Lexington to Unveil Modern Pantry Marketplace: A New Café and Convenience Store Hybrid Opening This November

Lexington is set to welcome a new food and retail option with the opening of Modern Pantry Marketplace, a café and convenience store hybrid. Owned by Romi Singh and his wife Ruby, the establishment will open in mid-November at 127 W. Main St., occupying the ground floor of a historic three-story building.

Modern Pantry Marketplace will cover approximately 2,200 square feet, outpacing the Singhs’ previous venture, Ruby’s Market and Cafe, which opened in 2023 on Short Street. The new marketplace will feature 14 door-fronted coolers stocked with beer, drinks, coffee, and slushies, along with an assortment of hot food items. Menu options will include sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, gyros, chicken tenders, and wings.

Singh described the concept as a New York-style bodega, aiming to fill a gap in downtown Lexington where retail options have dwindled over the years. This venture represents a shift in the city’s dining landscape, as previous attempts at bringing grocery shopping downtown have faltered. Notable closures include Shorty’s, The Urban Market, and Town Branch Market, all of which failed after a brief period of operation since 2011.

The absence of dedicated parking at the Modern Pantry Marketplace hasn’t deterred Singh, who anticipates that the location’s proximity to key landmarks, such as the 21c Museum Hotel and surrounding offices and bars, will generate significant foot traffic.

Hours of operation for Modern Pantry Marketplace will be as follows: Sunday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to midnight; Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. This flexible schedule is designed to accommodate a variety of customer needs, particularly during late-night hours.

With its opening imminent, Modern Pantry Marketplace aims to revitalize interest in downtown shopping and provide the community with essential food options in a vibrant café atmosphere.