Then and Now: A Cortelyou Market

In the 1940s, Bowman’s Market (“Quality Meats, Fancy Poultry”) took up half a block of Cortelyou. It stretched from the corner of Argyle all the way to the current site of Domino’s Pizza, which I cannot go to anymore after a drunken cheesy bread “incident” that I’m only talking about now because I feel like some of you might have also made purchases you regret at the Cortelyou Dominos after 1 a.m.

Part of the slate roof that covered Bowman’s is still visible next to the Domino’s, above one of Cortelyou’s weirdly common, chronically vacant storefronts. Once you notice it, it’s hard not to admire when you go by, trying not to think about cheesy bread.

You can also see part of the original architecture on the side of Salahi Deli, which also has the same diagonal sign as Bowman’s.

1940s tax photo of Bowman’s Market on Cortelyou Rd.

You can see some of the original architectural detail next to Salahi’s Deli.

Another 1940s view of Bowman’s, matching the present-day view below.