A Peek Inside Liberty Public Market, A Year-and-a-Half Later
The marketplace in the heart of Liberty Station opened in March 2016 and has since added more than 30 vendors to its mouthwatering lineup
By Monica Garske ••
It’s been a year-and-a-half since Liberty Public Market opened in the heart of Liberty Station. With more than 30 vendors lining its halls, the 25,000-square-foot marketplace has quickly transformed into a food emporium, with interesting treats to be had at every turn. Here’s a glimpse at LPM, as it looks in fall 2017.
It's been a year-and-a-half since Liberty Public Market swung open its doors in the heart of Liberty Station. Today, the marketplace has grown into a food emporium, with interesting eats in every nook and cranny.
Liberty Public Market (LPM), located at 2816 Decatur Rd., adjacent to Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, is a 25,000-square-foot marketplace that opened to the public in March 2016.
A $3 million collaboration between operating group Blue Bridge Hospitality and developer The McMillin Companies, the marketplace aims to be reminiscent of public markets in other cities, such as Napa’s Oxbow Public Market or Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market.
Monica Garske
Pasta Design makes its artisan pasta on site offering lasagnas, fettuccine, Mac & cheese and ravioli with freshly made sauces.
Monica Garske
Another look at the Liberty Public Market sign, which adorns the outside of the marketplace.
Monica Garske
Mastiff's famous sausages.
Monica Garske
Beautiful pastries at the marketplace.
Monica Garske
Lolli San Diego Sweets is a colorful candy shop inside the marketplace.
Monica Garske
Baker & Olive specializes in premium olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars from Italy. Of course, they also sell bread for dipping.
Monica Garske
Where's the beef? At Liberty Meat Shop.
Monica Garske
Where's the beef? At Liberty Meat Shop.
Monica Garske
One of the entrances to Liberty Public Market. There are benches, shaded by trees, where you can sit here.
Monica Garske
Pasta Design makes its artisan pasta on site offering lasagnas, fettuccine, Mac & cheese and ravioli with freshly made sauces.
Monica Garske
A sign directs visitors towards the marketplace.
Monica Garske
A peek at the sign that lets visitors know they've arrived.
Monica Garske
One of the entrances into the market. The patio area includes dining tables and a grassy area where people can sit and eat their goodies.
Monica Garske
Classic Parisian confections and pastries, from brioche and croissants to macarons and chocolate eclairs, are sold at Le Parfait Paris.
Monica Garske
A map breaks down which vendors are located where inside Liberty Public Market. Currently, the marketplace houses more than 30 vendors.
Monica Garske
Mess Hall: the center of Liberty Public Market. The space houses a couple of full-service restaurants, a cocktail bar and a craft beer tasting room by Bottlecraft.
Monica Garske
A look inside Mess Hall.
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A glimpse of one of the pathways at Liberty Public Market.
Monica Garske
Lots of food to be eaten here, that's for sure.
Monica Garske
Argentinian empanadas are among the global fare found at the market.
Monica Garske
Liberty Meat Shop is an old-fashioned butcher shop located inside the market. Meats galore.
Monica Garske
Roast serves sandwiches filled with freshly-carved meats.
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The menu at Roast.
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Vibrant art adorns the walls inside the market.
Monica Garske
Olala Crepes specializes in French crepes -- both sweet and savory.
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We'll take one of everything, please.
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Fresh seafood at Liberty Public Market.
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Beautiful pastries at the marketplace at Crafted Baked Goods.
Monica Garske
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Venissimo Cheese offers every fromage imaginable.
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Tough choices to be made, really.
Monica Garske
Venissimo Cheese offers every fromage imaginable.
Monica Garske
Cecilia's Taqueria sells gourmet Mexican food.
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Wicked! Maine Lobster has a little outpost at the marketplace.
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Mastiff Sausage Company's brick-and-mortar spot. The company started out as a food truck.
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Howlistic is a pet supply store.
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Some goodies on the shelves at Pacific Provisions.
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Sauces galore at Pacific Provisions.
Monica Garske
Sauces galore at Pacific Provisions.
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Pacific Provisions sells essentials for the kitchen.
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Allen's Flowers sells fresh blooms and plants.
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Pretty petals at Allen's Flowers.
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Allen's Flowers sells fresh blooms and plants.
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A look down one of the pathways at the market yields a variety of food options: Thai, pasta, burgers.
Monica Garske
At every turn, there are cozy spots to sit and enjoy your haul from the market.
Monica Garske
At every turn, there are cozy spots to sit and enjoy your haul from the market.
Monica Garske
A glimpse at the menu at FishBone Kitchen.
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Some sweet Argetinian treats at Parana.
Monica Garske
Stuffed! started out as a food truck, rolling through the streets of San Diego. Today, its brick-and-mortar location at Liberty Public Market offers their famous grass-fed burgers stuffed with a variety of cheeses. Other comfort food items include crunchy tater tots topped with housemade cajun seasoning, and deep-fried oreos.
