In a move that solidifies San Diego’s status as an emerging culinary hotbed, local hospitality veteran David Spatafore, principal of Blue Bridge Hospitality (Steak, Chophouse & Bar, Leroy’s Kitchen + Lounge), introduces the city’s first artisan hall with the launch of Liberty Public Market. Located in Point Loma’s historic Liberty Station neighborhood, the communal marketplace brings together a curated mix of experienced retailers, farmers market vendors, food truck operators and home-grown kitchen concepts, each hand-selected for their passionate support and ardent commitment to San Diego’s culture.
Originally built as the Naval Training Center’s commissary in 1921, Liberty Public Market’s 22,000-square-foot space upholds the building’s historic significance while adding contemporary appeal. Uniquely Californian, the market’s architecture incorporates Spanish Colonial Revival-style elements, including exposed beam ceilings, original columns and a network of open-air archways. At the center of the market, artfully constructed permanent artisan stalls, each showcasing a unique design and layout, invite guests to mingle through a colorful collection of offerings.
Taking advantage of San Diego’s year-round sunshine, the market offers 3,000 square feet of outdoor patio space decorated with olive trees and a chef’s garden for use at the on-site restaurant, Mess Hall, and adjoining cocktail bar. Adding to the market’s expansive patio, Liberty Station’s developers built out 5,000 square feet of public-friendly outdoor living rooms and dining decks that surround the market property, perfect for a quick meeting over coffee or casual al fresco market dining.
Located mere minutes away from San Diego International Airport, just north of downtown and in close proximity to all major freeways, Liberty Station’s 361-acre waterfront urban village offers complete accessibility for San Diego neighborhoods and tourists alike and provides ample and free parking for all visitors.
Liberty Public Market’s on-site restaurant, Mess Hall, offers a nod to the building’s history as the mess hall of the former Naval Training Center. Truly a market-to-menu concept, nearly all the vegetables, proteins and ingredients found within executive chef Tim Kolanko’s cuisine are sourced directly from the market’s artisans — advocating sustainability in every sense of the word. Mess Hall offers dinner service in its 40-seat dining room Wednesdays through Sundays, with an all-day lunch and dinner menu available seven days a week in the adjoining cocktail bar and lounge, which seats 54. Tapping general manager and certified sommelier Tami Wong’s experience and expertise, each dish from the menu presents an array of beverage pairings, including wines from around the world, craft beers and, eventually, cocktails.
Sundays at Mess Hall showcase an elaborate brunch service (beginning March 27, Easter Sunday), followed by an evening roast, which features a three-course, prix-fixe dinner menu of slow-roasted proteins from Mess Hall’s wood-fired oven. SIP, SHOP AND STROLL
Featuring two unique bar and bottle shops, Liberty Public Market’s one-of-a-kind license and layout allows for guests to shop and stroll freely within the constraints of the market with an alcoholic beverage in hand.
San Diego’s consummate beer expert, Brian Jensen, launches a third outpost of his famed Bottlecraft boutique beer shop and tasting room. The 1,000 square-foot space centers around a tasting bar with 24 draft lines and features ample retail space for nearly 500-plus bottles. Similar to Jensen’s existing shops in Little Italy and North Park, Bottlecraft at Liberty Public Market offers everything from local favorites to rare domestics and international finds.
