Mediterrranean Market

As they celebrate the first anniversary of their wildly successful Mediterranean Market in Middleburg Heights, this family-owned business continues to concentrate on a their freshly prepared, healthy, authentic Mediterranean gourmet fare.

By: Ken McEntee
Date: 02/27/2008
As you spend time at the Mediterranean Market in Middleburg Heights, you begin to notice that everybody who walks in the door gets a familiar, friendly greeting.

“We don’t know everyone who comes here,” says family member Esa with a warm smile. “We just treat everybody like we do.”

The family-owned market is celebrating its first anniversary and attentive customer service continues to be the top priority.

“Our service and our cleanliness are what set us apart from other stores,” Esa boasts. “You won’t find a cleaner store anywhere. Those are two things I am passionate about.”

Of course, their hummus, falafel sandwiches and other regional fare also have a lot to do with the market’s success.

“We have the best falafel sandwich in town,” he confirms. And it only costs $2.99.

The Mediterranean Market has groceries, a full Halal meat department, produce and, of course, a deli and bakery. They feature fresh-baked pita breads, French, Greek and Bulgarian feta cheese, and homemade hummus, tabouleh and baba ghanouj. From the gyros and hot shawarma sandwiches, to the kababs, fattoush and tabouleh—everything sold at the deli is made fresh.

“There is nothing pre-made,” Fred insists. “Everything here is prepared to order and all from scratch. So it
may take a little longer than your fast food sandwich shops.”

The beef, chicken, lamb, kafta, and other products in the meat department are all cut, ground and packaged on-site so they are always the freshest available, says Mike, the meat manager.

On the grocery aisles, the market sells a wide variety of oils, flours, spices, olives and other Mediterranean specialties, along with staples like milk and soft drinks.

“We are the only Mediterranean market around, unless you want to drive to the lower West Side of Cleveland,” he notes. “There are a lot of people of Mediterranean descent in this area who were tired of driving to Cleveland to get healthy food. But we also have more and more people who are not of Mediterranean descent who love this kind of food. It is very healthy and tastes good. If you want to make a great gourmet meal, this is the place to shop.”

The Market is owned by Aida Zaboura, her son, Esa, and son-in-law, Fred Karim. “My mother is a five-star cook,” Esa says. “She knows all the traditional recipes and she has owned supermarkets all her life. She knows the food and she knows the business.”

At least one of the owners, Aida promises, is always in the store, so you are assured of expert assistance. That means if you are new to Mediterranean-style food and don’t know a grape leaf from a kibbie ball, there is always somebody eager to educate you.

The groceries at the market, Esa says, are priced competitively with major supermarkets.

“On some things we’re lower, on others we’re higher, but we work hard to get the best products for the best prices so we can pass the most savings on to our customers,” he adds.

The Mediterranean Market offers catering and party trays for any occasion, and they deliver to businesses when an order of $30 or more is placed. The market also carries a variety of hookahs and smoking accessories.

The family expresses a special “thank you” for the community support during the market’s first year in business.

“The community has been very good to us and we will continue to give back to them,” he says. “We realize that this business is all about customer service and that’s something we do better than anybody.”

Mediterranean Market is located at 7553 Pearl Road, a quarter-mile north of I-71, in Middleburg Heights. Call 440-234-6600. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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