Meadow Lane faces death threats, huge demand in first days

A Swanky New Grocer in Downtown Manhattan Faces Backlash Over High Prices

A high-end grocer in Tribeca, Manhattan, named Meadow Lane, has been receiving death threats due to its exorbitant prices. The store, located at 355 Greenwich St., recently had to close temporarily after experiencing a customer frenzy that left its shelves empty.

Founder Sammy Nussdorf, also known as “Brokeback Contessa,” shared that the store has been overwhelmed by the massive crowds since its opening last Friday. Meadow Lane offers luxury items such as $625 tins of Siberian caviar, $65 bottles of extra virgin olive oil, $74 containers of matcha powder, and gluten-free chicken nuggets priced at $15 per half dozen.

Despite the success in sales, Nussdorf revealed that he has been receiving death threats and hate messages, particularly from individuals angered by the store’s prices amidst criticism from socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

Reflecting on the situation, Nussdorf acknowledged that the timing of the store’s opening might have contributed to the backlash, especially with the uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits for struggling New Yorkers during a government shutdown period.

Currently, Meadow Lane is struggling to keep up with the high demand for its products, particularly selling out hundreds of pounds of chicken daily. Nussdorf mentioned that the store has been limiting the number of items per customer and informing customers on social media when products are sold out to manage expectations.

With popular menu items like the celebrated chicken nuggets and Chinese chicken salad attracting customers, Meadow Lane aims to expand its offerings in the future. Nussdorf envisions the store to cater not only to social media influencers but also to local New Yorkers who support small businesses.

Despite facing challenges and backlash, Meadow Lane continues to draw crowds and receive support from customers like Kate Friedman, who expressed her excitement to try the store’s offerings during her visit to New York from Chicago.