Fine Fare Supermarket: The Forgotten Chain of New York City
If you live in New York City, chances are you have seen a Fine Fare supermarket in your neighborhood. But do you know the history behind this chain of grocery stores that has been serving the city for over 60 years?
Fine Fare was founded in 1958 by a group of independent grocers who wanted to offer quality products at affordable prices. They adopted the slogan “Fine Food at Fair Prices” and soon expanded to dozens of locations across the five boroughs.
Fine Fare was one of the first chains to introduce ethnic foods, catering to the diverse tastes and needs of New Yorkers. They also pioneered the concept of self-service, allowing customers to choose their own products and check out faster.
However, Fine Fare faced increasing competition from larger chains like Pathmark, Key Food, and A&P, as well as from discount stores like Walmart and Costco. In the 1990s, Fine Fare was acquired by Associated Supermarkets, another group of independent grocers, who rebranded some of the stores under their own name. Today, there are only about 30 Fine Fare stores left in New York City, mostly in low-income neighborhoods where they provide a vital service to the community.
Fine Fare may not be as glamorous or popular as other supermarkets, but it has a loyal customer base that appreciates its quality, variety, and value. Fine Fare is a part of New York City’s history and culture, and deserves to be remembered as one of the city’s original grocery chains.
