interesting to compare Fairway employees to those at Trader Joe’s. TJ employees appear to enjoy their jobs and treat customers with respect.
Nevertheless, Fairway truly is like no other and overall, prices are more than competitive with Whole Foods, Gourmet Garage or Westside Markets.
It’s a real tragedy what has happened to Fairway, and the stock price reflects this reality.
They think the way to profitability is to price gouge the loyal customers. All the customers who had shopped at Fairway for thirty years, when prices were reasonable, now shop at Trader Joe and Pioneer on 74th and Amsterdam.
Fairway is empty at the same time you can’t get in the door at Trader Joe.
Here’s a sad case in point. At Thanksgiving Fairway was selling turkey breast for $3.99 a pound, the identical turkey breast was $1.99 a pound at Pioneer.
The company is on bankruptcy watch. It should be, they treat the customers as if we are stupid and don’t see the prices going up every single day.
If Fairway is to stay in business it needs to dramatically lower all its prices and apologize to the customers for gouging us. Yes, big signs all around their stores: “Come back to the old Fairway for fair value and low prices”
When Fairway opened it’s advantage produce expertise and
price point which made D’agastino leave at the end of their
lease and let Fairway double in size. With the help of the hedge fund the expertise, the training and the overall management has deteriorated , and now with Howie retiring
there is no grocer.
The way to profitablity is turnover with convenience and a economical good shopping experience. Fairway and Westsider fail at all these. Any restaurant and waiter will say the same.
I walk 10 blocks just to shop at Trader Joes! What does that tell you!…and both Westsider and Fairway are much closer to me….and I have Fibromyalgia..so it’s a chore to walk and carry!!! F’ing-A
I feel that the original store has gotten worse. I’m often up in the organic section and so many times they’re out of things I want. Frustrating! I still shop there but have noticed that it’s not what it was.
Prices are too damn high at Fairway. I haven’t shopped there since Trader Joes opened. I can spend $60-$70 at Trader Joes and come out with more than I can carry and need for two weeeks!!! AND everyone else shops there too which clearly shows it has been a VERY needed service to have affordable food in the area. Which is why thousands of people move through TJ store every day. It’s the busiest TJ in the nation. That should tell you how people really need affordable food in the area. Remember…60% of the UWS is still rent controlled/rent stabilized. The foreigners who buy condos here do not live here all year around..and certainly do not frequent the stores on the street!
Westsider is not doing too well either. They don’t turnover their food and their cheeses spoil 2 days after they get home. Their prices are too high also.
Zabars is Zabars..always great…you can still find some good bargains there….and their cheese dept is superb!
Like other great concepts that have been co-opted by venture capitalists – Fairway just doesn’t feel the same….it’s diluted. I just hope beyond hope that it doesn’t go the way of other stores that have let the market people rule – Balducci’s, Dean and DeLuca etc etc etc. (and I write this as a former Wall St person)…the pressure to continually increase returns to investors has to come from somewhere.
What… Not a photo of Mr. Glickberg? Google Images has many!
Thanks. But we don’t use copyright-protected images. We’ll look again. WSR
Fairway has gotten much worse after PE. Their staff are frequently rude. I made a complaint to the manger after I heard a staff member cursing at a customer.
They want to compete with Whole Foods. That’s a joke.
WF has great customer service. FW is the worst.
The other day the cashier would not let me go through the far end left lane because I had a basket. There was no one else in line. If you ask some one a question they just look at you and maybe mumble something in Spanish.
I returned to NYC in 1975 and for many years enjoyed shopping at this Fairway. Many items are overpriced, there are still some cereals I buy there.
Prices have escalated and I am looking outside the neighborhood for better shopping locations. Too bad management is paid such outrageous salaries that prices had to rise like this.
It was not only the shoppers but the cashiers who were rude. I came away from a shopping trip not only physically but emotionally bruised. I think the cashiers have improved because someone pointed out to them that they have competition when Trader Joe’s opened 3 blocks away. The help at the latter is so nice and obliging, I rarely go into Fairway anymore. Too exhausting.
I used to love the upper westside store (where I originally grew up) and it’s still better than many other grocery stores but not worth going from the West Village all the way uptown, payng the $5.00 subway fare (soon to go up) r.t., unless I have a bit list of stuff to buy. The store on 25th St. and 6th Ave. is nothing special at all, and in fact I find it kind of annoying and only go there for somethng like the store brand organic milk, if I’m in the immediate area… which is too bad. Please go back to the way you were! PLEASE!!!
I was there on Monday looking for help in the specialty section between 8pm and 9pm and there were no staff in black shirts to be found. It took a good 15 mins to find a person.
I was wondering if there was a change because I just felt a shift in the commitment of those working the floor after the full court press they put into effect after Trader Joes first opened….
Checkout staff continues to be top notch (I check out in organics) and their organics upstairs are fab……
Does anyone know if the guy in the light colored shirt in the third picture down on the following link still works there?
https://montclairsoci.blogspot.com/2011/08/calm-before-storm.html
I think he was a manager. He was always around and used to be really friendly and helpful. I haven’t seen him around in while.
That is the son of Dave ,one of the original owners when the
market became Fairway. He now rotates among a group of
Fairways.
Add to previous comment, Dave’s son’s name is Will.
I’ve been shopping at the West Side Fairway since the early 1970s. I still do as, with the closing of the Food Emporium, it’s the closest to me. I don’t really count Trader Joes as comparable because if you want a brand name product, i.e. a simple can of Campbell’s Tomato soup or a jar of Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, you can’t get it at TJ’s. Fairway’s prices in the last year or so have gone up significantly and very noticeably — my bill for pretty much a consistent weekly shopping order is much higher lately — while quality and staff service have declined significantly. It’s hard to find a managerial representative on the floor when you need one and if you do they sort of don’t care, or worse, are brusque bordering on surly.
Let’s talk about the price rises since taken over. A 6 pack of soda from $2.49 to over $6.00. Seltzer bottles: doubled in price.
Meat: More expensive than better quality Citarella’s. I have kept receipts from there for over ten years – anyone want to know more? I can document.
Then there is the issue of the know-nothing staff. Haven’t a clue where things are; what certain products are and meanwhile Patricia yells at customers at the cash registers and does NOTHING else at all. She must be represented by a union or she’d have lost her job long ago.
I believe it’s a non union store. They have put their minimum
wage earners on 35 hour weeks so that they don’t have to
pay for health insurance . A practice that a lot of companies
have done this year to avoid the mandatory aspect of
healthcare for fulltime employees starting this coming
January. Hence, the vast turnover in cashiers.
I have been a loyal FW Long Island customer from day one and there is a definite decline in the PRODUCE freshness quality. They have fewer deliveries and the produce sits too long on shelves/bins. Just not fresh….Unless you hit it lucky on a delivery day.
I’m speaking from Rockland County, NY, where a Fairway opened about a year ago. I have noticed that the prices went up and up this past season, and whenever I went there on a Friday (typically a big shopping day in the ‘burbs) the store was practically empty. Not a good sign! The “BIG” promotion is silly…Big prices, yes! I’ve given them another chance. Went there yesterday, and they had a good promo on ground chuck, which I took advantage of. And produce was down a bit. A good sign, I guess since the store was quite busy…on a Friday!