Oakland Park CRA Announces Downtown Central Market Progress

Oakland Park, FL (PRWEB) July 03, 2014

In June 2014, the Oakland Park CRA selected Oak Park Project, LLC as the Managers and Operators for the planned European Style Central Market in Downtown Oakland Park. The market will anchor the north end of the Downtown Culinary Arts District, along with Funky Buddha Brewery (open June 2013) and Stork’s Bakery (opening August 2014).

According to operator Betsy Millson Anderson, “The next step to realizing this plan is for culinary inspired entrepreneurs to take advantage of this opportunity to grow their small business by becoming a vendor in the Central Market. We want to offer a thriving, ethnically diverse, pedestrian friendly experience in this artisan food market.”

The Oakland Station Central Market consists of over 15,000 square feet of open space, and will be the first public market of its kind in the tri-county area. Open 7 days a week in the heart of Broward county, the market is on its way to becoming the centrally-located culinary inspired downtown “hotspot.” Retail space is available from as little as a portable kiosk to over 500SF per individual vendor.

Operators are currently looking to add vendors to the venue who are fabulous foodies, persnickety purveyors, and artful artisans interested in peddling the fresh, the tasty, the exotic, and that sought after ingredient. The mix will include farm fresh produce, meats, poultry, seafood, local eggs, baked goods, and cheeses, alongside unique culinary related products such as a designer doughnut, a not-so-small Napoleon, the perkiest portabello mushrooms, the sauciest meatball ever, and recycled kitchen wares. Millson-Anderson envisions, “Customers applauding as pizza dough is tossed in the air, mouths watering while green beans are being pickled with a special brine passed down for generations, and children’s noses up against the glass while homemade gelato pours out of the machine into pints ready to sell.” She added, “We want a Japanese ramen soup creator, the Mexican tortilla maker, the Indian dip creator, the Italian mozzarella maker, and the French pate importer.”

CRA Project Manager, Allison Justice, with Redevelopment Management Associates explained, “The management team qualifications speak directly to this project through their previous vendor procurement and retention, restaurant and business management, and the fiscally successful development of hospitality brands. Their experience, combined with the business development and educational opportunities offered to vendors, this Market will become the keystone for continued economic development in downtown Oakland Park.”

The customers have lined up and are waiting for vendors from across the globe to wow them! Contact Betsy Millson Anderson 954.240.2758 for more information about being a part of this exciting endeavor or to submit a letter of interest.

For more information about the Downtown Culinary Arts, log on to http://www.opculinaryarts.com or visit http://www.fb.com/OPCRA.

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