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Photo by Stephanie Breijo
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[Update: Buy the Way is now closed; Strawberry Thai and More is now the current tenant of 407 Strawberry St.]
Strawberry Street has a new market and deli denizen in Mediterranean- and Middle East-inspired “Buy the Way.” The shop opened two weeks ago, ending the months-long vacancy left by Strawberry Street Vineyard, which closed last April after 30 years as the street’s resident wine shop.
Co-owners and cousins Milad Saeid and Michael Abdelsayd bring the cuisine of their native Cairo to the new store, offering a variety of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods, a market of essentials and a selection of craft beers large enough to possibly give neighboring Strawberry Street Market a run for its money.
A blackboard on the wall to the right of the hand-me-down display counter in the back announces that a full deli and sandwiches will be coming soon. Manager Saeid, 23, expects the deli to open in the next week or so, along with a new counter. The expansion is slated to include gyros and subs to complement the current menu, made almost entirely by Mediterranean Bakery and Deli on Quioccasin Road in western Henrico County.
Saeid says the chicken kebab has been a favorite among curious patrons. Beef kebabs are usually offered as well, both at $3.99. Next to the kebabs are bins of tabouli and baba ghanoj, each sold by the pound. Nearby is an assortment of fatayers, breaded triangles filled with chicken, beef, spinach or spinach with feta cheese, all at $2.99. Nestled between the kebabs and fatayers is a platter of grape leaves going at three for $2. Along with the anticipated gyros and subs, Saeid says packaged sushi should also hit the shelves in the coming weeks.
Though he says the neighborhood competition is steep on Strawberry Street, Saeid is optimistic that Buy the Way will find its niche.
At 407 Strawberry St., Buy the Way is open Monday through Friday from noon to 10 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday, noon to midnight.
