Artizante Market in Păulești Transforms Romania’s Market Scene with 1.2M Euro Investment

In Păulești, Prahova, a revolutionary new concept has opened, which will transform the way the local community interacts and shops. With an initial investment of more than €1.2 million, the completion of the project required substantial additional budget. It is estimated that the break-even point will be reached after 1 year and the investment will be recovered after an estimated 5-7 years. Inspired by the famous Torvehallerne Market in Copenhagen, Artizante differs from the traditional Romanian market in that it aims to bring people together in a friendly environment and contribute to a better quality of life through its product offer from local farmers and craftsmen, as well as the variety of ready-to-eat prepared food.

“Eleven years ago, I went to Denmark for the first time and arrived by chance at Torvehallerne Square. Impressed by the buzz and the incredible difference between the market I was used to in Romania and the level of art I encountered in the market there, I began to get the idea that the power of entrepreneurship is incredible if Artizans are allowed to express themselves and have a ground prepared to reach their potential. 11 years later, we manage to bring this concept to Romania, offering a space where people can gather together as a society, in that place where you enjoy seeing your neighbours, seeing other quality people, being able to stop and have a civilised glass of wine while doing your shopping,” says Andrei Severin, investor and Managing Director.

The concept of the market, from design to services, is designed around the idea of community and quality of life. The logo is inspired by the traditional sun pattern, but can also be interpreted as a table around which people sit. The logo and branding was designed by Romanian Sergiu Gheorghe, who is based in Denmark at one of the world’s leading branding agencies. The avant-garde concept also gives a name to those who want to be part of the new community, an abbreviation for the Artizante Market: taking the P from Market and Artizan from Artizante, those who will join this movement will be Partisans, who will be involved in supporting the market and the new concept, so that it will end up making a positive impact in the lives of as many people as possible (Partizans).

Artizante Market targets 2 main categories of customers: families who will want to spend quality time when they go to the market and gourmands. Artizante aims to become the place where citizens living in the north of Ploiesti and in Păulești will come to enjoy extremely tasty dishes and the place where they will come to do their shopping, thanks to a very high quality level of products. The selection of artizans/ craftsmen (those who sell products in the market) was made according to a strict set of criteria, evaluated by a commission.

“The total size of the building is 2,000 sqm, with a 300 sqm terrace and playground area on the ground floor and over 70 parking spaces. In the Artizante Market you will find at least 3 different kinds of cuisine: American, Arabian, Romanian, but you will also be able to eat ice cream or have a specialty coffee. We will have a rich diversity of fruits, vegetables, jams, flowers, dairy, ice cream and artizan cakes. A famous bakery and a pharmacy will also operate in the market,” says Andrei Severin.

Opening hours of the Artizan Market:

• Breakfast & coffee area, open from 7am;
• Classic market area: M-F 8.30 – 20.00, S-S: 8.30 – 17.00;
• Restaurant area: M-Th 11.00-20.00. Fri-Sun: 11.00am to 11.00pm.

Regular private events will be organised, by invitation, for 50 people/week, taking place outside opening hours, on various topics related to culinary refinement, such as a gourmet burger cooking workshop, cheese making or wine tasting.