I get the feeling that anyone reading comments that Provisions is overpriced probably think "oh, they're probably *just a little* overpriced because they are of higher quality". But I wanted to give everyone a sense of scale of how just how INSULTINGLY overpriced they are, even for a fairly financially comfortable organic/local farmer supporting foodie who rarely bats an eyelid paying for quality foods. A simple example should do it:
Natural, Antibiotic free Chicken Legs at Citerella's - $2.99/lb
Natural, Antibiotic free Chicken Legs at Provisions - $5.99/lb
Get this, Citerella's is actually a manhattan-based high-end grocer. Had I not bought the same ingredient on the same day from both places because of an unexpected guest, I wouldn't even have noticed just how ridiculous the prices are at Provisions. I had been shopping at Provisions averaging 2-3 times a week over the last year and a half, even strongly recommending them to friends. Now, I just feel stupid.
I understand that they might be a smaller player and likely have to pay slightly higher prices than a company like Citerellas for goods, but at more than 100% than city prices with your Brooklyn rent and lower headcount? And compared to a high-end grocer at that? There is no manner of super-pampered/milk-fed/spa-treated/magical chicken that should command this kind of price differential. It's plain robbery - there is no way you can spin this. In case this goes down as another 'pricing mistake' like that story about the $9/lb peppers (which went down to $6/lb which is still robbery), this pricing problem cuts across most if not all the things they carry - the oils, the anchovies, the flour, the sugar....and this is coming from someone who is willing to pay for quality.
And lately, contrary to my prior beliefs, I can't even buy the quality argument anymore. I've had recent bad experiences with rancid seafood (which, to be fair they promptly refunded for) and old tasting fish over multiple occasions, I've seen improper storage of unskillfully filleted dry, grayed out fish in their open fridge (fish on top of fish, not even touching ice, sitting there all day - gross). [2013 update: They seem to have cleaned up their act on the fish display, prices are still ridiculous though] As for the meat section, I can understand the poor selection due to space constraints, and I had been a regular and very vocal advocate of their meat section, but I've come to realize recently that the quality claim, when referenced against lower priced high-end/sustainable grocers just doesn't hold water, nor is anything they carry that exquisitely special to command the price premium.
I loved this place, and I really wanted to keep loving them. The people who work there are VERY nice, sweet folks, always friendly, always helpful, and the cheese selection is truly excellent. Really like that they support organic, fair-trade products, and that they are really into sustainably acquired seafood - this much good I have to say. Mostly, it's great to have a one-stop organic grocer so close by. I also like the idea of supporting local businesses and really hope they stick around. Plus they do stock some pretty obscure stuff. For all these reasons, they get 2 stars.
This said, I had to ask myself - how much should you pay for convenience and the ethos? Double the price? Seriously? Do we Fort-greeners seriously BELIEVE the prices are worth it, or are we simply (indulge my word-coining) THINKING-WISHING they are worth it because they are the only such grocer around?
I've since found a very good meat shop on Smith street, that delivers to Fort Greene, that my chef friend recommended - Los Paisanos. Very reasonable 'brooklyn' prices, excellent knowledgeable service, they carry a nice selection of organic/natural meats, and offer up anything from your everyday cuts to premium dry aged beef and venison - MUCH MUCH Cheaper. Yes they sell veal and fois gras too, but if you're not down with that, just don't buy those things from them. If you want excellent pastries, there's Beny's on Fulton and Clermont and Michael Allen's Desserts on Fulton and Franklin - good quality stuff. Now I just have to find a quality fish shop I can trust, the rest of my produce shopping I can probably get by via the farmers market. I'll probably have to keep buying cheese from Provisions, but that's OK I suppose.
All said, this whole thing is probably my own fault, it's their business and they charge whatever they like, I just should have known better than to continue supporting their ridiculous prices by being a regular. I have no vendetta against Provisions, and I (still) really want them to succeed, i just hope they start to reflect on their aggressive pricing, the neighborhood they are in, and start to adjust their profitability goals in a way that is commensurate with real value, not just packaging and ethos. read more