In response to the social media backlash and outrage over The Food Emporium in Howard Beach, especially on Howard Beach moms, The Forum has spoken with the managing company for the property as well as the owners of the store.
With regard to the conditions of the parking lot and the disposal of gloves and masks throughout the lot we can tell you that we have seen video footage and photographs of the parking lot. Howard Plaza Realty, who owns and manages the property has hired a sanitizing and cleaning crew that has been cleaning the lot every day and night. They have sent emails and photographic evidence of a pristine lot every day. Can we really expect the storeowners to go out into the lot and pick up the gloves and masks that are discarded indiscriminently by shoppers. The answer to that is an obvious NO. Shoppers need to take off their masks and gloves inside their vehicles and dispose of them in a bag in their own vehicles or when they get home. We have seen irrefutable proof from the management that they are doing their part.
The Food Emporium will be restricting the amount of shoppers allowed in the store according to the number of aisles at the property. We ask you to think about the efforts of the people you are so carelessly slandering for no reason. There are barely enough workers to keep the store stocked and sanitized without having to take on the responsibility of making sure that shoppers exercise consideration to others in the store.
Food Emporium has placed taped spacers in the store to give people the boundaries of where they should be in relation to each other. Are we not intelligent and considerate enough to respect them? Apparently the answer to that is also NO.
Lest we forget that the workers who are in this store each and every day are absolutely risking their lives to make sure that our families can continue to get fresh meat, produce, baked goods, deli items and all of the groceries that we need.
Every night at 7 p.m. people in NYC are applauding our healthcare workers who are battling this outbreak on the front lines. We feel there is no doubt that recognition and thanks should be paid to the grocery store workforce as well. They may not be manning ventilators, but they are performing a duty of equal magnitude for those of us still fortunate enough to be able to go out and get desperately needed provisions.
In this climate, the commonplace activity of going to the store has become more of a risky behavior, but we have it in our power to minimize the risks by acting responsibly and with consideration and respect for our neighbors and for the people working in the store.
The Almonte family, which runs the store, has been a valued addition to this community and at every turn they give back with no hesitation, but rather with a true community spirit.
Let’s stop pointing fingers at people we should be thanking. It’s very simple to make sure we are all safe when shopping. Wear a mask and gloves, keep the prescribed 6-foot distance from each other in the store and when you’re checking out, try saying thank you to the cashiers––they surely deserve it.
Most of all, be thankful that you are walking around and pushing a cart while so many other people are not even allowed to be present when their loved ones are dying alone in a hospital. That may seem like a dramatic statement, but the real drama comes from the fact that every word of it is true.
Happy Easter and Happy Passover
