Erewhon coming to controversial West Village padel club
Erewhon is coming to New York. A new "tonic bar" operated by the upscale West Coast grocer will be located at 120 Leroy Street in the West Village.
Erewhon, the upscale West Coast grocer, is making its way to New York with a new "tonic bar" set to be located at 120 Leroy Street in the West Village. However, this exciting announcement comes with a catch: the bar will only be physically accessible to members of KITH Ivy, a private padel club launched by the popular streetwear brand KITH.
According to reporter Emily Sundberg, who runs the food blog "Clean Plates", Erewhon has partnered with KITH Ivy to create this exclusive experience for members. But for non-members who were hoping to get their hands on Erewhon's popular health foods and products, they'll be disappointed to learn that the counter at the padel club will not be a full grocery store.
While many are excited about the arrival of Erewhon in New York, there are concerns about the exclusivity of the partnership with KITH Ivy. The club plans to charge a whopping $36,000 initiation fee and $7,000 per year in annual dues, making it out of reach for the average New Yorker. This raises questions about the accessibility of healthy options in the city and who is being left out.
In response to the criticism, Erewhon told The Real Deal that the arrangement with KITH Ivy is not meant to be exclusionary, but rather a way to provide a unique experience for members. However, the reality is that this partnership will further divide New Yorkers based on their economic status, with only a select few being able to access Erewhon's products.
As the city continues to grapple with issues of