An African-American Brooklyn state senator has been forced to apologize for saying white people eat differently to black people . Velmanette Montgomery was slamming the imminent closure of Key Food supermarket as a sign that the New York City borough is becoming gentrified . Speaking to The Brooklyn Paper on Tuesday , Montgomery ( D-Clinton Hill ) said : 'Supermarkets are an important part of the community . It ’ s an important amenity , especially for black and brown communities . Apology : Velmanette Montgomery said white people can shop at expensive boutiques but black people ca n't . 'When you ’ re talking about a white community , it can be a little boutique , because white people don ’ t eat the way we do . ' The observation prompted a wave of criticism , forcing Montgomery to issue a statement of apology . 'It was an unfortunate statement and I didn ’ t mean to offend anyone , ' she told New York ’ s WCBS-TV . Montgomery claims she was trying to explain that the neighborhood 's low-income families would not be able to afford produce sold in an upmarket supermarket or boutique store . The landlord of the eight-story building which houses Key Foods said he hopes to lease the space to another supermarket after the closure in May . Her comments came as she slammed the imminent closure of Key Food supermarket in Clinton Hill , Brooklyn .
Velmanette Montgomery said white people can shop at expensive boutiques but black people ca n't . Comment: Later apologized saying she 'did n't mean to offend anyone '