Yesterday we stopped by Fairway Market in Red Hook to see how the renovation went after Sandy and to get the scoop on changes we can expect to the much-missed supermarket (it’s opening this Friday, in case you haven’t heard…). Third-generation owner Howie Glickberg and his son Dan, also a partner in the business, gave us a tour of the grounds and explained some of the improvements they’ve made after the store was shut down due to hurricane damage.
“I came in the day after the flood and everything from this shelf (above his waist) was on the floor. I had tears in my eyes because I built this store,” said Howie. “I made my mind up that we’d rebuild the store, but I also made my mind up that we’d keep our employees.”
In the four months that the store has been closed for repairs, Red Hook Fairway employees were shuttled to other Fairway locations around the city. Now that the store is reopening, Howie estimates 75% of the employees will be returning. “When you come to the store, you’ll see familiar faces,” he said.
Aside from rotating and spreading out aisles to ease the flow of traffic in the store, the new market will feature a much larger bakery and a new-and-improved cafe, complete with brick-oven pizza, a chopped salad bar, sushi, a full-service grill, a burger bar and a panini station. The olive oil selection has been expanded (and will still have lots of dipping and tasting opportunities) and a brand new coffee roaster purchased (the last one was destroyed by the flood waters).
We’re particularly excited to see a new Born in Brooklyn section, which will highlight several of the amazing products made right here in the borough of Kings. Among them you’ll find Blue marble ice cream, New York Naturals kale chips, Brooklyn kombucha, Baked granola, Mast Brothers chocolates, Six Point beers and more.
The grand reopening kicks off Friday at 7:30 am with music and giveaways, followed by food samples and a ribbon cutting. Doors to the supermarket open at 11. Yippee!
