Stopped in for my first visit last Friday afternoon and I'll echo the above statements about the building; it's beautiful - everything I was hoping for and more! I'll be willing to bet the 2nd floor "event" spaces will be the go to spot for gatherings for the foreseeable future. My only complaint was I left with a severe case of "sticker shock" - while the vendors chosen certainly have an outstanding supply of goods, it's not a place where I could shop except for special occasions and even then, I would have a hard time paying the prices they're asking. $32.00/lb for scallops at the fish place; $52.00/lb for one particular cut of beef at the butcher's. (It probably melts in your mouth but for that kind of money, I could go to The Chop House or Ruth's Chris and not have to worry about doing the dishes.) The selection offered at the deli section of the fresh pasta shop was nothing you couldn't find at D&W and when I asked the person working if the pasta salad I was paying $7.00/lb for was fresh, she said no and went on to say that it wasn't even made on site. I was a regular at Making Thyme when they were on Cherry - their prices have also gone up in the new location. The chocolatier and ice cream shops - great stuff but a limited selection, at best. Almost $4.00 for a croissant? Once again, tried one, it was delicious but I doubt if I'd be stopping by to pick up a couple dozen for an office meeting. And finally, Sweetielicious - I bought one of her pies; a cherry, peach, blueberry combo that was wonderful but it also set me back $25.00!
Don't get me wrong - I've been anxiously waiting for the market since it was first announced and I will go back because I want to see this succeed - I just wish there had been some thought given to those of us whose pockets aren't quite so deep. (I think one of the vendors who got it right are the people from Art of the Table with their wine bar and cheese shop - great selection and price points that didn't make me do a double take.) And, I realize some of the examples I cited were at the very high end of the vendors offerings but those are the numbers many will carry away with them and talk about to their friends and families after they've visited the market.
I don't know what the numbers were at todays Grand Opening festivities - I hope it was a resounding success but I'm afraid that for many, their first visit might also be their last for no other reason than they simply can't afford to shop there.