Shoppers looking to mix socializing with shopping can check both boxes with a new specialty market and cafe in O’Hara.
Local Provisions Market & Cafe opened last week in Fox Chapel Plaza along Freeport Road.
The business combines casual dining with specialty groceries, seasonal produce, fresh to-go meals and a cafe serving casual fare daily. There’s beer and wine to go, along with a full bar and cocktail menu.
Co-owners Jessica and Brian Pekarcik of Fox Chapel spent the past six months renovating the space, which once was part of Community Market.
Local Provisions Market & Cafe opened this week in Fox Chapel Plaza in O’Hara. @VNDNews @FoxChapelHerald @TribLIVE @AspinwallNews pic.twitter.com/pcGwcBEQRb
— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) October 18, 2022
Brian Pekarcik, a Pittsburgh native, has worked as a chef for more than 28 years, most notably operating Spoon in East Liberty.
His wife, Jessica, brings more than 30 years of food industry experience, with specialties in training and customer service.
Pekarcik opened Spoon more than a decade ago. After its closing in 2020, the Pekarciks opened a catering business, Spoon Fed, which evolved into Local Provisions.
The goal, the couple said, is to connect with other Pittsburgh-area chefs and sell their products.
Some of the dozens of locally sourced foods include honey from Pittsburgh Honey in Squirrel Hill, soups from Sprezzatura in Millvale, and bagels and custom cream cheese spreads from Gussy’s Bagels in Oakland.
“We’re humbled by our community’s support for our soft opening,” Pekarcik said. “We’re looking forward to introducing our full cafe menu very soon and finding more local culinary goods to bring to our storefront. We value our guests’ patience as we bring our full vision to reality.”
Inside, lighting from oversized globes and a sleek blue-and-white central bar presents a casually upscale vibe. A wide, white stone bar, bar stools, booths or tables offer seating for about 50 patrons. A can’t-miss-it, wall-sized television occupies the rear of the space.
The couple live in Fox Chapel with their three children. They said having a family-friendly establishment was a priority, with a vision of providing a destination to discover culinary delights from Pittsburgh in an inviting and comfortable space.
The 4,000-square-foot venue is chock full of artisan food selections, from relishes, jams, sauces, butters, cheeses, kimchi, hot sauce, mustard, salsa, meats, popcorn, condiments and more.
Fox Chapel Area High School students Teagan Welty and Dan Demotte are employees, and both said the cafe would be a great place for teens to hang out after school.
“You can come in get groceries, sit down and eat or get a drink,” Demotte said.
“I like the laid-back environment here,” Welty said. “You could do your schoolwork in a booth. I love the grilled cheese sandwich.”
Rich Montini of Aliquippa attended the soft opening. He previously worked with Brian Pekarcik for five years.
“It’s very inviting and has a lot of varieties of local foods from the city. I was looking at some charcuterie and cheeses,” Montini said. “Brian and Jess are amazing people, and this place is going to be great.”
Customer Shay McCaffrey of Fox Chapel shopped Sunday evening with her young daughter.
“I love everything. It has the right vibe and energy. It’s just what we need in the plaza. I know this will be a meeting place for moms, clients, kids. It’s going to be a great place to hang,” McCaffrey said.
Local Provisions, at 1111 Freeport Road, is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.
