Cozy market opens on Culver Road. Here's what you can find there

Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·3 min read

It was hours before opening for the first time and Chad Flint, Jen Dondero and Ben Reiter were in constant motion trying to figure out where to squeeze everything into a 400-square-foot space.

Flint and Reiter packed, unpacked and repacked a cooler with milk, cheeses, meats and eggs.

Dondero set up a display of scented soaps and candles near the checkout, and then pondered whether they'd interfere with the smell of her freshly baked breads.

They discussed the sunlight shining into the front windows, and debated which products would work best near them.

It was a scramble to the finish, but the cozy Provisions Market opened at 1316a Culver Road on June 1.

It is now home base for three small businesses that first came together at NOTA Farmer's Market: Flint's Maple, which makes maple syrup and other maple-based products; JensArtisan, which makes sourdough bread and baked goods; and Botanical Ben, which grows microgreens and mushrooms.

But it is also packed with locally grown produce as well as baked goods, sauces, condiments and other products from more than 30 other local food producers.

A home base for JensArtisan

A loaf of pain de campagne from JensArtisan in Rochester.
A loaf of pain de campagne from JensArtisan in Rochester.

One of the major draws will likely be bread and baked goods from JensArtisan, which has developed a local following thanks to buzz on social media. Dondero bakes hearty, high hydration sourdough breads that have a moist crumb and crusts that range between crunchy and toothsome. While they are sourdough, they generally don't have a pronounced tang by design.

Her best seller is focaccia, flavored with rosemary, garlic and Syracuse Salt Company flake salt. Other popular loaves are Italian bread and a beautiful pain de campagne French bread. She also makes other baked goods ― crackers, babka, doughnuts, cinnamon rolls and more. "I get excited and I just kind of follow my fancy," she said.

The plan is to move production from her home (which is legal with New York's home processor exemption) into Provisions, either within the store itself or into another 400 square feet in back of space. But the location and timing will depend on the public's response to the shop.

"The plan is the plan, until it changes," she said with a smile.

What you'll find at Provisions

Co-owners Chad Flint, Jen Dondero and Ben Reiter inside Provisions, a general store specializing in local products, on Culver Road in Rochester.
Co-owners Chad Flint, Jen Dondero and Ben Reiter inside Provisions, a general store specializing in local products, on Culver Road in Rochester.

The lineup will change day to day, and more suppliers are still being announced, but these were among the products on opening day:

Baked goods from So Belly Happy (nut free and vegan macarons and crispy rice treats); Soulistic Sweets (vegan, some gluten free); The Little Brownie Baked Goods (vegan and gluten free)

Bread and baked goods from JensArtisan

Candles from McAndrew and Company and Zolo Candles

Cheeses from East Hill Creamery and Sunset View Creamery

Chocolates from Hedonist Artisan Chocolates

Coffee (and eventually cold brew) from New City Café and Roastery

Dog and cat treats from Bark-A-Licious/Meow-A-Licious and Off the Leash Barkery

Ghee (clarified butters) from OSHi GHEE

Granola from The Dansville Granola Co.

Honey from Orbital Farms and Grawn Family Farm

Ice cream sandwiches from The Creamatorium

Jams from Rainwater Jam

Kombucha from Kombucharista

Maple syrup, sauces, mustards from Flint's Maple

Meats, poultry and eggs from Garner Farm, Seven Bridges Farm, and Fisher Hill Farm

Microgreens and mushrooms from Botanical Ben

Milk from Burley Berries & Blooms

Pastas from M.O. Pasta

Pickles from Mark and Amy's Homemade Pickles and Peter's Pickled Peppers and PicklesPies from Crust Pie Co.

Produce from Burwell Herbs, Kirby's Farm Market

Sauces and Dry Rubs from T's Tantalizing Dry Rubs

Sauces and Kimchi from The Tatted Chef

Soaps from Fiddlehead Farm

Spices from Stuart's Spices

Spreads from Seasonal PantryVegan cheese from Spirit & Abundance

New shop in Webster: Gorgeous hand-cut pasta, fresh sauces are a hit

If you go

Provisions is at 1316a Culver Road. Parking is on the street or in nearby public lots.

It is open 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Call (585) 340-7123.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Provisions Market opens in Rochester NY