Offering an intimate wine bar setting within Liberty Public Market, Grape Smuggler, operates under the direction of industry heavyweight, and Blue Bridge Hospitality beverage director, Greg Majors. The 800 square-foot concept features an ever-changing menu of by-the-glass offerings, daily tastings and flights. As a destination for industry professionals, wine lovers and enthusiasts alike, Grape Smuggler’s cellar houses nearly 5,000 bottles of sparkling, white, red, sweet and fortified wine with 500 selections from all areas of the globe – affording Majors an opportunity to pour some of the more interesting varietals that he acquires by producer, region or wine style. LOCAL ARTISANS
With the capacity for more than 30 merchants, Liberty Public Market offers a mix of ready-made foods, pantry staples and retail storefronts for convenient one-stop shopping. The market is locally focused and forges a partnership between the region’s most talented artisans, presenting small businesses the chance to sell their goods on a much larger scale. The market’s debut tenant roster includes:
AE Floral: fresh cut flowers, small potted plants, succulents, custom arrangements, candles and other home decor
Baker + Olive: tasting pantry featuring premium olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, fresh bread, assorted salts and spices from this North County staple with locations in Encinitas and Del Mar
Cane Patch Kitchen: authentic Southern family recipes including gumbo, jambalaya, gator po’boys and beignets
Cecilia’s Taqueria: gourmet tacos and regional Mexican fare utilizing only locally sourced ingredients and hand-pressed
Crafted Baked Goods: sweet and savory pastry shop mixing up a variety of tarts, brownies, stuffed pretzels, cupcakes, granola and more
FishBone Kitchen: fishmonger sourcing local daily catch from surrounding waters for retail alongside oyster, poke and uni bar for in-market dining
Garden Fresh: greengrocer offering fresh, seasonal selection of fruits, vegetables and exotic mushrooms from local farms
Fully Loaded Juice: cold-pressed juices using raw, organic, local produce
Howlistic: natural pet supply store for dogs and cats, offering naturally-made pet food, eco-friendly toys, collars and leashes
Le Parfait Paris: celebrated French patisserie and boulangerie serving up macarons, fresh bread and other delicious sweets, croissants and crepes
Liberty Meat Shop: old-school neighborhood butcher shop stocking the finest meats from sustainable farms with all cutting and prepping done in-house
Local Greens: Solana Beach-based eatery utilizing seasonal fare and locally-sourced ingredients to create salads, wraps, bowls and burritos with a wholesome twist
Lolli San Diego Sweets: specialty candy shop stocking a selection of bulk candies, locally made chocolates, European sweets, organic cotton candy and more
Mama Made Thai: inspired by Bangkok’s eclectic street food scene, expect family-style renditions of classic pan-fried noodles and fried rice dishes
Mastiff Sausage: local food truck churning out a variety of handcrafted sausages, sauerkraut and mustards for retail sale or market dining
Pacific Provisions: locally made, small batch BBQ sauces, bean-to-bar chocolate, toffees and gourmet goodies for at-home foodies
Parana Empanada: authentic Argentinian empanadas and a variety of housemade sauces promise to transport diners to the streets of Argentina bite by bite
Pasta Design: freshly made sauces and pastas including ravioli, fettuccini, lasagna and more
Roast: roast meats and sandwich shop hailing from Victoria, Canada
Scooped by MooTime: offers inventive twists on gourmet ice creams and sorbets from Coronado’s iconic ice cream parlour, MooTime
Stuffed!: organic, grass-fed burgers filled with gourmet cheese, decadent sides include tater tots and deep-fried Oreos
Venissimo Cheese: European-style cheese shop stocks more than one hundred artisan cheeses alongside a customizable grilled cheese station
The WestBean Coffee Roasters: specialty micro-batch coffee roaster offering signature pour over coffees, French press creations, and cold brews
Wicked Main Lobster: authentic New England snack shack serves classic lobster rolls sourced directly from the shores of southern Maine. OPERATING HOURS
LIBERTY PUBLIC MARKET
Daily | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
MESS HALL
Restaurant + Cocktail Bar + Lounge
Dining Room | Wednesday though Sunday, Dinner Service: 4:30 p.m. to close
Cocktail Bar & Lounge | Daily, All Day Menu: 11 a.m. to close
Sunday Brunch | 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
GRAPE SMUGGLER
Wine Bar + Bottle Shop
11 a.m. to close
BOTTLECRAFT
Beer Bar + Bottle Shop
11 a.m. to close – Partners: Blue Bridge Hospitality and Liberty Station
– Space: 25,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor venue
– 27 debut artisan tenants with more to come.
– On-Site Restaurant: Mess Hall
– Liquor License: allows guests age 21 and up to walk freely within the constrains of the market with an alcoholic beverage in hand.
– Dog-friendly outdoor patio and complimentary public wi-fi
– Location: Liberty Station, 2820 Historic Decatur Road
Phone number: (619) 487-9346
Website: libertypublicmarket.com
