A reader sent us this photo and a note saying Century Mart of Avenue U, located at 2309 Avenue U, appears to be closed for good. The Asian food market has served the neighborhood for several years, and there didn’t seem to be any advance notice about its closure. We tried calling the business’s number, but found it was disconnected.
In the window of the store is a sign advertising commercial lofts for rent on the second and third floors of the building, but no information about the ground-level business. Could it be temporary? Keep an eye on this space and let us know if you see any changes.
Is the landmarked Lundy’s building better off as a grocery store? That’s the way Crain’s New York makes it sound.
An article published over the weekend takes a look at Cherry Hill Gourmet Market nearly a year after its grand opening. What they found is a thriving business that they say locals need more than another restaurant. And maybe they’re right, which could have powerful implications on the Sheepshead Bay Special Zoning District, the law that determines what kind of businesses can operate on the Emmons Avenue waterfront.
Keep reading to see what Crain’s had to say, and my take on what Cherry Hill’s success means for Sheepshead Bay.
For those tired of eating fruits and vegetables that have traveled farther than the eater ever has, relief is here. Coney Island Hospital has partnered with Harvest Home Farmer’s Markets to bring local produce to the streets of Sheepshead Bay throughout the summer and into the fall.
Sheepshead Bay’s farmer’s market set up shop for the first time on July 9, with vendors lining the pedestrian median in front of the hospital (Ocean Parkway between Avenue Z and Shore Parkway). The seven vendors will hawk fruits, vegetables, baked goods, juices, nuts and olive oil every Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. until November 19.
“[The market] is part and parcel of our efforts to support a healthy lifestyle, healthy eating and reduce incidence of diabetes and chronic disease in our community,” said James Saunders, associate executive director of Coney Island Hospital.
Find out more about Sheepshead Bay’s farmer’s market.
We’ve been watching this location at 2424 Coney Island Avenue for months, and what was previously a rundown nightclub is now Grand Bazaar. Although everything seemed ready to go back in January, when the owner said they’d have a soft opening in February, it finally opened this week. Their small parking lot looks like it can fit about eight cars with room for two to load groceries if no truck is offloading. There is even a small sitting area outside, but its lack of shade isn’t so appealing in this weather.
Back when we first reported on Grand Bazaar, the owner told us there would be a grand opening about a month after its soft opening. And with a soft spot for celebrations with free food, we’re hoping that’s true. Stay tuned!
Temple Beth El of Manhattan Beach is throwing an indoor flea market in their center at 111 West End Avenue.
The flea market features jewelry, bric-a-brac, small leather goods, handbags, accessories, books, toys and more – but no clothing!.
It’s happening today, Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and continuing again tomorrow at 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the social hall downstairs.
Call (718) 891-3500 for more information.
This journalist over at Sheepshead Bites asked me if I would like to be featured in the Shopping Cart Series. Just as I was nodding my head, the door closed in on me. So, too bad I couldn’t stay in focus.
You may have seen me at the Sheepshead Bay Gourmet Market kitchen, located a few doors down from the dining area at 1518 Avenue Z, as I get traipsed back and forth from the kitchen to the garbage dumping area. The porters, here, pile me high with garbage bags and flattened cardboard boxes. It’s not that I’m blaming them, because I’m sure they’re just doing as they’re told.
I’ve wanted to make a run for it, but figured it’s just better for me to follow their example and do as I’m told. It’s what I need to do if I want to stay alive. Because, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from working in the food preparation area, it’s that I must stay clear of chefs holding cleavers.
I can only imagine the pressure of having to prepare that much tasty hot and cold food for sale by-the-pound six days a week. Any of us would wanna slash the tires (wheels) of a subversive cart looking to run away.
There’s a lot of hustle-and-bustle going on at the landmarked Lundy’s building, as Cherry Hill workers prepare for their grand opening event. Sure, it’s coming more than four months after their actual opening, but the gourmet market has been embroiled in controversy and was keeping a low profile.
Well, say goodbye to those days. Though still squabbling with the Department of Buildings over a stop work order that continues to keep the restaurant portion shut, the owners have decided to shed the meekness and are preparing for quite the launch tonight. We saw workers stocking shelves, preparing tasting tables, and tying balloons all about. But in addition to free food and a come-one-come-all invite to the neighbors, tonight’s seating area will sport a VIP section, complete with a secret celebrity guest. David Isaev, Cherry Hill’s owner, was tight-lipped about who it was, but did note, “He’s coming all the way from Hollywood.” We’re hoping it’s Shawne Merriman, so we can thank him for doing what we’ve all wanted to do to the icon of L.A.’s talentless hackery.
When: 6 p.m. tonight
Where: Lundy’s, duh! — 1901 Emmons Avenue (corner of Ocean Avenue)
Free food and seating for all.
This is what happens when a little corner store tries to accommodate to burgeoning development and compete with supermarkets.
On delivery day at the Discount Dairy Farm, located at 2730 Ocean Avenue, boxes of inventory are waiting to be taken down into the basement. It will probably be hours before they are all counted and stored.
Sheepshead Bay has quite a few major grocery stores, so we’re not too sure about why a small convenience store would try to fill that niche — while at the same time cluttering the sidewalks with deliveries.
Next door, the Sultan Halal Meat & Grocery store is being renovated to accommodate a similar store with a different owner. So, for at least a few weeks, we’re spared from those deliveries.
Shortly after our post this afternoon stating that Cherry Hill Market at Lundy’s was fully stocked, though still closed, the restaurant/market – or market/restaurant – opened for business.
We stopped by this evening and found samples spread out on a table for all to try. The cash registers were cha-chinging as the first customers filed through with their purchases. Food servers at the sample table told us the establishment officially opened for business around 4pm or 5pm. Staff also informed us that this was not the “grand opening”. Instead it was a “soft opening” – a smart move given the heated controversy surrounding the store.
Speaking of which, we weren’t able to ask the owner, David Isaev, about the stop work order, but the document on the building’s front door makes it seem as if the store’s management believes that the situation has been resolved.
Meanwhile, at the Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach Civic Association meeting, board members were puzzled as to the status of the establishment, and hinted at the possibility of challenging Cherry Hill’s decision to open.
We’re still uncertain as to the status of the stop work order and the legality of the opening. We expect more information tomorrow.
The doors of the famed Lundy’s building were locked and the sentry posted at the front entrance in recent days was nowhere to be found. But, what was to be found?
Through the smudged window where curiosity-seekers had put their faces up to the glass to see what was going on inside, we could see all sorts of groceries and goods.
Fresh flowers on the tiered platform. Nuts in plastic bags. Chocolates. Refrigerator full of what looked like Sabra Mediterranean products. Cheerios and boxes of cereal stacked high. Oh, and yes, the baskets. Who can forget those thousands of dust collecting baskets hanging upside down from the ceiling?
There are no grand opening signs — but, there is a signed Letter of Completion issued to George Guttmann (of 2300 E 13 St) on April 4, 2009 by the Borough Commissioner of Brooklyn, though.
Maybe at tonight’s meeting, we’ll hear more about when the store will be open.
Or, maybe not. Accurate information about the store has been very hard to get. So hard, in fact, it’s beginning to look like management is not really “opening up” to the community at all.
If anyone knows when the store will open for business, please let us know.
