Latest news with #JungleJim'sInternationalMarket
USA Today
10-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Taking stock of grocery store tourism: 10 cool stores to check out
Advertisement Zabar's, in New York City, has been a backdrop in movies, such as "You've Got Mail" – Photo courtesy of Zabar's Grocery store tourism is all the rage on TikTok, and it's no surprise. It's the perfect way to sample the local flavor of a place. Grocery stores and supermarkets offer insight into everyday living, cultural norms, and culinary traditions. Specialty grocers and mom-and-pop shops also can be a great source for snacks, sweets, condiments, beverages — even gifts and souvenirs — while traveling. Here are 10 grocery stores around the country that we think offer fantastic local flavor and are worth checking out. Stew Leonard's, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey Stew Leonard Jr. poses with mascots at this grocery store tourism hot spot – Photo courtesy of Stew Leonard's This regional supermarket chain started out as a small dairy store in Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1969. That year, founder Stew Leonard Sr. decided that it was time to switch from running a milk delivery business to developing what's now described as the "Disneyland of Dairy Stores." Still run by the family of its namesake founder, Stew Leonard's makes grocery shopping a fun outing that's complete with animatronics, costumed characters, and a petting zoo. Additionally, the store produces a line of prepared meals, baked goods, and beverages. They even still bottle their milk! Parties, theme nights, and special holiday breakfasts add to the local flavor of this grocery store tourism destination. Advertisement Jungle Jim's International Market, Ohio Jungle Jim's International Market is a culinary expo of products from around the world – Photo courtesy of Jungle Jim's International Market This 6.5-acre grocery showcase in Fairfield, Ohio, originated as a produce stand and has evolved into a larger-than-life global epicurean emporium. At this Jungle Jim's location, wander through mazes of kitchen staples — literally hundreds of hot sauces, among other food finds — representing more than 70 countries. Customers can go on guided store 'safari tours" and scavenger hunts. There's also a cooking school and in-store podcast. Perfect for grocery store tourism, Jungle Jim's hosts festivals honoring beer, wine, hot sauce, and pickles. The market's second location in Eastgate, Ohio, also is a fun spot with photo-worthy décor and many regional, national, and international products. Uwajimaya, Washington and Oregon Uwajimaya is a tasty grocery store tourism destination for Asian food culture – Photo courtesy of Alfredo Vitente, Uwajimaya A fantastic place for grocery store tourism in the Pacific Northwest, Uwajimaya was founded in Tacoma, Washington, in 1928 by Fujimatsu Moriguchi. He began by selling Japanese fish cakes out of the back of his pickup, then word spread about Moriguchi's food so much that he and his wife opened a small market in Tacoma. Amid the outbreak of World War II, the store was closed as the Moriguchis were sent to an internment camp in Northern California. After the war, the family reopened their shop in what's now Seattle's Chinatown-International District. Along with seafood, produce, and meat departments, browse along a sake section, Asian beauty products, and a nice collection of housewares. This grocery store tourism designation is also perfect for souvenirs. Zabar's, New York City Grocery store tourism destination Zabar's has great merchandise for souvenirs and gifts – Photo courtesy of Zabar's It's easy to envision yourself as a New Yorker doing your weekly grocery shopping at this Upper West Side landmark founded by Louis and Lillian Zabar in 1934. No doubt, you've spotted Zabar's on countless TV shows and movies or perhaps in a Vampire Weekend music video. This four-generation, family-owned business specializes in roasted coffee blends, artisanal cheeses, caviar, and smoked fish. It's also where you can order from a Jewish appetizer counter or pick up black and white cookies or fresh-baked rugelach along with Zabar's signature mugs, totes, and apparel — all of which make perfect grocery store tourism gifts. Advertisement Corti Brothers, California Corti Brothers introduced many Italian staples to this region of California – Photo courtesy of Rick Mindermann / Corti Brothers In 1947, siblings Frank and Gino Corti opened this Sacramento grocery store, introducing their customers to European culinary delights not widely available in Northern California at that time. This store has added to Sacramento's culinary scene so much that when it risked losing its lease in 2008, the city's chef community showed their public support. Food writer Ruth Reichl mentioned the store in her memoir, "Comfort Me with Apples." Chef and restaurateur Alice Waters also holds this grocery store tourism hot spot in high regard. Amid its impressive imported inventory, Corti Brothers has a solid wine department and a deli with great sandwiches. H-E-B, Texas H-E-B in Texas has popular items such as fresh butter tortillas made daily – Photo courtesy of H-E-B newsroom Started as a family store in 1905, this top supermarket chain across the Lone Star State is where you'll come across some interesting Texas food finds. H-E-B fan favorites extend to the store's Poteet Strawberry ice cream, warm butter tortillas, Cafe Olé Texas Pecan coffee, and specialty salsas with flavors ranging from green chile tomatillo to smoky citrus. Select store locations also house the True Texas BBQ restaurant, where all-natural meats are slowly smoked to perfection. Erewhon, California If you're into health food and celebrity sightings, Erewhon is a must grocery store tourism destination – Photo courtesy of Erewhon Despite its humble beginnings as a food stall in Boston, Massachusetts, Erewhon has become a symbol of California's health food culture and a pop culture sensation. This certified organic retailer and Registered B Corp., which has multiple locations in California, made headlines this year for selling a $19 strawberry from Japan. Advertisement If you go, try Erewhon's menu of high-end smoothies (perhaps a collagen peptides blend called Hailey Bieber's Strawberry Skin Glaze) or marvel at endless aisles of supplements. Through celebrity collaborations, mukbangs, and influencer culture, this health-food haven has become a social media phenomenon, as well as a supermarket staple for Angelinos. Cherry Republic, Michigan All things cherry are sold at Cherry Republic in Michigan – Photo courtesy of Traverse City Traverse City is known as the 'cherry capital of the world' and this specialty store is stocked with just about every imaginable cherry-related product. Founded within Traverse City but now in