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3RD + SPRING: An Artisanal Food Market in Downtown

By Rich Alossi
Published: Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at 03:23PM

Douglas Building Atrium Ed Fuentes [Flickr]

This atrium in the Douglas Building will house the 3RD + SPRING Artisan Market.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Think of it as Downtown's more gourmet answer to the shoulder-rubbing hustle of nearby Grand Central Market.

A new artisanal marketplace is heading to the Douglas Building's indoor atrium and is in the process of recruiting vendors for the space. The team behind 3RD + SPRING Artisan Market is looking to turn the underused atrium into a veritable foodie destination, with a more integrated partnership between current building tenants and outside vendors.

Though no opening date has been set yet, 3RD + SPRING has already drawn interest from a French bakery, a tea company, a fresh fish vendor, a candle merchant and several gourmet food vendors, according to the market's Jan Bryant.

"We will be targeting the type of merchants and products that are not yet Downtown," Bryant states via email.

That process starts with Blue Cupcake, opening on Monday, July 20, in a partnership with Lot 44 Coffee. The first of many hoped-for vendors, Blue Cupcake has a history selling fresh-baked treats at local farmers' markets. As an introduction to the neighborhood, free cupcakes and coffee will be available from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

In concept, the market idea draws similarities with San Francisco's Ferry Building Marketplace -- though at a mere 2,500 square feet, the atrium may be more appropriately compared with Bottega Louie's quick-service market and deli. UPDATE: Total square footage for the project is 15,000 square feet.

Following the recent closure of Ma Petit Bakery & Cafe, a gourmet marketplace could be just what the Douglas needs to draw foot traffic from nearby residential areas and the soon-to-open Los Angeles Police Department headquarters building.

Vendor applications are being accepted for small stalls beginning at 64 square feet up to 500 square feet. 3RD + SPRING Artisan Market welcomes input for what types of vendors the community wants to see.

3RD + SPRING Artisan Market: 3rdandspring.com

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Comments

1
Thomas Stanley writes:

It's a shame that this is not happening at the Broadway-Spring Arcade building; I have often thought that a market similar to the Ferry Building would work great in that space. But this is great news for Downtown, nonetheless.

# on Jul.15.2009 AT 04:01 PM
2
Rich Alossi writes:

Thomas: I agree 100% that the Broadway-Spring Arcade would make a great indoor market, and have said as much at the Broadway planning meetings. It's got the bones for something like that, for sure.

# on Jul.15.2009 AT 04:07 PM
3
Rafael writes:

Please please....some healthy food options with hormone and antibiotic-free meats, dairy, eggs would be tremendous. I do not need organic all the time, just some healthy meat protein options. Thanks

# on Jul.15.2009 AT 05:48 PM
4
loveandhatela writes:

mmm the answer to my recent cravings for a cupcake. Sure 7-11 sells hostess but i want something of more substance and lots of sugary icing! :)

# on Jul.15.2009 AT 06:31 PM
5
b writes:

what's going on in the Broadway Arcade these days?

# on Jul.15.2009 AT 09:02 PM
6
Patnet writes:

We need a decent, organic, high quality butchers. Somewhere you can buy a leg of lamb, rabbit, hand-made sausages etc.

# on Jul.16.2009 AT 09:56 AM
7
Urban Bruin writes:

Free Cupcakes!!

Blue Cupcake @ Lot 44 "The Grand Opening event will take place on Monday, July 20th from 11 am to 2 pm. Customers will receive a free cupcake and cup of coffee during the event."

# on Jul.16.2009 AT 11:45 AM
8
Rich Alossi writes:

Let me note one correction I just received via the market: The project has a total of 15,000 square feet to work with; the atrium is only one part.

# on Jul.16.2009 AT 12:15 PM
9
celia writes:

Ditto on the butcher suggestion. With all the farmers markets in downtown, getting good produce isn't an issue anymore but getting good quality and good variety of meats is very much an issue.

# on Jul.16.2009 AT 09:09 PM
10
London writes:

The Ferry Building is world class and would be a perfect model.

Designers would also benefit from looking at London's Broadway Market in the Hackney neighborhood (http://www.broadwaymarket.co.uk/events.html) and Mercado Municipal in Sao Paulo (http://www.mercadomunicipal.com.br/) .

Take a look.

The art direction is excellent and the offerings, extraordinary.

# on Jul.17.2009 AT 09:53 PM
11
Jasmijn writes:

This has got to be the ultimate "downtown is changing" example! Wow. :) I still come across people who are surprised to hear I live here.

# on Jul.18.2009 AT 09:23 AM
12
Karin Liljegren writes:

Great idea, but big problem with this space - no connection to the street. The street connection is key.

# on Jul.18.2009 AT 11:01 AM
13
Rich Alossi writes:

Karin: You're absolutely right. I think there's going to have to be some tie-in with the old Ma Petit space somehow, to get the foot traffic from Spring. I wonder how (or if) it will tie into 3rd Street.

# on Jul.18.2009 AT 11:45 AM
14
Vivo writes:

London, nice links to the other places. The Ferry Building has fantastic design. And the Mercado Municipal is beautiful. I hear its a great place to get good Italian. And I third the requests for a good butcher/ sausage/ rabbit/ duck place, and how about a good place for fresh fish. We need meats!

re the entrance, yes, there should be a link to both 3rd and Spring streets. The main entrance is through the parking lot on 3rd street. There is a gate there too that should really be opened permanently to 3rd street.

# on Jul.19.2009 AT 10:16 PM
15
Beth Topping writes:

Okay, I'm totally late on this... But I agree with all of the Broadway/Spring Arcade comments. It's so perfect for some sort of open-air market!

# on Jul.20.2009 AT 09:57 PM
16
two parts sugar writes:

We are thrilled to see our signature flavor...Raspberry Red Velvet popping up in other places..could this be the next "big" cupcake flavor??!?!

# on Jul.22.2009 AT 11:22 AM
17
Franklink2DT writes:

grand central market much? i get a little annoyed at repackaged unoriginal ideas using the blogosphere to overhype their ideas, but its nice for the eastside of town to get in on the open market action.

# on Jul.22.2009 AT 12:01 PM
18
Kat writes:

this is exciting news!

fyi to the bakers/breadmakers out there.....there is NO PLACE to get good LaBrea Bakery type bread in the Little Tokyo area. HELP! i'm talkin' within walking distance--

the newly re-opened Little Tokyo Marketplace is great---but no good crusty bread! must i go all the way across town to Ralph's (in my car)get a decent baguette?

# on Jul.26.2009 AT 06:18 PM

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