Two Pence Market opens in Milton Village - developed by the team behind local restaurant Steel & Rye

Milton, MA After months of anticipation, Two Pence Market welcomed its first guests on Wednesday, July 29, introducing a vibrant new neighborhood destination for fresh food, specialty coffee, curated retail, and community connection. 

From the team behind the city’s beloved restaurant, bakery, and café, Steel & Rye, Two Pence Market brings a new all-day concept to the community – offering everything from freshly baked bagels to prepared meals, seasonal produce, specialty groceries, wine and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces designed for everyday life. Set inside a historic bank at 2 Eliot St., the market gives new life into a longtime local landmark while honoring the character, charm and history of the neighborhood.

Led by restaurateur Dan Kerrigan and co-owner and culinary director Brendan Joy, the team behind Steel & Rye, in partnership with local developer JD Wild of The ELEVATED Companies, Two Pence Market brings together deep local roots and a shared vision for creating a space that blends a thoughtful approach to food and beverage with meaningful community connection. 

The design thoughtfully incorporates historic elements of the former bank, including architectural details, restored furnishings, and distinctive features such as the original bank vault, which has been transformed into a unique wine retail space. 

By blending the building’s past with a fresh contemporary approach to food and hospitality, Two Pence creates a space that feels both familiar and new.

More than a traditional grocery store or café, Two Pence Market combines the best elements of both. Guests can stop in for a morning coffee and freshly baked bagel, pick up dinner on the way home, browse for carefully selected pantry items, or gather with friends and neighbors throughout the day. Designed for both quick stops and leisurely stays, the market features a uniquely designed dedicated self-serve coffee station and streamlined service model, allowing guests to easily enjoy specialty coffee and espresso drinks on the go or settle in and stay awhile.

Executive chef Alison Hearn oversees the market’s culinary program alongside Joy while managing the day-to-day kitchen operations. Drawing from the same ingredient-driven philosophy that shaped Steel & Rye, the market is designed around freshly prepared food that fits seamlessly into a busy week or a relaxed weekend. Offerings include a variety of breakfast and all-day options, prepared foods, seasonal bowls, salads, and convenient take-home selections, with a focus on quality ingredients and approachable meals. The café program features smoothies made with local produce, along with a rotating selection of freshly made bagels and house-made spreads. Breakfast offerings include egg sandwiches featuring charcuterie and breakfast sausage.

The market also features a rotating selection of seasonal produce, specialty groceries, and prepared foods chosen for quality, freshness, and everyday convenience. Long-standing partnerships with area farms, including Allandale Farm for seasonal greens and produce, and Ward’s Berry Farm for fruits including strawberries, blueberries, and peaches, reflect the team’s commitment to local farms while bringing the freshest ingredients possible to the community throughout the year.

Guests can also enjoy local favorite Toscanini’s Ice Cream, featuring 16 rotating flavors, seasonal sorbets, and hand-spun milkshakes available from the walk-up window. Two Pence is designed to become part of everyday life in Milton, offering welcoming spaces for every season. With indoor seating, a fireplace, and two outdoor patios, including a pergola-covered setting, the market invites guests to enjoy deliciously prepared food, beverages and conversation in a relaxed neighborhood setting.

“Opening Two Pence Market is an incredibly meaningful moment for our team,” said Kerrigan. “Milton has been home to Steel & Rye for close to fifteen years, and we wanted to create a place that feels connected to the community we’ve been so fortunate to be part of. Two Pence is designed to be a place people can return to often, whether they’re grabbing a coffee or smoothie on the way to work, picking up dinner for their family, discovering something new, or simply spending time with loved ones. Our hope is that it becomes part of the everyday rhythm of Milton.”

More than a market, Two Pence hopes to become a familiar gathering place and a modern town-square where neighbors can pause and enjoy thoughtfully crafted food and drink in a warm, welcoming setting rooted in local history.