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The Second Avenue subway is actually happening, and that means that quite a few buildings must be gobbled up in the process. As part of the construction, the MTA had planned to acquire the space currently occupied by Food Emporium's UES and East Midtown locations, but patrons of those outposts can breathe a sigh of relief—the stores aren't going anywhere. The MTA encountered quite a lot of opposition when the community learned of the proposed demise of the FEs at 1660 Second Avenue and 86th Street and 1066 Third Avenue at 63 Street. According to the Sun, it was that opposition, in addition to the high cost of acquiring the spaces, that caused the MTA to choose to reroute the subway around the grocery stores. One wonders if Gristedes would have received such vocal support.
· Second Avenue Subway Plan Retooled for Grocer's Sake [NY Sun]