Chophouse Row’s grand opening (Image: CHS)
Capitol Hill developer Dunn and Hobbes has announced a new year-round night market in Chophouse Row every Wednesday starting November 2nd.
Described as a “weekly farmer market” from 4 to 8 PM, the project will be “organized and curated” by Upper Bar Ferdinand owner Matt Dillon.
The market will feature “seasonal produce and other fresh farm products” in collaboration with the Puget Sound Food Hub farmers cooperative, according to the announcement.
“This project connects producers and customers on a weekly basis making it an integral part of basic amenities on Capitol Hill. Night Market at Chophouse Row will bring fresh, local produce (super local!) to the the heart of the city,” Luke Woodward, project manager, for the NW Agriculture Business Center said in a statement on the new markets. “It is a compelling new twist on the farmer’s market concept that will greatly benefit participating farmers and our regional food system as a whole.”
According to the announcement, Bar Ferdinand will purchase products directly from PSFH, “the organization representing a membership of independent family farms.” Participating farms “will have presence at the weekly market.”
The new Wednesday night market will also feature “local vendors showcasing seasonally-themed packaged foods, unique crafts and design products.” along with a rotation of guest stalls featuring other retail and restaurant tenants from Chophouse Row’s other tenants like Kurt Farm Shop and Niche Outside will also be part of the market as well as a weekly wine tasting at Upper Bar Ferdinand hosted by co-owner and sommelier Marc Papineau.
Dillon is also bringing in a popular offering from his Pioneer Square market and restaurant, The London Plane:
Michael Sanders’ Plane Bread. This peasant-style, crusty, caramel-y bread is naturally leavened and hand formed. It’s the essence of simplicity: just flour, water and sea salt that’s baked in small batches Tuesday thru Saturday. Up until now, only available for purchase at The London Plane, now Michael will have his fresh bread at every Night Market. Quantities are limited. Says Matt: “Get Naturally Risen and join the converted!”
The preservation friendly marketplace and office development Chophouse Row debuted in the summer of 2015, incorporating auto row era elements of the buildings it replaced and creating an open building space of mews and courtyards. Lauded for its preservation, design, and for helping to provide more space for companies to bring daytime workers to the neighborhood, Liz Dunn’s project suffered a rare misstep this summer as its centerpiece restaurant Chop Shop closed after months of slow business. But the hole appears to have been patched as quickly as it formed. Bruce and Sara Naftaly, already resident in the project with their Amandine bakeshop, are planning to open the soup-centered Marmite and sibling bar Spirit in the Bottle in the space.
Chophouse Row also features The Cloud Room coworking and events space, adding to the projects efforts to keep the building active and part of the community beyond food, drink, and shopping customers.
The new weekly Night Market event will join the Capitol Hill Farmers Market currently held along Broadway on the Seattle Central campus every Sunday. The Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Market groups, which operates the Sunday market, plans to move its Capitol Hill event to a community space inside the development around the Capitol Hill Station light rail facility when construction is completed in 2019.
Chophouse Row is located on 11th Ave between Pike and Union.