The iconic Ari’s Pantry, founded in Oak Cliff, is expanding to open an outlet in Downtown Dallas.
Downtown residents will soon have convenient access to gourmet selections, fresh produce, and ready-to-go meals when Ari Lowenstein, the store’s founder, opens his newest shop at 1800 Main St., the former home of Berkley’s Market.
“You’ll be able to pick up salads, entrees, sandwiches… We’ll be open for coffee at 7 am and open until 9 pm if you need to pick up a bottle of wine,” said Lowenstein, per CultureMap Dallas.
While to-go fare will be a popular option, those with extra time can indulge in Ari’s wide-ranging selection of eats in the store’s designed sitting area.
“We strive to provide a diverse and changing selection of Italian staples and unique finds to cater to all tastes and culinary needs. From pasta to charcuterie to fresh produce to cookbooks to gift baskets, there’s something for everyone!” reads a description on Ari’s website.
Ari’s Pantry will pick up the mantle from Berkley’s Market, which shuttered last year amid a shift in ownership. Berkley’s itself replaced yet another gourmet grocer, Royal Blue Grocery, when it initially took over the location that Ari’s will now occupy.
As part of the Downtown expansion, Lowenstein is partnering with Alan Kearny, who owns numerous businesses in the area, like The Crafty Irishman.
The move is part of a broader effort by Kearney to partner with downtown stakeholders to help strengthen retail in the neighborhood. Kearney believes the Central Business District should have an upscale grocery store to replace the loss of Berkley’s.
“Berkley’s may have closed but we had faith that downtown Dallas wanted and would support a market like this,” Kearney said.
If everything goes according to plan, Lowenstein and Kearney hope the new grocery store will open to customers in mid-April. The location will enjoy close proximity to a dense concentration of businesses, residents, and hotels.
“We work to figure out what products people love so that, if you are a professional person living downtown and I’m two blocks from you, I’ll have it on the shelf. Of course I’m happy when someone comes in and spends $100 on a bunch of things, but I also love it when people come in to get that one thing they need,” said Lowenstein.