'Dark Stores' Continue To Spread On Upper West Side, Map Shows

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A new map released by Upper West Side Council Member Gale Brewer's office on Wednesday shows that there are seven "dark store" 15-minute quick-delivery centers in the neighborhood.

Furthermore, all seven of the UWS stores are operating outside of their proper zoning area, according to Brewer.

The elected official says that since app-based quick-service grocery centers are not allowing customers to come into the store, the businesses should be zoned as warehouses, not as convenience retail and service establishments.

The new businesses, which have been popping up across the city in recent months, aim to deliver a variety of groceries as quickly as possible to your doorstep.

Here are the seven "Dark Stores" on the Upper West Side:

• Buyk: 976 Amsterdam Avenue (Corner of 108th Street)
• Go Puff: 2680 Broadway (Between 102nd and 103rd streets)
• Gorillas NYC Columbia: 2681 Broadway (Between 102nd and 103rd streets)
• Getir: 2565 Broadway (Corner of 96th Street)
• Jokr: 2409 Broadway (Between 88th and 89th streets)
• Fridge No More: 50 West 72nd Street (Off Columbus Avenue)
• Getir: 120 Riverside Boulevard (West 66th Street)

In December, Brewer's office also conducted a survey of the dark stores in Manhattan that found just two on the Upper West Side.

In total, the updated survey found 48 "Dark Stores" in Manhattan, up from the 25 found in December's survey.

The survey found 42 in Brooklyn, 17 in Queens, seven in the Bronx, and one in Staten Island.

“These unsustainable quick-service fulfillment centers are gobbling up real estate on
commercial corridors throughout the city, and threaten to displace our local mom-and-pop
groceries and convenience stores” Brewer said. “In most cases these stores do not comply with zoning or Consumer Affairs regulations."

Windows on the stores are often covered so people walking by can not see in.

Bodega Online, a tech company for stores, said that the new rapid-delivery service apps must partner with existing delis and businesses to create a more sustainable model.

"If new rapid-delivery grocery apps want to improve life in our city, they must partner with bodegas to create a sustainable business model, one that is beneficial to all involved parties," the tech company said in a news release.

In recent months, many of the delivery center companies, such as Gorillas, has dropped its 10-minute delivery promise off its website. The company has also added a store pick-up option.

The backtrack from the lightning-quick delivery speeds corresponds with a new bill from Council Member Christopher Marte that would ban grocery apps from advertising delivery times, saying that it promotes dangerous conditions for delivery workers and pedestrians.

You can check out the interactive map of all the NYC "Dark Stores" — here.