Hey all,
On May 1st, 1875, St. Roch Market first opened. Ever since, it has been, arguably, the most important landmark of New Orleans' culinary history. Besides a decade-long closure after Katrina, which we'll set aside for now, St. Roch Market has been a gathering place for food on this stretch of neutral ground for 150 years.
Its usage has continually evolved to meet the times. Not just 10 years ago, but over and over in different ways for the past 150 years that no one alive today can remember. It's been a true honor of mine to be at the helm of such an important landmark.
So on Saturday, September 27th, we threw a birthday party. And what a party it was.
From 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., the market was alive. Every vendor offered tastings, giving guests a chance to experience the full range of flavors under our roof. Trio 38 played live on the front patio while folks sipped our signature frozen cocktail, the Zanzibar Boogie, and toasted to a century and a half of community.
It's not hyperbole to say gumbo was once a new dish. Its ingredients and recipes were exchanged within these historic walls. Today, our vendors come from diverse backgrounds, living and working in New Orleans. They're working in close quarters, trading ideas and flavors downstairs right now as I type this. The next great, famous, New Orleans dish is being created here today.
In its recent history, St. Roch Market didn't just launch my CR Coffee Shop, but also Daily Beet, Fritai, and Good Bird—businesses actively making New Orleans a better place. It's because of the magic that has been, and continues to be, cooked up in this 150-year-old landmark.
All ticket proceeds went directly to the vendors—every one of them a small, independent food business. That's what this market has always been about: giving people a place to build something.
I'm also pumped to release our first piece of 150 merch: a new Comfort Colors t-shirt with the new 150 logo. The 1 is one of our columns, the 5 is stylized from the S on the sign, the 0 is one of our iconic circle windows. It's in a dusty green color that evokes the color on the building and its signage. Let me know what other merch items you'd like to see the 150 logo on. Every purchase helps preserve the market—not as a museum, but as a thriving hub for food.
Do check out the history of St. Roch Market I wrote over on the website for a detailed history of the market. And join me as we celebrate this huge milestone for our beloved home.
Meet me at St. Roch,
Kevin Pedeaux
