Butterfield Market Opens 2nd Upper East Side Location: Photos

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — In a rare pandemic-era success story, Upper East Side institution Butterfield Market opened a second neighborhood shop Wednesday, filling the Madison Avenue space once occupied by Dean & DeLuca.

The upscale grocery and specialty food store has done business on Lexington Avenue since 1915, and also runs a robust catering operation. The new location at 1150 Madison Avenue was slated to open April 21, but the coronavirus scuttled those plans with just five weeks to go before opening day, owners and siblings Joelle and Evan Obsatz told Patch.

The delays made Wednesday's arrival even sweeter, Evan said.

"So far it’s been great," he said. "We’re getting a really nice reception from the neighborhood."

During the four-month closure, the owners redesigned the space to account for the reality of the pandemic. Narrow aisles and tightly-stocked shelves were spaced out and decluttered, creating wide walkways with social distancing markers stuck to the white-tiled floor.

The air conditioning system was revamped to improve filtration, amenities like a salad bar and a dine-in cafe were put on hold, and a home delivery area was expanded to meet a rise in demand.

"We’re assuming that will be a big part of the business," Evan Obsatz said of home delivery.

An express window on the East 85th Street corner, originally intended only for frozen yogurt, now serves a wider variety of food and drink options to accommodate those who would rather not enter the store.

The new location is staffed by about 60 new employees, about half of whom had been furloughed in the spring from Butterfield's catering business.

Beyond the expected selection of produce, baked goods and prepared food, the owners said they've upped their focus on traditional local delicacies, including a smoked fish case that features seven types of smoked salmon, as well as whitefish and big bowls of schmear-worthy cream.

The focus reflects Butterfield's own history, according to Evan and Joelle, third-generation owners whose grandfather began working at the Lexington Avenue market in the 1950s.

“We’re authentic New York,” Evan said.

The new Butterfield Market is 1150 Madison Avenue, on the corner of Madison and East 85th Street.