A cornerstone development in downtown Milton, Market District Crabapple, showcased its array of inviting businesses at a special Grand Opening Showcase celebration Thursday afternoon.

Several of those establishments have been open for some time, others are much newer to the scene, and some will come on-line soon. Regardless, the April 25 event was an opportunity to celebrate all of them and what they bring, collectively, to Milton.

As Mayor Peyton Jamison noted on Thursday, 100 percent of the spaces in Market District’s three buildings have been leased out or there are lease agreements in place. Current tenants include a range of office types (such as financial, law, and dental), studios (including yoga, photography, and design), and restaurants spanning from Starbucks to Aberdeen Steakhouse.

Thursday’s festivities began with ribbon-cuttings for J. BEC Photography (a photography studio), Milton Dental (a multi-faceted dentist office), Suite 200 (an upscale sports bar and grill), and La Mer (a seafood-focused restaurant). Individuals from those establishments joined Brent Beecham, Eric Richards, and Greg Swayne – all pivotal developers behind Market District – as well as City staff, Mayor Jamison, and Councilmembers Doug Hene and Andrea Verhoff for a ribbon-cutting for the entire development.

At that ceremony, Beecham recalled the progression that led to the grand opening and highlighted a strong partnership with the City that helped make it happen. He also emphasized how community support is vital to these businesses’ success, with a goal of making Market District a destination not only for Crabapple residents but people all around Milton and beyond.

Market District’s origins can be traced to soon after Milton’s 2006 incorporation, when citizens and City leaders began envisioning a new, emerging downtown. Years of civic input and planning gave way to major milestones like the City’s extension of Heritage Walk between Birmingham Highway and Mayfield Road – which, not coincidentally, is where Market District is located. (The developers behind Market District, in fact, donated land that became part of this new road.)

But it’s one thing to draft plans, create roads, and erect buildings. Making a development of this scale a legitimate success requires innovative and dedicated partners, alluring businesses, and an entrepreneurial spirit that fit Milton. All that was true for Market District.

Thursday’s development-wide ribbon cutting was followed by a public celebration centered in the courtyard outside Starbucks and Aberdeen by Birmingham. Visitors mingled while listening to live music, enjoying snacks and light refreshments, as well as exploring Market District’s businesses.

To learn more about what’s at Market District, check out their website: https://www.marketdistrictcrabapple.com/.