Two Bits Readies for a Tasty Tuesday Opening
Eric Richardson
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — It's been a long journey for Two Bits Market. The Historic Core's newest organic store soft-opened at the beginning of the year and has been slowly building up in selection in preparation for Tuesday's official grand opening. The market offers foodies a chance to find wines, cheeses, meats and produce, and, as of Tuesday, sandwiches.
Downtown would be in luck if all of Downtown's business owners were as passionate as Two Bits' Brandi Lozano. After her husband/partner Corbett Miller inspired her to change her diet by introducing her to local, organic foods, Lozano decided to leave her previous job in the skateboarding industry to do what she could to bring healthier options to the Historic Core's starving market.
Two weeks after Lozano and Miller moved Downtown, the lack of organic, healthy options motivated them to turn their food fanaticism into a business. After a series of problems slowed the opening process, the shop soft opened on January 1st and is already the talk of the town.
On Tuesday, the market will be debuting its signature deli menu, the creation of New York-based chef, Brian Murphy. Murphy and Miller met while they were working at Blue Plate, a San Francisco eatery.
The sandwiches will be created with the highest quality meats and organic breads from South Pasadena's Great Harvest Bakery. "The tuna is my favorite," Lozano added.
A ticketed grand opening party Tuesday night at 6:30pm ($27 in advance; $35 at the door) will offer a satisfying sampling of Two Bits' organic produce, wines, cheeses, and meats.
To Lozano, her venture into the world of organic foods is a no brainer. "I just wanted to eat better." Here's to hoping that Two Bits can help all Downtowners eat better as well.
Two Bits Market / 210 W. 5th / 213 627 2636
Tara Devine on February 01, 2011, at 07:34AM – #1
Two Bits = Two Thumbs Up. I've gotten great (and reasonably-priced) wines here, and they stock several of my fav cheeses (try Barely Buzzed Cheddar and Truffle Tremor!) The produce selection often inspires me to try a new dish (most recently roasted brussel sprouts)....I love that I can get lots of fresh ingredients here in small quantities. And now I'm looking forward to the full deli!
Jamie DeFrisco on February 01, 2011, at 10:24AM – #2
So glad this place finally opened. Now I don't have a good excuse for not eating more fruits and veggies. The people that work there are really nice and helpful. Slowly they seem to be adding more and more. I look forward to see what else they will stock. The sandwiches sound great too.
Brian Blackwell on February 01, 2011, at 01:30PM – #3
This is really great news. I've been going there quite regularly since the 'soft' opening. Brandi and Corbett are really nice and super helpful. It's great to be able to get some high quality fresh produce in the Historic Core -- Grand Central Market is cheap but the quality can be so-so (and it's not organic of course). I'm looking forward to the other items which will be available after the official opening.
Sara Jones on February 01, 2011, at 04:14PM – #4
I too have been going there since the opening. Great food and their cheese is fantastic. Sorry I can't make it tonight, but I'll be back!
Brigham Yen on February 02, 2011, at 12:36PM – #5
What a great market that really adds to the authentic urban lifestyle that Downtown now offers residents and visitors alike.
It is important that residential amenities like this continue to fill in those retail spaces throughout downtown.
Jacob Holloway on February 03, 2011, at 10:11AM – #6
Brandi & Corbett are a joy, and the pink lady apples I got here were delicious.
I hope they meet with enough success to even open a second location in Downtown someday!
Raymond3000 on February 03, 2011, at 10:34AM – #7
Exactly!!! I wish them the most success and hopefully future expansion will happen within the next 3-5 years for them. Maybe a store in South Park & Arts District and another one on Bway. I dont know the exact sq ft of this store but i do hope they go with a 5,000+ sq ft location as they expand. thats the cool thing about seeing small businesses grow from scratch right in your own backyard.
gretchen hatz on February 03, 2011, at 02:29PM – #8
i checked it out today on the way to lunch with a friend, and was impressed. although, i was thinking it was going to be larger and offer a wider variety of meat and fish, other than the deli. looking forward to see it expand, and will definitely go there before heading to ralph's (blech) to pick up a few small items. welcome to the hood two bits!