08/04/07

what shopping should be like

by worriedconsumer

this is a small, local store that stocks largely small and local producers and products. the produce is stunning, the bread fantastic, and the coffee to die for. rice, beans, nuts, etc in bulk, not prepackaged. but even better in a way is the sense of purpose. Pumpkin's has a mission, and that mission is to give the community not only the best food it can but the opportunity to support small, organic farmers, etc and help the earth fight back.

the staff is friendly, helpful and the music's usually pretty good, too.

07/31/07

I really enjoy shopping here!

by bicyling

I'm a co-op member but.........this is such a great store - you really get the feeling that they really care here, about you, about the food they sell, the environment, their community (its like a mini forest in front of their store!) and they are always adding things that i never see anywhere else

• Pros: ambience
• Cons: of course more expensive than the co-op

07/25/07

HOPE FOR THE SLOPE!

by dog_walker

I am new to the neighborhood (Windsor Terrace), and recently joined the Park Slope co-op. After about 3 months I quit, as it was one of the snobbiest, unfriendly, keeping-up-with-the-Jones' crowd I've ever seen (I've been a co-op member in Austin, Philly, Portland ME, and Brattleboro, VT). But I digress...

I happened upon Pumpkin's shortly afterwards, and have been going ever since. There's no way of really describing this little-business mecca. Inside it looks like a movie set from the turn-of-the-century (no, not Y2K). It's a very small space, with lots of products nestled away in the tiniest of nooks and shelves and old apple crates, etc... I buy my fresh organic bread on the saturdays, get my morning coffee on Sunday, buy actual LOCAL produce (although they do also offer some produce from California...but you can't win them all). The best thing about supporting this store is they have managed to steer completely clear of corporate organic (cascadian farms, horizon, all that junk you may buy from whole foods and feel good about cause it's "organic").

Pumpkin's is not cheap, but for an independent organic market in a WASPy, yuppie neighborhood with inflated rent it doesn't seem over-priced. I just have to remind myself I'm not in Kansas anymore (or Portland Maine, rather) and that getting products from independent, small businesses and family farms is al ot more expensive in NYC.

I reccommend any/all of their coffee; LOCAL produce; the best dried fruit (sulfur free); bulk granola, BULK CLEANING DETERGENTS; dried mushrooms

I would be careful with their fresh milk, it never seems to keep more than a few days...

Overall, I'd say Pumpkin's is the saving grace of southern Slope. - Thomas County

• Pros: globally conscious, locally gracious
• Cons: not a well-lit shopping experience