Big Changes at Mac Market

McMinnville’s unofficial town square has welcomed a new set of neighbors. Following four years since their debut as a cornerstone of the urban renewal corridor on Alpine Drive, Mac Market closed briefly this spring to re-work the interior of the onetime shoe grease factory to accommodate some new projects. Now reopened, the space feels a little different inside. Here’s what you need to know before your next visit.

New Northwest fare at Hayward

One of the biggest physical changes in Mac Market is that there’s a hip new restaurant inside it. Named in tribute,  the restaurant is called Hayward, which is both Chef Kari Kihara’s middle name and her grandmother’s maiden name. Kihara arrived at Mac Market in 2020 having previously cooked in the Michelin-starred kitchen of Sons and Daughters in San Francisco. Her eclectic and globally-inspired menu of small plates and her commitment to local sourcing and from-scratch cooking (have you tried her sourdough with koji butter?) have made her a rising star in Oregon’s culinary scene. Now, her elegant dishes – like carrot cavatelli with harissa butter and smoked labneh and black cod tartare with radish, mint, and celery oil  – feature on an expanded menu within a dedicated space. The restaurant’s permeable walls mean it’s still connected to the market itself, but it’s got table service, elegant seating, and vibe just right for date night. 

NY-style pizza by the slice at Honey Pie

Beloved since it first opened in a former garage in Newberg, Honey Pie now has a second location in McMinnville! The New York-style pizzeria is now owned by Travis and Anna Miranda who founded Portland’s Baby Doll Pizza. The new Honey Pie occupies the main counter space (where Collab Kitchen was once located) and serves  a casual, counter service menu of pies  and a few salads available on the main floor, upstairs, and outdoor seating areas of the market. Miranda said they’ve tweaked the Honey Pie dough recipe slightly to have it ready in time for lunch at the McMinnville location, but that the recipe still uses exclusively PNW-grown flours  and California tomatoes. The new location offers four pies by the slice; cheese, pepperoni, and two rotating veggie and meat seasonal combinations. They have plans to add more salads and a small menu of sandwiches to the menu soon. 

Locally-grown and imported goodies among groceries at Wellspent 

When the Covid-19 pandemic upended global food supply chains, Mac Market responded by creating a drive-up farmer’s market which eventually morphed into a small walk-in market. The selection included locally roasted coffee, prepared foods from Kihara’s kitchen, specialty imported groceries, pasture-raised meats, Pacific seafood, and seasonal vegetables from Even Pull Farm. To continue this tradition of being a market in this sense of the word, they’re partnering with some friends from Portland. Mac is now home to the second location of Wellspent Market, a purveyor of imported and artisan-made goodies like olive oil, vinegar, rice, beans, grains, pasta, salt, and spices. They’ve got condiments, crackers, cured meats, and more and they’re committed to continue offering the locally made goods, too. One could easily put together a picnic at Wellspent alone. 

Pastries and breakfast sandwiches coming soon from Bakery Bar 

Though Hayward is now located in the part of the market that previously housed the bakery and coffee counter, it’s still a spot for a breakfast meet-up. Ganache-coated ricotta cake, miso-glazed sourdough donuts, you’ll find these and coffee drinks at the market’s new Bakery Bar. They plan to soon add a new menu of breakfast sandwiches and, come cocktail hour, a small menu of bar snacks. 

Sustainable Rituals is McMinnville’s zero-waste HQ

Mac Market’s longest tenant, Sustainable Rituals is still located in their spot up front, loaded with greenery in the form of houseplants and seasonal bouquets. This is the place to go if you’re looking  to try out an eco-friendly swap (bar shampoo anyone?) or refill your own bottles with botanically-fragranced home and personal care supplies. 

Food truck pop-ups and events and where to sit

Though some things at Mac Market have changed, says founder Diana Riggs, plenty will stay the same. They hope to host food truck pop-ups on the Market patio, and until Honey Pie has the staff to open on Tuesdays Kopitos is joining them for Taco Tuesdays.  The Market will still host private events on the patio and mezzanine, and public events including monthly trivia (first Tuesdays), Make Music McMinnville, the BIPOC Block Party, and more. Plus, the market will now be open Tuesday through Sundays, which means more Mac Market to love. 

Emily Teel is a McMinnville-based food writer and recipe developer and a food editor at Better Homes & Gardens.

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