The location occupied by Mast Market had been Heller’s Shoes until 2018. | Photos by Nada Tarr
Following its move from Brooklyn to an iconic shoe shop, Mast Brothers’ Mast Market brings the yummy to Westchester County.
When artisanal chocolatier Mast Brothers settled into the former Heller’s building in Mount Kisco, they were welcomed with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Cofounder Rick Mast knew then that he’d found the perfect fit.
The space at 92 South Moger Avenue was the longtime home of Mount Kisco landmark Heller’s Shoes, which shuttered in 2018 after 57 years in operation. That legacy wasn’t lost on Mast. “It feels great to keep the space anchored by another family business,” says Mast, who launched the eponymous business with his brother Michael in 2007.
The space opened in 2019, following the company’s migration from Brooklyn. The operation’s 10,000 square feet are broken into Mast Market, a café/storefront rounded out by street-facing windows; large, open kitchens; a packing-and-shipping area; and a small office. “The space was ideal for us, as it was large enough while still being part of a village with a vibrant community,” says Mast, whose products have reportedly earned praise from the likes of Thomas Keller and Vanity Fair. “We knew it would be critical to have strong community support for our local, organic market.”
A Bedford resident, Mast feels at home in the company of “food-and-nature-loving folks who really care where and how their food is made.” Mast Market has laid down roots in Mount Kisco through work with local organizations, including the Interfaith Food Pantry and Neighbors Link. The central location also provides access to the Hudson Valley farmers with whom they collaborate.
With a workforce that varies seasonally from 15 to 25, Mast’s product line offers more than 200 items, among them house-roasted coffee, organic teas, homemade preserves and spreads, and freshly milled heritage grain flour, which lends itself to Mast Market’s waffle and pancake mixes.
“We’ll continue to stay focused on our mission, nourishing community,” says Mast. “This means doing whatever we can to keep our doors open, making sure Mount Kisco has access to local, handcrafted, organic food that truly supports local food systems.”
Related: Mast Market Goes Beyond the Chocolate Bar in Mount Kisco
