If you’ve been in the former Sweet Bay Coffee by Creekmore Park in Fort Smith lately, you’ve noticed some changes. For one, it has a new name – The Market by the Park. The things you love are solidly in place. You’re still greeted warmly when you walk in. The food and drinks are still extraordinary, and the line for the drive-through is bustling.
But in two of the areas where there used to be only tables, there is now a specialty market containing a foodie’s paradise. You’ll find regional products from Kyya Chocolates, Wicked Mix, Ozark Candy, and Lambrecht Gourmet Candy, as well as customer favorites from Stonewall Kitchen, To Market-To Market, and Rustic Bakery, just to name a few.
In addition to unique regional products, there are also grab-it-and-go delights including soups, chicken salad, and fresh eggs from Farmers Market Direct, selections from Art’s BBQ and Joe’s Cantina, classic Italian specialties from Taliano’s restaurant, and bread and baked goods from Harvest Moon Bakery. And that’s just the start.
The spacious sunroom area has been upgraded and climate-controlled to ensure plenty of seating for those who want to dine in to enjoy their longtime favorites from the original Sweet Bay menu, or new menu items like Smoothie Whips and Smoothie Bowls. New tables and chairs fill the space, a sleek look for this local hot spot that’s been around since 1996.
The changes are all part of a comprehensive plan by new owners, Carey Thompson and Josh Palmer, who also own Black Bison Coffee Company. Joining them in this venture is Mike Hill, who’s spent thirty-one years in the restaurant business, including seven years as director of operations for Sweet Bay Coffee Company.
The idea to add a gourmet-to-go market to the coffee shop came when Carey and Josh, on vacation, visited a small market that had a bakery in the back.
When asked why they were brave enough to try the concept back home, Josh said, “We wanted to bring products to Fort Smith that customers hadn’t seen before and we wanted to support other local businesses and offer their products to further support that community.” Josh smiled. “Plus, we’re just that crazy.”
Mike laughed. “If you’re asking if there was proof of concept, then no. We just jumped in.”
But what they did was neither crazy nor impulsive. They were playing the odds when they bought Sweet Bay on March 1, and the sure bet was on Fort Smith. “I call Fort Smith a big, small town,” Carey said. “It’s big enough to have what you need, but it feels smaller, more connected. Both Josh and I were born and raised here.” So was Mike’s wife, Ann.
Josh broke in. “It’s a place where I know my banker personally. Not many people in bigger cities can say that.”
Carey continued. “Mike’s wife Ann taught my children and Josh’s children. I know Ann’s sisters well. We went to school together.”
Mike added, “I came from Little Rock, and we moved back to the area after I married. It’s just been the town I’ve always wanted.”
A belief in Fort Smith steadied them. Longtime friends, extended family, knowing where every road led. All of it made them believe they were onto something big.
Which brings us to the question of coffee. Josh and Carey already owned a coffee line, Black Bison. Now they had two coffee shops/eateries. The second, smaller, eastside location is The Market Eastside at 7908 Rogers Avenue which offers grab-and-go snack options to serve that area of town. So, whose brew would they serve? The answer came from Oklahoma, where they found an American-made industrial coffee roaster. The coffee Sweet Bay had been roasting came from Eureka Springs and was shipped to Fort Smith. But with the new roaster, they could set up a roastery in town, hire a coffee expert to roast it, and keep the same blends Sweet Bay was known for, while adding even more from Black Bison Coffee Company line.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Patrons can drive through or order all their old favorites inside, take it to-go and even pick up specialty dishes from local restaurants. But that’s only the beginning. At The Market by the Park, you’ll also find specialty olive oils and vinegars by Olivelle, a mother/daughter company out of Bozeman, Montana.
A large area of The Market is dedicated to their products, with vats of specialty olive oil lining the wall. Flavors like Caramelized Garlic-Infused Olive Oil, Sicilian Lemon-Infused Olive Oil, and Hatch Chili-Infused Olive Oil, just to name a few. They even offer reusable bottles, so customers can return with an empty bottle, fill it again, and save a dollar (and help save the planet).
“Olivelle started out really small and saw a need in their community for these oils, and then people started telling them they should branch out,” Carey said. “So, they grew their business with their community first and then started getting bigger. We love that.”
If you think olive oil is just for cooking, think again. “We put the Summer Peach Olive Oil on vanilla ice cream,” Carey said. “You can also put it in yogurt, oatmeal. You can flavor anything with these oils, and they’re healthy for you! What I’m really excited about is that instead of sugars or something bad for you, these oils really are a healthy option.
“They also have these awesome recipe cards, and every item that’s from Olivelle is listed in bold, and we have it. And not only do we have the balsamics, the oils and vinegars, but we have rubs and seasoning, dips, infused salts, and dried herbs.”
The Olivelle line is so popular, they’re planning to host Girls’ Night Out in the future, where ladies can get together, sample the products, along with fresh bread, and head home with new and exciting recipe cards and products. Tastings on Saturdays and other fun events are also in the works.
Olivelle is just one example of the kind of experience Carey, Josh and Mike want to deliver. They hope customers will get excited about healthier options, take home local food, or challenge themselves to cook more and try different recipes. They see The Market by the Park as a kind of wonderland filled with unexpected products that are sure to become favorites. And they imagine interacting with folks thrilled to see local, statewide, Oklahoma, and Montana offerings that open their palates and their world.
The team is also working on expanding the drive-through to speed up the wait time for that perfect cup of coffee. Because, let’s face it, you can never get your favorite brew soon enough. Especially on those hectic mornings when you need that cup of joe to keep you going. Whether you’re looking for unique specialty foods, delicious grab-it-and-go items, or just want an inviting place to visit with friends, spend time studying or working remotely, The Market by the Park welcomes you.
Visit The Market by the Park at 3400 Rogers Avenue and The Market Eastside at 7908 Rogers Avenue, in Fort Smith!
A Sampling of Olivelle Products
Barrel-Aged Dark, Thick, Sweet Balsamic
Black Truffle-Infused Olive Oil
Crisp Anjou Pear Barrel-Aged Balsamic
Garlic and Herb-Infused Olive Oil
Jalapeño Lime, White Barrel-Aged Balsamic
Pineapple Habanero, White Barrel-Aged Balsamic
Sicilian Lemon-Infused Olive Oil
Smoked, Barrel-Aged Balsamic
Sweet Cream Butter-Infused Olive Oil
Tuscan Herb-Infused Olive Oil
Vine-Ripened Raspberry, White Barrel-Aged Balsamic
Wild Mushroom and Sage-Infused Olive Oil
Hatch Chili-Infused Olive Oil
Caramelized Garlic-Infused Olive Oil
