SoNo Marketplace Blog

The Eco-Conscious Artist

Liz Machette has been busy. She has four children, several pets, and a husband who owns Machette Restoration, a furniture finishing business. Yet she still finds the time to rescue and refurbish vintage items to sell in her booth at SoNo Marketplace. Liz's motto is "I try not to toss anything away … without being a hoarder!"

"ReFABulous Furnishings" showcases Liz's many interests. Her vinyl LPs-turned-bowls and CD mosaics are a nod to her love of music. Like her husband Marc, she has a respect for wood and offers an ever-changing array of furniture pieces for sale. Some are presented as found; others have seen better days, so Liz paints them, being mindful to honor the pieces' integrity. 

Ever since she can remember, Liz has been a doodler with a knack for hand drawn lettering. This talent has come in handy at the Market, where her cheerful chalkboard signs help to communicate news and upcoming events to our patrons. Her signs have been so well received that Liz has begun a new business she calls "Chalkin' It Up." Her latest project — chalkboard art for a summer wedding.

Under the pergola at The Farm Stand at SoNo Marketplace, Liz can be found at a new venture called "White Trash Furnishings." With her artist's eye, Liz presents a curated collection of salvaged furniture and terra cotta flower pots that have been given new life with white paint.

Liz's upcycled creations and lettered chalkboards are whimsical, artsy and fun — just like her.

Business is Booming at Bloom Brothers

For three generations, the Bloom family has been farming and harvesting clams in Long Island Sound from Greenwich to New Haven. Well known in the shellfish industry, they have been wholesalers in Norwalk for over 60 years. Now Bloom Brothers Oysters & Clams brings their seafood products directly from their boats to SoNo Marketplace, their very first retail location.

Randall Bloom, whose grandfather and great uncle started the business, heads up the new retail operation. His dad spent time on the family's boats since the age of twelve, and Randall has followed in his father's footsteps. These days, you will find Randall on the Milford, a classic wooden dredge boat built in 1946.

At the Bloom Brothers booth at SoNo Marketplace, you'll be greeted with a smile by Jenny Dunn and Colin Prescott (shown above). Take note of the sign on the back window. It came from one of the oldest working oyster boats in Connecticut, the Grace P. Lowndes.

Bloom Brothers offers an array of delicious oysters, clams, lobster, shrimp specials, and more. Everything is made fresh and the menu features several old family recipes. The patrons of SoNo Marketplace have deemed the Stuffed Clams their favorite. The East Norwalk Clam Chowder served in a bread bowl is popular, as well as the Baby Bloomers consisting of steamed baby clams in broth. The Bloom Brothers Raw Bar has also been a hit, particularly at private gatherings and Marketplace special events.

In the 19th Century, oysters were the dominant crop in Norwalk. Today, they are Norwalk's only significant food crop, thanks, in large part, to Bloom Brothers. SoNo Marketplace is very pleased to have them on their roster of merchants.

The Farm Stand at SoNo Marketplace

Have you heard? The Farm Stand at SoNo Marketplace is open!

The Farm Stand at SoNo Marketplace is an outdoor feast for the senses — chock full of fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and potted flowers that complement what you'll find indoors: bread, olive oil, pasta, tomato sauce, cheese, meat, seafood, prepared desserts, and more. As a one-stop destination for all things delicious, we hope to inspire you to create tasty, super-fresh meals for your family from what we offer.

The Farm Stand at SoNo Marketplace has gotten off to a nice start with plenty of room to grow. More seasonal items and vendors will be added weekly. Outdoor market hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm.

After shopping The Farm Stand at SoNo Marketplace, we invite you to step inside and visit our indoor merchant boutiques, food vendors, and eateries. Our eateries and bar are open Thursday 11am to 8pm; Friday 10am to 8pm; Saturday 9am to 8pm; and Sunday 9am to 6pm. Indoor merchant shops hours are Thursday 11am to 6pm; and Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm.

Under the Tuscan Sun at SoNo Marketplace

Last week, SoNo Marketplace hosted a very special private event — a Tuscan-themed dinner created by Meri and Bill Erickson of PastaPresta and several of our talented food vendors.

To set the rustic, Italian-inspired tone, two long tables were covered with kraft paper and topped with stunning centerpieces created by The Silk Touch. 

As guests arrived, they perused our merchant shops which stayed open after hours for the event.

Once seated, guests were treated to a Festivities minted pea puree shooter. It was served with a warm ricotta cheese crostini topped with organic oven roasted grape tomatoes.

