The Times checks in with a feature on Ioannis (aka Big John) Zoitas and his wife, Maria, who opened Westside Market on Broadway near 110th Street-Cathedral Parkway in 1977.
Since then, the family has expanded, with store No. 6 opening this fall on Third Avenue at East 12th Street. The Zoitases' son, George, and his brother-in-law, Jimmy Beleses, will run the new store.
To the Times:
George has lived near the new market since June 2013 to learn about the neighborhood’s food mores. He shopped at markets, visited coffee shops and wine bars, and talked to residents about what they wanted in a community market.
Most of the Westside Markets operate around the clock, seven days a week. The inside of each store is designed by Big John with pencils, paper, a ruler and a few erasers.
As for the prepared foods, every dish is either made by Mrs. Zoitas, 57, or made with her recipes...
The Times does note that the new location is "something of a gamble: It will be less convenient to a subway entrance than the other stores, said the Zoitases’ son, George, and it will be going up against two nearby giants, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's."
Not to mention M2M on the southeast corner of Third Avenue and East 11th Street ... and there is Heavenly Market opening later this year on the northeast corner of Third Avenue and East 11th Street.
The market watch is on...
[Westside interior shot from Tuesday]
Previously on EV Grieve:
Westside Market coming to the East Village
The new Westside Market on Third Avenue will have Wi-Fi
when is this opening?!
ReplyDeleteNearby subways, L @ 3rd & 14th, all the Union Sq stations (L, 4, 5, 6, N & R) one avenue over and two blocks up. I am interested in checking this place out to see if it is as crowed as Whole Foods and hopefully not nearly as expensive, less cult-like as TJ's and they sell something I can't get closer to my home near Ave B. I don't see myself shopping here every day but it could be good for speciality foods.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great location because both TJs and WFs are a walk, WFs more so. I'd rather give them my money and shop here knowing they have local roots.
ReplyDeleteDo they pay their workers a living wage?
ReplyDeleteTo SMDH
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you call Big John and ask.
His number is: (212) 807-7771
I'll give the Greek a chance!
ReplyDeleteThe workers better be wearing their trilby, paid for by their livable wages.
ReplyDeleteI walked by today and asked a worker sitting outside, he said they'd be opening in 3-4 weeks.
ReplyDeleteThis place should be a nice change of pace from Whole Paycheck and Trader Hos.
ReplyDeleteAlso Food Emporium... still there at 14th/4th Av.
ReplyDeleteHave heard that this establishment runs a very nice market in the W. Village...will check it out.