Having recently moved closer to Avenue C, only a block east and a couple streets south of my old apartment, the stores, markets and cafes I now frequent have almost completely changed. It’s crazy how one block can make in your routine. Ah, to live in a dense city.
When I was at my old apartment, I thought I had only two supermarket options — jump on the bus to Trader Joes or walk a few minutes to the Associated Supermarket on 14 and A. If I could, I would go to Trader Joes all the time, but the fact that it’s 15 minute bus ride away and it’s not really a place you can just stop in to quickly pick up a few things. So I was stuck with the bad customer service, cramped aisles and overpriced groceries of Associated.
I can’t believe I didn’t know there was a grocery store in the other direction. CTown on Avenue C and 12th street trumps Associated in all the areas I find important for a grocery store: price, space, customer service, and C Town actually feels like a neighborhood market.
The prices aren’t cheap but I don’t feel I’m paying too much for my milk and eggs (we are in Manhattan after all). I’d estimate that C-Town is 15-25% cheaper than Associated and that makes a huge difference when it comes to grocery shopping.
If you’re someone that comparison shops, here’s a sampling of C-Town’s prices so you can get a sense:
- 1 bottle of Tapatio .99 cents
- Chobani yogurt 5/$5
- 1 can of Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli $1
- Personal Celeste Pizza 3/$3
- Coca Cola 2L bottle .99 cents
The aisles are spacious with plenty of room to move and no matter when I’ve shopped at C-Town, it’s rarely swamped as New York markets can be.
The cashiers aren’t overly friendly, but they’re not apathetic either which is more than I can say for most of the Associated cashiers.
C-Town market clearly serves the local community with Latin snacks, groceries, and brands, like cactus and Goya, dotting the aisles. Definitely a neighborhood supermarket.
C-Town Supermarket
188 Avenue C
New York, NY 10009
East Village
