A New York City bakery is denying accusations that it sold Costco croissants to customers for a substantial markup. The allegations surfaced earlier this week when a food influencer, known online as @TallBrownGirlll, posted a viral TikTok video claiming the bakery was passing off prepackaged treats as its own.
The influencer, Sreenitya, stated that she paid $12 for a pistachio croissant at the Times Square establishment, La Parisien. She shared footage that appeared to show a delivery person unloading boxes of what she identified as Costco croissants. A box of 12 Costco butter croissants typically costs under $7.
Sreenitya called the alleged practice "literal robbery" and advised her followers against visiting the bakery, which led to backlash online. Users accused the patisserie of reselling inexpensive pastries as gourmet items.
However, an employee from La Parisien denied the claims to the Daily Mail. The employee stated that the bakery uses its own production site in Coney Island and receives deliveries each morning. They insisted that while Costco boxes might be reused for packaging or deliveries, the croissants themselves are not from Costco and are baked fresh.
A Costco employee reportedly told The Sun that while the bakery might receive other items, such as beverages, in Costco packaging, they may reuse the boxes for their own purposes. This employee also noted that plain croissants at Costco retail for around $5 to $6, with specialty flavors costing more. The bakery employee stated that their own boutique croissant flavors, like Nutella and banana, are priced at $12.50 after tax.
La Parisien advertises itself on its website as specializing in "authentic French bakery goodness," with skilled artisans crafting "house-made pastries" using "the finest ingredients" to ensure "fresh, exceptional quality."