West Scranton: Brunetti's up for sale (Hyde, Hyde Park: buyers, college, closing)

[blip]

I know there are a few Westsiders on here.... That's the word on the street. Apparently some potential buyers want to keep it open as a grocery, some don't.

I'd be really bummed if Brunetti's closed. While we probably get more of our groceries at the Chopper already, I love having a smaller store I can walk to and quickly run through to grab a bunch of essentials.

[FightinPhils]

No way! I would be really bummed if Brunetti's closed. I buy a lot of meat there, and even though we don't do our big grocery orders there, we still go there a lot for things we need between bigger shopping trips. Very nice people too....they always make a big deal out of our kids, give them lollipops, etc. There's a personal touch you don't get at the big supermarkets.

[blip]

Yeah, one of the things I miss most about NYC is the corner bodegas. 2 or 3 aisles and you can get 80% of your groceries there, usually with friendly service from the owners and their families themselves, who actually give a crap about the business.

Brunetti's feels somewhere between that and the big grocery stores, where clerks couldn't give a crap and you have to devote 45 minutes just to find a box of tea..

[SteelCityRising]

Word on the street is that Mayor Doherty's friends are going to transform it into a "trendy" oxygen bar for all three of the yuppies that live in Hyde Park. That man is really starting to remind of Roger from RENT with all of his apparent elitism.

[Spyarella]

NO...please say it isn't so!!!

Although I no longer live in West Side, I always frequent Brunetti's when I go back to visit the parents. The best Porketta I've ever had. I better have my Mom swing by and pick me up a lifetime supply of the seasoning they use for it. She's been sending it to me since I was in college, and every time I make it for anyone they absolutely rave about it. Most people I've met out West have no idea what it is!?!

Please, "Trendy" & "oxygen bar"...that was so 4 years ago! I can't name a single one in San Diego that didn't close down after 1-2 years.

Also, in defense of Hyde Park, they are all not yuppies!

Former West Sider who STILL supports Scranton!!!

[versaron]

don't know where i heard it but i vaguely remember hearing redners is gonna buy it along with that somewhat fancy lookin coverted fast food joint there.
i love their hard rolls there and they get their bagels from brooklyn. The owner is friendly and hands on,...so what your cart runs away from ya in the bread isle when you let go of it. Now that i'm thinkin of bagels, i want one. not many good bagel shops here. we need that w/ a jewish deli next to it and we'll be good on this end.

[FightinPhils]

Why would Redner's buy it? There's already a Redners just down the street on Linden St. I never really liked Redner's. I can count all the times I've gone to Redner's on one hand since living in Scranton.

I just hope that Brunetti's closing is just an unfounded rumor. I haven't heard it anywhere but on this forum.

[lorac07]

It's not a rumor. There was an ad that Brunetti's put in the Scranton Times a few weeks ago; the essence of it was that Brunetti's is indeed being sold but not until they find a buyer who keeps the store "family-oriented." I hope that's the way it goes; imho, Brunetti's is one of the last hold-outs to a past where--as indicated in posts above--the store-owners do indeed care. After that, all that's left is Catalano's--and though that's a great little store too, it's not quite the same thing as Brunetti's, where you can be in and out in 10 minutes and get almost everything you need for most of the week--not to mention stuff you don't need but is superb, like their blue cheese and their (made-to-order if you call) elephant ears!

[FightinPhils]

You're right, it isn't a rumor:
Brunetti's Fine Foods Business For Sale in Scranton, Pennsylvania | BizQuest.com

[SteelCityRising]

Homemade elephant ears?! I haven't enjoyed one of those in ages! I'll have to try it out the next time I'm anticipating visiting Hyde Park. Thanks for the tip.