By Jeff French Segall
Among the many reasons that Mani Market Place on Columbus Avenue and 94th Street has survived the competitive environment posed by nearby D’Agostino’s and Trader Joe’s is the warmth of the owners, brothers Taso and Taki Mangas. Taso, 62, takes the day shift and Taki, 64, is “the evening guy.”
They came to America from Greece when they were 10 and 12 years. They lived on 100th Street and Broadway and went to P.S. 75 and Joan of Arc Junior High School. They went to high school in Queens, and on to Queens College.
Monday, midday, the Rag watched while Taso answered animated questions posed by young children visiting the market from a neighborhood school. Taso said children from local schools often come to “interview” him.
On this day, the kids had their notebooks in hand, recording his answers to their questions: “How long have you been here?” (About 31 years.) “Do you own the store?” (Yes.) “What do you like about your job? (Everything.) “What do you sell the most of?” (Candy.) “They got a laugh out of that one,” Taso said.
“Who is Mani?” is a question Taso is often asked by the children. He explains that his family is from the town of Mani in Southern Greece, so the brothers named their store for their homeland. It’s easy to see how fond Taso is of his market and clientele, and how that warmth has made Mani Market Place the success it is.
Mani’s is a beloved fixture in our neighborhood. Great selections , fresh produce, wonderful olive oil from Greece , and Taso and Taki are the best! We’ve had a “ house account “ there for decades.
Bravo! We love Mani.
I LOVE Mani Market. I try to buy as many of my grocery items as possible there and usually an extra specialty food item to try as well. I’ve been shopping there since the 90’s.
We moved into this neighborhood at the same time that Mani Market opened. We moved from 94th Street East to 94th West. Mani’s Market has been our go to store for quality and special foods like olive oil, greek and other cheeses not available in supermarkets, and the flowers, plants and atmosphere of a market selling local farm vegetables everyday. There are videos of the Mani Market family making Olive Oil which is amazing. It means so much to our family to have Taki and Taso recognize all our family members and keep our account.
Kate & Amnon:
I think you’ve just defined “community”.
It’s great that you recognized Mani, a neighborhood treasure. Their Greek olive oil is my mainstay.
I know Mani very well as I used to live a block away. The selection of very good hi quality food is great, and I was always amazed how they fit it all in the small store. You also left out that very close by is a Whole Foods. Yet they managed to stay in business by focusing on their customers.
The only store in the hood who plays Jazz music from opening to closing.
For that alone, they win my business.
Wonderful, wonderful market. They have what you need and if not they get it. Great jazz to listen to while in line.
Mani really helped me out during the COVID lockdown. Thanks,
Taki and Taso are treasures to the upper west side. They are so warm-hearted and the loveliest people! Please go to Mani Market! The produce is quite high quality, local when they can and thy have great sandwiches also!
Great article about a local business. They are a bit far from me, but it is good to know about them anyway in case I’m in the area.
Without the article I would have missed it for sure.
We need more local business highlights like this.
I live on 94th street and have been going to Mani for years. I can’t tell you how empathetic and thoughtful they are. My son even asked Taso for a job.
He’s always super thoughtful about kosher foods too. Manis is an UWS institution!
This is a great article. I just knew I liked the little shop.
I had no idea of the background and have been in
the neighborhood for 10 years.
thank you
Mani’s is a treasure with the best hummus, Greek olive oil and much more. The kindness and warmth of Taso and Taki make shopping there a joy. Mani Market is the a perfect example of what makes NYC special.
Stores like Mani and Zingone’s are the heart and soul of the Upper West Side.
I saw Taso’s wife this summer. What a beauty. Like a pageant queen.
Taso and Taki remember which foods individual customers like and want. And Taki’s daily selection of great classic jazz recordings make wandering the store’s aisles, looking at and selecting some of the wonderful food offerings, and paying for them a joyful experience.
I cannot say enough about Mani’s and the owners – Taso and Taki. We’ve been shopping there for over 12 years as our primary grocery store. The selection is great, all of the staff are wonderful and the produce can’t be beat. Thank you for showcasing!
My favorite store. My family is so appreciative in particular that they were a welcoming place to shop throughout the pandemic. Best imported barrel feta cheese and great olive oil too.
Viva MANI… love the friendly, dedicated owners, the great produce and other products and the total authenticity of this market. Wouldn’t buy fresh fruit and vegggies elsewhere… for all the 20 years I’ve been there.
Special thanks to Taki for his great tips, advice and super service.
My wife and I have lived in the neighborhood for over 50 years. We have seen grocery stores come and go, starting with Pioneer. Meanwhile despite competitive threats from Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s and D’Agostino’s, Mani’s has not simply survived. It has improved and thrived. Not only are its owners great neighbors, but so are its employees, who are always friendly and helpful. The check-out staff are very quick and cheery. All Mani’s goods are of fine quality and, as others have noted, their bespoke olive oil is very special. Mani’s is the model of why a neighborhood store can co-exist with big chain competitors if given support by neighbors who are aware of its value
Mani Market is the best store in the neighborhood of any sort. It’s a dream that here in 2022-stage capitalist NYC we have a family-run business whose staff cares about the people they serve and cares about what food they stock. Cheers to Taso and Taki.
i love Mani’s. when we were looking for a new place on the UWS I told realtor i needed to be able to walk to Mani’s and the windows needed to open.
Great article which captures the warmth and commitment of the brothers to the neighborhood and its children. The photos capture this caring relationship.
The article describes the special qualities that makes this store so unique. It was wonderful to see how the two brothers have integrated themselves into the neighborhood. The photos captured the meaningful relationship the brothers have established with students.
Seasonal fruit is way more flavorful than big markets like Whole Foods. And that yogurt they make! Yum! Any produce/farming query, they can assist with!
Mani’s is the kind of market that continues to survive and thrive despite big chains that have moved in within 3 blocks of their store. I love Mani’s warmth and kindness to our community. When Trader Joe’s came in after Whole Foods the community behind the scenes put out an S.O.S. to encourage others to keep shopping there. We did not want to lose this important staple of our community. Taso and Taki are representative of the small Mom and Pop businesses, which once dotted the Upper West Side but have been pushed out by big real estate and big box stores. Mani’s reminds me of a human-scaled New York where you are seen and heard. They care about you and the community. And where if you come up a dollar or two short on the bill they say, bring it in next time! A big Bravo for this gem of a shop. Long may it grace our neighborhood!
One can not say enough wonderful things about Mani’s store and the brothers! I love their warmth and genuine caring! Love the quality and uniqueness of the items I can only get at Mani’s! Yes to the olive oil, nuts, prepared shrimp, my personal fav, and all their delicious groceries! Love Love Love them! Couldn’t live without them!
Ditto to all the notable comments.. the jazz, the vibes, the brothers and the hard working staff ! Thank you Mani !!