The Making of Littleton’s Market

Nestled in the heart of Upper Arlington’s Tremont Center, Littleton’s Market continues the proud legacy of neighborhood grocers, following in the footsteps of Tarpy’s in the 1950s and Huffman’s for the past three decades. Since opening its doors in December 2023, the market and café have quickly become a cherished local destination. Offering a carefully curated selection of high-quality, unique, and artisanal products, Littleton’s delivers an exceptional shopping and dining experience that sets it apart from the typical supermarket – yet its influence extends beyond its products, cultivating a strong sense of community and vibrant culture that resonates beyond Upper Arlington.

Stepping into the market offers an elevated, European-style shopping experience. More than just a specialty store, it’s a space designed to spark culinary inspiration that encourages everyone to embrace their inner chef. Drawing inspiration from the European tradition of shopping in smaller, more frequent quantities—something many Americans find charming while traveling—Littleton’s was created to bring that charm to the community. Its central location and walkability mirror the feel of classic neighborhood markets.

Curating Quality

The store’s design and atmosphere are inspired by the founding family’s travels to France, Italy, and New York, aiming to create an immersive shopping experience where customers feel both a warm welcome and excitement to explore. They transformed a space that had served as a grocery store for over seventy years, adding a charming café-bakery and wine bar. Owner, Rob Littleton, drawing from Paradise Seafood on Marco Island, envisioned a one-stop destination for everything needed to craft a gourmet meal: fresh fish, premium produce, artisanal charcuterie, fine wines, and exceptional customer service.

When it comes to sourcing, Littleton’s philosophy is simple: procure only the best ingredients. The market boasts a remarkable collection of cheeses—nearly 200 kinds from all corners of the globe—along with a meticulously selected range of seafood and meats that will delight even the most discerning gourmands and chefs.

Rather than working with a few large distributors, the store collaborates with over 150 vendors, including farmers, fisheries, and local creators. The shelves are stocked with exclusive products, many of which are the result of partnerships with regional suppliers or discoveries from local farmers’ markets, like eggs from family-owned Sweet Grass Dairy or flowers from Owl’s Nest Flower Farm in southern Ohio.

Each department’s hands-on approach to product selection ensures they can answer any question with expertise. Littleton’s offers an impressive variety of premium, locally-sourced ingredients, international gourmet foods, and handcrafted baked goods. From fresh produce and expertly-butchered meats to rare cheeses and exclusive wines, the market curates the finest offerings from across the state, region, and world, reflecting Littleton’s unwavering commitment to variety and excellence.

Elevating the Everyday

With thoughtfully-sourced products and outstanding prepared foods, Littleton’s elevates the everyday meal into a remarkable culinary experience. Whether dining in or cooking at home, it all begins with the quality of the ingredients.

The Meat Department offers an expertly curated selection of premium cuts, including beef, pork, lamb, veal, chicken, and turkey, as well as marinated options and ready-to-cook favorites like stuffed chicken breasts and pork chops. The department also features an assortment of house-made sausages, including hot Italian, breakfast sausage, and bratwurst.  Dedicated to the highest quality, all meats are free from antibiotics, by-products, and steroids, and sourced from suppliers who prioritize humane harvesting practices. The store takes pride in butchering all steaks in-house, never purchasing pre-cut products. While most of their meats come from Ohio, Littleton’s is committed to sourcing the best available options, sometimes looking beyond state lines to bring customers the finest offerings.

James Williams, a local legend in the meat department, has a unique platform to work his meaty magic and showcase his brilliant customer interactions. With 40 years of experience, including 33 years as the meat lead at Huffman’s Market, Williams has built a reputation for his expertise and exceptional customer service. 

As Hire #1 at Littleton’s, he’s not just a cornerstone of the shop—he’s the heartbeat that keeps it buzzing with energy. With a wealth of knowledge and an effortlessly warm, welcoming presence, James brings the market’s spirit to life every day. He embodies Littleton’s commitment to community, sharing, “Upper Arlington is a fantastic place to work. I love building relationships with our customers.” His passion and dedication shine through in every interaction, making him a beloved fixture of the market.

When it comes to seafood, Littleton’s stands out for its quality and freshness. According to department manager Anthony Prince, 95% of the fish never sees a freezer.  Prince goes the extra mile, picking up deliveries at the airport, while others are trucked in nightly from large and small fisheries on the East Coast, and a few family-owned businesses on the West Coast. To ensure the highest quality, some whole fish are butchered in-house, allowing the team to assess their freshness by examining the gills, eyes, and overall condition.

Best-sellers include salmon, grouper, halibut, scallops, and ready-to-cook items like jumbo lump crab cakes, ginger miso glazed black cod, and house made salmon burgers. Oysters change daily, with a surprise “dealer’s choice” ranging from Washington State to South Carolina, Maine, and Canada. A-fish-ianados will appreciate unique offerings like black cod (sablefish) and Catsmo cold-smoked salmon from the Catskills in New York – both of which are never frozen.

Amanda Anderson, the Cheese and Charcuterie Lead, sets Littleton’s cheese department apart. Her expertise curates a truly unique collection – from Italian Roccolo Val Taleggio and Dutch Tricolour Gouda to chèvre from River’s Edge Creamery in Oregon, the selection is as diverse as it is delicious. Sample hard-to-find cheeses and cured meats, then allow Wine Sommelier Chris Dillman to expertly pair them for a wine and cheese experience any day of the week.

