The Brighton Files: Tashkent

Check out my first story in my series of documenting various treasures in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn.

Tashkent is the capitol of Uzbekistan and also the name of most “известный магазин”- well known store, in Brighton Beach. When it closed for one hour during Friday prayer, it’s across the street competitor received an influx of customers that torpedoed the space. Baba’s are looking around asking if Tashkent is closed, grandpas are bumping into people, the line is out the door.

Closed for only one hour, and the neighborhood is in disarray.

Situated under the B & Q subway line on the corner of Brighton Beach and Coney Island Avenue, Tashkent’s vibrancy is enhanced by the rumble of the subway overhead and the buzzing of people on the ground. Besides the relatively inexpensive produce at the forefront of the store, Tashkent is most known for its decadent buffet display. Critics from Eater NY have praised Tashkent as New York City’s Greatest Hot Buffets, and they are not wrong. Inside the narrow isles and the mill of people, one approaches food from all corners of Central Asia. There is a dispenser typically used for soup which houses pickles. There are half-sour and sour pickles-ensuring that all the pickle preferences are met. Further down there are an assortment of salads. Russian potato salad, a fan favorite of mine, lays mounted on the serving tray with plastic Tupperware above. The meat section sits glistening under the florescent light. Shish-kabobs, steak, fish, and other delights are ready made and fresh-just ask the many black t-shirt wearing staff.

The staff at Tashkent is the glue of the whole operation. They range from Spanish speakers who stock the shelves and tune the Russian out, the soldiers at the register- the team of over ten Uzbeks cashiers, and, the chief of operations at the door, a singular man who dictates the flow of customers. An intricate array of employees, Tashkent’s efficiency depends on them.

In some ways, Tashkent represents just another neighborhood establishment that caters to its immigrant demographic. However, to me, Tashkent represents the pillar of minority success. To the owner, his business is thriving and has no reason to stop. For the neighborhood, it is the soul of Brighton Beach.