Dani’s Market officially opens in Catskill after mega renovation

CATSKILL―The new Dani’s Market at 165 Maple Avenue is now officially open for business following a massive expansion and renovation.

Known for decades as Cenco Mart, the longtime gas station and convenience store was founded by Amin Dawoodani back in 1988. Since then, Dawoodani and his family have opened additional stores in Athens, Rensselaer and Selkirk, and also now own the landmark Coulson's News in downtown Albany.

But the Catskill location was long overdue for a makeover and in 2024 the village planning board approved Dawoodani’s vision to expand the original footprint―taking it from less than 200 square feet to more than 1,400.

“The time was right,” Dawoodani said. “This is my baby, I had to do this.”

The dream was realized on Tuesday when Dawoodani was joined by some 50 friends and family for a soft reopening celebration and ribbon cutting. The new gas pumps were turned on and coconuts were smashed―a Hindu tradition known as Narali Purnima or a Shriphala offering, believed to bring good luck for a new venture.

Outside are six super-fast gas pumps under a canopy, including one for diesel. On Wednesday, Dani’s Market offered a special one-day price of $3.11 a gallon, more than 30 cents lower than the county average.

Inside there is a wide assortment of drinks and snacks and a sizeable beer cave, as well as a deli that will be opening soon.

Hours are currently 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and will expand, 5 a.m. to midnight, once the deli is open.

Looking back on the last 38 years and the growth of a business enterprise that started small in Catskill, Dawoodani said he is exceedingly grateful to the community.

“This will always be my town,” he says. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”