Foodtown of Allerton Avenue — Local services in New York

I have lived around the corner for a year now but really just started shopping here within the past few months since I'm starting to cook more than eat out. The first few times I've come, the gentleman that have assisted me have been very nice. A couple young boys that work there don't know anything about where anything is in the store which defeats the purpose of having workers, but perhaps they're only focus on one section. I don't know. However, I have been in the service industry for over 20 years and I worked in luxury retail. I'm very big on great customer service because I've been providing it for all these years. Of course this is a grocery store so I'm not expecting top tier service, however, I also don't expect to be treated funny style. I came in the supermarket last night and purchased a bunch of groceries for my meal. I'm in a new relationship so I've been trying new dishes. Sometimes I take a long time in the supermarket because I'm googling certain things, and also using YouTube to see what ingredients I might need, etc. The men never give me an issue, however, when I have a lot of things in my hand I tend to put them at the front so that I can be freed up to grab more things since I use a basket and not a cart. I left my things at the register and the young girl seemed fine initially, then when I was ready to check out and she's ringing me up, there was another young woman that was standing at the foot of the baggage area and they were carrying on a conversation but being that I'm very in tune and pay attention to everything, I recognized that she was doing things to make it look like she was working but was actually watching me which I really didn't appreciate. Especially when you're conducting business, no one should be right up on you when you're using your card or punching in your pin, etc. I don't know if it's a racial issue but that's what it sure seemed like. The young girl behind the counter was still pleasant but I could also tell that she was playing it off with the other girl and that left a horrible taste in my mouth. She didn't even want to bag my items until she made sure my card went through. Being that I've been a sales associate forever as well, I know the signs, and I wasn't here for it. Then tonight, I came back because my significant other wanted me to make the same meal again tonight so I had to come and get some more groceries again. When I was checking out, another young girl was fine at first, but I pay attention to microaggressions. I wished her a happy holidays and her face spoke before she did. She had a disgusted look but then try to cover it up with a smile and I could tell that it's definitely a racial thing. If you have an issue with African Americans shopping at your store, you shouldn't be open. And to add insult to injury, I make too much money to have to steal, or do anything of the sort, so being treated in a distasteful way it's just a poor reflection on your company. Like I said, the young men are very kind, the old man is always kind... But those young girls you have working in there need a serious lesson in customer service. And if they have racist beliefs, they should only deal with people that look like them.

Being that the supermarket is less than 5 minutes from my house, I shop here, but trust and believe if I didn't have to I would it anymore because I was made to feel very uncomfortable twice...

Good produce, clean store, great friendly deli staff. Tino, the italian gentleman so many mention in reviews as the reason they shop here, retired in July 2020. He will be missed. What a nice, attentive man. They carry organics, and a lot of Italian specialty foods. I have seen expired items also. The meats dont quite look right to me...some cuts are slightly off color. They need more variety in the meatless department. This used to be a RiteAid back in the late 1980's. Then AJ took over and it really was more of an italian specialty supermarket. Then it became AJ Foodtown. They don't have all the items the Foodtown on Morris Park Ave has but then that store is a bit larger. This is really a neighborhood store but the prices are high. That being said one brand milk is under $5 here and a block south at another supermarget the milk is $6. That other supermarkets prices are a bit worse. The vegetables and fruits are ok but pick carefully. Have bought beautiful tomatoes and avocados only to find they are rotten inside. Not their fault though. Some prices have gone up during the pandemic but i have found some prices have gone down...

They've now been put on notice.

Their Pricing practice is not honest. Make sure you read and note everything your paying for and what is advertised. Today we happened to have this conversation at family dinner table and 3 of us noticed we've been experiencing the same problems at the register. Most of us don't pay attention and we pay and walk away. Who the hell pays 12$ for 1/2 of watermelon ? If my total bill wasn't over 100$ I would of never noticed. I stopped and questioned the price of the few items I purchased. My mom complained to my wife about what she bought and the price and then my dad mentioned he had the same issue. Regardless if it happens again. I no longer shop there and have convinced my...