Bring on Fairway

To the Editor: Many of us attended the same Community Board meeting to which you refer (â??Fairway Looks to the East, March 25). There were things mentioned by representatives of Fairway that, I believe, should have received more attention from you. If Gristedes on East 86th Street between First and Second avenues can receive shipments from large trailer trucks parked or double-parked (often for hours during the day) on the south side of 86th, doesn"t the same rule apply to Fairway? That is not a sufficient excuse not to open this much-needed store. Secondly, the drawings and charts supplied at the meeting clearly showed a cafÃ&Copy; on the first floor. After talking subsequently with one of Mitchell London"s associates at the Broadway Fairway, it was indicated to me that the presumption that Mitchell would open and manage a similar establishment on the East Side was accurate. To which I say â??great, as we currently have few enough places to dine casually and enjoy decent food at decent prices along East 86th Street. Lastly, the management explained about [creating] places for storage of food in freezers and other lockers in the sub-basement to ease the concerns of residents who live next to the proposed market, as these peopleˆ may well be affected by rodents and garbage smells. We of the Upper East Side want this to happen, whether in 2011 or whenever! We have waited for years and endured the high prices, dirty stores and indifferent service of both the local Gristedes and Food Emporium. So bring it on Fairway! Robert Stern East 86th Street Letters have been edited for clarity, style and brevity.