The history and hunger behind Atlanta’s first suburban food hall; By Marie Muir
Savor a birria taco and sip a Mexican candy-rimmed margarita while trains roll by on the back patio of Siete Tacos + Tequila, one of the 19 diverse culinary concepts at Marietta Square Market. The train-station style space can seat people and is wrapped by an expansive dog-friendly patio.
Ed Lee, Founding Partner of Marietta Square Market, was inspired by Krog Street Market and Ponce City Market when he got the idea to open a food hall in the suburbs of Atlanta. He stumbled upon an empty old warehouse one block away from the historic Marietta Square. The building at 68 North Marietta Parkway NW was used for a variety of purposes over the years such as a church and a beer distribution facility. The large scale renovation project began in 2017. Ed was supported by fellow partners Kent Rose, Founder and President of Concordia Properties, Executive Vice President Richard Dippolito and Wayne Etheridge, Principal at Synergy Realty Advisors.
Local architecture firm Wakefield Beasley and Associates and commercial construction company Morton Construction helped realize Ed’s food hall vision. With a fresh brand identity designed by Marietta-based Clementine Creative, Marietta Square Market opened in March 2019.
After surviving the COVID-19 pandemic, the food hall is humming with hungry people in its fourth year of business. A 1922 trolley greets guests at the entrance. Instead of transporting people to Atlanta, this trolley takes locals to happy hour with a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Alexis Aleshire-Kinsey, co-owner of sister Marietta Square Market eatery Forno Vero, introduced the playful Tiki Trolley concept. The trolley was collecting dust inside the warehouse when Ed acquired the property. David Ford of Food Trucks South shortened and renovated the 40-feet long trolley. Like the warehouse, the trolley has taken on new life.
Each eatery has a uniquely designed storefront. D’Cuban Café’s colorful wall tiles and homemade empanadas draw crowds. From Shai Karr’s authentic Thai cuisine to the award-winning Japanese-American chicken tenders at PONKO Chicken, there’s something for everyone at Marietta Square Market. Business partners meet over Buddha bowls rom SOL & YŌM and best friends sip boba at Tiny Bubbles Tea Bar daily.
Locals gather weekly on Thursday for trivia night and monthly for free yoga class on the lawn. Registration for the Market’s fall cornhole league closes August 30. Also this fall, partake in a plant sale, artist market, and ticketed taste of the market event. The food hall opens every day of the week at 11 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For Marietta Square Market event details and announcements, visit the website, subscribe to the newsletter, and follow on social media.
