In the midst of a heavy build out, San Diego-based Blue Bridge Hospitality inches closer to the grand reveal of Liberty Public Market, the 22,000 square-foot culinary mecca slated to open doors in Point Loma’s Liberty Station neighborhood by year's end, possibly as early as November. In addition to the current list of 22 unique local vendors that will occupy the gigantic space, Liberty Public Market has unveiled a new round of exciting updates, including the addition of a third Bottlecraft beer shop and tasting room, an on-site restaurant concept, a wine bar and even a liquor license that will allow patrons to roam the market with drink in hand!
Liberty Public Market is the most recent attempt at a San Diego food hall that can compare to that of Pike Place in Seattle, Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia or the Ferry Building in San Francisco, to name a few. The $3 million plus, mixed-use retail and commercial market has capacity for more than 30 purveyors. The current list of artisan vendors on board for the grand opening spans the culinary spectrum and includes Venissimo Cheese, Point Loma Tea, West Bean Coffee, Le Parfait Paris (French bakery), Parana Empanadas (Argentinian), Local Greens (burritos and bowls), Mama Made Thai, Crafted (pastries and desserts), Stuffed (burgers), FishBone Kitchen (seafood), Bread & Butter (co-op of bakers) Desert Smoke (sauces and seasonings), Pasta Design (homemade pastas), Wicked Main Lobster, Mootime Creamery, Mastiff Sausage, Liberty Meat Shop, Fully Loaded Juice, Cecilia's Taqueria, Cane Patch Pies, Pho Realz (Vietnamese) and Liberty Market Produce.
Helmed by Executive Chef Tim Kolanko of Blue Bridge Hospitality (Stake Chophouse & Bar, Leroy’s Kitchen + Lounge), the restaurant at Liberty Public Market will be named Mess Hall, offering a nod to the building’s history as the cafeteria of the former Naval Training Center. Truly a market-to-menu concept, nearly all of the vegetables, proteins, and ingredients found within Chef Kolanko’s cuisine will be sourced directly from the market’s artisans - advocating sustainability in every sense of the word. Mess Hall’s menu will change daily, utilizing only the freshest available market goods, and the format of the restaurant will vary as well - Thursday through Saturday guests may see a more comprehensive à la carte selection, while on other pre-determined days of the week the restaurant may offer an inspired preset, coursed-out meal or family-style dinner. Mess Hall’s large space will be utilized to host a variety of events including pop-ups, travelling guest-chef dinners, culinary education classes, private events and more.
San Diego’s consummate beer expert, Brian Jensen, will launch a third outpost of his famed Bottlecraft boutique beer shop and tasting room. The 1,000 square-foot space will center around a tasting bar with 24 draft lines, feature ample retail space and cold storage for bottles. Similar to Jensen’s existing shops in Little Italy and North Park, Bottlecraft at Liberty Public Market will offer a little bit of everything, from local favorites to rare domestics and international finds.
The wine bar within Liberty Public Market will operate under the direction of industry heavyweight, and Blue Bridge Hospitality beverage director, Greg Majors (NYC: Tom Colicchio’s Craft Restaurant, Robert Bohr’s former CRU, Chef Marco Canora & Sommelier Paul Grieco’s former Insieme). The 800 square-foot concept will feature a revolving menu of by-the-glass offerings, daily tastings and flights. Major’s cellar will house approximately 500 bottles with 300 selections from all areas of the globe, and will give him an opportunity to pour some of the more interesting varietals that he acquires by producer, region or wine style. The wine shop also plans to tap into its surrounding market vendors to offer a changing menu of small plates.
Liberty Public Market is located at 2816 Historic Decatur Road. For more information, visit libertypublicmarket.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.
