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With bins of nuts, shelves full of spices, and display cases of goodies, the Sahadi Importing Company has been a staple of Brooklyn Heights since the 1940s. local lore.
“Excited to welcome Sahadi’s ‘Brooklyn Tradition’ to New York State Historic Business Preservation Register“For decades, they’ve been bringing the best flavors from around the world to Brooklyn,” Congressman Jo Ann Simon said on Twitter when he submitted the business’ new certification. Brooklyn, legendary among discerning foodies and locals alike, is celebrated and honored.”
excited to welcome @Sahadis “Brooklyn Tradition” is listed on the New York State Register of Historic Business Preservation.
For decades they have brought the best flavors from around the world to Brooklyn. Legendary among foodies in the know and locals, Brooklyn is celebrated and honored. pic.twitter.com/m7DnyQvfB2
— Jo Anne Simon Bungarei (@JoAnneSimonBK52) December 21, 2022
Simon has nominated businesses for a registry that serves as a way of recognizing the history, work and traditions of historic businesses. that old tradition. It was officially added earlier this year, and Simon stopped by the store earlier this month to personally deliver the certificate.
in Sahadi The Atlantic Avenue location certainly meets these criteria. In 1895, the first store opened in Manhattan’s Little Syria. Fifty-three years later, in 1948, as the local Arabian community began to disperse and local businesses were disrupted by the construction of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, then-owner Wade Sahadi decided to relocate the store. did. Shop in Brooklyn Heights.
“Several other businesses have started making their homes here on Atlantic Avenue,” said Ron Sahadi, Wade’s grandson and managing director of the business. “I think over the years it has become known as a small enclave in the Middle East. Over the years, a very large portion of the population is the same Middle Eastern community.”
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In the 1950s and ’60s, Atlantic Avenue was known as “The Syrian.” Shopping center The streets of Brooklyn, Manhattan and New Jersey – filled with Middle Eastern bakeries, marketplaces and more. Even the Orthodox Cathedral of Our Lady of Lebanon and St. Nicholas Antioch, even Christian churches in the Middle East moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn to serve the growing community there.
Sahadi’s continues to be a favorite with locals and tourists alike, even as the neighborhood’s demographics change. According to Ron, many of the customers were his second generation, and his parents also shopped there.
Wade’s son, Charlie (Ron’s father), later took over the store with the help of his wife Audrey and brothers Bob and Richie.
“I graduated high school in ’89 and college in ’93. I always knew this was what I wanted to do, so I’ve been doing this for a long time,” Ron said.
His sister Kristin Whelan and husband Pat are also in the business, as are their two adult children, Michael and Catin.
“We’re down to four generations. In this day and age, it’s rare for a family business to span multiple generations,” Ron said.
Sahadi’s shelves are stocked with its own brand of spices, in-house roasted nuts, freshly made treats like baklava and halva, and even homemade ready-to-eat meals. Since opening his second store in Industry City in 2019, some newer offerings have expanded the baked goods selection, while others, like nuts and hummus, have been around for decades.
Freshly baked hummus is Ron’s top recommendation for visitors, he said. Since the side dish section opened in the 1980s, it has been made with the same manufacturing method, and is said to be very popular with everyone.
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Their hefty doses of dried fruit and nuts are also fan and family favorites.
“Some of these nuts are roasted in our warehouse here in Sunset Park, Brooklyn,” said Ron. “In my opinion, they have some of the best almonds you can find in the world. We buy high quality almonds from California and roast them here.”
Before they were nominated, the family was not even aware of the Register of Historic Business Preservation.Christine was asked by someone in Jo Anne Simon’s office if she was interested in being nominated. ) is history.
“We were so happy,” Christine said. “Many elected officials shop beside us. It’s so flattering [Simon] Thinking of us in that way, she was thinking of including us on the register. “
Christine and Ron’s parents, Audrey and Charlie, and their uncle are all retired and in their 70s. She and her daughter Caitlin are working together at their new location in Sunset Park. Her son works with her uncle Ron at her Avenue in the Atlantic.
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She said it felt “wonderful” when both of her children decided they wanted to join the family business.
“We all work very long hours, including them, and it has to be a labor of love,” she said. Hopefully, as we shorten the time, they’ll do it and take it in the direction they want to go.”
With more than 100 years of business in New York City and nearly 75 years on Atlantic Avenue, this family feels a deep love and connection to their neighborhood and its customers.
“We are here for each other. Brooklyn is our home,” Ron said. “And we are still here and happy to be in our fourth generation. It means a lot to me that I was able to get support.
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