It’s hard to believe that I was attending the opening night festivities for the East End Market almost eight years ago. Back then, all the excitement was focused on the culinary hub on the ground floor. I think it was several months if not a full year until I ever saw the mysterious upstairs area for an Orlando Soup event. Like so many visitors to the market, many have only seen this upstairs space if they were attending an event, but now everyone can enjoy it as a place to shop, drink, and continue their dining adventures.

Over the past few months, that upstairs area known to most as the annex, has been undergoing a transformation that allows the space to be enjoyed by all with a new direction. The concept dubbed “The Neighbors” is a collaborative effort from the owners of Freehand Goods, Domu & Market owner, John Rife.

Great use is made of this space with modern wall paneling, shelving, and new seating areas defined by teal Florida breezeway style partitions. It’s colorful and inviting and brings a sorely needed attribute to the market - local retail.

RETAIL

For me, the most exciting part of the new space is the access it gives to those of us to want to shop local and get our hands on as many locally-made goods as we can with ease. I lost count of just how many local vendors were currently on display throughout the space. From apparel, jewelry, art, glassware, bath and body products, Florida-themed merchandise, and much more, this space allows you the ease of shopping a local market pop-up at any time, with inclimate weather never being an issue.

Some vendors I saw (there were several more) include:

Gypset Co.

Rockhaus Metals

Beth Autumn Art

Sandhill Supply co.

Palm & Oak

Julie Harbers

Sherise Rae

Brotts Beard

Bet’s Bars

Aramore Art

Earth Girl

Dead Disco

Pin + Needle

Ouch Plants

Just Knots

Fat Cat Sauce

Wondermade

Friendlily Press

Deli Fresh Threads

Jelly Press

Mango + Ele

Bloomwolf Studio

Cool Socks

Enchanted Apothecary

Swan City

Primavera Andina 

Camp Craft Cocktails

Secret Society Goods

To have such easy access to local goods will make this a must-visit stop this coming season, especially on Small Business Saturday.

DRINK

The bar program is designed & led by Brittany DiIorio, former manager of Domu. Her cocktails celebrate the individual neighborhoods of Orlando. For Audubon Park, there is “The Bird,” Ivanhoe’s cocktail is aptly named “A Blooming Pineapple,” and the Milk District offers a “But Make it Non-Dairy” using Lineage Cold Brew. Classic cocktails, wines, and beers are also available, as well as spirit-free mocktails. Seen below are the Baldwin “Army & Navy” and the spirit-free Orange Blossom.

The bar will feature a grab & go beer cooler, wine by the bottle or glass & online ordering for table-side service by a cocktail server inside the main room by means of the wooden QR codes at each seating station.

FOOD

I can’t tell you much about the additional food concept because I have not experienced it yet, but Camille will be offering a 9-seat Chef-to-guest experience. This concept of a chef’s incubator comes from restaurateur partners Sonny Nguyen & Johnny Tung. They will operate Domu Lab in the upstairs kitchen adjacent to The Neighbors concept and host rotating pop-ups for local chefs to showcase their talents under the partner’s mentorship. Camille offers French-Vietnamese cuisine. 

ART DETAIL 

The fun colors, branding work, and murals found inside the space are brought to life by local artists Travis Pietsch, Sean of Secret Society Goods, Jason Harvin of Wayward Walls, and Seth Daniels of Freehand Goods. 

According to their Instagram the soft opening is under way with the Grand Opening happening November 5th. Hours are Sunday, Monday , Tuesday 12pm - 9pm, Wednesday - Saturday 12pm - 10pm. The upstairs is accessible by stairs and elevator access next to Lineage.