Category Archives: News
Greenhouse Bazaar: A Hidden Gem Found in Greenacres
By Robyn Kalajian
FLArmenians Cuisine Contributor
When a Middle Eastern grocery store opened in our hometown of Boynton Beach a few years ago, Doug and I couldn’t have been more pleased. We were able to purchase the must-have Armenian ingredients in order to make our cherished family recipes. The store’s owner, ‘Ken’ had a meat counter, some fresh produce, frozen items, housewares – you name it. He was even planning to have a bakery oven installed for daily-baked pitas, and eventually, a kitchen for freshly prepared food. Sadly, things didn’t turn out as Ken expected and the business came and went after a short two-year run.
With the arrival of more ethnicities requiring the same cooking ingredients as we use, we’re puzzled by the severe shortage of Middle Eastern specialty shops in this area.
Several years ago, Doug and I stumbled upon a place called Green House Bazaar in Greenacres, a suburb of West Palm Beach, and not far from our home. At the time it was a partially open-air produce stand with a sprinkling of Middle Eastern items on their meagerly stocked shelves, and a kebab counter that didn’t seem to have anyone running it. The place was ok, but we never bothered to return … until …
… our friend, Adele Abbott, alerted us to the fact that the Persian-owned Green House Bazaar had been enclosed, still had fresh produce, housed numerous shelves of ‘interesting food items’, a refrigerated and frozen food section including phyllo dough, kadaif dough, etc. – and best of all – the kebab café, which she claimed was very good!
This is the only made-in-Armenia product we found
Doug and I swung by one afternoon to check it out. We were delighted to find lavash, basturma, paklava, and a myriad of ingredients that would be useful in The Armenian Kitchen. They were, however, lacking in products imported from Armenia (we found only one) and items such as prepared lahmajoun and Armenian string cheese.
Our take-out combo plate
Salmon kebab take-out dinner with green rice
While there, we decided to buy two kebab meals-to-go for dinner that night, and are we glad we did! We chose the combo platter with chicken kebab and beef lule kebab, and the second with salmon kebab. Both meals contained salad, rice – white, or green rice, which was studded with fava beans and lots of dill (we got one of each), grilled tomatoes and red peppers, a piece of freshly made lavash, and a side of a garlic-dill sauce. The salads and veggies were particularly fresh –as the produce stand is just steps away from the kitchen!
Lavash is made right on the premises
Would we return? You bet, but I plan to have a chat with the owner to see about stocking some more of our personal favorites!
The Greenhouse Bazaar is located at 5100 10th Ave N, Greenacres, FL 33463. Check out their website here.
Florida Armenians Congratulate Elected Officials in Boca Raton
Councilwoman-Elect Andrea O’Rourke
BOCA RATON, FL – Florida Armenians would like to congratulate Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie and Councilman Scott Singer on their re-election. We would also like to congratulate Councilwoman-Elect Andrea O’Rourke, who was successful in the Seat B race.
Haynie, Singer, and O’Rourke were each elected to a three year term in the March 14, 2017 municipal election.
We look forward to working with them, and the entire Boca Raton City Council, in the years ahead.
Florida Armenians Announce Endorsements for Boca Raton 2017 Municipal Elections
By FLArmenians Editorial Board
BOCA RATON, FL – Florida Armenians is pleased to announce our endorsements in the upcoming Boca Raton municipal elections. The City of Boca Raton 2017 Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Polls will be open 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Electors of the City will vote for candidates for Mayor, City Council Seat A, and City Council Seat B.
Here are the candidates running:
MAYOR OF BOCA RATON:
Susan Haynie (Incumbent)
Alfred Zucaro
BOCA RATON CITY COUNCIL SEAT A:
Scott Singer (Incumbent)
Patti Dervishi
BOCA RATON CITY COUNCIL SEAT B:
Emily Gentile
Andrea Levine O’Rourke
Andy Thomson
(Not sure if you are a registered voter? Visit www.pbcelections.org to check your status and find your polling station. To view a sample ballot for the City of Boca Raton, click here.)
Florida Armenians endorses Susan Haynie for Mayor, Scott Singer for City Council Seat A, and Emily Gentile for City Council Seat B.
Mayor Haynie and Councilman Singer have been friends of the Armenian community of Boca Raton for many years. Last year, Mayor Haynie, Councilman Singer, and others on the City Council introduced and passed a resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
In addition, both Haynie and Singer have served the city well in their first term in office and deserve re-election. Haynie has helped guide the city, manage sustainable growth, and boosted a pro-jobs environment. Singer has been a strong advocate for citizen activism and participation in government, as evidenced by his many in-person and telephone town-halls.
In the open race to succeed term-limited Councilman Mike Mullaugh, Emily Gentile is the clear choice. She has the strongest record of city involvement and activism – having served in leadership positions on over a dozen city boards, civic groups, and local charities – unlike her opponent Andrea O’Rourke who has limited community involvement, and Andy Thomson who moved to Boca Raton 7 months ago and hasn’t served on a single city board. O’Rourke and Thomson represent two extremes of the anti-growth and anti-development vs pro-growth and pro-development political spectrum, respectively; whereas Gentile takes a balanced approach, mindful of all parties and interests, and will add decades of knowledge and experience in community affairs and problem solving to the city council.
Emily Gentile and Rev. Fr. Paren Galstyan at St. David Armenian Church
Councilman Mullaugh, as well as former Massachusetts Senate Majority Leader Linda Melconian who helped spearhead the state’s Armenian Genocide education curriculum, have endorsed Emily Gentile for Boca City Council, among others. She recently visited St. David Armenian Church in Boca Raton, FL and met with dozens of community members.
Florida Armenians is proud to endorse these great community leaders and looks forward to working with them in the years to come.
Florida Armenians 