Downtown Mesa is preparing for a significant change in its commercial landscape as Local First Arizona collaborates with municipal officials to develop the Main Street Market restaurant incubator. The initiative is currently under construction at the site of a former A.J.'s Grocery store. The $6 million development is designed to provide seven aspiring food business owners with their initial opportunity to operate a physical location. Selected participants will receive two-year leases within the food hall when the facility opens in early 2027. The project is funded using remaining COVID relief funds allocated by the city of Mesa.
Kimber Lanning, the founder of Local First Arizona, described the development as a long-term goal intended to broaden business opportunities and establish a culinary destination that attracts visitors from throughout the state. The market will showcase a variety of food options and include comprehensive business counseling to assist new restaurateurs in navigating the complexities of the industry. Organizers anticipate that opening applications in late July or early August will help remove common startup barriers and reinforce Mesa’s status as a regional economic and cultural center.
City leaders view the market as a pivotal addition to the downtown dining sector, which currently includes approximately 50 restaurants. Urban Transformation Director Jeff McVay and Councilmember Jenn Duff have identified the project as a new anchor for the area’s food scene. Mesa is located approximately 16 miles northwest of Queen Creek.
Further details regarding the specific selection criteria for the seven tenants or the exact timeline for the application process were not provided in the source material.
