America’s First Kosher Drive-Through Grocery to Open in Florida

by Bruria Efune- chabad.org

It was once a local Bank of America branch, but now it’s the new Tabacinic Chabad Center and Feldman Family Shul, serving the Jews of Clearwater, Fla. And it includes what is believed to be the first-ever kosher drive-through grocery in the United States.

Extensive renovations transformed the bank into a Chabad center, culminating in a grand opening on one bright September Sunday morning last month that was attended by more than 250 residents and supporters.

The new center stands on an acre of land, with the building covering 4,233 square feet. It has a large synagogue that also serves as a social hall, a Jewish lending library, a kosher kitchen, classrooms and a kosher grocery store, where residents can pick up their food and staples where they used to deposit and withdraw their money.

Clearwater resident Arielle Pinhas says the kosher drive-through is a pivotal move for those who keep kosher in an area where it’s already a challenge. “As a mom of four little children, always on the run, being able to just pick up my order without taking everyone out of the car is amazing!” she says.

New Center Highlights 20 Years of Growth

Chabad of Clearwater was established in 2003 by Rabbi Levi and Miriam Hodakov, who hosted the center in their home for the first 10 years, before moving into a new location in 2014.

“Thank G‑d, our community has grown,” Rabbi Hodakov told Chabad.org. “Our home had gotten too small and not comfortable enough. We couldn’t host multiple events or programs at a time. Now we can have both a Sunday minyan and Hebrew-school classes at the same time.”

“We were looking at the property, thinking of how we could best utilize each part, and we said, ‘This is an amazing opportunity!’ ” recalls the rabbi. “The bank had a classic drive-through lane and windows, and we just added sliding doors to make it into a comfortable grocery drive-through.”

Clearwater Kosher, run by Miriam Hodakov, has been providing kosher food to the community for nine years. It already has a reputation as the place for Jews to meet and get in touch with their Judaism while shopping. The grocery’s tagline is: “Where shopping is a mitzvah!”

“People come to buy classic kosher foods, like brisket for Passover, latkes for Chanukah, bourekas, gefilte fish, whatever it is,” explains Rabbi Hodakov. “And then while at the shop, I’ll offer them put on tefillin, or my wife will give them Shabbat candles to take home or invite them for a Torah class. They’re eating kosher and doing additional mitzvahs on top of it!”

Miriam Hodakov says she is excited to take the shop a step further, noting that “we have many busy parents coming through, especially since the store is right next to our Hebrew School. They have babies and kids in the car—they’re busy, they’re rushing. Now they can just pull up and open their trunk, and we’ll load their car. And if it’s raining, it’s no problem, because we have an awning, too.”

Street Renamed for Chabad

Robert Kasmer, City of Clearwater Real Estate Coordinator, and Marcus Williamson, director of the Public Works Department, gave a surprise historic presentation at the opening—a new street sign for the road adjacent to the Chabad Center, officially renaming it “Chabad Drive.”

Rabbi Hodakov quipped: “Now customers will be able to go from Chabad Drive to the Chabad drive-through!”

Among the event’s speakers was Daniel Sragowicz, son-in-law of Moshe and Lillian Tabacinic, who represented the family’s generous donation and gave his recommendation to the gathering: “Partnering with Chabad is the best possible investment.”

Community member Dr. Marc Grossman read a congratulatory letter from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, followed by a short video message from U.S. Sen. Rick Scott.

While the nearly 50 children in attendance were treated to a special show by a performer, as well as a moon bounce and goodie bags, the adults gathered around to see the donor wall designed by world-renowned artist Michoel Muchnik. Everyone enjoyed refreshments and live music.

“The new center is an important development for our community,” said Clearwater resident Daniel Lipman. “Our new synagogue is a brighter, more convivial space for our community to gather and to pray. The new Chabad is a place where it’s easier to consume kosher food, but where it’s possible to lead a more meaningful Jewish life.”