A Stir The Pots Post

A Bridge too far!

by Jonathan | Jul 8, 2008 | Kitchenware

Bridge Kitchenware supply is no more, at least in NYC. On July 3rd they closed their 45th street location, which was where they had re-located it seemed like just like last year from their original store on 52nd Street. Steve, Mr. Bridges son, was busily packing up two weeks ago. Walking in, I couldn’t believe the bargains he had, many
priced below cost, more with the 10 percent reductions for chefs. Sure,
he says it’s a quality-of-life move, but what about us chefs and our
quality-of-knives? But not to worry! According to Steve, the store is
going online. The Bridge family is moving their stock to Hanover, New Jersey.

Wherever. Whatever! It does make me a bit sorry, as it seems just the same typical end to a certain kind of store. Bridge Kitchenware was an institution for most chefs, until the higher end stores like JB Prince, as well as high rent and the internet made it impossible for the Bridge family to stay in New York City. That’s too bad. On my last visit I picked up a few items, two French Pullman loaves with lids and a menacing chefs knife made of carbon steel, real old school.I was so tempted to buy some of the brot forms with sun motifs, a huge pasta machine for a hundred greenbacks, even a cold smoking cabinet! I can’t think where I will find such a tool shop again, one that had a family feel as well the Mr. Bridge’s personality, his bellowing cantankerous voice booming from behind the cash register or from his back office. It’s going to be hard going to the cold impersonal buying from the internet.

Today, even going to some of the last professional culintary stores left in New York, like in the Bowery, they won’t let a customer physically touch the knife. A chef wants to handle the merchandise. That’s important when you hold these tools in your hands all day long. So long Bridge, a Bridge too far…