Adelaide’s favourite Italian specialty store, Mercato have been providing South Aussies with gourmet goods from their Campbelltown store since 1972. Now, the family-owned business are furthering their ventures and are set to open a second location at the old Le Cornu in North Adelaide.
The new Mercato will be part of the Eighty Eight O’Connell Street redevelopment, and will occupy the entire retail space beneath the Tynte Street tower – that’s approximately 850 square metres of Italian small goods, pantry essentials, fresh pastries, house-made sauces, coffee, vino – you name it.
As well as bringing a taste of Italy to the city – the new North Adelaide locale will offer wines from all over the world, including French drops, German bottles, and New Zealand tipple, to name a few.
Mercato Managing Director, John Caporaso says, “Our plan is to replicate the Campbelltown store with everything retail whilst emphasising our hospitality offering. This includes additional Mercato ready-made meals and other staple food groups such as fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and butchery to make it a real market.
“We are super excited to be involved in such a significant project created by both our team and that of Commercial & General,” John shares.
Eighty Eight O’Connell, formerly the Le Cornu site, is envisioned to be a precinct invigorated with connected living, immersed within culinary and retail boutiques – a place where businesses thrive and residents connect, all whilst providing the 160 apartments within the complex with a world-class, gourmet shopping experience.
The entire $250 million build at Eighty-Eight O’Connell will include a market square, outdoor dining and play spaces, a Green Urban School, short-stay accommodation, and apartment and townhouse living with construction expected to be finito by 2029. However, Mercato are planned for their grand opening come mid-2025.
“We can’t wait to share our family’s rich history as dedicated, personable and community minded retailers. We have the view that the world needs to eat, drink and live better,” John finishes.
All images supplied.