Bi-Rite Market Hires Bouncer, Institutes One-In-One-Out Policy
The very nice bouncer, who didn't size up my wardrobe or pat me down in search of concealed weapons, informed me that this has started happening on busy weekends lately in response to the fire marshal enforcing capacity limits. He acknowledged the whole situation was "kinda embarrassing." Why? "Because, you know, we're a grocery store."
Anyway, if you can get over the public shaming of patiently and nonchalantly standing behind a red rope for organic peaches and cruelty-free cheeses, Monday afternoon's line was only 2 minutes and 34 seconds long (I timed it, for journalism) and you're treated to a sampling of free tomatoes once you make it to the top of the list.
Comments
I want to know who the jerk is who complained to the SFFD about over-capacity crowds in Bi-Rite (I find it hard to believe SFFD would come out and lay down the law without prompting in this case). We can only hope it's a NIMBY neighbor who now gets to be annoyed by noise from the line out front.
It has absolutely nothing to do with a "jerk" as you put it, complaining to SFPD. it has to do with safety issues and getting too many people in a small space. If there ever were a fire inside, it could be a disaster with people unable to get out.
You obviously live in a quiet neighborhood. You just go to our neighborhood to party and make you noise. Then you go home to your quiet and clean street. it's all about location isn't it.
I wasn't the one who called the cops. don't know who did. but I'm pleased to see this happening to Bi-Rite. You bow three times before you enter their little over priced foodie haven. We want to drive a cement truck through it.
but now that I know the cops are being summoned. Hip Hip Hooray. Same goes for the creamery. Too many stupid little jerks licking their over priced ice cream and won't let anyone through on the sidewalk. Call the cops.!!!
why should baby carriages and small kids , older folks and all of us have to walk in the street to get around the stupid crowds.
You sound like an entitled jerk. I think I've seen you around the hood. Stay in your own neighborhood!!
i don't know, it's usually feels like it's small kids and baby carriages that are blocking the side walk when i walk by. a matter of perspective i guess. the crowds are insane, but i think bi-rite does a pretty good job of keeping things in relative control. their checkout process in the grocery store is ridiculously efficient in my opinion. besides it's just nice to see local businesses thriving.
I don't care about your "neighborhood"
I don't care about your little wants and cares for your square block
Get out into the world, and realize nobody will stop for your lame requests.
what kind of idiot WAITS IN LINE to get into a grocery store?!
A really hungry idiot, I would guess?
Hell yeah! That place is a nuisance! Despite having some of the best produce around they have ridiculous prices. Perhaps, the health department or other concerned agencies should take a look at some of their occasional 'turning' meat colors. I do recall an article in SanFrancisco Magazine where Bi-Rite was going on about their unheard of revenue per square foot #'s. Well duh, we're all sardines in there paying $5 for a red pepper. The one time I was really starting to question if I was paying too much for food - being gouged (though clearly labeled) was in that store. The people packing in that store is worse than any other I have experienced in the Mission, China Town or Inner Richmond which also have tightly packed grocery arenas.
I am not surprise SFFD laid down the law. More so since Delfina has, in the past, made outside diners turn their seats funny so the sidewalk is not blocked as much.
Hasn't helped, it's still nearly impossible to walk by Delfina -- especially now that they let people stand on the sidewalk and drink wine while waiting for a table.
Thank GOD. I accidentally rode over there on Saturday to get some fancy cheese and herbs. I had hoped that Burning Man would lighten up the crowds a bit and I was so wrong. Ok so I used to work at Rainbow at 15th & Mission and so I know crowds. Saturday at Bi_Rite was a fucking New Jersey Walmart on black friday. Jesus. I swore I would never go back.
Maybe I will with the ropes.
Lemmings
Oh good. This will make it easier to mock people.
You were having trouble?
Just go to Rainbow Grocery - yes, sometimes they have lines to wait, but if you want good food, thats whats going on, --- if for anything the produce, they have %#*&! fruits and vegies!!!!
Rainbow is vegetarian, so I don't think it's comparable with Bi-rite.
Rainbow has CANCELLED there customer appreciation day (sept. 8, iirc) due to over crowding safety issues!
Thanks for the info SlobDog - bummer ....
I go there once in a while for the sandwiches. They make great sandwiches. That's the only reason why I got there - everything else is too expensive. But I certainly won't stand in line.
Maybe the crowd will shrink down after the new one opens up in the Western Addition? All the hipsters who hang at Mojo and Bean Bag can go to that one instead of furiously pedaling their fixies down to the one in the Mission?
That place is joke! Actually that whole street there is! I understand the conviences of a "urban" market and i do like the mission. But that strp between guerreo and delores is just out of control! I dont wanna stand in line for anything!! Gabeesh!! I love my local store here in sf, and im not gonna tell ya where it is, because you;ll all start coming here and make this into little manhatten!! LOL
Right On! Its all about being seen.
I love Bi-Rite. I go there so often I'm on a first basis with the staff, but everyone's criticism of it are true. The yoga pant and bitchy middle aged yuppie index is concerningly high.
Olu: ..."bitchy middle aged yuppie index..." Gee ,Olu, you're not an ageist or anything like that are you? You little hipster turd.
I dunno, I definitely read the "Bitchy" and "Yuppie" portions of that as the actually derogatory ones.
I love to hate Bi-Rite and hate to love it --So I guess I love it. my boyfriend and I have rigualized naming the meat we're eating from there because you can geographically connect with the sacrificed creature. Its also so full of zeitgeist that I cannot leave but for beaming, altho my public servant salary can't really justify the prices. Yet I hate how the narrow sidewalk out front along with people who feel privledged creates an utter maze to get thru. Plus what could possibly replace CrimCrams on that block?
CrimCrams! You remember too!
It's always packed for a reason- it's great, and it's got a great location with tons of foot traffic close to Dolores Park. If you don't like it, don't go there. But bagging on it makes no sense except to make yourself feel better.
Why don't you want people to feel better? Meanie.
On the plus side, this makes people who grew up in the USSR feel more at home.
hahahaha
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