OTBKB has learned that D’vine Taste, formerly International Taste, located on Seventh Avenue between Garfield and Carroll Street, is expanding into the $1 dollar store next door.

For many years, D’vine Taste was Park Slope’s somewhat tepid answer to Zabars. At one time, it was practically the only place in the Slope where you could get gourmet cheeses, sliced meats, pate, cornichons, a huge selection of olive oil and beers. It was also a great source of mid-eastern specialties: pita bread, tabouli, babaganoush,  spinach pie, and halvah They also have a great selection of spices, dried fruits and nuts sold by the pound.

I guess the family that owns D’vine taste is preparing for the big gourmet/organic food invasion that’s already started with Blue Apron, Union Market, Pumpkin Market, and a new organic market on FIfth Avenue.  Whole Foods, Fairway, and Trader Joe’s are also planning outposts here. 

D’vine Taste is a classic Seventh Avenue establishment: quirky, idiosyncratic, eccentric. They do it their way. It’s not the most convenient place to shop or the most comprehensive but we love it because it’s ours.

I wonder if they can survive the coming onslaught of the large, customer oriented giants? Yes, it might be easier and faster to shop at some of these other places – but  it won’t be as fun (or strange). I’d miss saying hello to the nice woman with the skunk gray hair and the very tall man. I’d miss the way you have to wait for the deli man to come out of the mysterious back room. And I’d miss all the gossip about why they changed their name (I know there’s a story there but, alas, I don’t know it).

I can’t wait to see their expansion. Suddenly everyone’s noticed what Slopers have been saying for years: we need better food markets.