Brooklyn Staple Sahadi's First Expansion Opens In Industry City

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — For the first time in 70 years, Brooklyn staple Sahadi's opened its doors somewhere other than Atlantic Avenue.

The third-generation Brooklyn Heights market has set up a second location in Sunset Park, at the Industry City industrial complex. The location officially opened its doors Thursday morning.

The new, 7,500-square-foot market and eating area is the first time the family-owned business has expanded since it opened its 187 Atlantic Ave. spot in 1948.

"We're constantly looking for ways to innovate while preserving what our longtime customers know and love," co-owner Christine Sahadi Whelan said. "The Industry City store will allow us to share the beloved Sahadi food and hospitality culture in a new, modern setting."

The new space can be found at 34 35th St. and includes an 80-seat eating area for grab-and-go lunch and dinner, light breakfast, full coffee service and other options.

It will also include a bar and a Saj, or the traditional domed griddle that makes Saj bread. Sahadi's is one of the only public spots in New York City that has an operational Saj ready to make the super thin Lebanese bread, which can be topped with lamb shawarma, Persian cucumbers and other hand-picked add-ons.

It will add to other Mediterranean and Lebanese foods available at the store, including fattoush and harissa salmon.

"We were artisanal before it was cool," said co-owner Ron Sahadi. "We've always been very particular when sourcing foods from all over the world to put on our shelves."

The Sunset Park location will essentially double Sahadi's business, bringing its staff from 20 to 40 along with its Brooklyn Heights shop and its production facility a few blocks away in Sunset Park. Owners said they plan to work with Industry City's Innovation Lab, or job training and placement center, in the next few months to do so.

As the second location gets up and running, Sahadi's owners said they hope to include a weekend brunch and develop a cocktail program.

"We're excited to expand our footprint in Brooklyn and keep good, solid manufacturing and hospitality jobs in our community" co-owner Pat Whelan said.