A small shop in Courthouse Plaza selling authentic Turkish grocery items has been gaining a following since opening in late February.
Avrasya Market, named after the Turkish word for Eurasia, is a 230 square-foot room packed to the brim with all kinds of Turkish goods. The shelves are stocked with spices, canned goods, comfort foods, condiments, beverages, cookies, pastries, chocolates, nuts, Turkish delight and more.
“You’ll find all the Turkish products you’ve missed and need,” says a Facebook post.
The shop also sells refrigerated and frozen items to prepare at home. Sausages, dairy products and ayran, a traditional yogurt drink, are found in the refrigerator.
On the savory side, there’s zeljanica, a pastry with spinach and cheese, and lahmajun, known as Anatolian-style pizza. Desserts like baklava and tulumba, or fried batter treats, are also for sale.
Reviews online note the small space but surprisingly wide selection.
“Tiny but mighty Turkish market,” says one posted on Google, “small but absolutely PACKED full of Turkish goodies, and the prices are excellent. Friendly proprietor, too”
The space at 2200 Clarendon Blvd was previously the site of a Chase Bank ATM.
Market owner Hasan Gurel isn’t a stranger to Courthouse Plaza — he owns the neighboring Instyles Barbershop as well. Gurel was on vacation and unavailable for comment at the time of publication, ARLnow was told.
