A Commodities post-mortem

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Some of the non-perishable items from the recently shuttered Commodities Health Food store on First Avenue live on. 

Yesterday, EVG contributor Stacie Joy discovered that John (pictured above) was able to rescue some of the shop's bulk supplies from being discarded, including several grains and granolas ... which were available yesterday for anyone to take at La Plaza Cultural, the community garden on the SW corner of Ninth Street and Avenue C. (The gravity bins were up for grabs too.)

We're told that John was going to take any remaining items, such as canned goods, and donate them to a food pantry.

On Jan. 12, the landlord took legal possession of 165 First Ave. just north of 10th Street — which had been home to Commodities for 30 years. The space is now for rent.

The former Commodities space is now for rent on 1st Avenue

Photo by Steven

A for-lease sign now hangs in the front window of the former Commodities.

On Jan. 12, the landlord took legal possession of 165 First Ave. just north of 10th Street — which had been home to Commodities for 30 years. 

There was hope for a reprieve, though that didn't happen here. Workers were spotted dismantling fixtures the following week... now comes the leasing notice. (Per the listing, the rent is available upon request for the ground floor, which measures 2,100 square feet... plus a similar-sized basement.)

New owners took over the business in January 2019 and changed the name to Commodities Health Foods from Commodities Natural Market.

Michael Hughes opened Commodities here in 1993. Hughes and his wife Audra opened an outpost in Vermont in 2015. 

There won't be a last-minute reprieve for Commodities

Late last week, the landlord took legal possession of 165 First Ave. just north of 10th Street — which has been home to Commodities for 30 years. 

There was a legal notice from a city Marshal on the front door. Here's how that works:

A City Marshal may conduct an eviction or legal possession only after a court has ruled on the landlord's petition for removal and issued a Warrant of Eviction to the marshal.

We've seen tenants and landlords broker a new deal a few times in the past, and several fans of the market were hoping for a last-minute reprieve here as well.

Unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be happening.

EVG reader Allan Yashin shared the photo from yesterday afternoon when he saw the lights on and the gate open. He saw this as a good sign, and hoped that there was a resolution ... "only to walk in and find a team of men dismantling the fixtures... After all these years, the store beloved by many, including me for over 25 years, has come to an end."

New owners took over the business in January 2019 and changed the name to Commodities Health Foods from Commodities Natural Market.

Michael Hughes opened Commodities here in 1993. Hughes and his wife Audra opened an outpost in Vermont in 2015.

Previously on EVG:

• A visit to High Vibe on 3rd Street

The landlord has taken legal possession of Commodities on 1st Avenue

Photos last night by Steven 

Updated Jan. 18: It doesn't appear that the market will reopen. See this post.

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The landlord has taken legal possession of 165 First Ave. just north of 10th Street — which had been home to Commodities for 30 years. 

The gate was down at the health-food market last evening during usual business hours, and a legal notice from the Marshal was affixed to the storefront.

As we've seen in the past, a visit by the Marshal doesn't always mean the end for the business. Perhaps the landlord and tenant can work out a deal. 

However, recently, there had been rumors that the market would be closing, fueled partly by a retail listing for the space. ("Excellent opportunity for boutique retail in high foot traffic area.")

New owners took over the business in January 2019 and changed the name to Commodities Health Foods from Commodities Natural Market, ending rumors that Commodities 1.0 would close for good. 

Michael Hughes opened Commodities here in 1993. Hughes and his wife Audra opened an outpost in Vermont in 2015. Leading up to that Vermont debut, Michael's brother Ed took over the East Village shop. 

Commodities has reopened

[Photo yesterday by Steven]

Commodities Health Food was back open yesterday at 165 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The market closed after the business day on March 29 for what turned out to be a two-week break during the COVID-19 crisis.

Moving forward, their hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Commodities also accepts EBT/SNAP and offers a 5% discount for seniors.)

Meanwhile, East Village Organic at 124 First Ave. reopened this past Friday after a similar two-week hiatus.

Commodities is now temporarily closed on 1st Avenue

Updated 4/13 — Commodities is back open now with hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Several EVG readers reported that Commodities was planning to close up shop on Sunday.

Walked by yesterday for a confirmation — the market is currently closed for an unspecified amount of time...



Meanwhile, two blocks to the south, East Village Organic is expected to reopen for business on Friday after a short break.

A new sign for Commodities

[Photo by Steven]

The new signage arrived for Commodities Health Food on Monday here at 165 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street.

As we reported in January, new ownership took over the Commodities Natural Market. The owner, Ashok Patel, took EVG correspondent Steven at the time that he'd eventually be changing the name to Commodities Health Food.

Commodities first opened here between 10th Street and 11th Street in 1993. Last fall, there were rumors that the health-focus market was closing. Thankfully that wasn't the case.

Any reader thoughts on the shop these days? On second thought, don't share your thoughts on the shop these days! There's always Yelp!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Commodities is under new ownership on 1st Avenue

Commodities is under new ownership on 1st Avenue

Tipsters galore have shared the news that Commodities Natural Market at 165 First Ave. has a new owner, as the sign posted on the front door notes...



EVG correspondent Steven met the new owner, Ashok Patel ...



Patel said that the store's current healthy focus will remain, though its name will change to Commodities Health Foods in the near future.

Michael Hughes opened Commodities here between 10th Street and 11th Street in 1993. Hughes and his wife Audra opened an outpost in Vermont in 2015 (there are now two there). Leading up to that Vermont debut, Michael's brother Ed took over the East Village shop.

In any event, the arrival of new ownership will likely put to rest those persistent rumors that circulated last fall about the store closing, based in part on the under-stocked shelves... apparently patrons asked this question of the staff enough to lead to these signs at checkout ...


[Photo from last fall via Steven]

Meanwhile, no word on what the new owner has in mind for those wily sparrows that flew in a few months ago when the front doors were open for a delivery...



Employees have tried to shoo them out, but it hasn't worked.

H/T Linn, Bill, Daniel and dwg!