Recently, there was a Kickstarter that floated past my awareness for a Public Market in San Diego. As with so many Kickstarters, it flew past its goal and was raved about by supporters. Unlike many that we’re starting to hear about, however, this sucker went forward with haste. Today we went to the newly opened San Diego Public Market, and it was a delight. We didn’t get there until probably 11, so we missed the rush, but it was still quite busy, and we got some very tasty looking produce for dinner tonight. We also acquired some made-before-our-eyes Indian food and fresh-squeezed orange juice.
This isn’t just going to be a farmer’s market. If you look at their website, you’ll see they have some huge plans. Based on the fact that plans were already underway before the Kickstarter, and that they’ve moved so quickly now that they have their funding, I have a lot of faith in their ability to live up to those same plans. This place is already awesome, and it’s going to get better. Just one tiny little sample of coolness they have in place: Because there are no nearby ATMs, they have an iPad with a card scanner at the information booth, where you can buy “gift” cards in denominations of $5. These function as cash, and you get cash back when you use them at booths. And because they’re issued by the market, vendors can turn them back in towards their booth rent, which makes it a perfect little system–and keeps the same certificates in circulation, thus minimizing the need to print new ones.
These ladies have this locked down, folks. I recommend visiting. A lot. If you’re anywhere nearby, you should give it a whirl on Wednesdays or Sundays.
