People often ask me how I pick the topics each week for this column. It’s easy. When I am struck by something remarkable or praiseworthy I take note and that store seems to beckon me to write about it. This week is a good example.
I was out for a quick minute to get some water for my office and ran into H-mart to buy a gallon jug. You may recall that last Friday it was cloudy in the morning. I ran into the H-mart on Hillside Avenue and bought my water. As I was about to leave a sudden torrential downpour came and I stood there under the awning wondering how I was going to get to my car 50 yards away.
I turn to my right and I noticed a Korean male walking toward me as he opened a large umbrella. He then asked me, “Where are you parked? I will walk you there.” I nearly fell down in shock and right then I knew the subject of this week’s column. Welcome to H-mart.
I always liked this Korean supermarket because of the little things. They have a space to put your basket under the counter after you unload your groceries. Every other supermarket I shop in can’t seem to figure out how to give the customer that little convenience so you are left wondering where to put the basket so no one will trip on it.
It’s the little things that make a big difference. And I love the fact that they have samples of Korean specialties that they give away every Saturday and Sunday. I frequently don’t even have to buy lunch that day since the samples are so filling and so generously given.
Well I finally returned Sunday to interview the manager of this pleasant supermarket, and to my great surprise he was the guy who offered to walk me to my car in the rain. His name is Seong Yuel Yoon and he has worked with H-mart for 10 years and has managed the Williston Park store for one. H-mart is owned by Kwon Il Yeon who started the first one in Flushing 32 years ago and now owns over 30 of them throughout the country.
My first question was why can’t other supermarkets figure out how to give the customers a space to place their empty baskets and he told me that Kwon Il Yeon is an organized man and likes to keep his stores clean and neat looking. Seong told me that this store has about 60 percent American food items and 40 percent Korean. He said that all his fresh foods are presented daily and the daily remainders are given to staff freely every night.
As he walked me down the aisles he pointed out that on one side of each isle were American foods and on the opposite side were Korean versions. In the cookie aisle I saw the standard Oreo’s and he pointed out that in Korea they have their Choco pies. These were the cookies the little Korean kid in the film “The Way Home” was so obsessed about. “I want Choco pies!”
On this Sunday the samplers were all out in full force and I had my fill of Kimchee, Korean dumplings, BBQ beef and Sushi. I think Americans are most familiar with their BBQ beef that you get cooked at your table in all Korean restaurants. I like it so much I bought the book “Kimchee Chronicles” to learn how to cook Korean style. I think their food is the only cuisine that is tasty, filled with protein and that leaves you with high energy at the end of the meal. They are not big on desserts and this may be why it is so rare to see an overweight Korean.
He showed me the traditional hot pots where you put vegetables and meats into boiling water and eat to your hearts delight.
At the end of the tour I asked to get a photo of some of the pretty Korean samplers and I think they all have a built in shyness gene because more than one of them demurely refused to be photographed. I finally got my photograph and said my goodbyes to them.
As I walked out to the parking lot it was a sunny Sunday and no threat of rain. Fair weather on this fall day. But it sure is good to know that there is a place in town that is gracious enough to escort you to the car under the shelter of their large umbrellas when it rains, gracious enough to offer you samples of delicious food served up by smiling pretty girls who bow to you and say “thank you.” And there is a place considerate enough to offer a convenient space to put your empty baskets. So thank you Kwon IL Yeon and thank you Seong Yuel Yoon. In this speedy, over-competitive world, great service is a rare thing.
