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July 2, 2004/Tamuz 13 5764, Vol. 56, No.41
Kosher market opens in Central Phoenix
RAEANNE MARSH
Special to Jewish News
Eager to fill the need they recognized for a kosher grocery in the community, Tamara and Yakov Meirov opened the doors June 27 to the Imperial Kosher Market at 12th Street and Glendale Avenue in Phoenix.
"It's caused a lot of excitement," says their son, Shai, who, along with brothers Zvi and Jonathan, helps oversee the store in this family endeavor. "A lot of people have come up and said, 'When are you opening?'
"We waited three years for the right location," he explains, noting their success in positioning themselves right in the middle of the "biggest Jewish Orthodox community" in Phoenix and easily accessible by freeway to the larger community.
"The main theme (of our store) is to bring Israeli products into the (United States)," says Meirov, describing their intention to make available here in Phoenix products that may otherwise not be available "except in New York or L.A."
The 2,000-square-foot store carries a full line of kosher grocery items - Middle Eastern, European and Sephardic - but it is the kosher deli meats that were the initial consideration for the family's decision to open a kosher market. The Buchori Jewish Community, with which they became affiliated when they moved to Phoenix three years ago, had to "bring a rabbi in every three to four months to slaughter a cow" so the families could have kosher meat.
"There is a lot of Judaism in this city," says Meirov, adding that the growth he's seen in these past three years has been "amazing." "We're hoping to help the community grow, and be able to feed more people kosher." But it's not just Jews who have shown interest in the new kosher market - many Muslims and other non-Jews have, as well.
"It's surprising and exciting that other communities are supporting us," Meirov shares.
Meirov notes that he expects there to be more call for "stores like ours," and says it's "really neat" that other kosher markets have recently opened. "I think we're just in the beginning" of developing Jewish quarters like in New York, he observes, adding that he believes this will help put Arizona on the map and "bring tourism to the Valley for Jewish people."
Tamara and Yakov Meirov, originally from Uzbekistan, moved to Israel in the 1970s, then brought their family to New York in 1985. Chance brought them to Arizona, where they relocated just three years ago.
"We recently found this treasure," is how Shai Meirov describes the reason for the move.
Vacationing in Scottsdale on the recommendation of a travel agent friend instead of taking their usual summer trip to Europe, he explains, his parents found the climate similar to where they grew up and enjoyed the lifestyle that was "more relaxing" than that in New York. Fully embracing their new community, the Meirovs volunteer at and contribute to events throughout their local Jewish community.
"Wherever we're needed in the community, we try to be there," says Meirov.
"We hope to alter the lives of people who try to find these kosher products," Meirov relates. He has observed that people come in just to take a look and were happy to see products written in Hebrew. "It made them feel like home." And that's the experience the Meirovs are trying to create - to emulate the neighborhood-feel of New York and provide customers a haimish (home-like) store in their own community.
The market offers free delivery with minimum purchase. Imperial Kosher Market is located at 1145 E. Glendale Ave., Phoenix. Call 602-285-6999.
RaeAnne Marsh is a local free-lance writer.
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