Dreaming of a Downtown Area for NYC Home Cooks

Diamonds have their own district here in New York City. Flower markets and restaurant supply stores have carved out their sections of Manhattan too. But what about us home cooks? Could there be a few blocks of shops for us?

Broadway Panhandler closed their Soho store and will be opening on 65 East 8th Street tomorrow at 11 a.m. sharp.

In the late 1800's, 8th Street near Broadway served as the southern end of the fashion-forward Ladies' Mile. More recently, this section of 8th Street was known as the city's spot for shoe shopping, but most of those shops are now shuttered. I'm wondering if this area (N or R train to 8th Street) might now be on the way to becoming a have-everything destination for home cooks.

According to signs in the windows at 24 West 8th Street, IS - Wine, the shop "for everyone with a passion for wine" is coming soon too.

Warehouse Wines and Spirits (735 Broadway at 8th Street) and East Village Cheese (40 3rd Ave. at 10th St.) are already fixtures in the neighborhood. In a pinch, Kmart serves as an afforable source for Martha Stewart Everyday kitchen gadgets, table settings and linens.

'wichcraft, celeb chef Tom Colicchio's sandwich shop, recently opened up in a former sneaker store opposite the new Panhandler, and would be just the place to take a lunch break while shopping the new 8th Street. The new Trader Joe's and Whole Foods on Union Square are a quick walk away. Together this might be the critical mass more food-related retailers look for to open up in the area too.

What other stores would it take to make the 8th Street and Broadway corridor work as a one-stop-shop areas for us? I'm dreaming of a butcher shop, a produce market similar to the Manhattan Fruit Exchange in Chelsea Market, a shop selling spices, and a coffee and tea place. Would a 212 outpost of the Park Slope Food Co-op and a knife sharpening stand be too much more to ask for?

Comments (10)

omg, you know what would be amazing? Penzys! That would be great. I actually stopped at that 'wichcraft two weekends ago when I walked over hoping bway phandler had finally reopened, and I must say, the tuna sandwich there is truly lustworthy and obsession inducing!

They should put a knife sharpening stand there. Where are you supposed to get that done here anyway?

well, actually, at broadway panhandler!
if you buy your knives there, you get free sharpening once a year, otherwise, you can just drop them off and for a small fee they'll come back all happy and sharp in a day or two

Thank you, ann!

I had no idea and now I can do this before I disfigure any more tomatoes.

The tuna and fennel and lemon sandwich at 'wichcraft is my favorite too!

8 blocks south, you've got Crate and Barrel, on Houston and Broadway, too. I love checking out their new modern designs and sales! And produce is covered at Union Square and Thompkin's Square GreenMarkets.

The B'way Panhandler folks have been busting their backsides; a week ago the space was full of nothing more than renovation dust and a lot of guys in work boots. Today when I walked by it was stuffed with shelves and display cases that were stuffed with tempting culinary tools, and the windows were stuffed with signs declaring GRAND OPENING and HUGE SALE.

Is anyone going to be at Panhandler right at 11 a.m.? If you have photos to share here on the Kitchen would be great. I hear there will be prizes and special giveaways too.

oooo looove Panhandler!

I've seen knife sharpening at the west end of Chelsea Market also. Not sure if the following is still accurate, I picked it up from another blog:

Samurai Sharpening Service -- in front of the Bowery Kitchen store on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12-6 p.m.
Contact info: 212-942-5228 or margery@ix.netcom.com.