5 quick things to know about Durham’s new neighborhood hangout: The Common Market
An all-day deli and market with a dreamy basement bar just opened near Durham’s Ninth Street District.
As its first expansion location out of the Charlotte area, the Common Market has moved into the Triangle. Located at 1821 Green Street, the new specialty shop opened Tuesday, Sept. 26, turning a former office building into an ideal neighbrohood hangout.
Harry Potter fans may think of The Common Market as a kind of room of requirement, if what you’re in need of happens to be gourmet sandwiches, a cup of coffee, a pint of beer or a six-pack to go.
Built by operating partner and Raleigh native Graham Worth, the Durham Common Market is the brand’s fifth location, but aims to be a space unique to the neighborhood.
“Someone once described us as a community living room,” Worth said. “I love that, that’s what we want to be.”
Five things to know about the new Common Market in Durham
1. There’s a basement bar
Downstairs you’ll find an L-shaped bar tucked into a corner, the walls covered with vintage beer signs and neon, like any proper basement bar. The daily draft list will be written on an old marquee from Blockbuster Video. Beyond beer you’ll find wine by the glass and kegged cocktails.
A wall of coolers and shelves of wine have been curated by beverage director Aubrey Ziniach, who has worked at Elaine’s on Franklin and Nana’s, and most recently as a wine rep for Piedmont Wine Imports.
Bottles of wine can be opened and consumed downstairs or on the outdoor patio, free of any corkage fee.
2. Daytime, nighttime sandwiches
There’s an all-day deli, with breakfast sammies until 11 a.m. and then hot and cold subs, wings, salads and fries until 9 p.m. Worth said in Charlotte the top seller is the “Dillworth Scandal,” a turkey sandwich with peppered bacon, provolone, grilled onions and a spicy sauce on ciabatta bread.
3. A coffee shop is born
With the opening of the Common Market a new coffee counter will debut. Former Joe Van Gogh barista Kasey Luncefield Blivin will be the market’s coffee vendor under the name Mid Bloom Coffee.
The counter will serve a full espresso bar, plus drip coffee, cold brew and some coffee cocktails, all made with Joe Van Gogh beans.
4. Walk-up ice cream
The adored downtown Durham ice cream shop Parlour will launch its first expansion as part of the Common Market, selling a few of its most popular flavors, plus pints to go. The ice cream will be served from a walk-up window outside and, in a first for Parlour, also offer milkshakes.
5. Pop-up shops
There’s still room for pop-up vendors to operate a small retail shop.
Until then, there’s a corner in Common Market where you’ll find shirts and other on-the-go gear.
