Abbott Square seeks two new food tenants as popular downtown market shuffles stalls

One of Santa Cruz’s most popular hangouts is searching for two new food and drink businesses to join an established cohort of independent stalls offering everything from sushi to burgers. 

There are two spots available at Abbott Square, the public market adjacent to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History downtown, the market announced on social media over the weekend. General manager Joey Ward is seeking tenants for a space in the Octagon – a brick building adjacent to the square – and one spot in the main food court. The latter is the spot currently occupied by Press, a gelato and sandwich shop, which closed in December.  

Chicken kiosk Flashbird closed its final location in Santa Cruz in December as well, and Pana Venezuelan Food, which has been in the Octagon for three years, will move into the Flashbird space, creating a vacancy there. Pana has been a popular eatery selling grilled Venezuelan-style arepas stuffed with fillings such as black beans, chicken and fried plantains. Daisuki Octagon Sushi, the other Octagon tenant, will remain open. 

Flashbird’s closure marks an end to the aspirational yet ultimately ill-fated dreams of Santa Cruz Sky, whose holdings Alderwood Santa Cruz, Alderwood Pacific and Flashbird have all closed. 

Commenters on social media have so far shared their desires for a range of international cuisines, from Greek to Vietnamese, particularly Asian foods like noodles, pho and ramen, or a health-focused lunch spot that serves sandwiches and salads, among other recommendations. “They’re asking for something we don’t have here yet,” said Ward. He said he’s using the comments as a think tank, and reaching out to potential businesses: “I’m seeing a lot of stuff I wouldn’t have thought of myself.”

He said he’d like to see a dessert option, and a creative use for the Press kiosk area, which has served ice cream over its past two iterations. 

One of the most important qualifications is that the tenant can’t serve food or beverages that are already on offer at Abbott Square. The market is home to Cat & Cloud coffee, Belly Goat Burgers, Pizzeria La Bufala, vegan restaurant Veg on the Edge, Daisuki – which also serves ramen – and Front & Cooper bar, offering cocktails, beer and wine. 

Although the businesses in Abbott Square are independent, they operate as a team, said Ward: “I wouldn’t sign on someone who’s going to step on the toes of anyone else. We have to have a balance of what our offerings are.” 

Other challenges include the small, unique spaces – both the Press and Pana spots are fewer than 300 square feet. The 140-square-foot Press kiosk is located front and center in the market and, while it doesn’t have a kitchen, the lease includes a preparation and storage space nearby on the same floor. The space in the Octagon is 270 square feet, with a full kitchen with a hood. 

But there is strength in numbers, said Ward. Over the past decade, Abbott Square has become a central downtown gathering spot, and frequently hosts live entertainment ranging from music and salsa dancing to trivia nights. The tenants share a large seating area that is partially covered, with heat lamps. 

Ward’s ideal new tenants will offer something different, invest in a long-term home and promote Abbott Square. “I want someone who is committed, can grow their businesses in a few different ways, and can market our market,” said Ward, who will aid Abbott Square owner John McHenry in making the final decision. 

Someone ready to open soon is also paramount. Ward hopes to have new tenants lined up within the next two months. 

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