Shopping
Workbench Brings Custom Designs to CityScape
Posted on 12/09/10 by Christina O'Haver » No Comments
Since its recent opening, CityScape has brought many businesses to Downtown Phoenix, and about a month ago, a new independent shop found its home in the mixed-use facility.
Workbench is a store where woodworkers, architects, metalworkers, graphic designers and other local artists collaborate to produce functional art, according to CityScape.
The store sells products ranging from dining room tables and chairs, to wall art and plant arrangements, and will also custom design one-of-a-kind pieces for customers seeking specific products.
Designer and woodworker Lew Gallo, who previously co-owned Haus Modern Living, a local home furnishings and décor boutique that closed in January, is the creator of Workbench.
“He found people that had a like-minded kind of vision for design and just rounded us up; we were all equally motivated, so we just jumped in and did it,” says architect and Phoenix native Christoph Kaiser.
Kaiser, who is the co-owner and co-founder of the Phoenix-based architecture firm Plus Minus Studio along with fellow Workbench contributor Hayes McNeil, said he joined the Workbench team as a way to give his products more exposure, but also because it’s just a great thing to be a part of.
“We’re pulling multiple people together under one roof, and it’s kind of exciting to do that anyway, just as a project,” he explains.
Kaiser mentions that there are few places people in the Valley can go to find handmade furniture, and many of the stores that were similar to Workbench have closed recently. But CityScape was eager to bring in more tenants, and thus made it an attractive place to open the shop.
In addition to Workbench’s unique, handmade and eco-friendly products, Kaiser adds that buying from local retailers is better for the state’s economy.
“These days, there’s just so much mass-produced stuff,” Kaiser continues. “There’s something to be said about having a story behind an object and having something that has a little bit more of the human touch.”
Many of these handmade products are built from reclaimed materials, which Kaiser says are easy to find in the designer community because architects, woodworkers and artists tend to have “piles of junk” in their sheds, workshops and back yards.
“If there’s something out there that can be used in [some] way, then why kill another tree or have something else produced?” Kaiser asks.
Workbench Ornament Day — Thursday, December 9
To reach out to the public and introduce the designers, Workbench is hosting an Ornament Day event tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. Based on the theme of the 12 Days of Christmas, 12 different designers will each sell 12 different ornaments they’ve created, and customers will be able to enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while shopping.
Workbench is located at 50 W. Jefferson St. in CityScape. Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Third Friday: Exploring Grand
Posted on 11/19/10 by Si Robins » No Comments
This time of year is grand, ain’t it? Sandwiched in between weekends stacked with events is November Third Friday, an opportunity to quietly meander through the galleries of Downtown Phoenix. Grand Avenue is the perfect spot, offering a number of amazing art shows and spaces, as well as food and drink options to start or cap off your evening.
The work of Kyle Jordre. Image courtesy of Jordre.
A good starting point is Bragg’s Pie Factory (1301 Grand Ave.), which features the insanely cool Trashy Sculpture show in its cavernous main room. Yep, it’s just like it sounds: Beautiful, one-of-a-kind sculptures made from yesterday’s scraps.
Gallery Marsiglia (1018 Grand Ave.), open from 5 to 9:30 p.m., is stuffed with art, of course, but will also feature a networking happy hour from 6:30 to 9 with Anna Weber, a consultant who can show you a thing or two about using technology to the utmost advantage for your small business.
Need a little musica? Right up the street is the Paisley Violin (1030 Grand Ave.), which is hosting a live music charity event called “Rock for Remedy!” Music starts at 5 p.m., but stay a while for a beer and one of Paisley’s impossibly tasty sandwiches.
The Phoenix Fall Space (1023 Grand Ave.), a quiet little gallery across the drag from Paisley, will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. featuring works from Jimi Girdner and Denise Fleisch. Then there’s the always edgy Deus Ex Machina gallery (1023 Grand Ave.), showing Michele Bledsoe’s “State of Grace” collection from 7 to 10 p.m.
A bit further south, step into Jordre Studio (1007 Grand Ave.) from 5 to 10 p.m., where painter Kyle Jordre splatters colors all over nearly every surface in the room.
An excellent corner to finish the evening is “Grandevelt” — the highly angular intersection of Grand, 15th Avenue and Roosevelt Street — home to the Kooky Krafts Shop (1500 Grand Ave.), Bikini Lounge (1502 Grand Ave.), Sweets ‘n’ Beats (1504 Grand Ave.) and The Trunk Space (1506 Grand Ave.), which is hosting a free artist reception with Michael Patterson (6 to 9 p.m.) and some good ole rock ‘n’ roll featuring Imaginary Colors, starting at 9.
Parking is available along any of Grand’s side streets.
Fresh @ the Market | Get Your Turkeys!
Posted on 11/17/10 by Si Robins » No Comments
Market Updates
The Wednesday market will be open during normal hours (4 to 8 p.m.) during the holiday season. The Saturday market will be closed on Christmas and New Years Day.
Thanksgiving grub: Frozen pasture-raised turkeys are completely sold out, but farm-raised fresh turkeys will arrive next Tuesday afternoon. One Windmill Farm will have both fresh and frozen naturally raised Queen Creek turkeys at their Wednesday and Saturday market booths for $6/lb as well. Please leave your name and number at the Urban Grocery if you are interested in purchasing a turkey.
