Ninety-seven years and four locations later Thanos Import Market has moved to the Hawley-Green neighborhood in Syracuse. Run by SoulaCarni and her family, the market provides Greek, Italian, and Mediterranean food as well as deli sandwiches. Thanos manager, City Councilor, and Soula’s son Joe Carni say the new location is perfect.
“We just love this neighborhood, with Hawley-Green," Carni said. "It’s really sort of unique. It’s a historic neighborhood that still has businesses that are invested in the neighborhood. All of the neighbors really are invested in it. It’s just really a great feel over here. It’s someplace that we felt we would fit in perfectly.”
The market is one of the new vendors in the Hawley-Green neighborhood, known for its historic houses and as an area on the upswing. Resident pride was on display with Hawley-Green residents joining Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. Thanos Owner Soula Carni says she was attracted to the area because of the feeling of community.
“What we wanted to do is bring back the old market from the 50’s and 60’s that your mom sent you to go grab milk, but here it’s more of cheeses and olives," Carni said. "So far from what I found here the residents here is that everybody has been extremely friendly and welcoming and the neighborhood itself, you know, is a neighborhood.”
Soula has been coming to Thanos Market since she immigrated to the United States from Greece in 1968. She purchased the market nine years ago to keep it from closing. Joe Carni says Thanos Market is an extension of his family’s appreciation for the city.
“I grew up in a family that loved the city and loved this area," Carni said. "That’s why I got involved in this business, because you know all these little businesses around the city end up closing because one generation does not want to take up the responsibility of the business, or goes in a different direction. You know, I love little shops like this in the city. I wanted to try and keep this one going.”
Soula Carni says the long history of Thanos in the community has drawn a dedicated group of customers that she hopes to expand with this new location.
