Just before the sun sets on a cool Thursday evening, Phoenix Public Market comes to life. Wedged between the skyscrapers of downtown Phoenix and the humble, yet gorgeous, Roosevelt Row arts district, it’s the perfect environment to take in the city as the sun and the moon trade places.
Read More: Look beyond the grime on Roosevelt for bona fide gems
This fall, Phoenix Public Market introduced a new concept titled, “Downtown Sundown” which ceremoniously occupies the city landmark every Thursday evening from 5 to 9 p.m. This large new market is similar to the popular Wednesday market which ended before the start of fall.
Phoenix Public Market’s Open Air Market manager Sara Matlin is one of the masterminds behind the new Thursday market. The dedication of Matlin and her staff to the city is quickly propelling “Downtown Sundown” to become the latest hip hangout spot.
“All of us had traveled and been inspired by other cities, and everything growing and developing in downtown Phoenix,” Matlin said. “We wanted to bring more of that energy, so we were excited to launch ‘Downtown Sundown’ on Thursdays.”
The countdown is on for the launch of Downtown Sundown at the @PHXPublicMarket! https://t.co/HuCS7ulYag via @abc15 pic.twitter.com/7F8IPzvmY6
— Heather Lauer (@HeatherLauer) August 21, 2015
She talked about how this new Thursday market just might put you in a better mood with the weekend around the corner.
“Thursday is just a really great way to welcome in the weekend, and we wanted to bring some more lively action into the market,” she said. “With entertainment, we encourage people to come out, grab dinner and do some shopping.”
The new “Downtown Sundown” has an upbeat and colorful presence. The unique events feature live entertainment, such as music and film screenings, vendors selling art, clothing and jewelry and the most important aspect for most of us: lots of inexpensive, tasty food.
Matlin described the market as “the perfect fit” for college students to take a load off and enjoy themselves, especially because of its awesome entertainment.
“All (of) our entertainment is local musicians and movie producers," she said. “It’s about bringing a different element of the local scene into the market, which is always really fun. Of course, it’s lively; it brings energy and we absolutely love that energy.”
To make sure that there’s something for everyone, Matlin recruits “a variety of really amazing local talents.”
In addition to the live entertainment, “Downtown Sundown” hosts a square dancing party every third Thursday of each month.
“It’s meant for anyone, of all ages, whether or not you’ve ever danced; it doesn’t really matter, it’s just fun energy," Matlin said.
Each week, there are more than 25 local vendors and a beer garden, so you can catch a genuine taste of Phoenix and network with people who live in the community.
One local vendor, Anthony Perez of Los Muertos Salsa, brings a flavorful and spicy mix of chips and salsa each week. Los Muertos makes fresh, homemade mild, hot, "Effin Hot" and a tomatillo salsa to go along with locally manufactured tortilla chips.
"I've been making salsa since I was young," Perez said. "It was like a family recipe that I added my own twist to."
Perez loves working at Phoenix Public Market, and especially "Downtown Sundown," because of the location and scenery.
"It definitely helps when you have the downtown view with all the buildings around you," he said. "You have the old school Westward Ho across the street; you feel like you're in one of the markets in Seattle or something like that."
Brian Hines of The Proper Beast is another vendor whose sausages and entrees will undoubtedly have your mouth watering.
"We make all (of) our own sausages, and it's all Arizona-raised pork" Hines said. "We sell frozen packs of sausage so people can take them home and prepare it themselves."
All of the items for sale are gluten-free, and he also sells freshly made hot meals including soup and scrapple made with the sausages.
He found his passion at "Downtown Sundown" because of the connection that he makes with the downtown Phoenix community.
"We can sit and chat, and we get to know our regulars because they're there every week." Hines said. "We have a job, but we're also getting to learn about people's lives and who they are."
Whether your group is 1 or 100, get your party on with The Proper Beast! pic.twitter.com/q85QlQs62w
— The Proper Beast (@TheProperBeast) November 13, 2015
"Downtown Sundown" gives many vendors the opportunity to get in touch with the people, and makes for an even better environment.
If you're low-key a huge Christmas fan, then you definitely have two Thursdays at the market to mark down on your calendar. Phoenix Public Market is hosting its annual Phoestivus Open-Air Market on Thursday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 17. Phoestivus will include tons of crafty Christmas gifts, food and, as always, fun.
Besides Thursday, Phoenix Public Market is lively any day of the week. The café is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The weekly Food Truck Fridays brings some of the best mobile restaurants in town, all in one place. Another weekly Saturday market, which has been running for 10 years, includes farmers and growers with fresh produce from several parts of Arizona.
With all these events offered, the market is a great spot to get some fresh air and fresh food besides the dining hall burgers and fries. Phoenix Public Market’s Downtown Sundown is set to make Thursday the most poppin’ night of week.
For more information on Downtown Sundown, click here.
For more information on Los Muertos Salsa, click here.
For more information on The Proper Beast, click here.
Related links:
Cortez Coffee Company makes a unique debut to Tempe's coffee shop scene
Vovomeena’s ‘Mornin’ Moonshine’ becomes the next big Phoenix coffee shop
Reach the reporter at kkingsum@asu.edu or follow @kaylakingsumner on Twitter.
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