Farewell Garden Of Eden, Hello Fresh Start

By on April 26, 2016 9:30 pm in Food, Shopping

A few days ago I heard reports that the interior layout of the Garden Of Eden store, on Montague between Clinton and Court, had been changed, with the fresh meat, poultry, and fish offerings reduced greatly in size, replaced by much more extensive offerings of ready-made meals. Then a neighbor pointed out the awning, proclaiming the new name, “Fresh Start”. Evidently the owners, either old or new, think the local market is more oriented toward convenience than toward the joys of cooking.

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  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlsiLOnWCoI Arch Stanton

    I say good riddance, GoE was not a pleasant place imho.

  • Bornhere

    I am not sure this is that recent an evolution — “Fresh Start” has appeared as the merchant on my debit card purchases for a few months. I haven’t really noticed much of a difference in the layout/approach, but that may be because I don’t pay attention to ready-made, and my purchases tend to be produce, some bakery goods, and “emergency staples.”

  • AEB

    Hmmmm. The last time I was in the store, this past weekend, I noticed the repositioning of the meat case, but no other changes.

    It’s an odd store–full of pricey “gourmet” items, many of which can be gotten elsewhere for less dough (though there IS some here-only stuff), and, well, tired produce and very questionable baked goods.

    The checkout people are friendly enough…not somewhere I’d buy from normally except in an “emergency.”

  • Jorale-man

    I find it’s a good place to buy a birthday cake or some special treat. There are assorted things in the back I like too – the humus for one. But you’re right, it’s kind of a mix of gourmet and mundane items at higher prices. I wish they’d make the check-out area a bit less cramped too.

  • Teresa

    I used to shop there pretty regularly, but once Peas and Pickles expanded, I ended up there more often. It is good for some unusual items, though — I haven’t found things like mascarpone cheese elsewhere, and sometimes their yogurt prices are less expensive than elsewhere. I’d buy their fish, too, if I didn’t want to head down to Fish Tales.

  • Eric

    Question for folks that have lived here longer – where do you go for fresh seafood and meat elsewhere in the Heights. There is the butcher shop on clark that I like, but Key Foods and Gristedes both only have pre-packaged seafood and meat that looks pretty terrible. Anywhere else in the Heights that I’m missing -any great recommendations? Thanks! -Eric

  • Lady in the Heights

    Heights Prime Meats on Clark has very high quality meat but is very expensive. Fish Tales on Court Street in Cobble Hill is fantastic.

  • Francesca Tate

    When I was there last week, I noticed change in the store’s spacing a design, and a lot more shelving dedicated to convenience foods. As someone who loves cooking, I lament that. I lamented when they removed the olive bar, as I select my own blends of olives for various recipes.

  • Francesca Tate

    Fish Tales at Court St. near Congress St., has fresh, trustworthy seafood.

  • TeddyNYC

    Yeah, I noticed lately that they seem to be catering more to the “I don’t want to cook” crowd and they seem to do well with the office crowd at lunchtime. I wish that Wegmans was opening closer to us, like on Atlantic/Boerum instead of the Navy Yard. Wegmans, Fairway and Whole Foods are all outside of our comfortable/convenient walking range. Maybe one of them will open a second location closer to us someday.

  • Andrew Porter

    I used to go there for specific items which they don’t seem to carry any more. I suspect they do the vast majority of their business with office workers during the lunch hours, and the business tapers off a lot after 5pm.

  • Jorale-man

    I’ve been hoping for good things from the renovations at Key Food on Atlantic but so far I’m not terribly impressed. They’ve made the shelves higher and re-arranged the deli counter but otherwise it’s the same grimy floors and drop ceiling, just more claustrophobic. Maybe it’ll get there still.