When one is at the North Market daily (like me) occasionally it takes a little break to see things with fresh eyes. I was fortunate enough to have a some time off after Christmas and when I returned I was delighted to see that a handful of our merchants had made a few of those subtle changes that keep the Market fresh and exciting.
A new layout at Market Blooms as always emphasizes their signature hand-tied bouquets
Market Blooms was the instant obvious example…partially because when I returned their space had been emptied for their rearrange. Marty and Bob moved their cooler off the back wall to the main aisle where they are now filling it with lovely ready-to-bequeath floral arrangements in vases and other interesting containers. The back wall that used to house the cooler now contains shelving for their stock of ready-to-fill vases and urns. Front and center since they started (19 years ago this Valentine’s Day!) are their gorgeous hand-tied bouquets in a variety of hues and price points. As always, you are welcome to bring in your own container and the Market Blooms experts will create an arrangement just for you. I always avail myself of this option when hosting get-togethers at my house. I’m always thrilled by the results and my guests never fail to comment on the stunning outcome.
A superior selection of cards from sentimental to laugh-out-loud hilarious.
Part two of the shuffle involved the removal of the freestanding shelves that had formerly housed hostess gifts like cactuses (cacti?) and houseplants. In their place is an array of greeting card stands. Market Blooms decided to take advantage of the reputation of their stellar selection of greeting cards and expand those options. The back wall is slat-boarded and now holds gift bags. Look for an expanded array of Columbus postcards coming soon!
New counters and great graphics liven up the Pastaria in 2009!
Pastaria received a dazzling update as well. Two new stainless steel counters were installed. The first displays plates with the array of menu options available, and my favorite, little chunks their baked-on-site bread with samples of the many sauces for dipping (in case, like me, you are the occasionally indecisive type). Counter number two now offers at-the-stand seating for six and an outlook on the goings-on in the kitchen. Local photographic phenom Steve Webster (obviously NOT responsible for the photo at left) took some mouth-watering shots of the fabulous food served up at Pastaria. Banners now graphically beckon diners from the counters, window and a ceiling banner to select from the delectable pastas, sauces and salads.
- A little fixture-flipping goes a long way!
Omega Artisan Baking orchestrated a little fixture-shifting party as well. The display counters for the daily array of a dozen or more types of bread, scones, cookies and croissants shifted to the center of the stand. When the scent of cinnamon rolls or focacia is wafting through the air, shoppers in the west aisle will see straight away the stand that is issuing the aromatic siren’s song! And make sure to take a peek into the refrigerated cases on the right….Amy and her bakers are frequently concocting delicious desserts. Some of my personal favorites include the moist carrot cake (OK, I’m really a sucker for cream cheese frosting), marscapone cheese cake, princess pudding and assorted cupcakes.
So the next time you are strolling through the North Market, take a closer look around and see what you notice as different from your last visit.
