Food News: Echo Spirits to release pineapple rum

Openings & Announcements 

Echo Spirits Distilling Co.’s new pineapple rum hits the scene this week. The Grandview distillery is hosting a launch party from 4 to 11 p.m. at the Bar at Echo Spirits (985 W. Sixth Ave.) on Thursday, April 15. Bottles of the new rum will be available at the Echo Spirits bottle shop and select liquor agencies. Drawing on the pineapple as a symbol of hospitality, Echo Spirits pledges to donate $1 from every bottle of its pineapple rum sold, forever, to a local charity focused on the needs of the hospitality industry. The distillery’s first charity selected is Service!, a local organization founded during the pandemic to support restaurant and bar workers. Echo Spirits’ other products include rum, rye whiskey and genever.  

Allyson Blackwell, owner of The Pastry Factory, will unveil her new bakery at the North Market (59 Spruce St.) on Saturday, April 17. The gourmet bakery and desserts shop will offer a range of cupcakes, French pastries, cookies, pies and more. The Pastry Factory is a pandemic-era success story for Blackwell, who made the business her full-time focus after being laid off from her job at Franklin Park Conservatory last year. This will be her first retail bakery. Read more about The Pastry Factory here. 

The Pearl Market is hosting series of "mini-markets" this month, prior to its regular farmers market season kickoff on May 21. The pop-up markets (featuring produce, proteins, crafts and more) will take place at three Downtown locations: The Nicholas (April 15), The Julian (April 23) and Slammers (April 30). 

The Mexican restaurant Frutimix Columbus has moved a few doors down to 2171 E. Dublin Granville Road, replacing the Persian eatery Jeddo Kabab. Frutimix offers a menu of tacos, tortas and fresh fruit juices, as well as a full bar. It’s unclear whether Jeddo Kabab plans to relocate.