Tuesday, January 26, 2010

☞ SHOP: A Preview of Best Yet Market




The grocery advertisements on the windows of the soon to arrive Best Yet Market in South Harlem didn't really provide any clue to what the actual aesthetics of the supermarket will be like. Construction has been going on at a breakneck pace and we were able to take a couple of photos of the interior at night. Although not as well known as Whole Foods, the Best Yet in Harlem seems to be really designing the space to make a presence when they debut in Manhattan sometimes in the next few months. There's a pretty good amount of decent tile work up on the walls and the place has vibrant color. Balanced with the industrial look of the exposed pipes and the stainless steel, the space is decidedly contemporary but with a nod to classic materials and palette. The Best Yet market is located at 2195 Frederick Douglas Boulevard/8th Avenue, between 118th and 119th Street. Closest subways are the B,C at 116th Street. Read more about Best Yet in our previous post: LINK. Photos by Ulysses

6 comments:

  1. Looking good man, looking good! Will be a great addition to the neighborhood. Just wish somebody would open something like this on ACP!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Am I the only one who loves FineFare on Lenox @116? Good prices, good sales, clean, we don’t eat meat so I can’t vouch for that but otherwise. . .

    ReplyDelete
  3. Theres nothing wrong with neighborhood competition when it comes to supermarkets... Plus, Best Yet Market will cater to the new crowd of people moving into South Harlem between Morningside Park and Seventh Avenue/ACP. Fine Fair isn't that great produce/meat wise. And it's 2 avenues away from the Frederick Douglass Boulevard corridor.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think its silly when people make a big deal about walking a couple of blocks to get anywhere. FDB to Lenox....it's still the same neighborhood and about a 5 minute walk - are we that lazy people. Also, if one were to actually walk around one's own neighborhood, one would notice that many businesses including supermarkets are in fact adjusting to the "new crowd". And these new customers don't all reside along FDB.

    This whole thing about FDB v other corridors (ie. Lenox Ave, ACP, etc.) - is kind of silly especially when you're talking about the same/your neighborhood...."Harlem" is not made up of just 125th St or Lenox Ave or FDB. Currently, exculding 125th street, there are no significant distinctions to be made between any of the major Harlem corridors other than the large number of units set to hit the Harlem market along FDB. Maybe when all these units hit the market - only realestate along FDB will decline in price due to over supply. If things go this route, what's more likley is a Harlem-wide adverse impact.

    Any updates on the Wild Olive Market on 125th street - off of 5th avenue?

    ReplyDelete
  5. The distance between FDB and Lenox does matter for this purpose. In this wonderful, pedestrian-oriented city, groceries need to be close by. Sure, it's just a 5 minute walk -- for an adult who isn't carrying heavy grocery bags. It's a short enough distance that I'm personally indifferent between the B/C and 2/3 subway stations, even though I live within about 200 feet of FDB. But it takes me a lot longer than 5 minutes when I'm hauling a lot of stuff back from Fine Fare, and I rarely have the luxury of going to the grocery store alone -- usually I've got between one and three kids in tow, and/or I've got to make great time to provide backup to my husband, who is home with the kids and trying to cook dinner and care for them simultaneously. Fine Fare is fine, but I will welcome a decent market at closer proximity with open arms.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Updates on Wild Olive Market... This is going to ba really great market. The owner/mngt was nice enough to give me a little tour of the long awaited market. To sum it up.. this market (to me) is somewhat like Wholefoods and very much like Fairway or Zabars if anyone is familiar. He tells me that there will fresh fish, wall to wall fresh fruits and vegetables, a full deli counter where everything is made on the premises, a wonderful display of the very best cheeses, olives and olive oils on the market. They carry mostly all natural and organic groceries. They have a self service coffee bar where you can make your coffee or tea as you like it. They will carry only the finest beers and chocolates (yes chocolates). I'm very excited about this market, I'm an East Sider and we need this. By the way the owners were very nice and inviting, they also have a very similar market on Columbus Ave and 94th Street. Stop by i'm sure they'll give you a little tour too.

    ReplyDelete