Le Jardin Market Celebrates Its Grand Opening With a Whole Lotta Love

Though Flor Frances’ background as a writer and founder of Raygun Agency, a music marketing company, wouldn’t immediately make her a candidate to open a coffee shop, her many years as a consumer searching for the perfect caffeine oasis led her to create one herself.

Today, February 13, marks the debut of her craft coffee bar and intended community hub, Le Jardin Market, nestled in the up-and-coming Allapattah neighborhood.

Frances, business partner Phil Cardona (AKA Phil the Mayor of Headliner Marketing), and their collaborators will finally realize their vision of a tranquil space devoted to creatives looking for a place to nurture their ideas. The owners hope Le Jardin will offer a conducive atmosphere, accented with tropical greenery, for guests to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The grand opening this evening will offer an exclusive coffee sampling, a poetry reading by author Pamela Wasabi, tarot card readings, art by Mark Diamond, an acoustic set by Hunters of the Alps, music by Jolt Radio DJs, and croquetas by Masa Craft. The event will also include an array of local goods and crafts made by South Florida artists and artisans, a characteristic central to the café’s manifesto.

The free party also includes a selection by 305 Wines, a taste of Le Jardin’s upcoming Wine Club program, where members will be able to discover exclusive wines and learn about them among like-minded people or have them delivered to their door.

The event, aptly named Whole Lotta Love, will take place on the eve of Valentine's Day and have lovers covered when it comes to last-minute gifts. Specialty flower arrangements, plants, hand-decorated pots by local artists, and personalized Valentine’s Day cards and postcards will be available for purchase.

Whole Lotta Love. 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, February 13, at Le Jardin Market, 3418 NW Seventh Ave., Miami. Admission is free; RSVP via eventbrite.com.