Vegan delights and reggae vibes are on the menu at Tampa's latest neighborhood market. Local chef Brett Wright plans to launch a flea market pop-up series inside his newly renovated 1,000-square-foot event space, The Green Room, which is located at 6421 N. Florida Ave. next door to his forthcoming Green House Modern Vegan Kitchen in Seminole Heights.
Wright's first event is scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7. Hosted every first Friday of the month, the market offers an opportunity for veg-heads to connect with like-minded businesses and serves as a showcase of plant-based goods, including food, around town. There are even complimentary cocktails up for grabs.
Featured vendors include Just Hydrate, a cold-pressed vegan milk purveyor, and Vegg'd Out Vegan Kitchen, which cooks up street eats — plus a mobile bakery called Oopsy Daisy Sweets that specializes in Puerto Rican and artisan sweets with vegan and gluten-free options. Lilac & Willow has also secured a spot for its vegan-friendly candles.
Another highlight is the Green Room hydroponic tower, especially for marketgoers interested in growing their own organic produce at home. A specialist from Clearwater Hydroponic Tower Gardens will be on-site to dish all of the details.
Booths are still available for last-minute vendors looking to share their wares with the community as well.
As for those cocktails, the Cocktail Movement's roving camper bar will mix reggae-inspired drinks with rum on the house, alongside other concoctions that aren't free but are meant for attendees to enjoy while swaying to reggae beats from DJ Blassafrass.
Wright has been very outspoken about wanting to help young entrepreneurs test out their products before committing to some real estate.
"This is an opportunity to do a few pop-ups with their concept to create buzz in the community," the chef said. "Entrepreneurs can take advice and change recipes of concept ideas before becoming a brick and mortar."
This article appears in Sep 6-13, 2018.
