Ed Hyder’s Mediterranean Marketplace has always meant more than dips and spreads to the city of Worcester. The brick and mortar outpost, located in a former fire station at 408 Pleasant Street, has lived and breathed for decades – born from a longer tradition of grocers flowing through four Hyder generations. As we honor the memory of Mr. Hyder, who passed away on February 5th, 2018, we look at the transformation of his business, love of family, and passion for his community.
Mr. Hyder’s original business plan had him selling jewelry from Lebanon and Syria, importing groceries, and repairing musical instruments as early as 1975. While his “famous hoomus” following has grown in the interim, it pales in comparison to his personal following, which ripened with age but never stood in the way of his hands-on role at the market. “Walking through the door of the market always brings me joy,” Mass Foodies publisher, Luke M. Vaillancourt, noted. “Seeing the shelves perfectly aligned, the grains piled, the wine glistening, and the deli stocked—with familiar faces of family and staff eager to help. At the center of it all, I always loved being able to catch a glimpse through the kitchen door where Ed was always chopping, chatting, and smiling. Always.”
Ed Hyder’s Mediterranean Marketplace is a true family business, invigorated by the dedication of his children. Greg Hyder’s affection for music accounts for a long professional run at his father’s market where he began his tenure working to save up money for a drum set at age 10. Miriam Hyder has likewise kept the small family business relevant by bringing forth a strong sense of creative marketing without diminishing the rich Hyder history.
If you never had a chance to meet Ed Hyder, we suggest that you visit his market. Set aside some time to wander the aisles. Handle the weight of the jars and the bottles. Sift through dried beans and dates. And, understand that dips and spreads mean a whole lot more to Hyder’s legacy than just baba ghanouj and Lebanese tabbouleh. Hyder has dipped and spread his way into the very fiber of Worcester’s neighborhoods, kitchens, and hearts; he will be dearly missed.