Fourth Avenue Super Market — Local services in Tallahassee

I had hoped to have some good background on this decades-old Frenchtown market but I'm coming up short right now. I'd encourage anyone with insights on the history of this store to contribute.

I do know, from the folks behind the counter these days, that it's been around for "over forty years" - I suspect it's well over that; my sense is that it's probably from the late forties/early fifties judging from its current layout/amenities.

What has intrigued me for quite some time is the signage and its old-time font/coloration/layout.

Having come three times over that past two weeks, I can say that this would be where I'd come if I were seeking out "the good stuff" for making up meals focused on commensality.

Commensality is a good word that I learned recently. There's a great book ("Commensality: From Everyday Food to Feast") that delves into this important social act - one that I fear we experience less and less. Check it out.

I associate the Fourth Avenue Super Market with commensality because the produce and the butcher-counter are chockful of items that simply aren't made for a single person - perhaps not even for a single family. Take, for example, the "Soul Bag". I'm not entirely certain what offal, cuts or livestock byproducts are within it - but I suspect that it contains the central cast of characters for a centerpiece dish for a large gathering of gourmands and gourmets alike. You don't buy the Soul Bag to take it back home and serve up two portions. At least, I wouldn't.

Perhaps I'm overly romanticizing this store - that's quite possible. I fear that with the rapidly encroaching gentrification of Frenchtown, the Fourth Avenue Super Market risks being swept away within the coming decade to make way for something brighter and shinier. I hope that isn't the case - and that it continues to exist as it does today.

If you love Tallahassee and history in general, I'd encourage you to come here at least once, if only to pick up a cold drink in the back coolers. Come on in and walk the aisles - and take yourself...

Fourth Ave supermarket have lost my business. There is something wrong with their meat. I usually get pick5s. I have to throw away 40 dollars worth of meat. All their meat is spoil and taste like cleaning products. When you cook it you can smell it. It all taste the same. You can tell something is wrong and it's not fresh at all. But it taste very very old and nasty. It leaves a disgusting taste in your mouth. It taste like it smells. It's time to report them to doh and cdc because i got food poisoning from their meat. I'll go to fresh for less or another meat store...

Nastiest grocery store ever, since the original owner Bob has become ill his children operate the joint and they dont take the business serious. The store is only good for lottery tickets and check cashing. I hear they have a rat infestation so dont buy drinks, snacks, nor groceries. Remember to take advantage of the check cashing and playing the Florida...