Sawmill Market, New Mexico’s first artisan food hall is getting ready to open in March.
Reflecting the diversity of cultures and cuisine across New Mexico, Sawmill Market celebrates culinary traditions as well as emerging trends. Offering a diverse mix of culinary experiences, including local farmers, craftsmen, artisans, and unique retail outlets, the Sawmill Market is the brainchild Jim Long, CEO and founder of Heritage Hotels & Resorts, Inn.
Husband-and-wife team Jason and Lauren Greene, owners and operators of Albuquerque’s popular Grove Cafe & Market, were tapped as the project’s concept developers, curating the culinary and retail experiences that make up the artisanal food hall.
Since the inception of the project, the Greenes have worked closely with Long and his team, the architect, and designers on all aspects of the project, from the branding and tenant mix to the new concepts and the Sawmill experience as a whole.
“We are proud of our tenant mix so far and plan to announce additional tenants as we prepare for a 2020 opening,” said Lauren Greene. “These businesses represent the spirit of New Mexico and will be welcomed additions to the Sawmill District.”
Sawmill Market is situated north of historic Old Town Albuquerque and anchors the re-envisioned Sawmill District, a vibrant neighborhood of loft-style housing, artist studios, and mixed-use buildings that are home to burgeoning businesses, entrepreneurial thinking, and new attractions in the local community.
A rich part of the city’s history, the district was once a bustling epicenter for industry between the late 1800s and early 1900s, first as agricultural land and later serving as home to American Lumber Company, the largest lumber company in the Southwest.
Encompassing more than 33,000 square feet of space, Sawmill Market is set in a former lumber warehouse that was once home to more than 800 sawmill employees. A space like this may benefit from an electric pallet truck to move products across the floor if it were to go back to its original purpose – though they may still be of use for transporting shipments from the Sawmill Market’s loading bays to the various retailers and restaurants. An industrial modern design incorporates regional design elements with a nod to the area’s roots.
Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the open space with natural light. Garage doors leading to patios and plentiful outdoor space set the atmosphere for enjoying pristine New Mexico weather in the warmer months, while pinon wood-burning fireplaces and fire pits create a warm and inviting vibe during the cold season.
In addition to carefully chosen local businesses, Sawmill Market plans to introduce new food and beverage concepts to its dynamic mix, including Paxton’s, intended to be the community gathering hub of Sawmill Market.
The tap room’s name is a nod to Paxton Lumber Co., the exotic wood lumber warehouse that was established in 1909 and built beside the Albuquerque railway. Paying homage to its original name, existing materials, and rich heritage as a workshop, Paxton’s will offer the finest tap system in New Mexico.
In keeping with Heritage’s exquisite aesthetic, Sawmill Market takes the concept of “food hall” to another level.
For more information and leasing inquiries for Sawmill Market, please visit the site linked below.
Post by Lydia Martinez
All images thanks to Heritage Hotels & Resorts