Along with Green Leaf Organic Bakery bread paired with olive oil from Olivette, each guests was given a small burlap bag filled with samples from the participating merchants. 

Walter Rivalsi, Festivities' Chef de Cuisine, created three pasta courses. The first one was made with PastaPresta's three cheese ravioli served with Wise Guys' marinara sauce. Next, guests enjoyed PastaPresta's heirloom tomato casarecce with spinach and artichoke pesto topped with a crispy garlic crostini. The final pasta course featured PastaPresta's squid ink linguine with scallops and Olivette's blood orange olive oil.

The cheese course, provided by Plum Plums, consisted of Brunet, Gorgonzola, and Pecorino Tartufo served with sea salt and lavender semolina crackers and a balsamic reduction from Olivette.

Dinner guests began the evening with Bloom Brothers oysters on the half shell and stuffed clams. They finished off the feast with a sampler of Pecan Patti's caramel turtles, candied pecans, and pralines as well as Maura and Nuccia's signature crostates in a variety of mouth-watering flavors.

From start to finish, SoNo Marketplace's Under the Tuscan Sun Dinner was molto delizioso!

Our 1st Annual Kentucky Derby Fanciest Hat Contest

Last Saturday, a lively and enthusiastic group gathered at SoNoMarketplace to watch the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby. 

Right after watching Derby winner Orb cross the finish line, ladies showed off their Southern charm and lined up for the judging of our Fanciest Hat Contest. 

Felicia, of Tag.n.Bundle, carefully examined each contestant's chapeau. So many wonderful hats — it was a very tough decision.

Felicia selected Donna Risolo as the winner, whose creative entry featured flowers, butterflies and birds. Donna's prize was a SoNo Marketplace gift basket chock full of goods and gift cards from the our merchants, valued at over $300. 

Congratulations, Donna, and thank you to all of the contestants!

There is Always Something Fun Going On at SoNo Marketplace

The merry month of May is chock full of fun at SoNo Marketplace. On May 4, come by to watch the Kentucky Derby and enjoy Mint Juleps, spiked sweet tea, and a Fanciest Hat Contest for the ladies. Celebrate the heritage and culture of Mexico on May 5 when Festivities Eatery serves up a Cinco de Mayo Marketplace Special and Up the Creek Bar offers Perfect Margaritas and Strawberry Mojitos. Join us for a Mother's Day SoNo Brunch Weekend on May 11 and 12 featuring a feast of the finest foods from SoNo Marketplace eateries and 20% off in our merchant shops. And don't forget to attend the BMW Trendz Car Show here on May 19!

A Day in the Life of SoNo Marketplace

Spend a day with us at SoNo Marketplace, the European-style market in the heart of coastal Connecticut's Fairfield County. Featuring an array of accomplished food vendors, talented artists and lively merchants, the Market also offers fun special events, classes, crafts for kids, live music, and much more. Where else can you eat great food, shop 45+ booths, and even learn something new? Needless to say, a typical day at SoNo Marketplace is anything but typical.

The First Annual Connecticut Chili Classic

Yesterday afternoon at SoNo Marketplace, fifteen teams battled for the coveted Connecticut Chili Cup as voted by the public and a panel of local celebrity restaurant chefs. 

Sponsored by Craft Butchery of Westport, ticket holders ambled about the Market's courtyard to sample the wide array of chilies. As the Connecticut-based amateur chefs ladled out their concoctions of beef, beans, chicken, vegetables, and spices to several hundred attendees, live music was enjoyed inside by Tangled Vine, winner of Best Local Rock Band in Best of the Gold Coast.

Each chili taster was given three tickets to vote for their favorite. In addition to the People's Choice awards, a panel of professional chefs featuring two-time James Beard Foundation Award Winner Michel Nischan and local celebrity chefs Bill Taibe (The Whelk, Le Farm) and Brian Lewis (Elm Restaurant) judged the contestants.

Second place went to the Firehouse Chili created by the Waterbury Fire Fighters Association.

Congratulations to Bob Duran and Ari Kleinman of Fairfield who were awarded first place. Their delicious Pickering Farms Chili was made with smoked brisket, chipotle, and Guinness. 

Ten percent of the Chili Classic's ticket proceeds will be donated to Wholesome Wave, a Bridgeport-based charity that empowers people in historically under-served urban and rural communities to make healthier food choices by increasing access to, and affordability of, fresh, locally grown food.

