News

Union Street Market announced three new merchants and revealed the large number of women-owned and minority businesses at the year-round, indoor food market at Electric Works. This announcement brings the total number of Union Street Market merchants to 15.

“In creating Union Street Market, we set out to reflect the growing diversity of Fort Wayne and provide opportunities for independent business owners,” said Ted Spitzer, Union Street Market’s director of planning and development. “With today’s announcement, we are proud to share that 60% of Market businesses are women-owned, a quarter are minority-owned, and every single one is a local, independent entrepreneur.”

The three businesses announced today include:

• Pikoso Burrito Company is a new concept from veteran food entrepreneurs Flora and Samuel Barron, owners of Flora and Lily’s Mexican Kitchen food truck and Kanela Blended Drinks on the Landing. “Over the years, we’ve learned that Fort Wayne residents love both authenticity and creativity, so Pikoso Burrito will feature Mexican ingredients with different twists to make delicious combinations,” said Flora Barron. Creative burrito flavors will include Asian and California-style, Surf and Turf, TexMex, and Mediterranean. Pikoso will also offer Mexican sodas with optional toppers.
• Johnny OX NEO Neapolitan Pizzeria will debut at the Market under the ownership of veteran chef Johnny Bojinoff. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Bojinoff attended the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu culinary school and worked in West Coast restaurants that innovated with old-world and modern pizza techniques. Upon returning to Fort Wayne, he became executive chef at Old Crown restaurant and was a leading force in establishing the city’s farm-to-fork movement with seasonal, weekly changing menus. “I’m excited to be part of Union Street Market because I will have access to great local ingredients to make incredible pizza toppings, as well as delicious appetizers, salads, vinaigrettes and dressings,” Bojinoff said. “At NEO, customers can buy whole pies or pizza by the slice, including all-vegan pizzas.”
• Honey Plant is opening a second Fort Wayne location at Union Street Market and will offer a wide range of houseplants and cut local flowers when in season. “We started as a pop-up in 2018, moved into our Wells Street store at the end of 2019, and expanded to double the size of our space,” said owner Cassandra Braman. “At the Market, we will feature cactus and succulent arrangements, popular houseplants, and have a seasonal floral bar with flowers from local and other US-based growers.”

Union Street Market is on schedule to open in October 2022. Additional merchant announcements are expected soon but there are still a few spaces available. Food entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit www.unionstreetmarket.org to learn about leasing opportunities.

Union Street Market today announced two additional women-owned businesses for the year-round, indoor food market at Electric Works.

“This announcement is particularly sweet – not only is the market gaining two accomplished and highly creative dessert makers, but we are thrilled to support local, women-owned businesses,” said Ted Spitzer, Union Street Market’s director of planning and development.

The growing list of Union Street Market merchants now includes Bragg-A-Lot Sweets & Drinks and Local Apple Cart. More information on these new additions:

• Bragg-A-Lot Sweets & Drinks, a family-owned business started by lifelong Fort Wayne resident DeZyre Bragg, features inventive cheesecakes, cookies, pies and a variety of other unique desserts. Bragg-A-Lot opened as a dessert shop and restaurant in 2020 but fell victim to the pandemic. At Union Street Market, Bragg is teaming with her mother Shirl as head baker and significant other Terrance as head pastry chef to provide unique items like cheesecake-filled apples, homemade fudge and cocoa bombs. “Our bakery quickly gained a large following and it was heart-breaking to close,” Bragg said. “We couldn’t be more excited to relaunch in Union Street Market and join so many other talented merchants.”
• Local Apple Cart, which features homemade ice cream infused with locally grown fruits. Local Apple Cart will make the transition from food truck to full-time business within Union Street Market. Owner/entrepreneur Rachel Nally followed her passion to found Local Apple Cart after nearly 20 years in customer service. “My focus is using seasonal fruits to construct our ice creams, so every bite tastes juicy with just the right amount of sweetness,” Nally said. “In addition to all-natural soft and hard serve ice creams, we offer hand-crafted lemonades, chocolate-dipped strawberries and frozen bananas, and of course caramel apples from my own apple tree!”

Union Street Market also announced the hiring of Robert Johnson to assist with merchant recruitment. A serial food entrepreneur himself, Johnson founded Crossroads Kombucha and Bukál Beverage Co. before becoming the founding director of garden operations at CASS Gardens. “I have been excited about the potential of a market hall at Electric Works since first touring the facility in 2017,” Johnson said. “I’ve spent the past decade working with food business owners in Fort Wayne and believe that Union Street Market is a perfect addition to our growing local food economy.”

Spitzer added, “As the market gets closer to its opening next fall, we are seeing increased interest from food entrepreneurs throughout Indiana who want to be part of the excitement at Electric Works. We encourage anyone interested to reach out to see if Union Street Market is the right next step for their business.”

Union Street Market continues to seek creative and passionate food entrepreneurs to join its growing list of merchants. The market has openings for merchants selling fresh, specialty, and prepared foods, with a particular emphasis on ethnic businesses. More information about leasing opportunities can be found at http://www.unionstreetmarket.org/.