New Kosher Supermarket Opens in Frankfurt's East
Translated & summarized from Jüdische Allgemeine by baba
Frankfurt's eastern district has a new kosher supermarket, "Shuk Market," opened by Naomi and David Krol. The store aims to be a community hub, offering kosher products and a welcoming atmosphere. Opened in September, it caters to the local Jewish population, many of whom previously traveled to Strasbourg for kosher groceries. The owners, refugees from Ukraine, also previously ran a kosher restaurant and are pleased with the initial customer response despite facing some negativity.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Frankfurt's "Shuk Market" kosher supermarket opened in early September, aiming to be a community hub.
- Owners Naomi and David Krol, originally from Ukraine, designed the store with specific aesthetic and communal goals.
- The market offers a variety of kosher products, including cheese, fish, sweets, and fresh meat.
- Many religious Jewish customers previously traveled to Strasbourg for kosher groceries due to limited options in Frankfurt.
- The Krols, who fled the conflict in Ukraine, also previously operated a kosher restaurant in Frankfurt.
- Future plans for the "Shuk Market" include outdoor seating for coffee and croissants next summer.
The "Shuk Market," a new kosher supermarket, has opened in eastern Frankfurt, offering a variety of kosher products and aiming to create a community gathering space. Owners Naomi and David Krol, originally from Ukraine, renovated the space with specific ideas, including sage green accents and an orange logo reminiscent of a shopping cart. The store, which opened in early September, timed with the Jewish holiday season, also features a communal feel inspired by Tel Aviv's Shuk HaCarmel market.
Customers like Joshua, an Israeli doctoral student expecting a baby, find the store a welcome comfort in a city where living a Jewish life can be challenging. The market stocks kosher cheese from France, canned fish from Russia, and sweets from Israel, alongside fresh meat and other staples. Employee Russlan, who is Christian and from Odessa, helps customers navigate the kosher products, many of whom are originally from Ukraine and remind him of his hometown.
Naomi Krol emphasized that success requires more than just offering kosher goods; it involves creating a welcoming atmosphere. The "Shuk Market" is open on Sundays, providing a rare opportunity for local residents to purchase essentials. Future plans include adding outdoor seating for coffee and croissants next summer.
Despite the store's efforts, attracting some religious Jewish customers remains a challenge, as many have established routines of shopping for kosher goods in Strasbourg, a two-hour drive away. Past issues with kosher food availability in Frankfurt, including a scandal involving unkosher meat and the evolution of a previous kosher store into a general supermarket, have contributed to this. Rabbi Apel, responsible for kosher certification in Frankfurt, has given the market his stamp of approval and is a regular customer.
The Krols, who fled the conflict in Donbas, Ukraine, previously ran a kosher restaurant called "Shalom." Naomi initially hesitated at the idea of opening a supermarket but is pleased with the initial customer response. Despite facing some negative online reviews and comments before opening, the owners remained determined. Customers like Aviva expressed joy at finding familiar Israeli products, such as Ptitim, a pasta dish from her childhood, available in Frankfurt after many years.