Get Your PHX: Public Market Cafe

Special thanks to Duc Laio for hosting the May Get Your PHX. This was probably the most heart-warming event we’ve had. Duc and his wife Noelle are doubling down on Downtown and investing so much of their heart, soul and resources in to Scratch French Pastry at 2nd St and Roosevelt.

They shared this with us and the RoRo community has stepped up to help with their plans.

Thanks also to Ben Bethel of the Clarendon Hotel for offering free pool entrance to his hotel for anybody who visits Scratch AND donating a one-night stay to our Get Your PHX free raffle.  Natalie Melchiorre also donated a one-month health reboot with her company, BodyAide. The famous Trini Fragozo of VolR Salon also donated gift certificates for styling. Mural artist Jesse Perry was very gracious to come answer questions about the new mural that he is doing on this corner, as well as his upcoming events at the Renaissance Hotel downtown Thank you all for supporting a new business downtown!

June’s Get Your PHX is all about new beginnings. As you know the old Phoenix Public Market closed last year, although the twice-weekly open air Phoenix Public Market remains in business.

Aaron Chamberlin of the famous St. Francis Restaurant on Camelback and 3rd took the initiative to create a new community spot for us downtown. He has been a true neighborhood supporter, as he has worked collaboratively with the Phoenix Public Market to open the Public Market Cafe. He could have done anything with this building, but his goal is to create a fun, affordable restaurant that is accessible to the community, and which complements the open air market.

The Cafe has open seating, a full bar, a wood fired rotisserie and excellent food. This is just the kind of walkable, light rail friendly cooperation that downtown deserves. Aaron is focusing on farm-to-table, affordable meals. 

Folks, there is a real locavore philosophy here that we will hear about from Aaron. They ground their almond butter and burgers only when you order them. 

The New Times reported that “Cafe will also have retail shelves stocked with 90 percent local products, including Black Mesa goat cheese fudge, Chris Bianco’s canned tomatoes, Bob McClendon’s honey, Hayden Flour Mill flour, olive oils, vinegars, aprons and cookbooks.” 

As you know, this is not easy to pull off. Locally-sourced, organic products are often more expensive and it is a true talent to find a way to offer meals under $10 in that environment. So, we look forward to hearing Aaron tell us first hand how he does it and what he is planning next.

So, please join us on June 20th. We will meet Aaron personally to hear about his vision and what it took to open the market. Of course, there will be specials and samples from the Public Market Cafe as well as our monthly Get Your PHX Free Raffle.