Root Baking Co., the Ponce City Market bakery, was founded by former James Beard Award semifinalist Chris Wilkins and has closed since my visit.



The bakery made a name for itself by creating southern breads with heirloom grains. They offered freshly baked breads, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches.



I ordered one of their specialty toasts. Radish toast with preserved lemon ricotta, French radish, arugula and roasted watermelon radish on garlic sourdough. I fully support ricotta toast over avocado toast. Add some fresh veggies - and I am all in.



Grade: A

J.Q. DICKINSON SALT-WORKS
Applewood Smoked Salt
Solar evaporated and hand harvested in the mountains of WV this salt is perfect when you want to add a hint of smokiness

ASHEVILLE TEA COMPANY
Cold Brew Tea
Made with a blend of local botanicals this easy to make tea is thirst quenching all summer.

WE MADE
Hummingbird Cake Mix
Hummingbird Cake is a delicious Southern Staple. WeMade is a social impact company providing workforce development for people with disabilities.

WILL ROWSEY
Wild Flower Print
West Virginia artist Will Rowsey hand painted these images. His delicate work portrays the wild flowers of the Appalachians

SUNSET BERRY FARM
Freeze-dried strawberries
This family owned farm in Monroe County, WV grows the sweetest strawberries in the state. Freeze-dried for a great snack Covid may be in the rearview mirror but we all have the habit.

REDWOOD & CO
Hand Sanitizer
This Staunton, VA company make the process very pleasant.

Founded by husband and wife team Heather and Mathieu Jourdan-Gassin, Saint Germain French Cafe & Bakery opened in Old Fourth Ward’s historic Ponce City Market in 2016. Both Southerners at heart - Mathieu from the French Riviera and Heather from Decatur, GA - this duo shares a passion for bringing a little slice of Paris (with a dash of Southern hospitality!) to Atlanta, reads their website.



Croissants, eclairs, macarons, tarts, quiche and sandwiches grace the elegant menu. There's truly something special about a dessert case full of beautiful creations that are delicate and colorful.



I was immediately drawn to the bright yellow "lemon drop." Fresh flavors, soft mousse.



I would love to try every one of their fruit desserts - the cherry, the peach - because I'm sure they are amazing, too.



Grade: A

"Honest, clean" deep fried chicken from James Beard Award-winning Chef Linton Hopkins is served with biscuits and sides in the Central Food Hall at Ponce City Market.



"We serve 100% all-natural Georgia chicken, fried in peanut oil, and biscuits made from scratch daily," according to the website. I ordered a chicken biscuit, which features a house-made scratch buttermilk biscuit, 2 ounce fried chicken - which was all great. But really could've benefitted from a sauce for extra flavor and moisture.



Grade: B

Spiller Park Coffee is a Ponce City Market staple that features freshly brewed artisan coffee, espresso, tea, baked goods, and packaged ground coffee to enjoy at home.



James Beard Award–winning chef Hugh Acheson and coffee expert Dale Donchey joined forces to offer classics like espresso, Americanos, cappuccinos, etc. They also have a variety of toasts: avocado toast, butter toast, cinnamon sugar toast and jam toast.



I ordered a hot chocolate, which was darker, but a lovely silky chocolate. Still fairly heavy on bitterness, if that's your jam.



Grade: B