Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal
Sawmill Market is readying to open its doors.
For the second time.
The food-hall style market at 1909 Bellamah NW originally opened in March before having to close back down when pandemic restrictions were rolled out. It will reopen for outdoor seating at 50% capacity and takeaway only Wednesday.
“The support and excitement from the community has been incredible since we first opened our doors,” Sawmill Market general manager Mark Montoya said in a news release.
Sawmill Market was the first of the food-hall style eateries to open in Albuquerque this year. Tin Can Alley, at Alameda and San Pedro, opened in early June, and 505 Central, at Central and Fifth, is scheduled to open later this year. The Highlands Central Market, on Central across from Presbyterian Hospital, is still in the works.
Although Sawmill Market has been closed to the public for months, the building itself had plenty of action, with new vendors moving into unoccupied spaces and additional renovations being done.
When it opened in March, the 33,000-square-foot market was home to 18 vendors. Since then, an additional six tenants have been added to the roster.
Two of the new additions, the Mobile Bar and Flora Taco Takeout, will be opened on Wednesday, while the four other tenants will open at a later date.
Among those are NM Melt Co. which will serve grilled cheese sandwiches and other comfort food; seafood-centric Salty Catch SW, with Gulf-style seafood offerings including lobster, shrimp and alligator po’boys; Red & Green, which will serve New Mexican cuisine, and Neko Neko, a soft-serve dessert outlet.
XO Waffle, Blue Door Patisserie and Hawt Pizza – which were all close to finished but didn’t open during the first round – are also preparing to welcome customers for the first time.
“It’s been really exciting for me to be able to see this place come to life over the last six months,” Blue Door Patisserie pastry chef and owner Jove Hubbard said.
Hubbard, a recent Albuquerque transplant, said his bakery will focus on French pastry, breads and candies. Housemade jams will also be available to purchase.
“It already feels like a community with the vendors that are here,” he said.
He said he is excited to open and have a chance to build connections with his future customers.
The opening will come with a new set of safety protocols.
A spokesperson with the market said sanitizing stations are being set up in multiple locations and there will be an increase in sanitizing the market with a focus on high-traffic areas.
All guests will be required to wear face masks when not eating and are encouraged to maintain social distancing.
Pickup and takeout options will be highlighted, with new 15-minute parking spots available for takeout customers.
