Newly-opened Redding Public Market a downtown gem

Imagine a dozen food, drink and boutique businesses opening in the same place at the same time in downtown Redding.

Mind-boggling. But that’s the reality of the new Redding Public Market.

The market promises to serve as a community gathering spot and rendezvous for friends and family in the heart of the city’s center.

The modern setting offers sitting and dining areas where people can order burgers, hot dogs, pizzas, pastries and ice cream, among other food items like fried chicken sandwiches at the Bantam Kitchen. There’s also a taphouse and separate bars for craft cocktails and wine.

Rosie Limon, a bartender and general manager at the Heads or Tails craft cocktail bar, prepares a drink at the newly opened Redding Public Market on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. One part of the bar is the “heads” side while the extension around the corner is the “tails” side. Photo by Mike Chapman for A News Cafe © All rights reserved.

One theme in conversations surrounding the public market’s opening is its uniqueness and originality that some say might look out of place for Redding.

“Something we’re hearing a lot is that this doesn’t seem like Redding and I only have one thing to say to that: Well, it does now,” said Erin Ross of K2 Development Companies, who’s also the market’s general manager.

She complemented the market’s vendors as risk-takers for the new venture.

“They’ve invested a lot and they need your support. So keep coming back and we’ll see you at the market,” she said.

Fall River Taphouse

John Hutchings, co-owner of Fall River Brewing Co. with his wife, Amanda, poses inside the brewery’s new taphouse inside the Redding Public Market on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. Photo by Mike Chapman for A News Cafe © All rights reserved.

Guests attending the market’s Community Partner and Media Day pre-opening on Monday evening could sit on a barstool at the Fall River’s taphouse and get a pint poured by one of the brewery’s owners, John Hutchings.

He described the occasion as “fantastic.”

“It’s awesome to have something that’s in Redding now that really looks like it wouldn’t be in Redding. It’s amazing,” Hutchings said.

“What’s been built here is incredible, and I’ve traveled to a lot of places and seen a lot of cool things and there’s not really anything out there that exists like this,” he said.

The K2 Development Companies patterned the market after similar operations elsewhere, such as the Oxbow Public Market in Napa.

Fall River was serving its popular Hex and Numb Numb Juice IPAs, along with seltzers, pre-made cocktails and soft drinks.

“This is our third tasting room and we will have, in two weeks, a fourth opening in Shasta Lake,” Hutchings said.

“We’ve got everything from mild to wild and in between. We do what’s called ready-to-drink cocktails. It’s a pre-made cocktail that’s just served on draft, but it’s classified as fermented malt beverage so you can sell it as a brewery,” he said.

‘Quite the challenge’

With the market’s 13,000-square-foot, ground-floor space sitting underneath three levels of apartment units, one has to wonder where all the overhead ducts go.

General Manager Ross explains the market has two main HVAC ducts that go straight to the roof.

“All of the (kitchen) hoods, all of the ducting is plumbed up three floors through the shafts, up through the roof,” she said. “(It) was quite the job – quite the challenge.”

Other features inside the layout include large glass windows at the Maro Noodle House so customers can see their orders assembled.

Another sight is a rotating pizza oven with see-through windows at Noni’s Pizzeria.

Out-of-towners impressed

Leo and Marsha Smith, a couple from the Auburn area, saw the public market publicized online and wanted to drop by Monday evening on their way to Oregon.

“I thought it’d be fun to check it out,” Marsha said.

They were impressed, describing their visit as “awesome” at least three times.

“It’s been pretty awesome. We had a few cocktails over here. The designer cocktails were really awesome – very well-balanced, very flavorful. We’re considering trying a hot dog over here,” Leo Smith said.

“And then ice cream,” Marsha Smith added.

“(There’s) a multitude of different businesses and all of them seem really awesome,” Leo Smith said.

The Smiths’ experience proves the market will be a destination for curious out-of-towners as well as locals.

The market’s Thanksgiving week opening is convenient so residents can show it off to relatives.

“We hope that people will bring their friends and family that are visiting from out of town for Thanksgiving,” Ross said.

Local connections

Allen Knott, CEO of K2 Development Companies, was all smiles as he attended the pre-opening with his brother, K2 executive officer Daniel Knott.

“It was just so fun to see the space activated and see the community come together. That was a really exciting moment for everyone that has their hand in our downtown and our hand in this project,” Allen Knott said.

He emphasized the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses.

“Overall, the biggest deal to me is that downtown is where small to medium businesses could come and thrive,” he said.

Knott noted the market’s vendors are local, with familiar community connections. For example, their kids could be on the same soccer teams, or the parents could’ve gone to the same high school.

“To see all these businesses come together and really be the heartbeat of our community as small to medium businesses is, I think, a huge win for them and our community,” Knott said.

He also expressed his gratitude for making the public market a reality.

“Thank you everyone for partaking in this venture for our community. … Embrace downtown because that’s where your local small and medium businesses survive and operate,” Knott said.

Friends sit next to a gas fire pit inside the new Redding Public Market on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. The climate-controlled patio offers fire pits and heaters on cold days while its windows can be unfurled on pleasant days. Photo by Mike Chapman for A News Cafe © All rights reserved.

Meanwhile, the Redding Public Market will hold its ribbon-cutting on Dec. 4 followed by nearby holiday events the next two days.

The city of Redding’s Christmas tree lighting is Friday, Dec. 5, when the market will have pictures with Santa from 5-8 p.m. on the patio. The market also will host a toy and donation drive in partnership with Arch Collaborative, Raising Shasta and One Safe Place.

The next day, on Saturday, Dec. 6, the Active 20-30 Club of Redding will present the annual lighted Christmas Parade.

Redding Public Market’s new businesses

32 Below (ice cream)
The Bantam Kitchen
Bad Dog (hot dogs)
Bread Butchers and Cold Brewers (bakery and coffee)
DJ Smash Burgers
Fall River Brewery
Heads or Tails (craft cocktail bar)
Little By Little (wine bar)
Maro Noodle House
Noni’s Pizzeria
San Marzano Market
Steller’s Jay Boutique

The Redding Public Market is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hours vary for each individual business. Go to reddingpublicmarket.com to see the 12 vendors’ hours of operation. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

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