Shorty's, An Urban Market

Shorty's, An Urban Market, 163 West Short Street,  has scheduled its grand opening for Sunday, May 1st at 12:00 p.m..  Lexington Mayor, Jim Gray, will cut the ribbon opening the market,  establishing the long awaited appearance of a downtown grocery store.

Thinking Shorty's opened today, we stopped by on our way to the farmers' market. Even though staff and employees were busily stocking  shelves and readying the store for the grand opening, they eagerly invited us in to take a look around for a sneek peek.

Wow.

The space, formerly occupied by a bank, has retained quaint remnants from the past  while sporting an urban edge.  Fresh produce is artistically arranged down the center of the front section of the grocery,  encouraging a relaxed and thoughtful shopping experience.  

It's a tight, yet friendly, space flanked by floor-to-ceiling dark wooden shelves stocked to the gills with grocery items. 

A full service deli brightens the space with  well lit meat and cheese coolers.  Along with the full service deli, they plan  to offer plate lunches, sandwiches, and rotesserie chicken.

The jewel of the market is the old bank vault.  Just beyond the deli, the space opens up to a larger section of the market crowned by the vault with its  gigantic vault door swung open to reveal their frozen foods and refrigerated items.  Very cool.

Shorty's, An Urban Market is going to fill a hungry void for downtown workers and residents. We've needed it and wanted it. Yeah, we were a day early, but I'm glad we stopped by Shorty's today.   Their enthusiasm, excitement, and gracious hospitality was infectiously compelling.

When it's officially opened,

we'll be back.