Hundreds of locals flocked to the new Asian supermarket in Bensonhurst yesterday as Democratic District Leader Nancy Tong gave KCP a guided tour of this grand purveyor of grub.
Jmart, the 30,500 sq. ft. Asian supermarket, stands where the now defunct Waldbaum’s was located in Bensonhurst –– at 8121 New Utrecht Ave.
The arrival of the market was met with some skepticism when neighbors said they feared the Asian market would not be inclusive in their food selections or employment practices. Local lawmakers met with the supermarket owners to address the concerns of their constituents. The owners expressed a willingness to comply with the demands of Bensonhurst’s diverse communities as reported by the Bklyner.
From Korean Melon to Kimchi, the market capitalizes on the Asian corner of the globe but managed to incorporate some Western staples –– there’s Coca-Cola and frozen pizza.
“It’s not very American,” said Michalis Ostopoulos, 70, who came to simply canvas the new super grocer. “Mostly it’s Chinese –– the fruits, the pasta, it’s not like my place on 13th St.”
But the Asian-centric market does a good job in offering a variety of the foods that they do provide. From buckets of live eel to ice packed tiger shrimp, salmon and tilapia, their fish department rivals any Whole Foods or Wal-Mart. The abundance of sea and freshwater dwellers is sure to attract other than the non-Asian population of Bensonhurst and Dyker Heights. Although the name of each fish is identified in both Chinese and English, there is no indication of whether or not any of the fish is wild-caught or farmed.
Tong was instrumental in pointing out the wide range of fruits the market had to offer. Korean melons and dragon fruits lie next to seasonal peaches and avocados, all the while making for a colorfully explosive fruits and veggies isle.
The pricing is comparable if not lower than other Brooklyn grocers. A dozen XL eggs rang in at a surprising low 80-cents. While less expensive, Jmart does force bulk buying. The discount you get for buying two of an item does not translate if you choose to buy only one. Unlike traditional New York grocers who pass down the discount if you don’t take advantage of the 2/$5.00 sale, Jmart makes it clear that you will pay the upcharge with signs that read “original” pricing underneath the sale price.
Jmart has married well the novelty of the local Asian fruit stand, the upscale of the boutique supermarket with the audaciousness of the super grocer. Shoppers crowded the sample stations to taste bite-sized versions of the market’s delicacies. The preparers dished out warm Chinese dumplings, Thai wheat cakes and Korean udon from their hot plate mounted woks. Tong translated to ensure no allergy-inducing foods were consumed.
Despite reported claims that the owners would consider previous Waldbaum’s staffers, there is little to no diversity among employees.
Check out was a breeze, but the be warned Jmart does not accept American Express.
