Slean, an employee at Fred’s Meat & Bread

Slean is a worker at Fred’s Meat & Bread located inside Krog Street Market. I spoke with Slean about his views on Krog Street Market, and his perspective working behind the counter.

Me: What’s the busiest times for Fred’s Meat & Bread?

Slean: Um…I would say on weekends, probably 11:30 am-2:30 pm. On weekdays probably 7:30 pm-9 pm.

Me: What types of people eat here? What types of people have you observed visiting the market?

Slean: Oh I see all types. Business people, neighborhood people, young, old, single people, families, couples, everything. Everyone comes here. There’s a huge demographic. I think Inman Park has a huge influence on the fact that all types of people eat here. The neighborhood use to be “hipstery,” but I don’t think that’s the case anymore. Now everyone, all types of people live in Inman Park and come to the market.

Me: Does the Beltline impact business?

Slean: Yes, for sure. I mean it’s a traffic way for people. Right over there, that’s the beginning and end of the Beltline, so people are starting and ending there. That’s huge not only for the market but for the city, too.

Me: How do you attract new customers?

Slean: We make great food, and we’re incredibly nice. We have great customer service and have a close attention to detail.

Curtis, Jenny, and their dog enjoying a meal outside of Krog Street Market

I saw Curtis and Jenny eating together outside of Krog Street Market with their dog. I decided to ask them a few questions to understand how they ended up at Krog Street Market. **Special Note: Curtis felt it was important to include their ages in the Built Environment Description. Curtis and Jenny are both 28-years-old.**

Me: Why did you choose Krog Street Market to eat tonight?

Jenny: I like the food. It’s great here.

Curtis: Yeah, I like the food a lot. I like it better than Ponce City Market.

Me: Why?

Curtis: Krog has less people and I feel like it has better food too. Plus it has a chiller vibe.

Me: I see you brought your dog with you. Is a pet-friendly environment important to you?

Curtis: Yes, I bring my dog everywhere…to Ponce and to Krog.

Me: Are picnic tables important? Do you use Krog Street Market for socialization?

Curtis: Absolutely the picnic tables are important. It’s important to be a community.

Jenny: Yeah, I bring a lot of friends here, especially friends from out of town.

Me: Do you live in walking distance from Krog Street Market?

Curtis: Yeah I do. Ponce has more parking spaces available but that doesn’t matter. I like walking.

Me: Anything else you’d like to add about Krog Street Market?

Curtis: Krog Street is progressive. I think more places in this city and cities across the country will be more like this. I think more places will be more “market-style.”

Public restrooms available to Krog Street Market patrons

A free water station inside Krog Street Market

With Krog Street Market having such close proximity to the Beltline, it was important for the market to add features that would appeal to people who were coming either to or from it. The market includes two great things that are free to the public: restrooms and water. In the market, restrooms are available even if you are not a customer at the market, encouraging people coming off the Beltline to stop there to rest or individuals who are about to get on the Beltline to get ready for their trip. The free water is also excellent for Beltline visitors because they can stop in the market before their walk or bike ride to fill up their water bottle and they can stop in after their Beltline visit to relax and rest. By offering these free options to the public and taking advantage of the Beltline’s proximity to the market, Krog Street Market can attract more visitors and, hopefully, future customers.

Krog Street Market may be small but the market is rich with culture. The market is filled with all types of people that can be seen as one walks around the market. Young and old, rich and middle-class, white and black, and everything in between fill Krog Street Market’s seats.

The market has picnic table seating so people are almost forced into a socialization environment (see “Seating at Krog Street Market”). By having this family-style seating, patrons of Krog Street Market are encouraged to interact with one another, comment on what each other is eating, and just meet new friends. By having family-style seating, too, people can bring larger parties to Krog Street Market without worry of there being a lack of close together seats. This creates a culture of friendliness and familiarity.

