Kitchen Back Open at Public Market in Downtown Wheeling
Joselyn King Trending
The smell of hamburgers on the grill once again wafts through The Public Market in downtown Wheeling.
The kitchen at the Public Market reopened Tuesday after being closed since Aug. 10 as Grow Ohio Valley sought to hire a new manager for the kitchen, and at least one additional employee. Chef Aaron Schwender remained as the only employee in the kitchen.
On Tuesday, new manager James Walters joined Schwender and clerk Robin Davis in the back.
The kitchen hours are from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on weekdays, with food now being served until 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The menu remains largely the same, with the Fall Apple Burger being featured on Tuesday.
"We're going to try going forward with what we've got," Walters said. "It will be the same menu with all the hits."
In addition to the burgers, egg sandwiches, soups and pitas remain as options, as do the popular sweet potato wedges.
"I've got a bunch of ideas for new things when the streetscape ends," Walters said.
Construction continues outside the door of The Public Market along Main Street with the Downtown Streetscape Project. When complete, there will be seating outside the eatery/health food store on the sidewalk.
Meanwhile, The Public Market will partner with the Tacet Coffee Cart for a "Pancake Saturday" event Sept. 16. Walters said it is the first of what is likely to be many collaborations with local food providers, and he hopes all will profit.
"Just keep checking in," he continued. "We want to work with local restaurants in the community. We'll be incorporating local stuff as much as we can."
Jodi Adams, chief operating officer for Grow Ohio Valley, said the goal of the organization is "to layer more local product."
"We will be adding some new menu items and testing some other things," she said. "We will continue to change the menu seasonally so more local ingredients fit into the mix.
"We're just so excited to be open again. The energy that that little spot brings to the store is amazing."