Mona Mahadevan photos
Kim and Chris Choe celebrate the grand opening of their newest grocery store at 360 State St.
Grace, an employee, hands out samples of mochi. Her kids' favorite is the milk flavor.
Produce for sale at Market360.
After sampling four different types of Market360’s in-house sushi, Dragona Lacore offered her verdict: a chef’s kiss.
She was there Wednesday morning to celebrate the new downtown grocery store’s grand opening.
Market360, which fills the 20,000 square-foot space previously occupied by Elm City Market on the ground floor of 360 State St., has been open for business since May 24.
Its packaged offerings range from typical grocery store items, like strawberries, yogurt, and pita crackers, to specialty goods, including banana milk and sweet potato mochi.
Since receiving its prepared foods license a few days ago, it has started selling beef bulgogi, sushi, deli wraps, and more. A small café in the back offers affogatos and cherry danishes.
On Wednesday, after the Schrockingburg Brass Band completed their rendition of “America the Beautiful,” Deputy Economic Development Administrator Carlos Eyzaguirre declared that he could “foresee [Market360] being an anchor for this part of downtown for years to come.”
Owners Chris and Kim Choe cut the ribbon in front of the store, then invited more than 30 attendees inside to sample dumplings, croissants, and sushi.
Near the checkout counters, a staff member named Grace handed out quartered pieces of milk and sweet potato mochi. She advised customers to let the boxes defrost for a few minutes before serving.
On the other side of the store, while pouring small cups of Binggrae flavored milk, employee June shared that she had been drinking the brand’s banana milk since she was a child.
Dan DeStefano — senior vice president of Beachwold Residential, which owns the apartment tower at 360 State — had been seeking a tenant that would offer high-quality items at inexpensive prices. After making a trip to the Choes’ grocery store in Sharon, which the couple purchased in 2010 from Joe and Anne Trotta, Beachwold decided that Market360 would be a good fit for the neighborhood.
With a growing Asian population at 360 State and downtown New Haven, DeStefano said he believes the store’s broad selection of Asian foods will also resonate with local residents.
As of Wednesday, Market360 seemed fully stocked, with a wide variety of produce and meat. Bananas were priced at $0.79 a pound, a dozen large Eggland’s eggs for $3.79, and a pound of Cabot sweet cream butter at $6.59.
Mayor Justin Elicker promised to be a “regular customer, because [Market360] is just a stone’s throw away from City Hall.” On opening day, he departed with a loaf of sourdough and chocolate croissant in tow.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, people milled around the store's cafe area to sample pastries and Korean prepared foods.
Lots of buttery, decadent pastries.
Plus sushi, beef bulgogi, and kimchi -- all made in-house.
Kate Lavigne, who helps manage the apartment complex at 360 State St., samples sushi.