Pop Up Grocer Is Opening On The Upper East Side

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A boutique grocery store and café concept could soon take over a former Rite Aid storefront on Second Avenue after winning approval from a local community board committee this week.

Pop Up Grocer, planned to open at 1535 Second Ave., between East 79th and East 80th streets, was founded by Emily Schildt about seven years ago, she said.

The Upper East Side location would follow the brand's first brick-and-mortar spot in the West Village, which has a cult following.

"We have a location downtown. It’s been operating for about three years now as of this month," Schildt told community board 8 members on Tuesday night.

"Prior to that, we were a true pop-up business. So we would travel around the country and open for 30 days at a time. So we’ve been around in total for about seven years now."

The shop sells a curated mix of "better-for-you" groceries, café fare, and everyday essentials, the owner said.

According to the store's website, this curated mix includes, but is not limited to, small batch granola, beef-tallow potato chips, mushroom chocolate, Korean pear juice, Matcha, and supplement powders in various shades of green.

Schildt said the Upper East Side location will be broader than the downtown store and will aim to fill some of the everyday needs previously served by Rite Aid.

"You will be able to find products in every category that are more essentials," Schildt said. "You can run down for a razor or toilet paper and a snack. All of those things are available — we’ll just be sourcing the best options, better-for-you options within each of those categories."

According to the application, the café would have about 18 seats and offer beer and wine, in addition to café fare.

Following the discussion, the community board committee voted unanimously to approve the application, sending it forward in the licensing process.

Representatives did not provide a timeline for when the Upper East Side location might open.

Know of a business opening or closing in Manhattan? Email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.