They claim the accusations are half-baked.
Bougie NYC bakery La Parisien has denied allegations by a popular foodfluencer that they were selling Costco croissants to unsuspecting customers for a staggering markup.
Earlier this week, content creator Sreenitya, digitally known as @TallBrownGirlll, had posted a viral TikTok expose that appeared to show a deliveryman unloading boxes of the prepackaged treats at the restaurant’s counter.
“The croissants are from Costco,” lamented the disillusioned diner, who claimed she had to pay $12 for a “a pistachio croissant.” For reference, a box of Costco’s signature butter croissants cost just under $6.80 for a box of 12, or just over $0.50 each.
Sreenitya had dubbed the so-called swindle “literal robbery” and warned her 70,000 followers to “not come here,” sparking a tsunami of backlash as users accused the patisserie of pawning off dollar-bin pastries as gourmet confections.
However, a Le Parisien employee denied putting proverbial lipstick on a pig, insisting to the Daily Mail that their product is baked fresh and that they simply use Costco packaging.
“We have a company [production site] in Coney Island, they bring [the croissants] to us every morning,” they claimed. “They just re-use the boxes. They’re not Costco croissants.”
Meanwhile, a Costco employee told the Sun that the bakery may receive other foodstuffs such as beverages in Costco packages, which they then save for later.
“It could be from Costco, it could be the cold drinks,” the worker said. “When we receive everything, we keep the boxes and we reuse it later for ourselves.”
The staffer also denied the notion that their croissants cost $12, claiming that the plain version retails for $5 or $6. However, they noted that more boutique flavors cost more with the Nutella and banana croissant setting patrons back $12.50 after tax.
On their website, Le Parisien claims that they specialize in “authentic French bakery goodness.”
“At Le Parisien, our skilled artisans create a symphony of flavors with our house-made pastries, crafted with the utmost care and using only the finest ingredient,” they write. “From flaky croissants to delicate macarons, every bite is a testament to our commitment to fresh, exceptional quality.”
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