Gainesville is buzzing with anticipation for the grand opening of the 4th Ave Food Park, a vibrant new dining destination set to become a local favorite. Located conveniently between the University of Florida campus and downtown Gainesville, this exciting food park promises a diverse culinary experience in a lively outdoor setting. Mark your calendars for January 11th, as the 4th Ave Food Park will host a day-long celebration filled with delicious food, live music, and community spirit to officially launch its open-air space and welcome its exciting lineup of food vendors.
The grand opening festivities at 409 SW Fourth Ave. will kick off bright and early at 7 a.m., welcoming early birds and coffee enthusiasts. As the day progresses, the energy will amplify with live music starting at 10 a.m., featuring a fantastic roster of performers including Ben Derrico, Front Porchback Steppers, Wax Wings, and more. The 4th Ave Food Park is designed to be a social hub, a place where friends and families can gather, explore a variety of food options, and enjoy the beautiful Gainesville weather in a relaxed outdoor atmosphere.
Let’s take a sneak peek at the fantastic food businesses that are shaping the 4th Ave Food Park into a must-visit destination:
Meet the Diverse Vendors of 4th Ave Food Park
Opus Coffee Airstream: Coffee with a Side of History
Taking center stage at the 4th Ave Food Park is the gleaming Opus Coffee Airstream, Opus Coffee’s innovative and stylish new outpost. Housed in a beautifully restored 1976 Airstream Sovereign trailer, this unique coffee shop will serve Opus’ signature specialty coffee and espresso drinks.
“We envisioned a spot that was more than just a coffee shop – a true destination, distinct from our other locations,” explains Opus Coffee co-founder Tim Larson. The Airstream concept was born from a desire to create a memorable and unique experience. Intrigued by the Airstream’s potential, Larson delved into online research, eventually discovering Ian Miller in Dallas, who was renovating an Airstream. A serendipitous email led to Larson acquiring the trailer and embarking on the journey of transforming it into a mobile coffee haven.
Adding a touch of historical charm, Larson traced the Airstream’s travels over its first 43 years through the Airstream owners registry. From eastern Canada to the Ozarks and as far as Panama, this vintage trailer has seen its share of adventures. Opus Airstream will celebrate this rich history with special drinks inspired by its past travels, including a huckleberry syrup coffee reminiscent of Glacier National Park and a pineapple nitro cold brew with coconut, nodding to its Central American journeys.
Opus Airstream will be open Monday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., inviting you to start your day or enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up with a dose of coffee and nostalgia.
Humble Wood Fire Pizza: Neapolitan Flavors in Minutes
Craving authentic Neapolitan-style pizza or a perfectly grilled bagel? Look no further than Humble Wood Fire Pizza. Equipped with a high-temperature oven, Humble Wood Fire promises to deliver delicious, quickly prepared food to satisfy your cravings.
While their permanent counter service location at 405 SW Fourth Ave. is anticipated to open by fall 2020, you can already experience the taste of Humble Wood Fire at their mobile setup within the 4th Ave Food Park. Their menu boasts a range of pizzas, from the classic Margherita to more adventurous options like the Coconut Curry pizza, featuring a coconut curry sauce base, Yukon potatoes, and marinated tempeh or chicken.
Owner Brett Ader’s personal favorite is the Funghi pizza, a delightful combination of cashew alfredo sauce, thyme, shiitake mushroom “bacon,” crimini mushrooms, and mozzarella. Vegetarian options are plentiful, with tempeh available as a protein substitute on many pizzas. On Fridays, don’t miss their wood-fired bagels, available from 8 a.m. until noon or until they sell out, with a variety of toppings to choose from. Humble Wood Fire also operates a fixed-trailer location at Depot Park, open Thursday-Friday (5-9 p.m.) and Saturday-Sunday (12-9 p.m.).
Fehrenbacher’s Artisan Sausage: Midwest Roots, Gainesville Flavor
Adam Fehrenbacher, the founder of Fehrenbacher’s Artisan Sausage, brings a unique blend of culinary school training and Midwestern farming heritage to the 4th Ave Food Park. After years in restaurant kitchens, Fehrenbacher returned to his roots, establishing Fehrenbacher’s Artisan Sausage at 411 SW Fourth Ave. two years ago.
His sausages are crafted with a focus on quality and minimal ingredients, avoiding preservatives and additives. Fehrenbacher’s favorite sausage, a simple pork sausage, contains only meat and three spices: salt, pepper, and paprika, highlighting the purity of flavors. For the more adventurous palate, they offer unique flavors like Szechuan Sausage with Szechuan peppercorns and gochujang, and Kimchi sausage, inspired by the Korean fermented side dish.
Everything at Fehrenbacher’s is made with meticulous care, including hand-cranking over 12,000 pounds of sausage last year using a manual grinder. The menu typically features six to seven sausage varieties, alongside rotating sandwiches and meat boards. Beer and wine are also available to complement your meal. Fehrenbacher’s Artisan Sausage is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Friday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
Sublime Tacos: Tacos and Mexican Street Food Delights
Sublime Tacos, formerly known as Cilantro Tacos, joined the 4th Ave Food Park at 317 SW Fourth Ave. in July and rebranded in October. Sublime Tacos offers a diverse menu centered around tacos, featuring options ranging from shrimp and chicken to barbacoa, and vegetarian and vegan choices.
Beyond tacos, you can also enjoy nachos, burritos, and quesadillas. Complete your meal with fresh chips and salsa or elote, classic Mexican grilled corn. Owner Sen Khiez has indicated that while the menu remained consistent after the rebranding, new and exciting additions are likely in the future. Sublime Tacos is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., making it a perfect spot for lunch or dinner (closed Sundays).
BakerBaker: Freshly Baked Goods to Sweeten Your Day
Amanda Bowers, the talent behind BakerBaker, turned a hobby into a thriving business. What started as baking through a cookbook has become a passion for creating delicious baked goods. BakerBaker, located at 407 SW Fourth Ave., supplies wholesale partners with a delightful array of cookies, breads, muffins, scones, and more.
Gainesville locals can find BakerBaker’s treats at Opus Coffee locations, including special items exclusively for the Opus Airstream at the 4th Ave Food Park. Bowers bakes an impressive 1,000 pastries daily for Opus. Her favorite creation is croissants, a testament to her skill and dedication to baking. Using high-quality butter and a patient four-day process, BakerBaker’s croissants are a true labor of love, requiring meticulous folding and resting of the dough.
Experience the 4th Ave Food Park Grand Opening
Don’t miss the grand opening of the 4th Ave Food Park on January 11th. Come and experience this exciting new Gainesville destination, enjoy delicious food from a variety of vendors, groove to live music, and soak in the vibrant community atmosphere. The 4th Ave Food Park is poised to become a cornerstone of Gainesville’s food scene, offering a unique and enjoyable outdoor dining experience for everyone.
