I Feel Really Weird About Going Into My Old Korean Deli While I'm Carrying Bags From Union Market
Benjamin | Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 9:27AM 
Back in the day I used to go to my 11th street bodega for everything. It was way closer, cheaper, and friendlier than Dagastino's near 6th, and jesus god did I hate that overpriced shithole. I was so psyched when I first discovered the 11th street place- decent vegetables, organic milk, good selection of cleaning shit; all-in-all a great place for the midweek re-stock.
But damn, when I heard they were opening a Union Market on 7th? I was ecstatic. That's when the South Slope really arrived. Fuck gentrification guilt and all that bullshit - I'm over it. If we gonna do this, we gonna do this, I don't give a fuck I'll say it: I love Union Market. Ok, so it's expensive as hell, but you get what you're gouged for. What's your other option? Yeah, like I'm gonna get lox and whitefish from a place that sells lotto.
Anyway, I've been friendly with the eccentric Mr. Miagi character at the 11th street place for years now. So even when I knew I'd be getting organic Romaine and Dagoba Chocolate instead of his stank Nestle, I always swore I'd go back to 11th street regularly for stock items and to support the local business.
And I do still represent - I go there for shit like GOYA BLACK BEANS (better and cheaper than any organic-ass shit you can get at Union Markup or Fairway) So I walk in with fifty dollars worth of groceries from Union Market, and holding my gigantic plastic bags of yuppie organic bounty, I pay him a dollar-thirty-five for a can of beans. That includes tax.
Now mind you, he's never said anything to make me feel bad. In my fantasy though, he's going through my bags saying "whata-this? You can a-buy tomato *here* we have tomato... Milk you buy-a here, we *have*!! Next time you buy from ME ok!?"
He's never said anything like that. Regardless though, I feel like he's starting right into the double-bagged designer plastic, burning a hole clear through my avocado butter.
I feel totally weird and self-conscious going in there like that. I suppose I could hide the bags at home, but fuck that; I'm not makin a second trip just for black beans.
gentrification, union market 
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Reader Comments (15)
or you could just jump on the yuppie-eco bandwagon and get some of those reusable bags instead of hauling your plastic into miyagi's.
OR join the coop like any caring, self-respecting locavore vegan should!
I love the idea tha the arrival of Union Market marks some sort of turning point in the long since completed gentrification of the South Slope.
HA..Typical racist PSer. miyagi was japanese...
anyways...that korean deli isnt all that great. you shouldnt feel self conscious. he wants to take your buck just as much as union market. and why is the korean guy any more local than union market? just because they have two stores?
fuck it is right...who cares...its all local....union market is just better and more expensive...
ps: i love being fucked in park slope...
Why don't you go to the bodega first, and then Union Market?
Was your post worth writing?
hahahahaha I love it!!!
thought I was the only one. damn dude, you're doin bn proud. this is good shit.
I too used to feel your shame when I walked passed the Korean fruit stand on Court to go to the new market that opened up three doors down. Then I said fuck it, why I am feeling guilty about variety and savings? It's not like your Korean grocer gives you a bag of free shit to maintain your customer loyalty. Bask in the glow that is your Union Market, it saved you from shopping in that orwellean styled dystopia they call a food co-op.
Village Market FTW!
At the risk of oversimplifying: go to Village first and then go to Union Market? That's their from-the-subway order anyway...
I also think Village's "Mr. Miyagi" is actually latino, although it's surprisingly hard to pin down. Funny cheerful/acrebic nutbrown fella with a fringe of white hair, WAY slower on the register than the rotating cast of Asian indentured servant girls he has working for him.
Have you noticed Village has tried to gentrify since UM opened, adding luxury breads where the stacked cases of Bud cans and firelogs used to be?
Nice to have a blog that's not just about my neighborhood, but my *part* of my neighborhood. Welcome. I look forward to contributing commentary that will be meaningful only to those who live within the same five-block radius. Who says Park Slopers are myopic and self-obsessed!
