This Wednesday night, the Open Air Market at the Phoenix Public Market will host its final Wednesday night gathering before beginning its new Thursday night event, Downtown Sundown, in the fall.
The Open Air Market is a program from Community Food Connections (CFC), a nonprofit organization. The program began in February 2005 and has been promoting healthy food and a neighborhood atmosphere ever since.
The Market decided to switch the night of its event so that the downtown community would have a fun place to experience after work that can lead into the weekend.
“The goal of Downtown Sundown is to gather the community for a unique downtown local experience separate from all the other amazing happenings throughout the week,” said Sarah Matlin, Phoenix Public Market’s marketing and events manager. “Providing that special and unique experience to both our vendors and guests.”
CFC, which is one of the drivers behind Phoenix Public Market, is helping to organize Downtown Sundown, and it played a part in the idea’s original concept, Matlin said.
“Throughout the summer, the Market staff will be working on planning, booking and organizing the new night,” she said. “Most of all though, our invaluable vendors and the community are an integral part of the planning.”
Matlin said she sees Downtown Sundown as being a lively atmosphere with entertainment, a great spot to catch dinner, drinks and to do weekly shopping with friends and family.
“We are reaching out to our local community for all of our entertainment, artists, vendors and more. Keep your eyes and ears out for future announcements and our plans are,” Matlin said.
The night may be changing, but the family atmosphere won’t. One business that plans on making the switch to Thursday nights is Rosana’s Taco Toppers, a family-owned, mother-daughter taco truck that is run by Rose and Ana Ortiz.
“We enjoy bringing our truck to the market. It’s a fun atmosphere,” Rose Ortiz said.
A second business that plans on making the switch to Thursday nights is Sun Valley Bees. Sun Valley specializes in flavored honey that is made locally in Arizona.
Arturo Castaneda, a Sun Valley employee, said the honey is special because it doesn’t have added syrup or chemicals. Sun Valley offers four different flavored honeys: Wildflower, Almond, Mesquite and Orange.
“These Wednesday nights are a good experience where you get to have fun and experience different people and cultures,” Castaneda said.
This Wednesday night will be the final event, which will feature live music and a full market. Both Food Truck Friday and the Saturday Open Air Market will run as usual, rain or shine year-round. Wednesday’s food trucks will move to Thursdays in the fall.
Matlin said Wednesday didn’t provide enough business for vendors, so they decided to move Food Truck Wednesdays with Downtown Sundown to Thursday.
“Sometimes it takes reimagining a concept to make it the best it can be,” Matlin said.
Contact the reporter at gregfreitas@yahoo.com.
