Elm City Market

Category:	Grocery Store
Address:	777 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
Phone:	+1 203-624-0441
Site:	elmcitymarket.com
Rating:	3.8
Working:	8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM 8AM–9PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 12

Maria Brandriff

I used to love Elm City Coop- a lovely little downtown market that was friendly and fresh. Alas, it didnt make it. It was bought out by some unbelievable price-gougers who spruced up the place but proceeded to charge $16.99 for a pound of organic strawberries last two times I checked. They claim difficult growing conditions forced them. I checked prices at Whole Foods-$5.99 for the same berries (yes, same brand) and Thyme and Season in Hamden came in at $6.99 (yes, also Driscoll organic). Tough growing conditions, eh. Methinks its actually the dollars growing in the owners pockets. There are other examples, but this was the most blatantly outrageous one. And oh, the help do not look too happy either. Perchance they are grossly underpaid? Im afraid things will be going downhill quickly for this very useful city grocery.

Lawrence Metzger

I never have written a bad review of a business before, but Elm City Market demands one. Dairy, frozen foods, and meat products are stored at approximately 20 degrees above safe levels set by the USDA and required by CT state law. Non-perishables very often are moldy up to ten months before their expiration date due to poor handling and storage controls. For a grocery that charges twice as much as larger grocery stores in the area, one should be able to expect not to have to throw away most food just purchased there. One individual who works there is helpful and appears to care about her work. A few others might as well. Many obviously are just there for the paycheck and dont take their job seriously. All in all, ECM is a case study in mismanagement.

Hermes Trimegistus

This place had the potential to be a great place, but it is not. It is rather awfully managed and the employees, who try hard, cannot make it work. If you are a rich person who can afford overpriced and near rotting vegetables, cooked foods (pretty good but overpriced), and groceries that are MORE expensive than even Whole Foods, then this is your place. If you have a family to feed and count on food staying fresh in your fridge, avid this joint. They call themselves a Coop but they arent. I used to belong to the Brooklyn Food Coop and to others, and thisi one is basically a fancy store that gives members a small discount. I have a hunch it was created to make the fancy condos above more sell-able. Go to TJ or WF.

Jay P

Being a co-op store, Elm City has the incentive to provide above-average service and offer a more flexible approach to the product lines it carries. I think it does both very well. For example, I couldnt find an item and asked a fellow for help. It turned out they didnt carry it but next week, I found it there. The worker had mentioned it to the manager who ordered it. Never had that happen at the Stop and Shop. The vegetables and fruit have always been fresh and there is a larger selection of inherently healthy foods than what you find in regular supermarkets. The prices are a bit higher but not a lot and they do offer a lot more. If youre an inveterate bargain hunter they do have specials on a regular basis.

Shannon Haldane

Not quite sure whats been going on with this place, but lately their shelves are barren and getting emptier by the day. Going out of business? Being bought out? Who knows. Ive been going to this place since it opened and have had nothing but awesome service from the staff who work here. However! Expensive? Yes but as the only grocery store in downtown New Haven, then can get away with it. Co-op? Not hardly. The produce section is a joke, if you buy anything with the intention of keeping it for a few days, you will be sadly disappointed. Hopefully the other shoe drops soon, as Im getting tired of going in to pick up bunny pretzels for my son and finding that they still havent been re-stocked.

Jake Mannion

This place is pricey, the fruits are consistently poor (in a year and a half I had five good apples), and some of the staff are disconnected and unhappy. Variety is good, meats are good, vegetables are good, and they have a wide variety of healthy choices. I dont think they need that huge seating area (largely unused), I dont know why its so expensive, and they should stop hiring ex-cons (apparently they are engaged in some sort of convict retraining program) unless they become more selective or train their people better. The place has serious potential. Its bright, well organized and sizeable in a great location. It just needs to be realized.

Kelly Hereid

Took it up to 2 stars because the staff is excellent. Absurdly overpriced, they know theyre the only full grocery store in this part of town. Thank god CVS opened so we can avoid the ridiculous $6/gallon milk, since the dollar store across the street tends to go in and out of stock. Produce section is tiny and not fresh at all - Ive rarely taken home a non-moldy onion or non-mealy apple. Removed all non-organic options for many nonperishables, driving prices even higher. We come for a few specialty items and the decent beer selection, bulk of groceries now come from nearby Asian grocery stores, Stop and Shop, and Jet/Amazon.

Cassandra Barrett

You have to be very careful at Elm City. I suspect its due to their financial troubles, but they do some trifling things. I have bought several boxes of soups there that were not sealed. Multiple times I have purchased dairy products whose sell dates had passed a month or two before. What makes it more frustrating is the expense- the spoiled ricotta I bought wasnt $2. That being said, they do have decent produce though, again, overpriced. The employees seem to be improving? I spend umpteen minutes a few months ago with a new employee explaining what each vegetable was.

jennifer rae design

I was so thankful when elm city market opened. For a reasonably small place, they have a great selection of healthy produce and natural brands. Their fruit/veg section is always nicely stocked and they have more than just the average options for GF, Vegans, veg, and paleo. In my experience the staff has always been very friendly, happy, and helpful. The cafe is nice for a quick sit down and they always have a colorful selection of flowers and house plants for purchase. The prices are general higher than say Trader Joes, etc. but its well worth it for the convenience!

Elaine Piraino-Holevoet

The Elm City Market offers convenient shopping for residents living upstairs and those who work in the area. You will find probably find what you need, along with a good selection of basic fresh produce, some delicious prepared foods, and many grab and go items, including a self-serve coffee and muffin station. But with convenience comes a very high price. When it was a co-op the vibe was so much better. The staff who stayed on after the co-op’s demise are great.

Giulia Gouge

Elm City Market is more than just a market. The staff are very knowledgeable in each of their departments, so much so that they provide tips, recipes and advice both online and offline. In market tastings and classes round things out nicely. There are a wide range of choices and pricing of food items. While membership has its privileges (this is a co-op) there is defnitely something for everyone, including a deli and a fabulous meat counter.

Hobart Patrick Young

Very clean and nice. Good produce and a wide selection of grocery products. Not 5 stars because it lacks completeness and is a bit pricey. The deli and butcher are sub-par and there is limited fish selection. Could make it up with a good hot food bar (was apparently discontinued). There is a demand for that in downtown if they can get it right.