Oh wait--
this is some enjoyable reading you guys... keep it up.
Fuck gentrification guilt indeed-- I've often had the suspicion that it's just a sneaky way to publicly air one's superiority.
@apple - genius
@anon 11:39 - no, but it was worth your commenting
@rtj - it's a luxury to be understood. Thanks for the insight on 11th street miyagi - you're right about all.
You all don't get it. I am a small business owner in Park Slope. Union Market is destroying the charm of the neighborhood, and is taking business away from the smaller businesses that have been around for years. Starbucks ruined the lower Slope, and now larger stores coming up to the other end are terrible for the other businesses and for you. You with all your yuppie crap, it's more expensive and I don't care bullshit. There's a recession. Small businesses are going belly up, people are losing their jobs, you see the closed doors all along 7th Ave, and you're all feeling wonderful that you can get better chocolate? Go to CocoBar for your fix. Get a life people. The neighborhood is about just that, a neighborhood. Union Market isn't your neighborhood, all of little guys who were serving all your needs all along just fine, are the ones deserving of your support. They don't even employ locals. You feel guilty walking into the korean market now? You should. Because with your attitude it won't be there for long.
I've lived in the South Slope since 1994 when the gangs owned the streets and there were hardly any businesses, just empty storefronts. I raised my son in this end of the Slope-and was always amazed by the cohesive caring community of residents and shop owners. When Village market opened-it was a sign of gentrification back then. The owners opened up right before Thanksgiving. To show their support of our community, they had a full Thanksgiving dinner in the store-a huge buffet table for anyone and everyone (customers and street folk alike) to come have some turkey and all the fixin's. They did this for 2 years after. Village Market and all the other small businesses need our support. They are the community. Do you even know what community is?? It's an interdependent diverse group of people who support and care for eachother in good times and bad. My family and I went thru some rough finanacial times- and Ansonia Chemist put us on "credit", the Village market let me purchase stuff even when I was a few cents or dollars short. Small businesses do this for our loyality-like a healthy family we're there for eachother-go the extra mile. You have to give to receive-get to know the business owners-smile and talk to them-get to know eachother. It's not all about you-it's about "US".
So granted, Union Market may have lots of gourmet goodies-Village Market now carries fresh bread and Greek Yogurt, and some oragnic and gourmet stuff too (as does the Lees Market) Naidre's has vegan and fresh made soups-not to mention fairtrade coffees and lots of chocolate and sweets. I also believe in the Food Coop-and have been a member since 1991-yes it has its probems-but the mission was to support local organic farmers, and small businesses-back in the 70's. The Food Coop was and is a trail blazer in the slow food movement.
We're in a serious recession-Union Markets and Starbucks are corporations...they'll be fine. The small independent businesses need us-like we need them for the personal and friendly service. When you get to know the "corner grocer" they'll look at for your family. I could count on folks on 7th ave to tell me what my teenage son was doing (I worked full time) and we all look out for each other.
I know a number of elderly people who count on our small businesses to deliver groceries-or help them across the street.Ansonia Chemist will advocate for customers-get on the phone with insurance companies and work for you....The Rite Aids and CVS's will not. We're very lucky to live in a neighborhood like this-but it takes all of us to keep it a cohesive caring community.
Stop the whining and go out and get to know your community.
@anon preacher from 1:25
Hang on, are you really chucking me that attitude - and you moved to the slope in 1994???
HA - shove it up your ass. I was raised in nyc since 1975 when you were still in Ohio voting for Mondale.
Don't lecture me - save it for your kids, you Self-righteous, liberal co-op droid.
Yeah, tell me what a community is... 106th street 1975, you wordy dumbshit, fuck off.
Benjamin, my dear spoilt child, I was born in 1955, in Queens, and lived in NYC my entire life, in Brooklyn my entire adult life since before you were born. Get yourself educated, or at least a vocabulary.
yeah yeah, beat it grandma. go back to iVillage.