multiple locations around Michigan, Cherry Republic carries cherry salsas, pies, preserves, beverages, sauces, and chocolate-covered cherries. At its first location in Glen Arbor, you'll find not only a store but also a winery and the Cherry Public House, a lunch and dinner spot with a cherry-inspired menu. Kessler's, South Dakota Kessler's is where you can find a South Dakota version of steak tartare – Photo courtesy of Kessler's Grocery Established in Aberdeen, South Dakota, in 1939, at this family-owned grocery store, you can try "tiger meat" — a raw-beef dish made with seasoned hamburger meat — commonly referred to as South Dakota steak tartare. According to Kessler's owner, Reed Kessler, his great great grandfather, Jacob Sahli, introduced tiger meat to Aberdeen when he made homemade whiskey. Kessler's great grandfather, George Kessler, opened the store in 1939 and sold this meat as well. In addition to supplying local and regional products, Kessler's heavily supports the community, hosting charity events and sharing its family recipes. Di Bruno Bros., Pennsylvania Di Bruno Bros. hosts After Hours Experiences, like wine and food tastings – Photo courtesy of Di Bruno Bros. Back in 1939, brothers Danny and Joe Di Bruno opened a tiny market in South Philadelphia's historic Italian Market, providing premium imported cheeses, gourmet meats, and specialty items. Over eight decades, Di Bruno Bros. branched out with shops across Philadelphia and the neighboring suburbs of Wayne and Ardmore. Each location hosts educational and social events dubbed as After Hours Experiences.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jungle Jim's featured in CNN segment on Trump's tariffs. How will the store be affected?
How President Donald Trump's developing tariff regime could affect the shelves at Cincinnati's beloved Jungle Jim's International Market was tackled in a CNN video segment, which aired Saturday. Mark Borison, host of the Jungle Jim's podcast, spoke to CNN reporter Fredricka Whitfield regarding what customers can expect and what Jungle Jim's is doing to prepare amid the anticipated increased prices. Borison said the market is currently instable for both consumers and producers. Jungle Jim's is in a unique spot in that it's an independently-owned family business, so it intends to have more control over pricing, he added. "We will squeeze the margins on our end as long as humanly possible, so that hopefully customers are not seeing a ton of increases in prices," Borison told CNN. Nevertheless, the international market has already seen a bump in prices as high as 25% for orders in both the seafood and produce sections, he said. Ultimately, Borison said he expects that the Jungle Jim's educated customer base will be understanding amid the tariff rollout. He reiterated that the store's plan involves finding a balance between lowering margins enough that customers benefit, but not so much that employees aren't getting paid. The podcaster added that Jungle Jim's intends to continue carrying all its normal inventory, unless production supply issues arise. The international market, which has sprawling locations in Fairfield and Eastgate, offers food items from 75 different countries, several of which fall under the president's tariff regime, such as China, Mexico and Canada. Trump's long-promised tariffs are expected to go into effect April 2, which he nicknamed 'Liberation Day,' on countries with which the U.S. has a trade deficit. Most recently, Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from any country that purchases oil or gasoline from Venezuela in a Truth Social post made Monday. The president said the tariffs and trade controls would be 'reciprocal' so that whatever rate a country charges, the U.S. charges them the equivalent. Jungle Jim's CNN feature can be viewed on This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Jungle Jim's featured in CNN segment on Trump's tariffs
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
U.S. Attorney announces convictions of illegal immigrants arrested in Butler County after reentering country following deportation
Mar. 7—Two illegal immigrants arrested in Butler County have been convicted on federal charges related to immigration and firearm crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio. The cases include illegal immigrants who reentered the United States after previously been deported on felony charges. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, illegally reentering the United States is punishable by up to 2 years in federal prison, and up to 10 years if the offender as a prior felony conviction, or multiple prior misdemeanor convictions of certain types. If they had been convicted of an aggravated felony, that defendant faces up to 20 years in prison. On Tuesday, Edgar Palomares-Ventura, 38, of Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally reentering the United States after he had been deported from the United States in 2022 from Texas. Agents discovered Palomares-Ventura in West Chester Twp. The Mexican national has previous convictions in the United States, including trafficking marijuana in Hamilton County, and federal convictions in Ohio and Kentucky for visa, permit and passport fraud, as well as aggravated identity theft. On Wednesday, Brayan Castaneda-Juarez, 32, admitted to illegal possessing a firearm, and anyone with no legal status in the United States is prohibited to possess a gun. He had been previously removed from a Port of Entry in Texas after a December arrest at Jungle Jim's in Fairfield. Jungle Jim's International Market loss prevention employees stopped Castaneda-Juarez as he attempted to shoplift. Fairfield police officers were dispatched and discovered a 9mm pistol in a bag that Castaneda-Juarez was carrying. He was later arrested by ICE officers. These cases are being prosecuted as part of the Southern District of Ohio Immigration Enforcement Task Force, which dedicates agents, attorneys and other staff to investigating and prosecuting immigration violations. The Southern District of Ohio represents more than half of the state's county in the Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton divisions. Friday's announcements of arrests and convictions come a day after Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said he received the first U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees under a new federal contract. The Butler County Sheriff has been a strong advocate in pushing illegal immigrants out of the country, including posting a sign that reads "Illegal Aliens Here" at the county jail. Other cases include a 35-year-old attempting illegal reentry into the United States when he was one of four in a vehicle driven by a 21-year-old, and a 47-year-old El Salvadorian national with no legal status who had been deported three times.
