The most difficult part about opening a kosher market in Rockaway was convincing suppliers to deliver to northwest New Jersey, said Yahav Amrani, owner of Carmel Market.
"The main problem is we're the farthest point from New York City, and we're the farthest they've ever come," he said. "Each supplier came up with demands 'to make it worthwhile for me to come that far.'"
No one would mistake the fast-expanding suburbs of Morris County for the boondocks. Still, with few synagogues and other outward signs of what many believe is a growing Jewish population, it is up to Amrani to convince kosher suppliers — and consumers — that there is a need for a kosher market.
"There's nothing around our area," Amrani said. "We used to go to Brooklyn and other people we know went to Monsey," the heavily Jewish New York town, for kosher groceries.
Carmel Market is set to officially open Sept. 10 at 350 Route 46 East in the Boro Plaza shopping center. Rabbi Asher Herson of Chabad Center of Northwest New Jersey in Rockaway will take part in a dedication ceremony, which will include Amrani's friends, family members, and other supporters. A clown, a keyboardist, and others were due to perform at the grand opening.
Carmel Market will carry "fresh products," including glatt kosher meats, Middle Eastern fare, and items from Israel. Many of the foods the market will sell are unavailable in Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties.
http://www.njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/090706/mwNewMarketHopesRockaway.html
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Posted By Chaptzem to Chaptzem Blog! at 3/16/2007 05:30:00 PM
