PrintKorean Grocers: Do You Still Have One in Your Neighborhood?
Sewell Chan in the New York Times reports on a fascinating new book, “Ethnic Solidarity for Economic Survival: Korean Greengrocers in New York City," delving into the history of Korean grocers in New York. Author Pyong Gap Min details the origins of Korean grocery stores in the city. Min explains how Korean immigrants came to the grocery business, goes into the whys and wherefores of Korean grocer conflicts with the African-American and Latino communities in New York, and explains why Korean grocery stores are disappearing.
Ever since I've arrived in New York in 1973 (I know, I know, I'm an old fart food blogger) Korean grocers have been an integral part of the food culture here. One by one I have noticed they are disappearing from the upper west side and other neighborhoods as well. I've always found Korean grocery stores to be incredibly handy to have around. Not always cheap, not always welcoming, but totally useful.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
3 Comments:
What *were* some of the reasons they're disappearing? I'm guessing one is that the younger generations in the families are going to school and leaving the grocery profession?
Also, Ed: What's your opinion on the quality of Korean grocery markets? If they disappear, what will replace them? Will replacements (if any) be as good?
I like the Korean grocery stores in my neighborhood because they always seem to stock a great array of products that I like. They have the usual Western foodstuffs plus an assortment of Asian goods that you normally don't find at other bodegas or groceries.
Adam Kuban at 11:28AM on 09/07/08
There's one still around on B'way and around, oh, 105th or so.
klg19 at 11:32AM on 09/07/08
There are still two within two blocks of my apt. in Carroll Gardens (and strangely, no real grocery stores anywhere in the immediate area). I wish they carried more Asian products. One is just a regular bodega, the other has lots of natural/organic/vegetarian stuff. I patronize the latter for Greek yogurt, but that's about it.
Krista at 1:44PM on 09/07/08