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Local Greens is a healthy alternative, with a menu of salads, wraps, bowls and burritos that rely on organic ingredients sourced from local farms.
Monica Garske
Pasta Design makes its artisan pasta on site offering lasagnas, fettuccine, Mac & cheese and ravioli with freshly made sauces.
Monica Garske
More beautiful macarons in the display cases at Le Parfait Paris.
Monica Garske
Bottlecraft's craft beer market inside Mess Hall.
Monica Garske
Like craft beer? Head over to Bottlecraft's mini market in Mess Hall and peruse some local labels.
Monica Garske
Another look inside Mess Hall.
The focus at the indoor-outdoor venue is on fresh, sustainable, locally-sourced goods, including year-round produce sourced from regional farms, plus merchants offering locally-procured seafood, old-fashioned butcher services, homemade tortillas, bread and pastries, fine wine, locally-roasted coffee, specialty handcrafted goods and more.
Today, well into toddlerhood, LPM is home to more than 30 vendors, including a couple of full-service restaurants and beer and cocktail bars in communal indoor dining area known as Mess Hall.
The current merchants include:
Crackheads: a restaurant in Mess Hall specializing in all-day breakfast sandwiches
Doughballs: a restaurant in Mess Hall specializing in wood-fired pizzas
Mess Hall Bar: a little bar that serves craft cocktails, beer and wine
Bottlecraft: a craft beer shop and tasting room
Howlistic: a specialty pet store
Pacific Provisions: a shop offering specialty BBQ sauces, seasonings and kitchen staples
Mastiff Sausage Co.: handcrafted sausages and sandwiches
Wicked Maine Lobster: lobster rolls and New England favorites
Cecilia’s Taqueria: gourmet Mexican food made with all local ingredients
Mama Made Thai: Street food classics inspired by Bangkok
Allen’s Flowers: fresh-cut flowers and succulents
Venissimo Cheese: artisanal cheeses and accompaniments
Scooped by Mootime: ice cream and other cool, sweet treats
Crafted Baked Goods: freshly baked cakes and pastries
Roma Express: craft soda, cannoli, arancini and other Italian goods
Baker & Olive: a small tasting room serving chef-inspired provisions, including gourmet olive oils
Olala Crepes: sweet and savory French crepes
Lolli Sweets: a classic candy store with a modern twist
Liberty Meat Shop & Deli: the friendly marketplace butcher shop
Fishbone Kitchen: fishmonger and belly-up oyster bar
Westbean: a specialty micro-batch coffee roaster
Parana Empanadas: authentic Argentinian empanadas
Local Greens: wholesome salads, wraps, and bowls
Pasta Design: fresh, handcrafted artisan pasta
Le Parfait Paris: a French patisserie and boulangerie making fresh bread and baked goods
Holbrook: a shop offering home goods and small gifts
Saganaki by Meze: Greek fusion food
Smoothie Rider: fresh smoothies blended with seasonal ingredients
Roast: a meat shop offering fresh, hot sandwiches
Since my visit, one more food stall has opened: RakiRaki Ramen & Tsukemen, which serves authentic Japanese cuisine including curry, tsukemen, or dipping noodles, specialty sushi rolls, and its famous ramen.
Some of the small, local vendors on LPM's list first made names for themselves at farmers markets. Others are entirely new concepts that debuted at the marketplace. For most merchants, this is their first-ever brick-and-mortar establishment after building a fan base around San Diego.
Monica Garske
Many local vendors will set up shop at Liberty Public Market, selling everything from cheese to meats. The marketplace is slated for an October opening.
Monica Garske
Blueprints give a glimpse at what will soon transform into Liberty Public Market.
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Liberty Meat Shop, owned by Tommy Battaglia, is among the merchants who will set up shop at Liberty Public Market.
Monica Garske
Liberty Meat Shop, owned by Tommy Battaglia, is among the merchants who will set up shop at Liberty Public Market.
Monica Garske
Many local vendors, including Venissimo Cheese, will set up shop at Liberty Public Market, selling everything from cheese to meats. The marketplace is slated for an October opening.
Monica Garske
Coronado's Moo Time Creamery will set up a small space at the marketplace offering a mini menu of cool fan favorites.
Monica Garske
Cecilia's Taqueria will whip up tacos at the marketplace, am exciting, new venture for the Point Loma-based small business.
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An old-fashioned butcher shop at Liberty Public Market will be dubbed the Liberty Meat Shop.
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Fully Loaded Micro Juicery, originally a North County business, will branch out to the marketplace as well.
Monica Garske
Fully Loaded Micro Juicery, originally a North County business, will branch out to the marketplace as well.
Monica Garske
Fully Loaded Micro Juicery, originally a North County business, will branch out to the marketplace as well.
