After nearly a year of anticipation, Volunteer Park Cafe chef/owner Ericka Burke's darling Canal Market opened its doors at 7 this morning — and it sure looks worth the wait. The 2,000 square-foot old-fashioned mercantile stocks breakfast and lunch fare aplenty, as well as local produce, specialty groceries, and a range of household goods.
First major highlight: The swoon-worthy breakfast bar lining the tall counter each morning. Fourteen dollars gets you your choice of Burke's signature pastries, granola, yogurt, fresh fruit, and toast with Burke's jams and marmalades, plus the fresh-pressed juice du jour and Stumptown coffee.
As the day marches on, the deli case offerings move center stage: Salads, veggie dishes, dips, and baguette sandwiches (tuna salad, BLT, braised pork panini, and French dip). And finally, covering all bases, Burke also has takeaway offerings for dinner—meatloaf, spaghetti and meatballs, etc—complete with reheating instructions.
While Canal Market has a plethora for meals, the array of treats and groceries (coolers with bottled beer, cider, wine, and unique soft drinks; a freezer with local ice cream and gelato) offer ample reason to stop in on their own. There is even talk of housemade popsicles come summer (yes, please), and Burke would also like to bring in additional goods from urban farmers and growers.
Visually, the Market's vibrant mustard yellow walls showcased above are complimented by vintage dark wood shelving and white subway tiles lining the prep area. The focal point is a large island in the center of the shop, featuring the shop's tall counter.
Effective today, Canal Market will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
