Blog Archives
Samara Supermarket Arrives in South Florida
By Robyn and Doug Kalajian
FLArmenians Cuisine Contributors
During our two-month absence from home this summer, Doug and I returned to find new businesses popping up around us – a very good sign.
Our first discovery was that a formerly closed Winn-Dixie supermarket has been completely revamped with a fresh, appealing look. With its new carving stations, cheese store with cheese and wine experts, in-house chef, fresh sushi, free coffee and free Wi-Fi, Winn-Dixie will rival even the snazziest Whole Foods or Fresh Market.
What truly got our hearts pumping is opening of the new Samara Supermarket in Boynton Beach’s shopping corridor. FINALLY, a Middle Eastern store close enough so that we don’t have to make a day’s trip out of buying ingredients we need to operate The Armenian Kitchen.
We found Samara by accident while perusing a local advertising publication. This prompted an immediate trip to examine their wares and determine whether or not the store would meet our needs. The answer: yes, it would!
Samara is a spacious store owned by Khaled (Ken) Samara. Ken was inspired to open a Middle Eastern store in central Palm Beach County because he saw a need for one in this location.
The shelves are neatly lined with canned, jarred, and packaged products – bulgur, lentils, olives, Noyan preserves from Armenia, red pepper paste, and so much more.
The refrigerated and freezer sections contain a variety of cheeses including Armenian twisted cheese (Karoun and Gharibian brands), lahmajoun, phyllo and kadaiff dough – to name a few.
There is a small fresh produce department featuring eggplant, Persian cucumbers, pomegranates and such.
What really surprised us was the fresh (Halal) meat counter complete with a butcher. There was a lamb carcass hanging in the refrigerator, and a lamb’s head displayed in the meat case – pacha, anyone? And cow hooves – Mmmmm, khash!
Need hookah paraphernalia? Ouds? dumbegs? They’re here, too!
Ken was was quick to mention that customer satisfaction is important to them, and if we didn’t see a product we wanted, let him know and he would order it.
We liked that aspect very much.
Ken is already looking forward to the store’s expansion. He’s planning to install an oven for making freshly baked pita bread, and adding a kitchen so food can be made on-site, such as stuffed grape leaves, spinach turnovers, za’taar bread – you know the menu.
All we can say to Ken is: WELCOME to the neighborhood!
Samara Supermarket is located at
2206 N. Congress Ave.
Boynton Beach, Florida
Phone: 561-752-3633
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 AM – 9 PM and Sunday: 10 AM to 9 PM
Source: http://www.thearmeniankitchen.com/2012/10/samara-supermarket-boynton-beach-florida.html
Armenian Genocide featured in Miami Dade College’s First Annual Genocide Awareness Week
Armenian Genocide featured in Miami Dade College’s First Annual Genocide Awareness Week
By Tina Varjabedian
FLArmenians Miami Contributor
Miami, FL – On Wednesday, April 4, Miami Dade College’s Homestead campus launched their First Annual Genocide Awareness Week with an opening event presenting the Armenian Genocide. Over 200 students and faculty members of non-Armenian backgrounds were present to learn about the history and politics surrounding the events of the Armenian Genocide.
Dr. Jeffery Thomas, Dean of Miami Dade College’s Homestead Campus, enthusiastically gave a welcoming introduction where he emphasized the significance of recognizing what he pronounced as a “denied chapter in world history.” Professor Hannibal Travis, J.D. from Florida International University’s College of Law, presented a discussion about International Law and Middle Eastern Politics. Taniel Koushakjian, Director of Grassroots at the Armenian Assembly of America, concluded the discussion with a segment on Survivor Accounts and Current Political Aspects Surrounding Armenian Genocide Recognition.
The lectures were followed by a “March for Genocide Prevention” ceremony, where students and faculty marched from the auditorium to the campus’s courtyard while holding sunflowers symbolizing the martyrs of the genocide. The event was concluded with a casual Q & A between the event’s speakers and students, while they enjoyed samples of Armenian pastries and music in the courtyard displaying the students’ Genocide artwork.
Florida Armenians 