Jazeera Market Spreads Global Tastes

Jazeera Market Spreads Global Tastes

MEGAN SMALL

Interesting packaged goods.


A new market sets up shop on Webster Street.

Looking for spices from Pakistan, desserts from the Middle East, tea from London and Iran, coffee from Yemen? These culinary treats and much more can be found in Alameda’s newest foodie destination, Jazeera Market (1525 Webster St., 510-263-9058), an unpretentious 1,700-square-foot mecca of international specialty foods on the corner of Webster and Haight.

Since opening in April, manager Saleem Saleh said he has been very pleased with the foot traffic the new store has attracted. Saleh said the owner, Nader Saad, recognized that Alamedans were traveling to Fremont and Berkeley for unusual international products they could not find in Alameda and so decided to open a market that carries them.

“It’s not only Middle Easterners or other ethnic groups who seek out the specialty items that we offer. These days, everyone is open to new tastes and trying out different food. We are excited about exposing people to flavors from all over the world while keeping our prices very competitive at the same time,” Saad said.

Besides carrying foods from all over the world, the well-stocked Jazeera Market also sells fresh produce and houses a meat section that offers sausages, chicken, ready-to-cook kabobs, and grass-fed beef. The plan is to expand the meat section to include Algerian sausages, halal lamb, goat, and a variety of other cuts. Also in the works is the idea to start serving falafel, hummus, and salads to go with the already available assortment of fresh breads.

With lots of new concepts brewing, the staff at Jazeera Market is open to suggestions and requests from their customers. Clearly visible on the register sits a clipboard encouraging as much feedback as possible. When asked what has been the most sought after items, Saleh says it’s been spices and freekeh, a popular Middle Eastern grain.

Meanwhile, word about Jazeera (Arabic for “island”) Market has been spreading, and the build-and-they-will-come philosophy seems to be working.

This article appears in the July 2014 issue of Alameda Magazine
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