Steuben Street Market, the only true grocery in downtown Albany in many years, opened this morning at 58 N. Pearl St., opposite the former Jillian’s building and across a cobblestone walkway from Pearl Street Pub. All three are owned by restaura-preneurs Chris Pratt and his business partner, Alessio Depoli. The budget to renovate the space and purchase inventory was about about $125,000.
Hours for now are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. until evening/TBD on weekends. Shelves, now stocked with more than 500 items, are not yet full; more items are expected to be added daily.
The market — bright, open, handsomely and thoughtfully designed — is being managed by Pratt’s daughter, Charissa Pratt, who is finishing her master’s degree in nutrition. There is an emphasis on local, organic, non-GMO and eco-friendly products, and prepared foods are being made by an in-house chef who formerly worked at Healthy Living Market and Café in Wilton. The market will also offer food from Pratt’s and Depoli’s four bars and restaurants, including meatballs from The Capital and smoked brisket from The Barrel Saloon.
Charissa Pratt tells me the market won’t try to compete with supermarkets on price or quantity, instead focusing on fostering a sense of community among downtown residents and workers interested in quality and convenience.
The market’s telephone number is 694-3100. The website is here. Photos by Steve Barnes/Table Hopping.
General manager Charissa Pratt, in pink T-shirt, selected the growing inventory — 527 items as of this morning.
Coffee corner for the morning crowd.
The rotating taps currently pour beer from Ithaca Beer Co. and Chatham Brewing.
About two dozen bottled beers will be stocked to start.
Cocktail mixers include upscale makers such as Fever Tree and Stirrings.
Eggs from Schuylerville, milk from Clarksville.
Just the beginning of a produce section. Potatoes from Laughing Child Farm in Pawlet, Vt.
The produce cooler should be organized later this week.
Need a loaf, bagel or granola? Some the market’s items come from Bread & Honey bakery in Albany.
Breakfast options: Cheerios or Nature’s Path Organic cereal, Quaker oatmeal or Bob’s Red Mill rolled oats.
Local and regional cheese from R&G, Four Fat Fowl and Cabot. The stock is being expanded.
Condiments and staples.
Beverages.
Household products for the growing downtown residential community, including 28 apartments upstairs from the market, feature green products from Seventh Generation and Tom’s of Maine.
Eat, drink and be candid, with Times Union Senior Writer Steve Barnes.