A MICROPUB at the Covered Market has proved so popular its owners have opened a food emporium next door.
The Teardrop bar opened before Christmas in part of the former Haymans fishmongers unit at the historic market.
Now husband and wife team Christian and Luciana Gyuricza, both 44, have invested thousands in opening a shop alongside.
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The Teardrop, named after a teardrop-shaped caravan used to sell beer at festivals, sells ales brewed at the couple's Church Hanbrewery in West Oxfordshire.
The pub runs when the market is open and is popular with shoppers, including tourists.
Mum-of-three Ms Gyuricza said: “The pub is bringing more and more people into the market.
“We thought it would be a good idea to open up an emporium next door selling local produce.
“It creates more space and seating for the micropub – it’s a big investment for us and initially we will run the emporium on a trial basis for the next six months.”
The couple has taken out a long lease on the pub unit.
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Food and drink on sale so far at the emporium includes Tiddly Pommes apple juice, Oxford-based Cranston Pickles and Chillies for You from Church Hanborough.
Ms Gyuricza, originally from Brazil, added: “People can buy food from the market and come and eat it in the emporium, as long as they buy a drink at the pub.
“We want local food producers to contact us so we can sell their items – we would like to sell honey, jams and preserves.
“It’s so nice to have a bar with food sold alongside.
“Sales of bottled beer are going well, especially with the tourists – Americans go crazy for cider, apparently it’s not the same in the States.”
Mary Clarkson, Oxford City Council cabinet member for culture and city centre, said: “It’s great that Teardrop have such confidence in the health of the Covered Market that they are expanding and opening another business there.
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"Teardrop Brewery has been a very positive addition to the market, and is regularly busy and vibrant.”
Graham MacDonald, who runs iScream gelateria, said: “It’s very exciting for the market that the micropub is doing well.
“I never thought the council would allow a bar to open in the market but it has and it seems really popular, particularly on Saturday.”
Ms Gyuricza said two new staff are also being hired.
One new recruit is bar tender Magnus Joye, 22, from Oxford.
The former Matthew Arnold School pupil, who also has also worked at the Tap Social brewery in Botley, said yesterday: “It’s my first day and I have enjoyed it so far.”
The couple’s company has been trading since February 2016 and usually sells about 2,000 litres of beer a month.
It was originally set up in Church Hanborough but has since relocated to New Yatt about four miles away.
Haymans fishmongers closed at the market in 2017 and the space was divided into three units.
The Teardrop bar opened in one of units and Pershore Seafoods also opened a new shop there in April.
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