Grab Free Samples as Pike Place Market’s Expansion Debuts Today

Pike Place Market’s Marketfront expansion celebrates its grand opening today, culminating two years of construction and many more years of planning. Today’s festivities kick off at 2 p.m. with a ceremony led by Mayor Ed Murray and followed by live music and free samples.

The new addition replaces a surface parking lot below the market's North Arcade crafts vendors with 30,000 square feet of open public space, 47 new table spaces for farmers and craftspeople, 40 low-income senior housing units with seven live/work artist units, and spaces for food businesses Old Stove Brewing Co., Little Fish, Honest Biscuits, and Indi Chocolate. The four vendors will be on site handing out samples to visitors today.

Old Stove, Honest Biscuits, and Indi Chocolate are existing Market tenants expanding to the new space. Little Fish is the forthcoming bar and restaurant from Jarrbar owner Bryan Jarr and chef Zoi Antonitsas, focusing on smoked and tinned Northwest seafood. The duo’s boutique food-canning company, called Jarr and Co., will operate under the same roof.

Apart from today’s previews, the four vendors won’t actually be open until the fall; Little Fish is currently projecting an opening date of November 1.