I think the truth is somewhere between the other two reviewers.
Yes, I agree some fools see people of color (as the phrase goes, apparently white people are clear or something?) and automatically assume a place is "bad" (idiots), but I don't think that is the sole reason this Tops is looked down on and I don't think that was the initial reviewers intent. Some people are just more...uhh..sheltered than others and think an area having any signs of blight automatically makes it scary and bad. My standards are different, coming from a low-income area, than someone coming into this area from Allentown, Elmwood Village or most of the suburbs. I don't expect things to be pristine so long as the store is clean and this one usually is decent in that department.
I also agree this Tops has it's little crusty problems - bad parking lot that is not cleaned, slow service, the area around it is meh but it isn't that horrible (similar to some parts of my 'hood Black Rock, though a hair worse than my street). However, just because an area isn't landscaped and sparkling doesn't mean anyone will bother you. There is a vibe around Allentown that you can't shop at this Tops unless you are Latino/a or "gangsta" looking and that is REALLY silly. I am caucasian (as pasty as they come actually), 5'2" and usually have crazy clothes/dyed hair (not thug in the slightest) and no one has ever bothered me here, given me an attitude, messed with my car, etc.
My biggest complaint with this Tops is that they don't keep up their property and they don't hire enough cashiers - Tops on Elmwood is 10x better cleaned, maintained, and (at least seems like it) has more people on staff. Their selection is decent and they do provide a wider selection of foods typical to Latin cuisines than other places in the area, which is sweet. My Boricua friend from Amherst used to drive here to buy things he couldn't find near him. They do seem to mark up produce as this is something of a "food desert" in this area, which is not cool, but at the same time I give them props for staying open in an area a lot of other businesses wouldn't have the sack to open in. The gas station area is particularly poorly planned and maintained (p.s. they want to throw one of these up at the Tops in Black Rock, after this example so clearly shows they won't take care of it or improve the store just because it goes in).
If you want basic groceries at average prices and you live in Allentown, lower Elmwood Village, West Side or parts of downtown this is a perfectly fine place to shop. If you want huge selection coupled with amazing prices, perfect surroundings, better maintained lot, etc, waste the gas to go elsewhere. read more