If you’re into fun, innovative and fresh shopping concepts, then you’re going to love the new Logan Street Market, a public market opening at Shelby Park in August. Community-centered markets are a very popular concept and can be found in places like Seattle, San Francisco, Orlando — and now, we have our own in Louisville.
Logan Street Market is the brainchild of entrepreneurs and Louisville locals Mike and Medora Safai, owners of the very popular and well-known Safai Coffee. Their soon-to-open concept will be home to 30+ vendors that can satisfy every gastronomic craving, quench any thirst, and offer unique and creative arts, crafts, clothing, home décor and gifts for every style and taste. Besides housing permanent vendors, the market will also host day vendors. “Part of our model is to be a business incubator to support entrepreneurs,” says Sarah Height, Director of Logan Street Market. Plus there will also be a traditional farmers’ market on Wednesdays and Sundays.
The two-level marketplace is housed inside a former candy and tobacco warehouse. Food and beverage vendors are on the ground floor, and retail merchants are on the mezzanine. “On our first level is where the brewery, Wild Hops, will be located as well as our restaurants, the butcher, spices, seafood, a bakery and produce,“ Sarah explains. They will also have a stage set for entertainment, but it can be moved out in order to make accommodations for more vendors or special events.
The second level is reserved for merchants, with a dedicated area called the Kids Korral, which is designed for pint-sized shoppers. “It’s a smaller space filled with interactive toys and games,” Sarah explains. The second floor also has tons of seating allowing shoppers to enjoy their food and drinks while looking down on the first floor.
The marketplace will offer a variety of events and activities throughout the year, Sarah says. “Upstairs, we have the GE Appliance Market Kitchen, which GE sponsors, in our private event space. People can rent it out for their own events, but we will also have chef dinners, cooking classes and cooking series featuring different cultures from around the world.” Speaking of food, let’s see what’s (soon-to-be) cooking at Logan St. Market.
Restaurants
Alchemy by Nelson and Nahyla’s Kitchen
Owned by Nelson Michelangeli and Nahyla Suarez de Michelangeli, Alchemy is a destination for creative Venezuelan cuisine and Latin fusion. Their slogan reads Transforming simple into greatness. Their menu includes arepas, a sandwich made with cornmeal cake on a flat iron grill, open in the middle allowing diners to add any protein and produce; pabellon crillo, the national dish of Venezuela with white rice, black beans, shredded beef, sweet plantain and one fried egg; plus tacos, burritos, fajitas, burgers and desserts. According to Nelson, everything is homemade with many gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options.
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Pastry chef Nahyla Suarez de Michelangeli, co-owner of Alchemy by Nelson and Nayhla’s Kitchen
Bramble
Helmed by Jeff Brantley, Bramble serves up genuine Southern cuisine molded by Jeff’s upbringing in Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi. The menu is varied and plentiful, starting with snacks like boiled peanuts and catfish nuggets with hush puppies and chow chow tartar. Lunch offerings include beer can chicken and espresso pork belly. Other entrées include a pork Reuben, Atlanta brisket and grilled market panini sandwiches. Pair these with a side of succotash, corn on the cob, or fries and dipping sauce for a tasty meal.
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FOKO
Owned by Chef Paco Garcia and Josh Gonzalez, Chef Paco’s signature culinary style is a fusion of Mexican and American Southern cuisine. Paco’s love for cooking was inspired by talented Louisville chefs such as Bruce Ucan, Josh Lehman and Andrew McCabe. Most recently, he was the executive chef at Con Huevos. Chef Paco has been recognized by both local and national culinary reviews, and his latest achievement was being named a James Beard semi-finalist for the “Best Chef Southeast” award. FOKO serves biscuits with fried chicken, breakfast bowls and some very unique sweets.
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FOKO owners Chef Paco Garcia and Josh Gonzalez whip up a delicious entrée for their guests. Image: Jose Morones Vergara
Ziba’s Bistro
If you’re the adventurous type and want to expose your taste buds to some delicious fare, stop at Ziba’s Bistro in the marketplace. Chef Bapion Ziba’s background is as varied as his menu. Hailing from the West African country of Burkina Faso, but Chef Bapion also lived and studied in France before coming to the United States. He’s worked as an executive chef at several restaurants and has also provided catering for private events. The top dishes at Ziba’s Bistro include Fusili Primavera (pasta with vegetables) and Europeenne Antipasto (salad with artichoke hearts, sweet red pepper marinated in olive oil, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and parma ham).
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Fusilli Primavera served at Ziba’s Bistro | Image: Ashley Gray-Ziba.
Other Vendors
Adenika’s African Arts and Essentials
If you love African artisanal products like hand-woven baskets, African masks, African clothing and jewelry, head wraps, Shea butter, essential oils and beads, this unique shop has all of this and more. Owner Bouba Bais is well-known in Louisville and sells at outdoor markets such as the St. James Art Festival. He is thrilled with the concept of the urban market. “This area of town is up and coming, and I just had to be a part of that. I’m excited to see all of the enthusiasm surrounding the idea.”
Fond Originals
Madeleine Dee has turned her restaurant, Fond, into a pop-up concept at the marketplace and made this new venue her home base for events. She is the resident chef at LSM and will produce monthly cooking classes, demonstrations and parties. Her line of food includes jams in delightful flavors such as blueberry lemon, strawberry ginger and bubbly raspberry rosé with a touch of champagne. You can also find pasta sauce, Fond Fig Pizzas, risotto cakes and quiches. Madeleine also produces videos and is launching a new show called “Fond of Kentucky,” a documentary web series featuring Kentucky makers, movers and shakers.
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A basketful of treats courtesy of Fond Originals | Image: Madeleine Dee
Harvey’s Cheese
Owned by Brent Mills and Ashley Urjil-Mills, Harvey’s Cheese is Louisville’s first stand-alone, cut-to-order specialty cheese shop. It features a well-curated assortment of 40 to 50 of the best domestic artisanal cheeses, as well as some international favorites. Fresh cheeses, including mozzarella and burrata, will be made in house. They also sell Kentucky country ham, local jams and preserves, tinned seafood and Kentucky caviar.
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Cheese and appetizer platter from Harvey’s Cheese | Image: Ashely Urjil-Mills
Hazel + Hunt
A design-based studio owned by Kris and Candice Hunt, Hazel + Hunt sells original graphic designs printed on high-quality apparel and goods. They have a variety of t-shirts, sweaters, accessories and home décor available. “We’re adventure-driven, yet rounded in the best parts of home,” the Hunts say. “We believe that sometimes a little bit of quirkiness goes a long way.”
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Louisville Vegan Food Shops
Stanley and Adam Chase own several vegan brands in Louisville, but they wanted a store where you can find everything under one roof. They currently manufacture and distribute Louisville Vegan Jerky, Louisville Vegan Toppins, Whelpdale Chocolates, Morles Café deli items, and Sugar High Vegan Baked Goods. The store will feature all of their brands with quick grab-and-go meals, products and treats.
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Melt-in-your-mouth Whelpdale Chocolates will be available at Louisville Vegan Food Shops. Image: Nico Phillips
St. Brendan’s Seafood
Although Louisville is hundreds of miles away from the sea, there’s no reason why we can’t have fresh fish available to us. David M. Wright sells high-quality seafood caught from both coasts, as well as Alaska, with a focus on more wild-caught, sustainable and pure seafood. Davis runs a commercial fishing operation in Bristol Bay, Alaska, where he goes two months each year to catch sockeye salmon.
For more information about Logan St. Market and to plan your first visit, check out their website at logansmarket.com.
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