Luci’s Healthy Marketplace
Eat My Words | Luci’s Healthy Marketplace
Posted on 12/07/11 by Justin Lee » 1 Comment
Somewhere along the line, it was inescapable. Phoenix was bound to start growing up.
As the city’s population inflated, unfolding irresponsibly and brittle to its fringe, it was almost imperative that somewhere, someone, would begin to curtail those soulless suburban winds and anchor inward for more soulful fulfillments.
Located at the cross of a budding North Central neighborhood, at 16th Street and Bethany Home Road, Luci’s Healthy Marketplace is the type of courteous, independent jewel many more electric cities might take for granted. Here in Phoenix, it’s still a breath of fresh air.
Thanks to owners Ken and Lucia Schnitzer (Luci’s namesake), that village need for something more comes in fine form.
Part coffee spot, bakery and fast-casual dining option, Luci’s also retails a realistic crop of naturally-minded, healthy grocery items. It serves solid edibles and wares in an approachable, colorful space that delivers personality without novelty.
Respectably, Luci’s is a magnet not meant to absorb beyond its immediate radius. Visiting with expectations of a one-stop supermarket experience, making mental checklists of what Luci’s may or may not offer in comparison, creates unfair expectations. Luci’s is meant to supplement a diverse, varied urban lifestyle―grab a solid cup of coffee, pick up an extra carton of almond milk or bottle of chilled white wine to-go, polish off well-made sandwiches on the way home from work when ideas of eating in seem cumbersome. At Luci’s, it’s about the little things, done quietly well.
Besides a decent coffee roster, Luci’s selection of baked goods could easily satisfy even the most particular. With the made-to-order eats, from Belgian waffles, flapjacks and omelettes at sunrise, to fresh salads, sandwiches, burgers, melts and daily soups as the day rolls on, Luci’s covers an otherwise limited stretch exhaustingly well―boilerplate grocery store takeaway this is not.
To its immediate neighbors, Luci’s is a trophy. It’s a tasty, practical amenity within arm’s reach, providing simple solutions to routine needs. Above and beyond, to the city as a whole, it’s a humble beacon of continued things like it to come.
Hopefully, to a neighborhood near you.
Health & Wealth Raffle’s Grand Prize Has the Views
Posted on 8/20/10 by Si Robins » 3 Comments
Shocking as it may seem in this real estate climate, a million-dollar penthouse is in extremely high demand in Midtown Phoenix. The just-completed, fully furnished 2,846-square-foot penthouse offers unparalleled Valleywide views, sleek finishes and the roomiest balcony Phoenix has to offer. The kicker: It can be yours for $100.
The Health & Wealth Raffle, now in its seventh year benefiting St. Joseph’s Hospital and Barrow Neurological Institute, is “Soaring to New Heights,” offering One Lexington‘s model penthouse unit — 16 floors above the intersection of Central and Osborn — as its grand prize.
The Health & Wealth Raffle grand prize: One Lexington's penthouse model unit
“I couldn’t be more excited to feature this as a grand prize,” says Kathy Rice, Executive Director of the Health & Wealth Raffle. “It’s just minutes away from everything Downtown has to offer, and it’s right on the light rail. The penthouse features 180º views of absolute luxury. It’s a departure from what we have done in previous raffles, but it fit this project to a T.”
Valued at $1 million, the unit is decked to the nines at three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, with massive walk-in closets, top-of-the-line Viking appliances, walnut floors, Italian cabinetry, a walk-in master shower, a bar, an oversized kitchen island, temperature-controlled wine storage, a roomy loft-style office space and much more. And, of course, there are the views, courtesy of 24-foot floor-to-ceiling windows.
The unit comes fully furnished, allowing the winner to literally turn the key and enter a ready-made chic urban home that simply has no duplicate in Phoenix. Rice could not be happier with the buzz thus far for the grand prize, adding that it has brought a new group of buyers that previous raffles have not seen.
“I look for the type of prizes that will make someone say, ‘Wow,’” Rice explains. “It definitely is a ‘Wow.’ I can hardly wait to see who is going to be on the other end of that phone call when I tell them they are the winner of the grand prize. I have a feeling there will be a lot of tears involved.”
Patio view
The grand prize winner may also elect to take $1 million in cash. In all, the raffle offers more than 4,300 prizes. All tickets cost $100 (or three for $250), and must be purchased in Arizona. The final raffle drawing is Thursday, September 30, with an entry cut-off at midnight on September 23. An early bird drawing offering a Lexus convertible and $14,000 cash or a seven-night Caribbean cruise and cash will take place on Thursday, September 9.
One Lexington offers five more penthouses for sale, starting at $475,000. Sizes vary, starting at 1,653 square feet. For more information, see onelexington.com, or visit the sales center, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. One Lexington is located at 1 E. Lexington Ave. — light rail at Osborn Station.
Sips and Grub | Harira Soup at Luci’s Healthy Marketplace
Posted on 12/29/09 by Kenny Bump » No Comments
Tis the season of resolutions, so I felt it necessary to trek up to Luci’s Healthy Marketplace.
Since I was a little under the weather, probably from the early stages of post-holiday blues, I decided that this week was perfect for some healthiness. Also, it is definitely time to start establishing your list of resolutions, and eating right is always a good start.
Sitting on the corner of 16th Street and Bethany Home Road, a place like Luci’s is definitely in the far reaches of Uptown, but we can make an exception.
From the moment I entered, I was greeted and welcomed warmly. This place knows how to hire people with sunny personalities. Not the “oh-crap-here-they-come-again” kind of friendliness, but the welcoming kind. Every employee was willing to help me find something that would make me feel better. It was refreshing to be here from the get-go, and I had not even decided what I would eat. Hospitality does not just reside in the South.
I selected the Harira soup after it received high praise from one of the friendly faces behind the counter. So, I walked over to the coffeebar counter and poured my soup and exchanged delightful conversation about the weather with the attendants there. This place definitely has a home feel to it.
Once I was seated in the cozy dining area, I began to admire the décor. Huge, retro signage adorns the place, but not in an overbearing way. Luci’s collects itself in a quiet cool that resonates in its every aspect. From the friendly staff to the unique wooden tables in the dining area, this place has it together.
From the first sip of the Harira soup, I was warm. A Moroccan soup in origin, this stuff is a meal in itself. Packed with beef, chick peas, lentils, onions, carrots, tomatoes and potatoes, this is one hearty and filling broth. Every bite was soft and delicious. I was unwilling to put my spoon down until it was finished. All I could do was stare sadly at my empty bowl once it was gone.
The warmth of my visit is still sitting very well with me. Any place that can make you long to return for both friendliness and cuisine is a winner in my book.
Luci’s Healthy Marketplace is located at 1590 E. Bethany Home Rd. in Uptown — 602.773.1339