Monica Garske
Wicked Maine Lobster will be among the merchants at the marketplace.
Monica Garske
Liberty Public Market is under construction at Liberty Station, slated for a fall opening. The warehouse-style venue originally housed the Naval Training Center’s commissary in 1921.
Monica Garske
The plans in motion for the marketplace.
Monica Garske
Liberty Public Market is under construction at Liberty Station, slated for a fall opening. The warehouse-style venue originally housed the Naval Training Center’s commissary in 1921.
Monica Garske
Liberty Public Market is under construction at Liberty Station, slated for a fall opening. The warehouse-style venue originally housed the Naval Training Center’s commissary in 1921.
Monica Garske
Liberty Public Market is under construction at Liberty Station, slated for a fall opening. The warehouse-style venue originally housed the Naval Training Center’s commissary in 1921.
Monica Garske
Liberty Public Market is under construction at Liberty Station, slated for a fall opening.
Monica Garske
The Westbean Coffee Roasters is getting in on the buzz at Liberty Public Market, too.
Monica Garske
San Diego's Mastiff Sausage Company will join the lineup of local merchants showcasing their goods at the new Liberty Public Market, opening this October at Liberty Station.
Monica Garske
San Diego's Venissimo Cheese will join the lineup of local merchants showcasing their goods at the new Liberty Public Market, opening this October at Liberty Station.
Monica Garske
Fully Loaded Micro Juicery, based in Encinitas, is among the local merchants joining the LIberty Public Market when it opens this October.
Monica Garske
A glimpse at the space that will soon transform into Liberty Public Market.
Monica Garske
A glimpse at the space that will soon transform into Liberty Public Market.
Monica Garske
Mastiff Sausage Company, a local gourmet food truck, will set up shop (sans wheels) at a mini storefront at Liberty Public Market this fall.
Monica Garske
Venissimo Cheese will join the lineup of merchants at Liberty Public Market this fall.
Monica Garske
Liberty Meat Shop will specialize in old-fashioned butcher services at the marketplace.
FITCH
Liberty Public Market – a 22,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor marketplace – is slated to open at 2816 Historic Decatur Rd. this October. The large-scale hospitality project will transform a historic 1920s-era warehouse-style building adjacent to Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens into a vibrant marketplace housing more than 30 merchants selling everything from locally-sourced food to handcrafted goods. These artist renderings by FITCH depict what the marketplace will look like.
FITCH
Liberty Public Market – a 22,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor marketplace – is slated to open at 2816 Historic Decatur Rd. this October. The large-scale hospitality project will transform a historic 1920s-era warehouse-style building adjacent to Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens into a vibrant marketplace housing more than 30 merchants selling everything from locally-sourced food to handcrafted goods. These artist renderings by FITCH depict what the marketplace will look like.
FITCH
Liberty Public Market – a 22,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor marketplace – is slated to open at 2816 Historic Decatur Rd. this October. The large-scale hospitality project will transform a historic 1920s-era warehouse-style building adjacent to Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens into a vibrant marketplace housing more than 30 merchants selling everything from locally-sourced food to handcrafted goods. These artist renderings by FITCH depict what the marketplace will look like.
FITCH
Liberty Public Market – a 22,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor marketplace – is slated to open at 2816 Historic Decatur Rd. this October. The large-scale hospitality project will transform a historic 1920s-era warehouse-style building adjacent to Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens into a vibrant marketplace housing more than 30 merchants selling everything from locally-sourced food to handcrafted goods. These artist renderings by FITCH depict what the marketplace will look like.
FITCH
Liberty Public Market – a 22,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor marketplace – is slated to open at 2816 Historic Decatur Rd. this October. The large-scale hospitality project will transform a historic 1920s-era warehouse-style building adjacent to Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens into a vibrant marketplace housing more than 30 merchants selling everything from locally-sourced food to handcrafted goods. These artist renderings by FITCH depict what the marketplace will look like.
The lineup gives patrons plenty of options.
Customers can be seen strolling from shop to shop, eyeballing display cases stuffed with tasty treats, trying to decide what to eat.
It's a tough choice.
Some people stick to one spot, picking just the dish they're craving. Others buy small items at different shops and build their own meal.
Patrons often take their haul to a patio area outside the market's entrance and eat on the dining tables, or lay a blanket on the grass and picnic with their freshly-selected goodies.
There are kids, families, and dogs everywhere.
The venue, while still relatively new, is steeped in history. The warehouse-style building was originally built as the Naval Training Center’s commissary in 1921. Some U.S. Navy art still covers the walls -- a reminder of its roots.
In late 2016, LPM was ranked No. 13 on a list of the most popular food halls in the United States in an urban retail report by brokerage firm Cushman & Wakefield.
The food hall is open daily, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., but vendors' individual hours may vary. Check the LPM website for updates if you're planning a visit.
