Small Business, Big Variety
By Johanna Mattsson
NEW YORK¬—Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between, one small business in Battery Park City seems to offer it all. Battery Place Market provides the neighborhood with diverse products, including catering for larger parties and grab-and-go products for those on the run. The market’s unique offerings include “coffee of Rwanda” and gluten-free items, according to the store’s website.
BPM is located in a neighborhood where rent nearly doubles that of NYC. Crain’s New York Business reported, “The strength of the appetite for space among department stores [in Battery Park City] is being buttressed by the arrival of several new chains.” BPM, which opened in 2010 and expanded to its second location in 2012, stands surrounded by the many chain stores and restaurants, like nearby Whole Foods, that line the streets of Battery Park City.
Manager Milan Shrestha acknowledged the “difficult” rent in the neighborhood and suggested “knowing the customers and the demands” is key. The market’s strategic locations, hours, and offerings are key to its success.
Located in southern Manhattan, where Hurricane Sandy flooded streets, BPM also faced its fair share of challenges following the 2012 storm. Shrestha said, “Luckily we survived,” but “no one could make it to work” with limited transportation. Since vendors also had difficulty reaching the market to deliver products, “it was hard to meet the continuous demand.”
Despite operating in an expensive and competitive rental market and enduring the effects of a category 3 hurricane, BPM continues to thrive, with the second location open in Battery Park City’s Goldman Sachs building. BPM’s convenient location and accommodating hours seem to play a role in the market’s success, catering to nearby financial workers and families alike.
According to The New York Times, “Anthony Roche, the chief operating officer of the Battery Place Market, said 70 percent to 80 percent of his business was Goldman,” something that motivated opening the store around sunrise, “when some employees are trundling in.” Spokesperson Frank Gelman told Downtown Express that “there are a lot of financial firms that trade 24 hours a day in Battery Park City,” adding, “We’re the only place open this late.” Those working past midnight are welcome to pick up post-work refreshments at the market, which shuts its doors at 1 am on Mondays-Thursdays, according to the market’s website.
Shrestha said those who work in BPC as well as residents of the neighborhood comprise the market’s clientele-base. With one location at 77 Battery Place, across the street from the River Watch apartment complex, BPM is also accessible to those who do not work in the Goldman Sachs building.
The market offers a diverse mix of products that caters to the nearby population: Battery Park School, The Hallmark senior living center, and Wall Street are within 5 minutes walking distance of the market. The store’s diverse products, ranging from chocolate chip cookies to Mussels Fra Diavolo, cater to its equally diverse clientele: young children, businessmen, and the elderly.
Priyanka, who works at BPM, said, “We have basically everything here.” When asked what product is in highest demand, she was quick to say, “The cookies. You have to try them.” The Real Deal reported, “Battery Place Market has opened its second outpost in less than a year because of the popularity of its gourmet pastries and coffee.” Priyanka suggested the market is at its busiest around 2 pm- 3 pm when school children stop by and a few hours later, around 5 pm- 6 pm, when business workers pick up post-work treats. Shrestha said, “We have everything,” adding, “Kids to older people-everyone likes to come here.”
Chain stores continue to dominate many of Manhattan’s neighborhoods, including BPC. This trend and the potential accompanying challenges have not stopped BPC from running its business and expanding.
“Whether you need groceries or a hot meal, Battery Place Market is the place to go!,” according to Elizabeth Atlas who blogged about her visit to BPM.
According to Crain’s New York, “roughly 600,000 square feet will come on line at Brookfield Place and the World Trade Center in the next year.” Priyanka suggested the business is “progressing well” and Shrestha is confident the business will continue to succeed so long as it focuses on its customers and the demand.
Battery Place Market joined residents, visitors, and local businesses at Battery Park City’s annual block party on September 27, 2014.
Sources:
http://chompchowchew.typepad.com/blog/2011/11/battery-place-market.html#sthash.oTH0rJRH.dpuf
http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Battery-Park-City-New-York-NY.html http://www.downtownexpress.com/2012/02/29/covering-battery-park-city-36/ http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/nyregion/its-a-goldman-world-in-battery-park-city.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://therealdeal.com/blog/2012/03/08/gourmet-food-boom-lifts-battery-park-city/#sthash.sSd9QaCm.dpuf