The 4th Ave Food Park parking lot is full at 2:30 p.m. on a Tuesday and people, young and old, congregate to eat. Brightly colored murals color the walls and plants line the shops. Fun music plays over speakers.
The food park is two buildings bridged together by a nicely shaded outdoor area located at 409 SW 4th Ave. Each shop brings its charm to the food park.
The space is a far cry from what the property used to look like when Tim and Bret Larson bought the land. Originally the property was bought to house the roasting facility for their successful coffee business, Opus Coffee.
Larson recalls the area being shady and a place with ample drug activity. After buying the second building next door, the Larsons started to clean the area in between it to become an outdoor eating area.
“When we started cleaning the area…there were tires, broken windshields, beer bottles thrown back here. It was terrible and it took forever to clean everything out carefully,” Tim Larson said.
The brothers brought the first outdoor food park concept to Gainesville in early 2020.
The food park only houses local restaurants. It is home to beloved local businesses like Fehrenbacher’s Meats & Eats, BakerBaker, Munecas Taco Garden and Bar, Dry Wrought Cider, SquareHouse Pizza, Humble Wood Fire Bagel Shop and, of course, the Opus Coffee Airstream.
Many of the businesses in the food park are in their first brick-and–mortar locations after being asked to join the Larsons at farmer’s markets in Gainesville.
“We went to markets, and we tried to find the most popular vendors that wanted to take the next step and open an actual store,” Larson said.
What makes the space unique? Fresh and from scratch foods are in one area so everyone can choose a meal.
“What usually differentiates cities apart is really the local people who are doing their own thing to make communities,” Larson said.
The vendors at 4th Ave Food Park embody the Larson brothers’ message of local first. Here’s an overview of the vendors and what each has to offer:
The Opus airstream is in the middle of the food park as a connector of the two sides. Serving Opus coffee and espresso, the airstream also has a special “adventure menu,” that is exclusive to this Opus Coffee location.
Tim Larson said that the airstream tag registered for several places throughout North America and the menu commemorates the travels that the airstream saw before it became a small coffee shop.
Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.-Sat.
The first vendor who came to 4th Ave Food Park brought hand-rolled, organic bagels to the food park. Enjoy a classic bagel or get fancy with an assorted flavors or a sandwich (house-made lox, egg salad or pesto to dress up your bagel.)
Hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun.-Sat.
A brand-new addition, Munecas relocated to the food park. Munecas uses locally sourced ingredients and South Florida-inspired and Asian fusion flavors on tacos, burritos and quesadillas.
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.-Sun., Closed Mondays
Originally named Satch Squared, SquareHouse Pizza specializes in everything, well squared. SquareHouse serves all day waffles and Detroit Style pizza that can be customized to your heart’s desire. Everything can be made gluten free or vegan at SquareHouse.
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.
Beloved around Gainesville for years, Dry Wrought Cider opened a tap room at 4th Ave Food Park. Patrons of the food park are encouraged to use the ample indoor seating in Dry Wrought to bring their food in and drink Dry Wrought’s hot or cold ciders.
All Dry Wrought’s ciders are fermented in stainless steel tanks and are always made with vegan and gluten-free ingredients. The company also tries to use organic and kosher ingredients as much as possible.
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun-Thur., 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat.
BakerBaker is a family run bakery that serves breakfast and sweet treats inspired by several different countries such as cookies, pastries, cakes, muffins and cupcakes. The treats change frequently so check their Instagram page to see what the bakery is offering or call in to place an order.
Hours: 7 a.m.-11 a.m. Tue.-Sat. (or until sold out)
Fehrenbacher’s is a deli and specialty meat market that sells fresh steaks, bacon, smoked meats, artisanal made sausage and seafood. The deli also sells sandwiches and salads.
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., Closed Mondays
The food park also hosts several events each month to support local businesses and artists.
“We try to host markets that kind of bring in local community artists or artisans. Sometimes it’ll be chefs that’ll have little booths. And then there’s also people like ceramic studios that’ll have booths there as well. It is to support those local artists,” Melissa Leonard, the Marketing Director for Opus Coffee and 4th Ave Food Park said.
The food park hosts weekly and monthly events such as SquareHouse Trivia on Thursdays and SquareHouse Squared Wave which features music on the second Wednesday of every month.
Upcoming events:
Crafts & Drafts
Thursday, Feb. 29
A craft night hosted by Opus and Dry Wrought. Opus provides the craft and Dry Wrought has drink specials inside. Attendees will be making planters out of coffee bean sacks. No sewing experience required, just bring your own plant.
Women’s Makers Market
Sunday, March 3
The event will feature women-owned artists, businesses, artisans and is open to kids having their own booth as well. All vendor fees will be donated to Blossoming Butterfly.
Kid’s Day for St. Patrick’s Day
Sunday, March 17
Kids can enjoy face painting, balloon animals, crafts and more.