A new kind of attraction has emerged in New York City, and it is not a gallery or a restaurant. It is a grocery store. Meadow Lane, the ultra-premium market founded by TikTok personality Sammy Nussdorf, opened its doors in the Tribeca neighbourhood on Friday, 18th November 2025, and instantly caused a sensation.
Shoppers formed queues that snaked around the block, with some determined individuals braving the frigid 30-degree weather for hours. As a reward for their patience, those in line were treated to samples of the store's signature items, including meatballs and chicken nuggets.
The Price of Premium: Inside Meadow Lane
Upon entering, customers were met with a world of opulence and eye-watering price tags. The shelves were stocked with goods that redefine luxury shopping: tortilla chips for $14, bunches of grapes for $12, and bottles of extra-virgin olive oil harvested from 150-year-old trees for $65. For those with more extravagant tastes, options included $74 Montauk General matcha powder and even $625 Siberian caviar.
However, the most sought-after products were not the pantry staples but the prepared foods. Nussdorf had spent over a year teasing these signature dishes to his 136,000 TikTok followers. Fans headed straight for the counter offering $12 pots of chicken salad, six oversized nuggets for $15, and made-to-order salads starting at the same price.
Chaos and Controversy: Early Closures and Raw Chicken
The overwhelming demand proved challenging for the new store. Meadow Lane closed at around 3:30 p.m. on its first day, a mere four hours after opening. Those left in the queue were given expedited passes for the following day. The store has continued to close early and was shut entirely on the following Monday, with Nussdorf citing a need for 'reorganising' in a TikTok video.
The rush also appeared to impact quality control. Food blogger Sabrina Carey posted a review on her Instagram Story, questioning if her chicken nuggets were raw on the inside. "I don't know if they're just like, juicy chicken nuggets, but I'm like, this looks pink," she stated in a poll. Nussdorf swiftly addressed the issue, calling the incident "unacceptable" and confirming that Carey had been compensated.
The Public Reaction: 'Freaks' and 'Nepo-Baby' Backlash
The spectacle of hours-long queues for expensive groceries, especially with cheaper alternatives nearby, drew bewilderment and criticism online. One person branded those waiting as "all time freaks," while another sarcastically contrasted the high spending with common complaints about unaffordable rent in the city.
Nussdorf himself faced scrutiny over his "self-made" claims, given his family's reported $1.6 billion net worth. He attempted to dispel the "nepo-baby" allegations by pointing out that no one else in his family owned a grocery store. Despite the controversies, the store's popularity is undeniable, with one customer dubbing it "the new Erewhon of New York," referencing the famous Los Angeles luxury market.
