A New York City bakery is facing accusations of deceiving customers by allegedly selling store-bought croissants for $12 per order, which some patrons claim were sourced from Costco. The allegations gained widespread attention after a New York-based content creator, known online as @TallBrownGirlll, posted a video on TikTok detailing the alleged practice at Le Parisien Bakery near Times Square.
The video, which has garnered significant viewership, reportedly shows a delivery person unloading boxes of prepackaged croissants at the establishment. The content creator alleged that these were not freshly baked in-house, as implied by the bakery's purported claims of using "skilled artisans" and crafting "house-made pastries." Instead, the creator asserted the croissants were from Costco, a wholesale retailer.
The accusation has ignited a strong reaction online, with many commenters expressing anger and disappointment. Some have calculated that a 12-count pack of Costco's Kirkland Signature Butter Croissants costs approximately $7, suggesting a markup of over 24 times the original price if the bakery's $12 charge is per croissant. This has led to accusations of "literal robbery" and customers vowing not to patronize the establishment.
This incident echoes similar online discussions about the sourcing and pricing of food in the city. Some consumers have expressed fatigue with what they perceive as overpriced and misleading food offerings from various establishments. Online commentary referenced a previous viral incident involving blueberries at a farmers market, highlighting a broader concern among some consumers about authenticity and value in the food industry.
Le Parisien Bakery's website, according to the report, states that its "skilled artisans create a symphony of flavors with our house-made pastries, crafted with the utmost care and using only the finest ingredients." The bakery representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the allegations.
The practice of establishments allegedly passing off wholesale goods as their own has been a recurring theme in consumer complaints. Examples cited by online commenters include breakfast joints accused of serving repackaged fried chicken and hotels allegedly presenting microwaved eggs as freshly prepared.