The Big Kvetch: The cream cheese costs are too damn high
The Big Kvetch: The cream cheese costs are too damn high
Should you take out a loan to get some good lox schmear?
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Welcome to another edition of The Big Kvetch, It’s a Shanda’s mailbag. The prior mailbags can be found here, here, and here in case you missed them. Thanks to everyone who sent in a question or query. There are more mailbags ahead (so keep your questions coming). This week we’re focused on solving a singular issue.
“When the hell (and why) did flavored cream cheese cost $9 anywhere and everywhere? $9 is the new de facto price? What's up with that?” - Jim G.
I actually answered a similar question in a previous mailbag when someone came across an $11 tub of cream cheese at one bagel stand. But given that it’s an issue that keeps coming up, it’s clearly top of mind for Seattle bagel buyers.
In the prior mailbag, I broke down how much it costs to get an 8 oz. tub of schmear from each Seattle bagel spot, and the prices ranged from $4 all the way up to $18(!). My big takeaway was that if you’re looking to maximize your cream cheese value, check out Bean’s Bagels (now Bloom Bistro), Mt. Bagel, Bagel Oasis, and Backyard Bagels (formerly Aaron’s).
Jim asked about a specific price point and sure enough, depending on whether you’re looking for plain or flavored, it’ll run you $9 at several places. I could sit here and pontificate on the possibilities.
Instead, I figured I’d just ask.
“Because dairy is expensive as hell,” said Backyard Bagel’s Aaron Emes. “I don’t charge $9 for plain and I buy the best and probably most expensive cream cheese wholesale. I charge $7 and that is a steal in comparison. I charge $9 for lox schmear and for other mix-ins that are fancy.”
“I’m not exactly sure,” said Hey Bagel’s Andrew Rubinstein. “Used to be $8 for any of the schmears but the lox, which was more. I think if others are doing that, they’re just trying to be competitive?”
Honestly, that’s about what I expected to hear. It’s a mixture of real-world costs and competition. The price point is definitely higher than what you’ll find at most East Coast bagel shops, but, when ISN’T that the case around Seattle?
More mailbag answers to come. In the meantime, if you’ve got a question of your own, submit it at seanmatthewkeeley@gmail.com or in the comments below.
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