It's been a long time coming.
Tuesday marks the first official day for the new Phoenix Public Market Urban Grocery & Wine Bar, after non-profit Community Food Connections' extensive fundraising efforts, planning, and renovation of the vintage red brick building that's now its permanent home. Business hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the in-house coffee shop, Royal Coffee Bar, opened earlier this month with earlier hours, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Stocked with locally grown produce from the same vendors who will continue to populate the outdoor farmers market (held in the parking lot on Wednesdays, from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.), the grocery will be a welcome amenity for people living and working in the neighborhood.
Special activities are planned throughout this week, including a Grand Opening fundraiser on Thursday evening, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (advance tickets are $45). Mayor Phil Gordon and chef Christopher Gross will be hosting the soiree, which will feature live music, local wine and beer, and food samples from farmers market vendors and local eateries, including Nine 05 and PastaBar.
The market's online silent auction (which includes a private lunch at Pizzeria Bianco) and "year of dining out" raffle are still ongoing, through the Thursday night event.
