Leaf plate by Linda Huey
Trader Joe’s opened a store in our neighborhood and I have mixed feelings. I had hoped for a local branch for more than 20 years, since I first shopped at one in Connecticut. But now I feel conflicted because of what I fear it will do to our local grocers, who have been fantastic neighborhood vendors for decades. (And I wonder why they couldn’t have opened in a needier neighborhood (actual food deserts still exist in NYC) instead of our already over gentrified Upper West Side). Wherever you live, this is a problem for everyone in the face of rapid expansion by chain stores. I do shop at Costco, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s but I also shop, almost daily, at our local Mani Market Place.
There are different reasons to shop different stores. Trader Joe’s has many quality organic items at very reasonable prices, offers paper shopping bags, takes things back if they are bad and has great deals on flowers and orchids. On the other hand, Mani’s, run by two kind, personable and generous brothers, Taki and Taso Mastakouris, sells seasonal produce and plants from nearby farms, stocks all kinds of specialty, organic and hard to find items like Halloumi cheese, locally roasted coffees (at great prices) and imported European butters, has a fresh deli with helpful countermen and in house-made salads and is open early, late and on holidays. If you’ve burned your Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, Mani’s will have a delicious replacement for you from a local farm bakery. If you get to the cashier and realize you’ve forgotten your wallet, Taso will tell you to pay them tomorrow. If you are eyeing the fresh figs but wondering if they are as tasty as they look, Taki will offer you a taste. It is about as perfect a local market as one could imagine.
Although Mani’s has good prices, how will they be able to compete with the kind of volume pricing that Trader Joe’s offers? Well – they already are better priced on many items. At Mani’s, I have seen mangoes for $1 and grapefruit at 3 for $2 as well as fresh bread from Arthur Avenue for $4 per loaf. This week domestic strawberries are 2 boxes for $4, organic strawberries are 2 boxes for $7 and pineapples are 2 for $5. These are prices you can’t beat anywhere. Their fresh produce and the high quality of their deli (including fresh roasted turkey everyday) along with their distinct products (truly delicious olive oil direct from their family in Greece, boxes of tamarind pods, fresh green herbs all year, fresh turmeric and horseradish roots in season) and personal service gives Mani’s an individual profile that makes them stand out among Upper West Side groceries.
There are other neighborhood stores I think will feel challenged but will also survive (if their landlords don’t escalate their rents) because they are distinctive, accommodating and have built a loyal following. Besides Mani, these include Ivan Pharmacy which has competitive prices and offers quality lines (like Mrs. Meyers cleaning products and Playmobil toys) and Columbus Natural Foods, our local health food store which shines for its bulk items, prepared foods (especially delicious soups) and juices, medicinal products and the knowledgable advice of its proprietor, Ann. All three of these stores and their owners are local treasures. I think they will survive and thrive now that Trader Joe’s is open. We will certainly continue to support them, as I hope everyone else in the neighborhood will, too.
This was a much needed article tooting Mani’s in all it’s glory! Thank you!
What would we do without Mani’s, Reva? Can’t even think about it!
Thank you Wendy!! You’ve hit on the issues perfectly. I would just add that if you don’t see something that you want at Mani Marketplace, they will order it for you! I made a request a few years back for additional ice cream flavors, and lo and behold…Taki took care of it immediately! And remembered to show me the next time I came into the store. I doubt you will ever get this kind of personal treatment at a chain store like Trader Joe’s.
You are absolutely right, Ellen! Their personal connection and accommodation is remarkable and rare in contemporary urban life!
Yes and yes. I support Mani’s and will always shop there. Trader Joe’s: BFD! Thank you Wendy for your thoughtful essay and great photos.
Thanks, Rebecca – We are so lucky to have Mani’s in our hood!
Thank you so much for writing such a clear appreciation – totally agreed that Mani’s is a jewell and I for one plan to continue doing most of my shopping there!
Thanks, Tina – Mani’s is a neighborhood gem and you are right – It is up to all of us to keep supporting them!
Trader Joe can try all they want: we defended the Mani brothers, their fantastic attitude and authenticity, their commitment to our neighborhood, when Whole Foods settled in a few years ago … and we will do the same with Trader Joe open !! They are not only a fantastic grocery store, they are a great member of our community and give back so much more than groceries to us !! Long life to them and us in it.
Right on, Claire! Mani’s survived Whole Foods moving in and they will survive Trader Joe’s, too, with loyal customers like you. They are wonderful community members!
Great info Wendy! I’ll start at mani’s tomorrow!
Thanks!! Liz
It is a great place for a fresh Greek salad or sandwich, Liz, before heading to the park (in addition to the regular groceries).
I went to Trader Joes for the first time on Saturday. I wasn’t very impressed. Yes, certain things had good prices but the quality of the produce wasn’t great. Nearly everything with them is frozen and I tried one of their frozen entrees–it tasted like bad airplane food. I still had to by produce and everything in Trader Joes is bagged, not great. I normally shop at Whole Foods cause it’s closer to my house but will DEFINITELY try Manis which seems great.
Give it a try – there are lots of fresh produce which only gets better and more local with warmer weather.
My family loves the Mani Market, and Taki and Tasso, and the fast-moving lines, and the fresh bagels. We pop in and pop out, often three times a day. They will still own the East side of Columbus, and the customers who pick up kids at PS 84 or exit the NORC events at Strycker’s Bay and head straight for Mani’s. But a well-stocked market on the West side of Columbus is a powerful pull — no need to navigate avenue traffic coming and going. Especially with a walker or a stroller. I anticipate shopping less at Whole Foods and more at Trader Joe’s, but I will make a special effort to maintain my Mani Market citizenship in what will surely be a time of testing for them.
You are right, Barbara, on many points. There are reasons to shop different places but you won’t find the personable service or local produce at the big stores.
Thanks for writing this article! I am thrilled that Trader Joe’s is open, but I do believe in supporting the local businesses too. Unbelievably, I have not shopped at Mani Market. Didn’t even know about it and I’ve been in the neighborhood for 9 years. Since I live on West End, I rarely get over to Columbus unless I make the trek to Whole Foods. I will now make it a point to go to Mani Market!
Mani’s and Trader Joe’s are very different places – once you go to Mani’s, you’ll find yourself back again and again. The spring garden plants just arrived. Soon there will be local produce.
OK folks, so let’s actually make this happen. I’ve been to Mani’s every day since TJ opened, and it has been deserted. This worries me. Mani’s produce is so superior to TJ’s!
You are right, Albert – We need to support Mani’s!
And I’ve never ventured that far east from B’dway & A’dam. Thank you. I’ll include Mani’s in my new Friday run to the farmers’ market on 97th St.
If you like the 97th Street Greenmarket, make sure to shop at Mani’s during the summer and fall when they have great local produce.
Ever since I heard Trader Joe’s was opening I began to worry about Mani’s grocery. I shop there frequently. I already knew I would remain loyal to Mani’s. Shopping there feels like “home” with the personal touch always available and the selection and prices the best.
I know what you mean, Betty. We will happily continue to shop there regularly.
It is remarkable to me how many things Mani market has. Looking for Key Lime Juice, just a few slices of lox, fresh made turkey carved off the bone, the oh so special olive oil pressed in Greece and individually poured into bottles right there? All there. The list is endless. It’s a classy store with a hometown feel. Prices are wildly fair. We are so lucky to have them. The owners are AMAZING. It’s a miracle that a place like this exists. They anchor the neighborhood. GO, GO, GO!!!
You are so right, Goldie! The owners, the prices, the selection of fresh and special products – we are so lucky to have them. Hopefully, shoppers will keep supporting Mani Market.