Atlanta’s ‘future Mayor’ unveils plans for new market in Capital View

Atlanta restaurateur and owner of Lunacy Black Market, Paul Luna, made an offer today to purchase a property in the Capitol View area for a community “mercado.”

Chef Paul Luna and wife Cynthia Thomet, shared with What Now Atlanta on a trip to the restaurant Thursday, plans for this market.

“Chef’s vision is to open a market in a low income community that would benefit directly from the community’s own contribution to the project” said Thomet.

Luna and Thomet have been developing an investment group to open Tu Sueño Community Market (The Dream Community Market).

The name “Tu Sueño” is tentative and was actually revealed to Thomet during the interview who reacted positively with, “it’s a lovely name.”

Luna’s community market will be comprised of “vendor stands” operated by members of the community.

Stressing “sustainability,” Luna said his market will be the first of its kind in Atlanta: the opportunity to own the shop you work at in the neighborhood you live in.

“We spoke to a woman who lives in the area and bakes gluten free pastries. She could open and own her own vendor stand versus slaving away for Kroger,” Luna told What Now Atlanta. “Imagine the best fried chicken, gluten free pastries, bread, pizza, restaurant and market all under one roof.”

There will also be an art gallery featuring local artists, live entertainment from local musicians, a 30 to 40 seat restaurant in the center with a full bar, and besides acting as investor for the market, Luna would “love to cook there.”

“It’s my opportunity to control chaos.”

In addition to planning his community market, Luna’s busy  promoting his candidacy for the Mayor of Atlanta.

“Mark my words, I will be the mayor of Atlanta in 2013.”

To promote his campaign, Luna said a friend is putting out shirts that will say, “Chef Luna for Mayor. Not just another, Dumb Mother Fu*ker.”

No time frame has been identified for the community market but as Thomet put it, “the future mayor has spoken.”

(Photo credit: The Atlanta Journal Constitution)