Thank you to all of the participants and attendees! 

Connecticut Chili Classic at SoNo Marketplace

The challenge for the best chili is on!

The Connecticut Chili Classic, presented by Craft Butchery, will take place on Sunday, April 14 from 1 to 4pm at SoNo Marketplace. Connecticut-based amateur teams will battle for the coveted Connecticut Chili Cup as voted by the public and a panel of local restaurant chefs, including celebrity chefs Bill Taibe, Brian Lewis, Michel Nischan and Van Hurd. This event will feature a bonfire and live music by Tangled Vine. 10% of the profits will be donated to a local food-related charity.

Purchase tickets at a discount in advance at SoNo Marketplace, Craft Butchery, or at this link. Tickets are also available at the door the day of the event.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets, post a comment anywhere on CTbites before April 12 and mention the Chili Classic. Tickets will also be given away on radio stations Star 99.9 and 95.9 The Fox during the week of April 8.

Signs of Spring at SoNo Marketplace

At last, spring is finally here! Time to lighten the mood, open the windows wide, and let those warm breezes waft in. Shop SoNo Marketplace for springtime-fresh home decor, clothing and accessories that reflect the softer, carefree spirit of the season. The items shown below, and much more, are offered for sale in our merchant shops. 

(Above, left to right) Top row: ReFABulous Furnishings; Blue Star Bazaar
Middle row: Art by Annalisa; T-Party Antiques; The Fashion Exchange
Bottom row: Truffles All About Boomers; Torn Edges Prints

(Above, left to right) Top row: Makoto Arts; Brian Toohey; Tag.n.Bundle
Middle row: Yael Avraham Jewelry Designs; Pasarela
Bottom row: La Malle; The Silk Touch; Oronoque Farms

(Above, left to right) Top row: Surreal's Place; Komfort Zone
Middle row: The Crystal Lady; LuBijou; The Blue Peacock
Bottom row: Festivities Pass On the Love; Abbey Road Designs

The merchant shops at SoNo Marketplace are open Thursdays from 11am to 6pm; and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Happy shopping!

Fun for All Ages at SoNo Marketplace

Under a bright blue sky last Sunday, children, holding an array of colorful baskets, waited patiently in a cordoned off area. At 1pm sharp, a whistle blew, the rope was lowered, and SoNo Marketplace's first annual Easter Egg Scramble was underway. Tiny tots scurried around to collect the 700 eggs that were scattered about the courtyard. Inside, families enjoyed Sunday brunch, shopping, live music, art projects, and a visit from the Easter Bunny himself.

Without a doubt, it was a day of fun for all ages.

Easter Egg-citement for Kids at SoNo Marketplace

Hop on over to SoNo Marketplace on Sunday, March 24 for our Easter Egg Scramble. The festivities, which begin rain or shine at 1pm sharp, will include games, crafts, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Be sure to bring your own basket.

While the kids are having fun, grown-ups can enjoy our Sunday Jazz Brunch.

We hope to see you there!

 

Scenes from a SoNo Marketplace Saint Patrick’s Day

With delicious food, green beer, shopping, face painting, Leprechauns, live music by The Keiths, kids crafts, and a surprise Flash Mob courtesy of the Step'n'Out Dancers, yesterday's Saint Patrick's Day bash at SoNo Marketplace was a blast.

Coming up: our Easter Egg Scramble for kids on Sunday, March 24. Details in our next blog post.

Saint Patrick’s Day Food & Fun at SoNo Marketplace

Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day at SoNo Marketplace! Please join us for food and fun on Sunday, March 17, when we host a Kegs and Eggs Brunch featuring Irish-inspired dishes from our restaurants. To whet your appetite, here is a taste of what is on the menu:  Festivities Eatery is offering classic corned beef, cabbage, and boiled potatoes served in a warmed bowl. Bloom Brothers is serving Irish Oysters topped with Irish cheddar, bacon and chives. Wise Guys is cooking up Gavadeel pasta stuffed with broccoli, as well as a white pizza topped with asparagus and sun-dried tomatoes. Wave Hill Breads is baking loaves of their popular Irish soda bread and serving a hearty corned beef and cabbage soup. Plum Plums is featuring a selection of Irish cheeses and Up the Creek Bar will offer green beer and drink specials. Enjoy live music from 1:30 to 3:30pm by The Keiths, a brother/sister duo from New Haven, CT. Browse through our array of merchant boutiques, and bring the kids along for face painting and St. Paddy's Day craft projects. And be sure to look out for the SoNo Marketplace Leprechaun as he roams the Market handing out gold coins.

