Supply-chain issues delay opening of Littleton’s Market in Upper Arlington

Despite supply-chain challenges, a co-owner of a new supermarket being built at the Tremont Center hopes to have an outdoor feature open to the public this spring, followed by the opening of the full store in the summer.

Work is progressing at what will be Littleton's Market, which will occupy the site of the former UA Food Market, Huffman's Market, Tremont Cardinal and Tom Tarpy's Market. A full renovation of the site will include a roughly 5,000-square-foot expansion of the previous ventures and construction of an outdoor pavilion.

When the project was announced in March, Rob Littleton said he hoped to open Littleton's Market at 2140 Tremont Center by "mid-December." Littleton and his father-in-law Alan Scantland are co-owners.

However, Littleton said delays in obtaining materials brought on by supply-chain issues and supplies going to other large projects in the region have delayed those plans.

Littleton said he hopes the outdoor pavilion, which will be open-air but will be under roof and lined with heaters, will be open by spring. However, he said he's still working out details of what types of food, drinks and community activities might be offered.

"If there's anything I've learned in this, it's pretty unpredictable," Littleton said. "The variables we're dealing with are equipment timelines.

"The pavilion will have gas, water and electric. That's because we have a grill on the pavilion. There's a fireplace, and we've lined it with heaters. It should be about three seasons’ worth of activities we can use it for, including community events like farmers markets and music."

On Nov. 18, crews were preparing to pour the concrete floor for the roughly 15,000-square-foot interior market space, which includes about 5,000 square feet of what formerly was a portion of neighboring First Merchants Bank, 2130 Tremont Center.

Metal framing has been installed in preparation for the installation of coolers and freezers that will line the perimeter of the store's interior, and a wooden frame was in place for a 30-foot by 15-foot skylight over the center of the store and a cafe.

"We're getting everything built out right now so that it's ready for the equipment to come in," Littleton said. "The next step, once we get concrete poured and all the lines dug for all the refrigeration equipment, the electrical, the plumbing … then we can start building the fixtures."

Littleton said the market will focus on high-quality produce, meats, seafood, dry goods and beers and wines. An in-house chef who creates prepared meals, including warm and cold sandwiches and fresh meals.

"The cafe, in the morning it will be espresso drinks, coffee, croissants, breakfast sandwiches," Littleton said. "As the afternoon moves on, we'll start serving lunch and then it'll turn into a wine bar at night, with wine and beer service.

"You can drink in the cafe in here, and you can also take your drinks out to the pavilion outside."

Littleton said the market will seek to reduce food waste as much as possible, using a system where items that are approaching the ends of their shelf lives will be incorporated into prepared foods sold at the cafe and in a prepared foods section.

He said he hopes to establish partnerships with other businesses in the Tremont Center whereby he will sell items from them at the market. He also plans to look for opportunities to support youth programs and other local organizations.

"We hope to benefit the community, to provide a place that makes it easier to gather, have fun and enjoy friends and family," Littleton said. "We also hope to benefit all the other merchants in the center, too. We see it as a collaboration with each of the other vendors.

"I grew up here. I really like the community. I'm here all the time. I think it makes the store so much better to have people who like to come in and enjoy the store and its staff. The community's going to be supporting us, so we want to support them."

While Littleton continues to lock in sourcing for products the market will carry, the management team is researching potential hours of operation. Littleton said the store likely will be open seven days a week.

"The Littleton’s Market project is progressing nicely, with the outdoor pavilion component nearing completion," said Chad Gibson, Upper Arlington's community development director. "The city is excited for the opening of this new business, which will keep Tremont Center vibrant and provide Upper Arlington residents with another high-quality grocery option."

As work continues, Littleton encouraged prospective shoppers to keep an eye on the market's website littletonsmarket.com/, its Instagram and Facebook pages for updates.

nellis@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekNate

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Littleton's Market aims to open pavilion in spring, store in summer