Late last month I noticed a new awning going up on a long-vacant building at the corner of Broadway and Myrtle Avenue. The green, orange and white signage, borrowing heavily from FreshDirect’s logo, indicated this new business was a market selling fresh produce and organic items, among other things. My husband and I finally got a chance to head over and check things out on Sunday, and I must say Mr. Kiwi’s is probably the most exciting new business to open in our little corner of Bushwick in the three years we’ve been here.

The store is big and bright, and while it appears they are not yet fully stocked (lots of empty space in the coolers and a few empty shelves here and there), I was really impressed with what they did have available – a good selection of dry goods and pantry items, the ubiquitous selection of Goya products, dried chiles, herbs and spices, and, most importantly a very nice selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.

One of my biggest complaints about living here has been the lack of good produce in our immediate area, and from what I’ve seen, Mr. Kiwi’s goes a long way toward fixing that problem. They have a nice selection of the basics – loose and bagged (and non-moldering) onions and potatoes, citrus, bananas, stem tomatoes – but they surprised me with their selection of things I previously had to look elsewhere for: leeks, endive, beautiful blood oranges, fresh cranberry beans and watercress, to name just a few. They also had a variety of cut flowers available for purchase just inside the entrance.

Prices are comparable to what you’d find at most produce markets or Korean groceries in other parts of the city, and I’ve been very happy with the quality and freshness of produce purchased there. The awning indicates they have beer and cigarettes available, though we didn’t see either when we were there (a licensing issue, perhaps?), and they also indicate they have free delivery, though its location makes it an easy enough stop for those of us who commute along the J/M/Z lines. In any event, this is a very welcome addition to the area, and a business which will hopefully thrive.

Mr. Kiwi’s | 957 Broadway (at Myrtle Avenue) | 718-453-2640

These two little cuties, dubbed Horatio and Gitano, were found outside a bodega on Stagg Street between Waterbury Street and Bushwick Avenue last week and are currently being fostered by volunteers from the BARC Shelter. The boys haven’t had an easy start in life - as Lisa V. reports:

There was a “string” wrapped around Horatio’s right rear leg that was probably his mother’s umbilical cord. He lost his foot but that is the least of his problems right now. It appears his legs have some kind of developmental defect as they are weak and “rubbery” He isn’t able to support his weight, although he tries to keep up with his unaffected brother Gitano. We’re looking into the right kind of physical therapy and possible treatment for Horatio.

From all accounts these little guys have a lot of spunk, but they need your help to thrive. Please check out the BARC Kitten Wish List and Network For Good for ways you can contribute.

(Photo of the Bushwick Boys by Lisacat on Flickr; see their photoset here, and a short video clip of Horatio here)

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