UWS ‘Dark Store’ Issued Violations Over Lithium Batteries, Fire Alarm

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY - An Upper West Side “dark store” on Broadway has been issued multiple fire-related safety violations by the FDNY, including improper storage of lithium-ion batteries, Patch has learned.

Also known as the Gorillas 15-minute quick delivery center at 2681 Broadway near 102nd Street, the dark store was issued the following violations after an FDNY Special Inspection Unit paid a visit to the facility on Nov. 14:

• Failing to provide and maintain a working fire protection system;
• Failing to comply with standards associated with charging and storage of lithium-ion batteries (charging more than five batteries and devices closely together).

The FDNY Special Inspection Unit will return to the dark store at a later date to ensure these violations have been corrected, an FDNY spokesperson told Patch. No fines were imposed as a result of the violations.

A spokesperson for Gorillas did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

West Side Rag first reported on the fire violations, although the outlet identified the dark store as Getir; that fulfillment center is located a few blocks away at 2567 Broadway.

The outlet reported that a constituent alerted New York City Council Member Gale Brewer to "dangerous-looking storage" of the batteries; Brewer in turn notified the FDNY.

Damaged or poor-quality lithium ion batteries have been responsible for multiple deadly fires in New York and across the U.S., Patch previously reported. In 2022, there were more than 200 fires in New York City caused by the lithium-ion batteries exploding within the devices. Another 238 fires (with 17 fatalities) linked to lithium-ion batteries have been reported in 2023 so far.

Two people were injured last week in a suspected lithium-ion battery fire at 2612 Broadway near 99th Street. That fire is still under investigation by fire marshals. Read more: 2 Hospitalized In UWS Fire, Lithium Ion Involvement Probed: FDNY

Earlier this year, four people were badly hurt after a lithium-ion battery fire ignited at 165 Sherman Ave. in Inwood. Two people died in Queens in an April fire sparked by a charging e-bike.

Quick-delivery businesses like Gorillas, Gopuff and Getir operate “dark stores” throughout New York City, which serve as micro-warehouse fulfillment stations used to pick up and deliver a variety of groceries as quickly as possible to customers’ doorstep.

You can check out the interactive map of all the New York City "dark stores" here.

Earlier this month, Getir acquired grocery delivery service Fresh Direct, a sister store of Stop & Shop, Food Lion and more.

Last year, the micro-fulfillment centers came under fire from Brewer, who claimed all seven of the Upper West Side's dark stores are operating outside of their proper zoning area. The elected official claimed 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.

“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 last year. “In most cases these stores do not comply with zoning or consumer affairs regulations."

Bodega Online, a tech company for stores, adds 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.

Companies like Gorillas have dropped their 10-minute delivery promise off their respective apps in recent months. Gorillas has also added a store pick-up option.

The backtrack from the lightning-quick delivery speeds corresponded with a bill from Council Member Christopher Marte that would ban grocery apps from advertising strict delivery times, arguing that it promotes dangerous conditions for delivery workers and pedestrians. Marte has also co-sponsored legislation advocating for the implementation of dark store licenses through the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. That bill has remained in committee since July 2022.

Since November 2022, Brewer has championed lithium-ion battery and e-bike safety, introducing two bills — which bans the sale of reconditioned batteries on the secondary market and requires FDNY to conduct an education campaign on lithium-ion battery dangers — both which passed in March.

Brewer has also advocated for dedicated lithium-ion battery charging stations at monitored sites like police and fire stations.