The newest market/café on the localvore scene, Sprout Market & Café, has a grand opening gala tomorrow, Friday, May 14, from 6pm to 11pm. The event will feature performances by All The Saints Theatre Company and Hot Lava, and works from local artist Ashleigh Hobson.

From their website:

Sprout is one of the newest members of the localvore movement in Richmond Va, serving lunch and dinner six days a week and offering to-go options, beer, wine, and quick-eats from our market. Localvore is the diet of eating locally, and Sprout is committed to dealing direct, whenever possible, with the farmers, growers, tofu makers, artisans, etc. that provide the food we serve.

Located at 1 N. Morris Street, across from Crossroads Coffee and Ice Cream, Sprout has ambitious hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11am to 10pm. While they are still awaiting ABC license (their agent went out of town, isn’t that always how it goes?), the limited introductory menu includes grilled cheese on focaccia, rosemary encrusted London Broil sandwiches, and Noodle Dragon Bowls (made with buckwheat soba noodles or cracked pepper vegan noodles). Menu items are in the $5.50 to $9.00 range.

Owners Laurie and Jamie Lay previously ran the All Star Market, but needed a bigger space and kitchen to expand to a café format. Sprout will be to-go only for the next few weeks as they continue building their own furniture from reclaimed pallet wood for the café seating.

“We’re excited to finally be open and with an almost exclusively Virginia, even exclusively Richmond food menu. [For example] fresh chicken and eggs from Avery’s Branch Farm in Ashland. Delicious, affordable, local. That’s the whole initiative behind this,” reports Jamie.

Sprout’s supporting local talent too, including their façade sign, designed and painted by local tattoo artist Mike Moses, who will also serve as the artistic coordinator for their gallery space. Jamie relates, “Idealistically, we’re supporting our direct economy, investing money back where we can see the most immediate impact.”

Incidentally, Laurie is featured in the 2010 Boss Lady Pinup Calendar, featuring female business owners in Richmond, VA. The calendar can be found online through Sprout’s site, or in person at Gallery 5.

(Images courtesy of Sprout Market & Café)

Holly Gordon is a loyal city dweller who likes shiny things and thinks her bionic nose helps her be a better food writer. She will talk your ear off about coffee and wine, and loves a smoke-free, outdoor patio.

6 Responses to “Sprout Market & Café opening”

1. 1. Kent Brockwell says:

   Mike Moses is the man! He’s doing my sleeve. Great artist, nice guy. Check him out at http://sleepdangerously.com

   on May 13th, 2010 at 3:00 pm

2. 2. Robin says:

   Lehja at Short Pump had their ABC license held up because their agent “went out of town” too. Apparently she was dodging them because she was there to answer the phone. Keep calling ‘em, guys!

   on May 13th, 2010 at 3:01 pm

3. 3. Rachel says:

   Go Laurie and Jaime!! I can’t wait to come visit :D

   on May 13th, 2010 at 3:14 pm

4. 4. susan ahern says:

   do you have a contact number?

   on May 26th, 2010 at 4:04 pm

5. 5. Jesselyn says:

   Love it!!

   on June 8th, 2010 at 12:09 pm

6. 6. nycol chapman says:

   so very excited to hear about Sprout Market and Cafe. way to trailblaze RVA. cant wait to dig into some happy chicken curry.

   on July 18th, 2010 at 12:35 pm