How one Chelsea Market fixture keeps their selections feeling fresh, gives back to the community and offers neighbors reasons to come back for more.
Chelsea Market Baskets
459 West 15th St.
New York, NY 10011
212-727-1111
chelseamarketbaskets.com
Chelsea Market first opened its doors in 1997, and two decades later, it remains one of New York City’s top destinations for self-proclaimed foodies and discerning gift givers. A few anchor stores, which have been in the Chelsea Market since the beginning, have played leading roles in sustaining this neighborhood institution’s reputation. One of such businesses is Chelsea Market Baskets, which proudly bills itself as a “legacy” tenant and is best known as a store brimming with sweet and savory specialty foods from around the world, quirky housewares, gifts and unusual NYC souvenirs. Their gift baskets — both in store and online — are themed to please locavores and international brand enthusiasts alike, even those with dietary restrictions.
“Most of our baskets are made to order, which allows us to maintain freshness and keep our assortment current,” says owner and founder, David Porat. “We feature small makers from around the world and we also act as a distributor and importer for a handful of specialty international brands. Our customers are constantly amazed by the rare items they discover in our Chelsea Market retail store and our online store.” Porat even designs the containers themselves, which are then carefully handpacked by experienced basket makers.
Chelsea Market Baskets’ perennially most popular online order, Chelsea Market Sweets, features fresh baked selections from Chelsea Market neighbors including Sarabeth’s and Fat Witch, among others. City landmark fans favor selections like the High Line Gift Crate, an assortment that directly supports Friends of the High Line. This basket features CMB’s local and imported treats and official High Line products, with 20 percent of the proceeds from each purchase earmarked to support High Line maintenance and programming. “We’re lucky enough to share a neighborhood with one of Manhattan’s most beloved attractions, so we love finding ways to give back,” Porat says.
Now in its 20th year, Chelsea Market Baskets has plenty of reasons to celebrate. “Chelsea Market’s brand new basement expansion, ‘The Chelsea Local’, gives both us, the business owners, and our regulars an opportunity to reflect on the Market’s legacy and look forward to the future,” Porat says. “We encourage New Yorkers to come back to the Chelsea Market by offering exclusive ‘Neighbor Nights’, during which locals are invited to enjoy complimentary wine and bites, learn about new makers and score significant discounts.”
Last modified: December 6, 2017
