TOUR: Pathmark - East Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY

That's right everyone, we're touring Pathmark! This location, of course, was a Pathmark from way back, which closed in the 2015-16 bankruptcy. Taken over by Key Food member Sam Abed, it was operated briefly as a Key Food Superstore before closing in late 2018. Pathmark had reopened under the ownership of Allegiance Retail Services member PSK Supermarkets, run by industry veteran Noah Katz.

The store opened in spring 2019 after extensive renovation, which involved reinstalling the Pathmark decor package from 30 years ago. Somewhat of an odd choice, but the relaunch relied heavily on nostalgia from the "good ol' days" of Pathmark. This Pathmark, I have to say, is better than the original Pathmark ever was in my lifetime.

Yes, all the decor you see, along with lighting, flooring, and fixtures, were installed brand-new in 2019. And maybe it's not the flashiest store around, but it's certainly Pathmark. Just better than Pathmark ever was before.

Produce lines both sides of the first aisle, with bakery in the front corner.

Side note: that "Where the only prices are low prices" sign is left over from the old Pathmark.

Nice organic selection, too. Something the old Pathmark never had much of (at least the stores I visited).

Meat, deli/hot food, seafood, and milk on the back wall. This 45,000 square foot store is not enormous, but it's certainly the largest supermarket in the neighborhood by far. So far, the reception seems to be pretty strong. It remains to be seen whether Allegiance will continue to open new Pathmark locations.

Seafood is about halfway across the back wall of the store. The tile on the back wall is definitely left over from the old store. The Key Food didn't have service seafood, and I don't know whether the original Pathmark did at the end either.

Wisely taking a tip from Food Bazaar, the first aisle is double-wide and features sharply discounted items with an emphasis on international products.

Some excellent merchandising throughout the store, with the key popular products highlighted on the hanging signs. It really helps drive the perception of Pathmark as a value-based store, rather than just a big supermarket.

And taking a tip from the old Pathmark, this store has a wide selection of nonfood items. Most urban supermarkets have very little nonfoods selection, especially in the way of health and beauty items. Here, they even have greeting cards!

Pathmark sells Best Yet products from C&S Wholesale Grocers. Foodtown, Freshtown, Gristedes, D'Agostino, and La Bella stores (the other Allegiance banners) all sell Foodtown branded products, but Allegiance sought to distance Pathmark from Foodtown because, both currently and historically, the chains have been very closely related. In fact, Foodtown's home base of Woodbridge, NJ borders Pathmark's one-time home base of Carteret, NJ.

I believe the frozen department is actually somewhere in the middle of the store, instead of the more common far end of the store.

Milk in the back corner, with dairy lining the last aisle.

And beer takes up the front corner of the store, where the original Pathmark probably had bread and a pharmacy.

The current Pathmark and the Key Food that preceded it do not have pharmacies.

A very spacious and, honestly, old-fashioned looking front end.

I can't tell you how excited I was to be in a Pathmark that was thriving and actually a halfway decent supermarket! The banner has a lot of potential, should Allegiance choose to expand it, and would see huge success in strategic locations of Long Island and New Jersey especially.

A pleasantly nostalgic while also somewhat updated circular was a very nice touch. I don't think I need to say that these sales are no longer valid, ya know, a year later, but uh... don't forget to get your Advantage Club Card.

Pathmark

1525 Albany Ave, East Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY
Photographed May 2019