SoNo Marketplace is open on Sunday, March 17 from 9am to 6pm and the brunch menu will be served all day. Hope to see you there!

SoNo Marketplace Goes Green

In preparation for what is sure to be a lively Saint Patrick's Day, the merchants of SoNo Marketplace having been embellishing their booths and common areas with festive green accents. On Sunday, March 17, join us for a Kegs and Eggs Brunch, where we will offer Irish-inspired dishes from our eateries, drink specials from Up the Creek Bar, live music, and much more. 

Details about our special Saint Patrick's Day event to come!

Wise Guys Serves Up Delicious Pasta-bilities

At SoNo Marketplace, looking past the gleaming glass jars of Mamma's Marinara sauce, you may catch a glimpse of Harry Rufleth and Louis Polidoro, life-long friends and founders of Wise Guys Pizza Pies. 

Harry and Louis have over 70 years of combined experience in the restaurant and catering business in New York City, Hartford, and the Connecticut shoreline. Drawing on generations of Italian family recipes tweaked to perfection, they continue to create innovative and affordable pizza and specialty dishes in the classic style of Naples Italy.

With a passion for pleasing their patrons, their pizzas put a smile on the faces of Marketplace diners. Above, James masters the art of the pizza, creating a tasty Wise Guys pie topped with artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes and fresh garlic on a crispy crust.

Wise Guys is particularly well known for their marinara sauce, a recipe passed down through generations of Chef Polidoro's family, where it has been served for dinner every Sunday for the past hundred years. This sauce made its television debut when Kathie Lee Gifford, co-host of NBC’s TODAY with Kathie Lee & Hoda, called it her favorite.

At the Market, additional flavorful favorites include Wise Guys spaghetti and meatballs and their salad made with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, peperoncini, artichoke hearts, shredded parmesan cheese, roasted red peppers and provolone.

Stop by Wise Guys Pizza Pies at SoNo Marketplace. With a menu chock full of delicious dishes all under $14, Chefs Harry and Louis guarantee you will not go home hungry. 

Learn to Draw at SoNo Marketplace

Annalisa Schaefer from Art by Annalisa is now offering art lessons for kids at SoNo Marketplace! As an artist, Annalisa specializes in portraiture of people and animals. She has years of experience teaching realistic drawing skills to children; these skills include shading, proportion, and most especially, building complex forms from simple shapes. Annalisa encourages each child to exercise patience, practice creative thinking, and explore his or her personal best. It is important to her to teach reliable skills while at the same time honoring each child's individual artistic voice.

Annalisa sees painting as a way to point out "Hey look, this is beautiful!" Whether that beauty is found in a golden retriever or in a warrior maiden, Annalisa is eager to capture it in pencil and paint. She has been teaching art and creative writing lessons at Creative Summer for the past 9 years.

Annalisa's lessons are offered as a 6-week package, one lesson per week, either on Friday or Sunday. For younger children, the 60-minute lessons will be $20 each. For older children, the 90-minute lessons are $30 each. Sign-ups are welcomed at all times; the 6-week package will be started as classes fill up. Here are the class days and times:

Fridays
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm (kids ages 11 to 16)
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (kids ages 8 to 10)

Sundays
10:30 am – 11:30 am (kids ages 8 to 10)
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (kids ages 11 to 16)

Please stop by the Art by Annalisa booth at SoNo Markeplace on Fridays through Sundays from 10 am – 6 pm to meet Annalisa and sign up for her classes.

Coming Soon to SoNo Marketplace...

Opening soon! In April, look for these new shops at SoNo Marketplace: Pasta Presta, Kiki & Pookie Clothing, Pecan Patti, and Mo Mo Sushi.

A Fun Time Was Had by All

Last night, the first in our series of Thursday night dining and music events was a smashing success! Over 200+ attended “A Taste of SoNo Marketplace” for a Valentine's evening of delicious food, great music and lively dancing. 

Decked out for the holiday with rustic heart garlands, Up the Creek beer and wine bar, below, was hopping.

The eateries really outdid themselves offering a delicious selection of savory choices along with an array of luscious Valentine-inspired desserts.

And the Walter Lewis Blues Trio got folks out of their seats and dancing. Super fun!

Stay tuned for information about our next Thursday night “Taste of SoNo Marketplace” event.

