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Battery Park City Residents Welcome New 24-Hour Deli With Open Arms

By Julie Shapiro | November 29, 2010 1:13pm

By Julie Shapiro

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

BATTERY PARK CITY — After more than a year without a 24-hour deli, Battery Park City residents can once again buy a carton of milk or a dozen eggs at any hour of the day or night.

Hudson Produce had its soft opening Friday in the 4,000-square-foot space at the corner of South End Avenue and Albany Street, which used to house the popular 24-hour JJ's Deli. But after roughly 20 years in that location, JJ's closed its doors in the summer of 2009, and since then the neighborhood has been without an all-hours shop.

"We were all very sad to lose [JJ's]," said Carolyn Swearengin, a 27-year resident of Battery Park City who picked up coffee at Hudson Produce on Monday. "I'm delighted this is here."

James Kim, 48, owner of Hudson Produce, said he knew the former owners of JJ's and saw an opportunity to spruce up the space with a gut renovation and serve Battery Park City's growing population.

Hudson Produce offers everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to canned goods and household supplies. The freezers, salad station and hot food are still in the works, but eventually the deli will sell all grocery staples except for fresh meat and fish, manager Ted Kim said.

"It's still a work in progress," said Kim, who is not related to the owner. "We may not be able to carry as much as Whole Foods, but we're always open to suggestions."

Shoppers on Monday praised the deli's reasonable prices, which include sandwiches for $6.25 and under, apples for less than $2 a pound and a dozen eggs for $2.49.

The deli even attracted a group of preschoolers Monday morning from the nearby Battery Park City Day Nursery. Their teachers led them through the store, asking them to point out foods they had learned about.

Elizabeth Perez, 34, a cashier at Hudson Produce, said she has been surprised by the warm reception the deli has received so far.

"The people who are stopping by are really excited," Perez said. "I've never seen anything like it before."

"It's awesome," said James McGrath, 35, a Battery Park City resident who stopped in for some eggs Monday morning. "The prices are better than Gristedes. It's nice to see some competition in the neighborhood."