Maynards’ Food-Forward Remodel
Say goodbye to the aisles and shelves, Maynards Market & Kitchen has taken on a whole new look and taste.
What once was a hub for specialty goods and products – wines, jams, food – is still a hub for specialty goods and products, just revamped with some added flare.
“We’ve moved away from the retail business of the market. We’ve focused more on food-forward, chef-assembled and prepared food in the market,” said Frank Kose, Maynards Market & Kitchen general manager. “It’s a true market-deli for everyone.”
Following the remodel of Marynards, the kitchen stopped serving lunch early last month. But don’t fret. Stop by the market and you can still grab fresh, quality delicatessen morsels to satisfy any craving.
“The concept now is people can do the best of both worlds – they can still come in and get their beer and wine, they can sit at the bar and have a quick beer, and order sandwiches and stuff too,” said Addam Buzzalini, Maynards’ executive chef. “It’s kind of what the market was – just deluxe.”
Wide-open and bright, the new Maynards has a new feel and a new draw – fresh foods, bar and community area and still retains the appeal of a unique dining, “market” experience.
“The build-out is gorgeous. It’s a great use of the space. It opened up the market. It’s made the market feel larger. It’s more food-focused. That’s what Maynards is known for – the great food,” Kose said. “We’ve gotten a lot of ‘ooos’ and ‘ahhs’.”
Maynards opened in 2008 and originally offered their kitchen as a lunch and dinner restaurant and their market as a place for people to buy quality goods from the shelves. Now, the market and kitchen offer two distinctly different experiences.
“The kitchen is identified as French-inspired American food. And the market is fast casual-prepared foods to-go,” Kose said. “It’s really defined the identities and the visions for each separate business under the same roof.”
During the renovation, Maynards closed for only about eight weeks, according to Buzzalini. In the interim, a pop-up market served regular guests, the wine shop remained open and the kitchen served lunch and dinner.
“It’s kind of cool. It’s fresh. It’s definitely different for downtown. We’re already seeing a really pretty massive difference from what it used to be like,” he said. “I’m just happy to see people coming and smiling and grabbing a quick beer and eating off butcher paper.”
Some of the tasty finds that have made a home at Maynards include Isabella’s Ice cream, Caffe Luce, Lusby’s Honey, and Margie’s Jams. Kose said that the vision for all of the foods at Maynards is “local and organic when we can and responsible when we can’t.”
“It’s giving people options – different choices of what they can do,” Buzzalini said. “You might come in for a salad, you might come in for a bite of ice cream, for a beer, and you might decide to stay for a sandwich or take a chicken home.”
With the classic, big city feel of some of America’s famous markets – New York, Los Angeles, Nappa – Maynards Market & Kitchen has brought downtown a unique place to dine, wine and socialize.
“You never know who you might be sitting next to at the bar or community table. It kind of creates a really hip environment I guess,” Buzzalini said. “It’s definitely different than the restaurant.”
Maynards Market & Kitchen is located at 400 N. Toole Ave. For more information and to see the full menu, visit MaynardsTucson.com or call (520) 545-0577.
Category: Business, DOWNTOWN / UNIVERSITY / 4TH AVE, FOOD & DRINK
