former bodega at 8th Ave 12th St

Does anyone know what is going on at the old bodega at 8th Ave & 12th St on the same side of the street as 12th St Bar & Grill? They closed at the end of last year for "renovations" but now they are putting new window frames in and they look real classy-like, so I'm thinking it might be something other than a deli. Any ideas?

Just a deli renovation, but I think they own the whole building, 'cause they powerwashed the brick and stuff. It's the same owners as the 11th Street deli (gah, cramped!). But they've been working so fucking long on the 12th Street deli that I'll be disappointed if they open as anything less than a Trader Joe's!

Well, it's opened and it is a little more TJ's than a bodega. I wonder now if the people who used to run in tandem with the 11th St. deli it sold the 12th St. deli to a new owner (who seems to own that whole building, given the extensive spruce-up the exterior was given), because 12th St. is nowhere near the haphazard mess of 11th St.

Since they are newly opened the people running 12th St. seem to be taking suggestions of things people want them to carry. While I like the gourmet-peppered-with-snacks angle, I think they need: an ATM, blister packs of asprin/Nyquil and the like, tampons, and to keep up their bread and beer stock. They might want to reconsider the fancy cheese/paté/organic meats in favor of expanding the fruit & veg, 'cause chances are the people who want that stuff don't think "corner market" and so the stock will go bad. Overall, an interesting start if they can maintain a balance between quality products and convenience products.

looks like they may be trying to compete with pumpkin's on 13th street and all the other delis fancifying themselves

Pumpkin's but with Ben & Jerry's. I can get behind that.

cant eat it anymore - Ben n' Jerry sold their souls a while ago

I used to shop at that deli in the early 90's....Gregory was a nice guy

i have to say, i like it in there. it's certainly not cheap, but the selection is pretty good, yummy (albeit expensive) iced coffee, a yellow pad on the counter where customers could request new items, and really friendly service.

and crunchy beauty products, like dr. bronners etc. and annies mac and cheese.

nitcomb wrote: I used to shop at that deli in the early 90's....Gregory was a nice guy

Greg is still doing the bodega thing - I ran into him in Windsor Terrace across the street from the Amp and Wellness Center.

BTW - that building was deemed a landmark so that is why the whole thing was renovated. Also, because of the landmark status they had to renovate the store to meet the landmark standards (not sure what they are, but I don't think they could keep the register in the same place).

Not sure who pays for all that when that happens (the city maybe?) but I'm pretty sure that the bodega just paid for their own renovations. Steve, the owner (of both the 11th street and the 12th street bodegas) took on a partner who prompted him to go upscale/organic. That's the asian guy you see around there.

Jury's still out on the new store - seems great but their selection seems kind of haphazard...I still find my self at the 11th St bodega often to get the staples even though 12th street is closer.

I've been trying to shop here occasionally and do my bit in supporting a local business (used to shop there a lot, before renovation), but have to say I'm not very impressed so far.

Every time I've gone in, the fresh produce looks like it should have been thrown out 3 days ago - and it costs enough that if I'm going to buy it, then it had better be good.

On Tuesday I bought milk on my way back from an early morning run (without the benefit of contact lenses) and once home, discovered the sell-by date was 4 days earlier. Unfortunately I didn't have time to take it back and let them know...

Unless they get more serious about staying on top of stock rotation and produce storage, it's hard to see how they'll stay in business - too many other alternatives with excellent standards within equal walking distance.

I have to agree with the most recent posters...I've been in there probably five times since it's been opened and walked out empty handed 4 times. The delis on 11th St & 15th St still get my business and with Union Market now open a block away on 7th Avenue, there is no compelling reason to go there.

I did buy a tasty cupcake one time when I was in there, but that was only because Ladybird was closed, otherwise, my cupcake trade goes there.

The people seem nice, though.