It’s also worth noting that Krog Street Market is pet-friendly (not inside the market, only outside seating allows pets). By having this, people who are walking their dogs, or just want to bring their pets out with them, have the option of coming to Krog Street. This is important to understand as Krog Street Market is so close to the Beltline. (see “Interview with Curtis and Jenny at Krog Street Market”)

The Beltline also has a cultural effect on Krog Street Market. Because the market is located just one block from the start (or end, depending on how you look at it) of the Beltline many people either start or end their walk there. Before walking they may want to grab a bite to eat or purchase some water for the exercise. If they end there, they may be looking for a place to rest or a restaurant to grab a bite. Krog Street Market’s proximity to the Beltline makes it a popular option for visitors to the Beltline. Therefore, it is safe to say that the Beltline plays a major contribution to Krog Street Market’s success and revenue.

Overall, the culture created by Krog Street Market is one of socialization and community. People interact with one another and are able to bond over what the market has to offer everybody: great food, a great environment, and, most importantly, great culture.

Cacao beans being stored in the rafters above a chocolate store

This picture is of the chocolate shop at Krog Street Market, focusing on the bags of cocoa beans the store keeps above it. Krog Street Market is not big and does not have a lot of storage space for the shops. Because of this, shops must use creative ways to find storage space. Here, the chocolate shop, XOCOLATL Small Batch Chocolate, must store their cacao beans in the rafters above their storefront. While this actually creates a very unique and cool image, it reveals a bigger problem that plagues Krog Street Market–the lack of space.

Legend to Krog Street Market map

Map of Krog Street Market

This is a picture of the map of Krog Street Market and the legend that goes along with it. The map is a little confusing to read because of the way they draw the market. If they had just drawn it like the square it is it may have made the map boring to look at but easy to follow. The way it is drawn now makes it difficult to understand for people visiting the market for the very first time. Also shown in the legend is two blank spots. These are for future tenants coming to the market.

The outside of Krog Street Market still has old signs painted on the brick that have been covered by windows

View of the front of the market from the parking lot

View of the front of the market and eating area from parking lot entrance

These are pictures of the outside of the market. There is a giant sign that is placed over the building that, as seen in the pictures, is easily seen because of its brightness and size. The lights underneath the sign light up the outdoor seating section of the market, the only outdoor seating section the market has that doesn’t belong to individual restaurants. Cars pack the parking lot making parking at the market a difficulty. This is why a lot of people valet their cars.

Sign for Krog Street Market tenant painted on the side of the building

Krog Street Market official sign on top of building

Krog Street Market sign artwork painted on a wall inside the market

Krog Street Market likes to put its name around the market a lot and these pictures prove that. They have their name written in unique font and cool signage so people will take pictures of it. When I was there, multiple people took pictures of the Krog Street Market sign that is inside the market. When they do this, they post these pictures online and Krog Street Market gets free publicity. Also, by placing their signs around the market and the market’s building, this gives it an identity.

Because of the construction, there are now less seats and tables for people to eat in the market.

Curtain covering construction of new shop

Renovations at Krog Street Market

These pictures show a store that is currently under construction. But what is interesting about the construction is that Krog Street Market got rid of seating in order to add this additional stall. This space used to be filled with about 8-10 tables with four chairs each, thereby seating approximately 30-40 people. Now there are only four tables in that section of the market. This means it can only sit 16 people at maximum capacity! The number of people who can sit here has decreased by more than half. So, while its great Krog Street is adding new stores to its market, the cost of that will be the number of people who can actually sit and stay to eat in the market.

People eating and socializing inside Krog Street Market

Inside of Krog Street Market

People eat at family-style tables in Krog Street Market

Crowded walkway in Krog Street Market

People eating and socializing inside Krog Street Market with view of exposed ceiling and pipes

These are pictures of the inside of Krog Street Market, both of the seating arrangements and the walkways. As shown by the pictures, it can get very crowded inside Krog Street Market. Also shown in the pictures, are the family style tables that Krog Street Market provides. This promotes socialization and encourages people who don’t know each other to sit together. In the ceilings, too, are exposed pipe. This makes the feeling of the market more antiquated and rustic.