Penzey's closed!

I'm so bummed! Went to Summit this weekend to do the every-six-months Citibank and Penzey's run, and both are closed! Someone told me that they are just moving, but I can't find evidence of that. Anyone know? And, if not, where do you go to buy spices?

https://www.penzeys.com/locations/

I knew they closed, as I went there and saw for myself. I'm wondering if anyone knows if the rumor that they are moving has any merit.

Can't you just get the spices from their internet website?

Just talked to Pensey's and no immediate replacement for Summit. However they did say that they welcome suggestions for stores and to email them if you have any locations that you think would be successful. From day one I thought that was a bad location, the parking was horrible. Since Pensey's likes small town, non-mall spaces I would think there would be multiple locations in the area that could be much more successful.

RobB said:
Can't you just get the spices from their internet website?

Of course, but the sensual experience of spice shopping is the reason I will miss shopping/sampling/smelling at Penzeys. It's one thing to read about a rare cinnamon..

I went there in April for sumac just a week after they closed. The space never made sense but it was nice having them so close! Now I get some spices at International Grocery and Meat on Ninth Ave. in Hell's Kitchen.

I too will miss shopping at the store. Plus you need $30 for free shipping and I usually do not buy that much at a time.

you may want to try Savory Spice Shop in Westfield.

Their website is horrible

RobB said:
Can't you just get the spices from their internet website?

I've never been in this place but have noted it when I go to the new Union ShopRite -- it's in the same shopping center:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-masala-company-union

Something I find mystifying about CT is that while it is incredibly difficult for us to find decent ethnic food without heading down to the coast, and it's next to impossible to find dried porcini mushrooms or real Parmigiano Reggiano, we have two really good spice stores within easy reach (a Penzey's in W. Hartford and a tea/spice store in Mystic). That baffles me.

I'm sad to hear about the Summit store, but have to agree with others who have said the location wasn't ideal.

I happened to be at Pensey's 2 days before they closed a few months ago to use some coupons for free spices. I was distressed to hear that they were about to close. They only had a small notice on the door (which I didn't even see) because Summit thought anything bigger would have been "tacky", so said the manager.

I recently took a 40 minute drive up the parkway to the Pensey's in the Palisades Parkway mall (which is close to a mall entrance) and it was very nice too ... wish it was closer. The woman said she has met many customers from SOMA area since the other store closed.

Savory Spice Shop in Westfield is very nice too and has some items not found in Penseys, so it is worth going to.

138 E. Broad St. Westfield, New Jersey 07090.

(908) 264-8947.

E: westfield@savoryspiceshop.com.

Last time I was there, they had a deal where you bring in used spice bottles, empty or not, and get a dollar off for each one brought in, as part of a recycling program. I called and was told it is an annual promotion in April.

However, if you buy the spices in packets to use in your own bottles, it is a dollar off what you would pay if you bought a bottled spice there.

I am saddened by this news but honestly not surprised. I've been there a handful of times over the past few years (always on the weekend) and I was usually the only customer in the store. I can't imagine that it was doing well when most of the items cost a few bucks.

I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did. The store was much too large for the inventory and like others said - I was the only customer there whenever I went.