Ever been to Pike Place Market in Seattle or Oxbow Market in Napa Valley? Those are models for POOL, a new collaborative market that's in the works in Mesa. It's anticipated to open this spring.
The 41,000-square-foot space at Stapley and Main Street, which used to be a Mervyn's, has room for more than 100 specialty purveyors, local retailers, and artisans, plus a restaurant. The first merchant to sign on to the project is Royal Coffee Bar, whose only other location is in Downtown Phoenix at the Phoenix Public Market's Urban Grocery. Royal will be roasting and blending coffee beans onsite.
Real estate developer Brad Weinstock and retail consultant Skyler Hynes hope to attract entrepreneurial "upstarts and pioneers" to lease space at POOL. They're looking for a "florist, breadsmith, confectioners, those with organic products, those with organic products, artists, designers," and other creative types. The market will also feature spaces for live performances and chef-hosted cooking classes.
