The Statler Market barista Steve Tindall, 32, of Detroit, marks the lunch board Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. The Statler Market in Detroit is located on the first floor of the City Club apartments and next to the Statler Bistro. The market offers a coffee bar, grab-and-go items, soups, and grocery items with a European flair such as Andiamo sauce in a jar and Italian pasta. - Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Downtown Detroit's newest market, carrying grocery items, meals-to-go, and specialty items, is now open.

The Statler Market, a new venture from the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group,  is paired with the recently opened Statler French-American Bistro, also from the restaurant group.

Both are on the first floor of the City Club Apartment building at the corner of Washington Boulevard and Park Avenue. The new market and the restaurant are named after the historic Statler Hotel that once occupied the site.

The Statler Market in Detroit, photographed Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, is located on the first floor of the City Club apartments and next to the Statler Bistro. The market, offers a coffee bar, grab-and-go items, soups, and grocery items with a European flair such as Andiamo sauce in a jar and Italian pasta. - Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Adding the market wasn't the original intention when the restaurant was being built, said Joe Vicari, president of the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group. But the owners of the building suggested that he consider adding a market, Vicari said

"We took some seating, about 50 seats, and made a space for the market," Vicari said.

Market offerings include convenient on-the-go groceries, prepared meals, and coffee items earmarked as fresh and healthy. Fresh brewed coffee, cappuccinos, and lattes are offered from the market's  on-site baristas.

The Statler Market in Detroit, photographed Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, is located on the first floor of the City Club apartments and next to the Statler Bistro. The market offers a coffee bar, grab-and-go items such as these baguette sandwiches, soups, and grocery items with a European flair such as Andiamo sauce in a jar and Italian pasta. - Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Mornings will feature breakfast sandwiches, along with croissants and pastries. Throughout the day, expect grab-and-go sandwiches, salads and soups. Grocery items include jarred Andiamo sauces as well as pasta,  cheese, power bars and ice cream.  A selection of wine and beer and other drinks will be offered. 

The hope, Vicari said, is to attract those who live in nearby apartments and from entertainment venues like the Fox Theatre and Detroit Opera House, as well as Comerica Park and Detroit Athletic Club.

"There are 700 people that are almost attached to our building," Vicari added. "We think we are going to get them for breakfast in the morning, coffee in the morning as well for lunch business. "

Kaitlyn LaRue, 23, of Chesterfield, a chef for the Statler Market, stocks a shelf with baguette sandwiches Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. The Statler market in Detroit is located on the first floor of the City Club apartments and next to the Statler Bistro. The market offers a coffee bar, grab-and-go items, soups, and grocery items with a European flair such as Andiamo sauce in a jar and Italian pasta. - Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Vicari is upbeat about having a third restaurant and the market downtown.

"It's very short distances for different events," Vicari said. "When baseball starts, we are going to have a nice big outside patio through the summer and fall. That's going to be a whole new dynamic of people. There's a big fire pit and we will be serving dinners out there."

"We are really excited about it," Vicari said. "Downtown before the pandemic was hot. There were lots of people walking the streets. I know all that's going to come back in time. "

The Statler Market in Detroit, photographed Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, is located on the first floor of the City Club apartments and next to the Statler Bistro. The market offers a coffee bar, grab-and-go items, soups, and grocery items with a European flair such as Andiamo sauce in a jar and Italian pasta. - Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

The Statler French-American Bistro opened in early December. Inside the bistro there is seating for 165 and an outdoor patio, weather permitting, that seats 125. Its menu is billed as a modern take on bistro classics and contemporary twists on French cuisine. Menu highlights include hors d'oeuvres of steak tartare, foie gras, and country pate. On the entrée side are steak frites (steak and fries), Coquilles St. Jacques. a scallop dish in wine sauce and Bouillabaisse Provence, a French seafood stew.

Notably known for several Andiamo Italian restaurants, the Statler French American Bistro restaurant and the Statler Market openings mark several openings for the restaurant group. Within the last year, the JVRG opened Barleycorn’s Public House in Shelby Township, the Birmingham Pub in Birmingham and the Bronze Door in Grosse Pointe Farms.

The Statler Market in Detroit, photographed Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, is located on the first floor of the City Club apartments and next to the Statler Bistro. The market offers a coffee bar, grab-and-go items, soups, and grocery items with a European flair such as Andiamo sauce in a jar and Italian pasta. - Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

 The Statler Market is located at 313 Park Ave. Hours are 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: 313-222-6872 or sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.

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