Shuldiner, who founded the Institute of Domestic Technology and oversees the fantastically funky Altadena Farmers Market, and West, of Saving the Season, will be instrumental in finding new chefs and entrepreneurs, including bread bakers, coffee roasters and retail, cheesemongers, fishmongers and butchers. The vendors currently at the market aren't being replaced - the goal is to have new vendors alongside existing ones. So Downtown's Soi 7 restaurant has already signed on to open there next year, and Las Morelianas will be back with its carnitas. We personally hope Roast to Go stays. Market owners expect to have a dozen more new spots open by next fall, but the full renovation will be a multi-year, multi-phase project.
Aesthetically, there's talk of an outdoor "living room" on the Hill Street side with outlets, free WiFi and low-slung couches. There are plans for an exhibition kitchen in the basement for classes, tastings and private dinners. If the whole thing sounds a bit like San Francisco’s Ferry Building, you’re not far off the mark. BCV, one of the architecture firms that collaborated on that project has signed on for this one.
Photo: Trader Chris/Flickr