There’s a new specialty market in Leechburg.
Market on Second opened last week and sells made-from-scratch, grab-and-go meals, soup, sandwiches, sides and more.
Everything is made fresh daily.
“I opened this because I have a passion for cooking soups and pierogies,” said owner Jennifer Tony, who also owns the Beermuda tavern in New Kensington.
Tony and a group of retired women begin cooking in Beermuda’s kitchen about 5 each morning.
“It’s like you’re eating your grandma’s cooking,” said Tara Salem, Market on Second’s social media, marketing and event manager.
Whenever possible, fresh, locally sourced ingredients are used.
This week’s chili included organic peppers from Anarchy Farms in Gilpin. A majority of the vegetables are from Amish-owned Ambrose Farms in Smicksburg. The coffee comes from Steel Cup Coffee Roasters in New Kensington.
All of the meals are made in small batches.
“The cooler isn’t going to be filled all the way, to ensure it’s all fresh,” Tony said. The coolers are restocked twice daily, usually around 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Meals include their original chicken salad, lasagna, Asian glazed salmon, sloppy Joes, BBQ beef brisket, stuffed pork chops, hot Italian sausage and pierogies.
Market on Second is open from 11 a.m. to midnight — a rarity in small towns.
“We get a lot of shift workers, like nurses, and they want a home-cooked meal they can just take home and heat up — no cooking,” said employee Ann Suppers of Leechburg.
Tony’s goal is to provide nonprocessed, nutritious meals.
“There are plenty of shift workers in the mill and hospitals in the area, so she wanted to give those hardworking individuals healthy, real good options at all times,” Salem explained of remaining open until midnight.
The market sells a variety of toiletries, as well as infused olive oils and dry Italian pastas.
Plans include developing a website, online ordering and local delivery three times per week.
Tony, of New Kensington, graduated from Valley High School. She also owns L&M Market in Arnold and The Broken Bottle in Kittanning.
A grand opening with free samples is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 6.