Alongside its excellent individual departments, Littleton’s places a strong emphasis on prepared foods and house-made pasta, catering to the needs of the busy community. The prepared foods department draws inspiration from classic French and Italian sandwich shops and focaccerias, featuring a tempting selection of mortadella on ciabatta, jambon beurre baguettes, and hearty slabs of focaccia. For a convenient, high-quality meal, customers can also choose from a variety of entrées, side dishes, and salads, all ready to grab and go. End your meal on a sweet note with a treat from the dessert case, featuring locally-made desserts, macarons, and fresh cake or tart by the slice.

Crafting Community

As part of its post-COVID vision, Littleton’s Market set out to create a community-centric atmosphere that would draw people back together. The result was an outdoor, covered pavilion featuring full-service dining, a well-stocked bar, ample seating, and vibrant slushie machines—an inviting hub for both relaxation and connection.

The Pavilion comes alive in the summer, buzzing with energy as families, friends, and neighbors fill the air with conversation and laughter. Games of cornhole and pop-a-shot basketball entertain kids while the sounds of local musicians evoke the charm of a European market. Positioned at the front of the store, The Pavilion honors the longstanding tradition of neighborhood events, such as the beloved April Fools’ Day Pancake Breakfast that was held on this spot for decades, bridging the past with the present. Today, the shared joy of connection is evident, whether it’s over a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or simply the act of gathering, strengthening connections within the community while creating a space where everyone feels at home.

The true heart of Littleton’s Market lies in the people who make it thrive: its dedicated employees, loyal customers, and the vibrant neighborhood that surrounds it. Community and sustainability are at the core of their values.  Aware of the challenges surrounding food waste, they’ve partnered with Ohio Food Rescue to donate surplus, ensuring it reaches those in need. Additionally, they collaborate with local organizations like the Upper Arlington Civic Association, Common Greens Farmers Market, Upper Arlington Education Foundation, and nearby schools and libraries to support and enrich the community.

The Joy of Eating 

The founders envisioned a space that would be fun and festive – a place to have a meal with family, share wine with friends, or grab a coffee and pastry before work. They believe dining should be a joyful experience that connects us to our food and each other, and the restaurant is the perfect setting to make that happen.

Culinary creativity is at the heart of Littleton’s Market Restaurant. With a team of talented chefs and wine experts boasting decades of experience, they’ve crafted a dynamic menu and wine program that is continually evolving. The all-day café and restaurant serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with an extensive wine and cocktail menu at the bar. Guests can also select a bottle directly off the shelves to enjoy with their meal. 

Executive Chef Charley Sigler leads the kitchen and oversees the prepared foods. By working with the finest ingredients from throughout the market, he can showcase the seasonal offerings of each department, providing endless opportunities for inventive and creative dishes.

The menu strikes a balance between adventurous and approachable, with a strong emphasis on quality and the highest culinary standards. Diners enjoy familiar blackened and grilled fish sandwiches, while handmade pasta anchors dinner entrées. Global flavors make an appearance for the more adventurous palates. Café sandwiches and brunch toasts utilize bread from the market’s bakery, while fresh farm produce takes center stage in blistered shishito peppers and Caesar salads topped with crispy prosciutto. The concept of market-to-plate is reflected in every dish and every seafood tower.

Pastry Chef extraordinaire, Aaron Clouse heads the pastry and bread program, which is operated from Littleton’s Market Bakery at the North Market. The café’s case dazzles customers with a delightful selection of specialty pastries, which change weekly and seasonally. His exquisite creations are inspired by the iconic sweets of New York City, France, and other renowned pastry destinations. Pair one of Clouse’s signature circular croissants with a specialty coffee, tea, smoothie, or even a mimosa for the perfect morning treat.

Sip and Stroll 

The restaurant buzzes with energy thanks to the full bar serving creative seasonal cocktails and mocktails and daily drink specials. Grab a glass of wine or beer and explore the store at your leisure. Another option is to browse the wine collection and have the bar cork a bottle for you to savor indoors or on The Pavilion. 

However, choosing a bottle might be the hard part! Cue, Chris Dillman, Advanced Sommelier and Director of Beer and Wine. Dillman is frequently visible in the department, lending his expert insights and personal recommendations to customers. He’s proud to have built the wine program, now featuring about 900 bottles of carefully selected imported wines, from the ground up. Because Littleton’s is both a restaurant and retailer, Dillman can gain access to many wines that are rare or hard to come by. 

He prefers to keep the wine offerings at about 30% familiar and 70% less familiar, allowing customers to find their favorites but to also indulge in something new.  He believes the “high proportion of less familiar wines helps to open conversations and gives him the chance to introduce customers to new wines.” Sancerre is by far the top seller, but champagne and other bubbles come in a close second. Sancerre is in such demand that a custom Sancerre Cuvée will be installed this summer.  

Several days a week, customers can enjoy wine flights during the organized afternoon Sip & Stroll, sampling unique products throughout the store and discovering edible delights at every turn. This is an affordable way to taste a range of wines from around the world. The team collectively selects the flights to introduce new products and help the staff become familiar with them, ensuring an informed tasting and shopping experience.

Feel Good Shopping

Whether you’re planning a special meal or indulging in a quality family dinner, Littleton’s offers an unparalleled shopping experience with a focus on freshness, sustainability, and sophistication – but it is more than just a market, it’s a welcoming gathering place for neighbors. At the end of the day, their goal is to showcase the best ingredients that people can feel good about sharing with their families, whether in the restaurant or at home. As Rob Littleton says,“You’ll feel better after shopping here.”