With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Now Open: The Market at Santa Monica Place
Baked goods, cured meats, imported cheeses, coffee, beer, wine, hand-made chocolates, ice cream sandwiches, and cooking savvy...in a mall? Yep. The Market at Santa Monica Place opens today, rounding out the restaurant and food-shopping options on the third level Dining Deck of the recently-remodeled ocean-side mecca of consumerism.
The philosophy of The Market is laudable, as they aim to unite purveyors of high-quality food and food-related products in a central location that is at once a gathering place and a place to shop. Department stores and, in the later 20th century, malls are known for their boisterous pass-through food halls and courts, so The Market represents somewhat loftier goals, in a, well, loftier locale.
Up on the the top floor, there is less chance for pass-through traffic, though perhaps it is the hope of Santa Monica Place that The Market be considered a destination (equivalent to San Francisco's Ferry Building or New York's Chelsea Market, perhaps). Will you ask the Nordstrom shoe department worker to mind your salumi while you try on some fancy footwear? Tourists and locals alike will surely appreciate having a relaxed but sophisticated spot for a cup of coffee, pastry, after-work or after-sightseeing beer or wine.
The merchants installed in The Market thus far are Beachy Cream ("retro-chic" organic ice cream sandwiches from Malibu), Benedetta (Italian skin care products), Primi Al Mercato (pasta), Norcino Salumeria Cheese Bar (meats and cheeses), Rockenwagner Bakery (breads, pastries and souffles), The Curious Palate (cafe and market), Aurelie: The Cookie Guru (cookies), The Gourmandise School of Sweets and Savories (teaching kitchen), Venokado (wine shop), Groundwork (coffee), L'Artisan du Chocolat (chocolate and sweets), Magical Blooms (flowers), and N'Ice Cream (organic gelato and sorbet).
Sponsored message
We checked out a pre-opening party last night at The Market and had a little taste of what is available for diners and shoppers.
The Market opens today, May 20th.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
