[addtoany]

Nestled inTO the triangular block of a remodeled 1920s-era automotive shop on Capitol Hill between Pike and Pine along Melrose Avenue (across the street from Bauhaus Books & Coffee), the new Melrose Project is a true marketplace, featuring an eclectic abundance of goods—all with an emphasis on local. This urban refuge amid old-growth-timber beams, steel braces and exposed brick brings a Pike Place Market feel to the Hill. Businesses began to open here last December and several are still arriving.

SHOP
>> If you’re hankering for hard-to-find fromage—say, a creamy Langres or a Northwest Oregonzola—the inspired selection at the THE CALF & KID (1531 Melrose Ave.; 206.467.5447; calfandkid.com) will satisfy your most esoteric cheese cravings. Watch for fall classes in artisan cheese knowledge. >> MARIGOLD AND MINT (1531 Melrose Ave.; 206.419.1222; marigoldandmint.com) features organic flowers and fresh produce from owner Katherine Anderson’s family farm along the Snoqualmie River. Monday and Thursday afternoons are harvest days, when flora such as chocolate mint, hyssop and marjoram are at peak freshness. >> If your cravings are more carnivorous, the display of local meats and house-made sausages at RAINSHADOW MEATS (1531 Melrose Ave.; 206.467.6328; rainshadowmeats.com) will make your mouth water—plus, you can chat charcuterie with your local butcher. >> Good news for fans of Ballard boutique VELOURIA (1521 Melrose Ave.; 206.623.1130; shopvelouria.tripod.com)—this second location opened in December, showcasing bags, jewelry and clothing by independent designers, including Seattleites like Rika Kurdyla of RikaRika. >> Support local music at SONIC BOOM (1525 Melrose Ave.; 206.568.2666; sonicboomrecords.com), whose extensive CD and vinyl collection highlights indie and Northwest labels such as Subpop and Barsuk, and the stage hosts live acts both local and national (see website for schedule).

EAT AND DRINK
>> New wine shop BAR FERDINAND (1531 Melrose Ave.; 206.682.1333; ferdinandthebar.com) features a changing menu of locally sourced fish, oysters and wine, plus nuts and olives for retail as well as to go. It’s the latest venture by Matt Dillon, the chef behind >> SITKA & SPRUCE (1531 Melrose Ave.; 206.324.0662; sitkaandspruce.com), which relocated to the Melrose Project from Eastlake in May. >> Fremont-based HOMEGROWN Sustainable SANDWICH Shop (1531 Melrose Ave.; 206.682.0935; eathomegrown.com), which emphasizes local, organic ingredients, opened a second spot here, serving favorites like its awesome Crab Cake, Bacon + Avocado. A late-night menu is available exclusively at this location. >> If you need a stiff drink to wash down the good eats, head downstairs to STILL LIQUOR (1524 Minor Ave.; 206.467.4075;