My second visit to Arz was significantly less bustlin' than the first. There was actually a spot in their somewhat sketchy lot, this time I visited on a weekday, during the day. AND workers definitely outweighed the actual shoppers. Maybe only a handful of patrons inside.
I skipped the produce and headed straight to the impressive displays of baklava, cakes, and cookies. I suspect that at least the cakes are brought in as the place is lacking a distinct smell of baking!
(A friend that I was with bought some baklava, but I waited for Pastisserie Royale...which is down the street. Shh...)
I went to the café, at the back of the store, with the intentions of eating a Kanafeh sandwich (??) - had it during my first visit, it was delicious! - but then changed my mind 'cause the café seemed eerily quiet and no one asked if I needed anything. Missed customer service op!
Ended up buying, then splitting a bag of what I think were olive oil soaps. Looked fairly rustic, no label, so I really don't know what they're made of. Oh well, it was only $8 for 6 square bars of soap, so no big loss.
Overall, maybe it as just the timing, but I think they may have changed owners 'cause it was awfully quiet.