Join Us for a Taste of SoNo Market Place on Valentine’s Day

We will be hosting “A Taste of SoNo Marketplace” on Thursday, February 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. This special Valentine's Day event will feature an eclectic and scrumptious selection of tapas-style small plates created by the Market's eateries: Gotta Nibble, Wise Guys Pizza Pies, Bloom Brothers, Festivities, Maura & Nuccia, Chocopologie, Wave Hill Breads, Flat White Coffee, and Plum Plums Cheese Shop. Up the Creek beer and wine bar will offer drink specials and the Walter Lewis Blues Trio will provide entertainment. Plus, the Market's merchants will be open for your last minute Valentine gift shopping.

The SoNo Marketplace is located at 314 Wilson Avenue. Admission is free; each eatery will charge separately for their selections. For more information or to reserve a table for a large group, call (203) 838-0719 ext. 802 or email info@sonomarketplace.com.

Say Hello to Our Merchants!

An array of 45+ craftsmen, artisans and food vendors — all under one roof.

You name it, we've got it! At SoNo Marketplace, our merchants offer . . . accessories, all natural meats, antiques, archival photo art prints, artisan breads, artwork, balsamic vinegars, beer, biscotti, breakfast specials, children’s toys, chocolate truffles, clams, coffee, confections, cookies, crepes, croustade, crystals, deep tissue massage, designer clothing, extra virgin olive oils, fine leather goods, fish and chips, fresh seafood, fruit preserves, gelato, giftware, gourmet cheeses, granola, handbags, hand-crafted soaps, hand-painted tiles, home decor, homemade pies, hot chocolate, housewares, jewelry, loose leaf teas, milk, nautical items, organic garden designs, original oil paintings, oysters, pasta, pastries, pizza, photography, rare books, refurbished furniture, rugs, salads, sandwiches, sauces, shoes, silk floral arrangements, soups, spices, Sunday brunch, terrariums, vegetables, vintage items, wall hangings, wellness products, wine . . . and more!

For a detailed list of SoNo Marketplace vendors, please click here.

From Warehouse to Marketplace

As host and co-creator of New Zealand's top rated television series The Kitchen Job, New Jersey born John Palino (at left, standing in what was to be the Market) is an expert at turning struggling restaurants into success stories. He has overseen the creation of more than twenty restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

A mutual friend put John in touch with Joe Grasso, owner of a highly regarded construction company in South Norwalk, CT. Joe had a vacant warehouse; John had a dream of transforming a large space into a European-style market and teaching center. After many New Zealand to Norwalk phone conversations, there was a meeting of the minds. 

John arrived in May and by July, the build-out began. Working tirelessly, the two navigated the permit process, reviewed proposals and looked over design plans. Before long, the 18,000 square-foot space was divided into 45 custom-built vendor booths with rustic pine slab walls and lattice overhead. The concrete floor was stained and polished. A central area in the front was left open to accommodate long, custom-made communal tables and a full-service bar was built. Then the word went out and vendors began leasing booths. 

With vision, drive and sheer force of will, John and Joe completed the project in five short months. On December 1, 2012, Norwalk's Mayor Richard Moccia, Senator Bob Duff and State Representative Terrie Wood cut the ribbon and SoNo Marketplace was open for business.

John and Joe's dream is now a reality. Their warehouse-turned-upscale-market features an array of accomplished food vendors, talented artists and lively merchants. Classes in cooking, painting and jewelry making are in the works, along with special events like Long Table Dinners, live music and Thursday tapas nights. This spring, the warm weather will bring seasonal vendors and a farmer's market to the exterior courtyard.

Thanks to John and Joe's hard work, SoNo Marketplace is an inviting one-stop destination where visitors can eat, shop, learn, and most of all — enjoy.

Welcome to SoNo Marketplace!

In an industrial area bordering Village Creek in South Norwalk, Joe Grasso and John Palino created SoNo Marketplace, a European-style market in the heart of coastal Connecticut's Fairfield County. Joe and John transformed an 18,000 square-foot vacant warehouse into a rustic, beautifully designed destination for dining, shopping and learning.

Joe Grasso (left) and SoNo Marketplace co-creator John Palino. Photograph by Dylan Cross, courtesy of Fairfield County Beat Magazine.

This blog, aptly named Eat Shop Learn, will share Joe and John's vision and provide an in-depth view of SoNo Marketplace — from its 45+ vendors to its special events, classes, live music, and much more. We'll keep you in the loop about all that this vibrant new venue has to offer.