Hello Walnut Creek!
This week’s Tuesday Small Business Highlight brings us to a neighborhood gem you might not have discovered yet. Meet The Market on Larkey, a Walnut Creek spot built to feel like a true community hangout, serving scratch-made, health-forward food and drinks in a warm, welcoming space. With a constantly evolving menu and a focus on making every guest feel at home, it’s the perfect place that turns first visits into regular routines.
Tell us the story behind your business. What inspired you to start it, and how did it all begin?
We (Jenny and Jon) got into the coffee industry in 2013 as a pop up tent at farmers markets. We were newly married and wanted to start a business so we could have more time together so with no coffee or cafe experience, we jumped right in! We started as Marley’s Coffee - changed in 2018 to Rooted Coffee - and began opening storefronts in 2019. This business took off and grew fast! We added on a business partner (Lizzy) who helped us really jump to the next level and fill in the business gaps we were missing. At the end of 2025, we sold Rooted Coffee to a local family who will carry on the brand and mission. This brings us to now - April 2026 where we solely own The Market On Larkey. Our mission here is to be a hang out and refuge for our neighbors and community - serving them creative food and drinks that are health forward and always made from scratch. The goal is to ensure the market feels like an old school mom and pop shop for many decades to come.
Why Walnut Creek? What made you choose this area to plant roots?
Both born and raised here, we felt like there weren’t many homey, community hang outs. That truly was the inspiration - We wanted to create a community space where people from all walks of life could gather, feel seen and valued, and be part of something.
What’s something about your business that most people don’t know?
The Market is constantly evolving - because it isn’t a chain or have other locations, we are able to adapt the menu seasonally and honestly, even weekly sometimes! If we have extra produce, we will turn it into a new compote for our chia parfaits or use over ripe bananas to bust out a batch of banana bread pudding on the fly. The goal is to be always evolving and changing so it feels like new life is flowing through the market on every visit!
What’s been your most rewarding moment so far?
This is a tough one but I would say it’s happening right now - this month is our 2 year anniversary and it feels like a very rewarding milestone. We have dialed in our inventory, menu offerings, partnerships like bread, coffee & more + our staff are so stable, loving and truly on fire in the way they show up everyday. Hitting this milestone with such a supportive team and incredible customers feels like true success.
What’s been your biggest challenge as a small business owner here?
Exposure. We are the only business in the neighborhood so many people haven’t found us yet :) Daily, someone new comes in and says, “I had no idea you were here!” which is such a good feeling to be growing week by week. We definitely have the capacity to be busier so we love the word of mouth advertising that is happening organically.
If someone is visiting for the first time, what should they try or experience?
Oooo this is a tough one - fan favorites are the maple sea salt latte with house maple cold foam, beach club sandwich, the jam chia parfait or our seasonal lemon cream matcha with house lemon foam! Ahh, and the baked goods - vanilla conchas or berry muffins from scratch!
What’s next for you? Anything exciting coming up that readers should know about?
We will be offering soft serve this Summer :) Stay tuned via instagram for our debut of dole whip + other soft serve offerings!
We’re also celebrating our 2-year anniversary this Friday with a birthday party at the market. It's gonna be an awesome in-person bash filled with fun, good vibes, and great company. Not to mention pop up Mexican food catering, craft beverages for adults and kids & slices of birthday cake. We’d love for the community to come by and celebrate with us!
📍 2800 Larkey Ln, Walnut Creek
🗓 Friday, April 17
⏰ 5–8 PM
Follow them on IG: @themarketonlarkey
If you haven’t stopped by yet, this might be your sign to check it out. Places like The Market on Larkey are what make Walnut Creek feel like home, one visit at a time.
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