True to the proprietor’s word the Mini Mart Deli Grocery at 1068 Manhattan Avenue is open for business!
Intrigued by the palette containing ten pound bags of onions for a $1.99 (a bargain at twice the price) I went inside to see what’s up. It is still very much a work in progress— but all the essentials are there, e.g.; coffee, tea, toiletries and the like. There were also a couple surprises:
- The (admittedly limited) produce section sports some of the freshest veggies I have ever seen north of Green Street.
- A vast assortment of Indian sweets graces the space next to the cash register. When I went to purchase my $1.00 extra large cup of tea (per the owner this was a “special grand opening offer”) a woman was busy selecting her confection of choice. It was a time-consuming decision (hey, I understand) but she was pleased with her choice. And the proprietor, who is a very nice guy, promised her a free cup of coffee in return for her patronage.
This same gentleman assured me he will be stocking a vast array of “heat and eat” Indian foodstuffs (starting at buck a pop) for north Greenpointer’s (24 hour) delectation. I can hardly wait!
Mini Mart Deli Grocery
Opening Date: NOW!
1068 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
And that’s all she wrote.
Miss Heather
That address was the location of M&D (Minarczik and Dragula) Grocery. It was a amily owned business which was a neighborhood fixture for over fifty years, finally closing upon the death of Chester Dragula, in 1978. It was the kind of place that let you buy your groceries and put it “in the book” until payday. Nobody was turned away for lack of money. The same with Charlie’s Vegetables and Fruits and Zach Bros. Meat Market at 1022 Manhattan Avenue.
Thank you so much for sharing this building’s history, SGI! Although I like to do research (online) the fact of the matter is it is personal accounts that make this neighborhood (and writing about it) so interesting.
Lest you are not aware, the original building (M&D) was demolished. This came to pass in 2005. A new building shortly thereafter took its place. It took a long time before anyone bothered to open a business on the first floor (I imagine the landlord was greedy and was expecting a draconian amount of rent). Now someone has moved in and he struck me as being someone with a good heart. This would be in keeping with what you have told me about the previous owner(s).
While less visually or historically interesting, I have to credit the new building with this: it was where I made the acquaintance of the coolest cat in the world: Bodhi. He’s been living with us for five years now. He never ceases to amaze: opening doors, containers, etc. You name the trouble and I can assure you has has engaged in it. Greenpoint cats are the best cats. Paws down. Greenpoint people are even better! (But don’t tell Bodhi I said so.)
Thanks for reminding me about the rebuild, missheather. At least the structure isn’t architecturally out of place with the rest of the block. I grew up on Dupont Street, between Manhattan and Franklin; and, it’s a shame that almost every house on the even numbered side of the street, the ones that a large number of people (me included) called home were demolished in the name of eminent domain. Ah, but that’s a story for another time.
Keep up the great work chronicling Greenpoint.
Indian sweets! Oh I am so excited by this, more than you can imagine. Gulab jamuns, you will be mine. Even if my teeth ache from your sweetness. I also like very much the idea of the possibility of Indian food available here in Greenpoint.
aw! Paws down! How nice to read the history of that building and how you met Bodhi!
Indian sweets. YUM!