Chef Justin’s Thanksgiving feast is being readied as we type! He’ll have your turkey prepped for cooking, plus all of the trimmings you could ask for, ready on Thanksgiving eve. The menu includes:
Stop into the Urban Grocery to place your order today. Vegetarian and vegan options are available as well.
Weekly CSM special: CSM card holders can purchase three bottles of Dos Cabezas wine for the price of two!
T-Day special: 20% off all dog food!
Wednesday @ the Market
The food trucks are in full force, as well as the Tamale Store, Hungry Baer, Especial Tuna, fresh baked goods and produce. A Dos Cabezas wine tasting takes place inside the Urban Grocery!
Saturday @ the Market
Live music by Ron Bowen and Ono Grindz. Herb’n Organics will be at the market for the Go Green Dog pet fundraiser and adoption event. Vendors include Arizona Delights, A&E Creative Keeps, Bella’s Bakery, One of a Kind, D&P Creations, Jennie Cure, Dave the Eggman, Seacat Gardens (featuring BLTSteak executive chef Marc Hennessey), the Herder/Simpson family’s churro wool and yarn and the City of Phoenix Public Works recycling group.
If You Go: Phoenix Public Market and Urban Grocery & Wine Bar
Urban Grocery and Wine Bar: Tuesday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Open-Air Market: Every Wednesday 4 to 8 p.m., every Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 721 N. Central Ave. (market) / 14 E. Pierce St. (grocery) (NE corner of Central and Pierce, three blocks south of Roosevelt and the Roosevelt light rail stop!)
Free parking — MasterCard, VISA, AZ FMNP, WIC Cash Value Vouchers, and food stamps accepted (cash is also welcome!) Sun Cards are welcome, too!
Go Local at Fall Festival
Posted on 11/11/10 by Yuri Artibise » No Comments
Free food • Live music • Fun for kids • Unique shopping
Now in its sixth year, the Certified Local Fall Festival celebrates Arizona’s locally owned businesses with a bang this Saturday, November 13!
This family-friendly street festival drew more than 5,000 attendees last year with 60+ members participating. We hope you’ll count yourself as one of the attendees for this year’s festival!
Entertainment is provided by some of Arizona’s best musicians and bands. Many booths will also have fun activities!
Local breweries and vineyards provide drinks in the Beer & Wine Garden; many local vendors will also be offering non-alcoholic drinks.
A raffle and silent auction raise funds for Local First Arizona and the first 500 attendees receive gift bags!
A bouncing castle will keep the young ones entertained while kids of all ages can scale the rock climbing wall.
If You Go: Certified Local Fall Festival
Where? Duck and Decanter grounds, 1651 E. Camelback Rd. in Uptown (map)
When: Saturday, November 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Contact: 602.274.5429 • duckanddecanter.com
More info: localfirstaz.com/fall-festival/ or Facebook
Fresh @ the Market | Food Truck Fridays Begin
Posted on 11/03/10 by Si Robins » No Comments
Market Updates
Friday debuts Food Truck Friday, aka the Mobile Food Court, outside of the Urban Grocery & Wine Bar. Every Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., head to the market for a lunchtime bevvy of meals on wheels from the likes of Short Leash Hot Dogs, Riteway Catering, Sunshine and Spice, Paradise Melts, Fergie’s Good Eats and Sweet Republic.
Thanksgiving grub: Stop by the market today to make your reservations for Thanksgiving goodies. Pasture-raised frozen turkeys will be available for $5/pound starting November 19, and fresh, naturally raised turkeys will be available in limited quantities as well around that date. Chef Justin’s menu of delicious Thanksgiving sides is now available for pre-order as well (up to 48 hours before Thanksgiving).
Weekly CSM special: Buy one bottle of wine on November 3 and receive two raffle tickets for the Arizona Wine Growers Festival at the Farm on South Mountain on November 6.
T-Day special: 30% off Chocofin chocolate bark and toffee bark.
All market customers have a chance to win two tickets to the Wine Growers Festival with every bottle of wine purchased through November 3.
First Friday: The Urban Grocery is open until 11 p.m., and musician Dan Sell will perform from 7 to 11.
Wednesday @ the Market
Fergie’s Good Eats will stop by with mouth-watering paninis, burgers, chicken and veggies (recommended: the coffee-spiced angus bagelburger with white truffle mayo… mmmm) to dine on the spot or take home. Stop by for fresh produce, baked goods, tamales and tuna as well!
Saturday @ the Market
Ron Bowen and Ono Grindz will play the tunes amidst a packed market full of fresh goods. Of note, Az Gardens A-Z returns for a sixth season of garden-ready produce. The tomato plants are a knockout!
If You Go: Phoenix Public Market and Urban Grocery & Wine Bar
Urban Grocery and Wine Bar: Tuesday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Open-Air Market: Every Wednesday 4 to 8 p.m., every Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 721 N. Central Ave. (market) / 14 E. Pierce St. (grocery) (NE corner of Central and Pierce, three blocks south of Roosevelt and the Roosevelt light rail stop!)
Free parking — MasterCard, VISA, AZ FMNP, WIC Cash Value Vouchers, and food stamps accepted (cash is also welcome!) Sun Cards are welcome, too!
