Conceptualizing, creating and building a social community hub and food hall have been years in the making for Thrive Cos. Along with our dedicated team, there is a pool of community partners who have helped bring our vision to life including Flat Black Commercial Visuals (Flat Black).
When visiting (we officially open Aug. 16), you will immediately see and feel a personality that is playful, hip, welcoming—you will see the work of Andrew Kern and Joan Wilhelmi from Flat Black. They created a brand that captured our vision and gave us our name. We are pulling the curtain back to introduce you to our wizard, Flat Black.
Flat Black was not just another cog in the wheel for The Little Grand Market—their mission was to breathe life into the project from its very inception. They were tasked with generating the name, constructing a compelling brand identity, and translating that identity into every visual and tactile element within the space. In collaboration with our marketing and food & beverage teams, they tuned into the culture and essence that was to be cultivated, allowing the brand to organically evolve into something truly special.
When the Flat Black team embarked on this journey, naming the market was their top priority. They began with a thorough questionnaire for the Thrive team, which allowed them to capture the vision and align their creative strategy. Multiple rounds of naming exercises ensued, pairing potential names with supporting concepts until they landed on "The Little Grand Market."
With the name in place, the brand's visual identity quickly started to unfurl. One of their favorite aspects was developing "Little G," The Little Grand Man, who became an iconic part of the branding.
Far from resembling a traditional food hall, they envisioned The Little Grand as an open-air market teeming with life and familiarity.
Finally, the environmental design phase brought everything full circle. This included everything a visitor could see, touch, and feel within the space, turning abstract ideas into tangible experiences.
Flat Black’s design choices were inspired by the clerestory (open window roof) which captivated them with its storytelling potential. The sun, moon and other nature-related themes woven throughout the brand aim to enrich that narrative and create moments of connection and reflection.
Far from resembling a traditional food hall, they envisioned The Little Grand as an open-air market teeming with life and familiarity. Thrive granted them considerable creative freedom, which they used to infuse the space with a vibrant, palpable energy.
While the team at Flat Black is immensely proud of "Little G," their crowning achievement has got to be the expansive mural adorning our exterior.
Spanning approximately 2,000 square feet, the mural is a visual cornerstone of both the Grandview Crossing community and the vibrant interior of The Little Grand Market. You will love it…everyone does!
There you have it—a behind-the-scenes look at the creative journey that brought The Little Grand Market to life. We can’t wait to show Columbus what we have created.
See you Aug. 16!