Lakewood will soon be home to what has become a staple of good eats in Ohio City. If all goes as planned, The Souper Market, a soup and salad stop near Cleveland's West Side Market, will open its doors on Detroit Avenue in the location formally occupied by the Flora Café.

Five years ago, chef Matthew Moore recognized the need for a specialty food establishment, such as a “soup house,” and opened his own business. The Souper Market specializes in creating fresh, hand-crafted soups and stocks from available ingredients, using no additives or preservatives. As a result, its menu changes with the seasons. Weekly specials are available and current features include Green Chili Stew and Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. These will give way to lighter or chilled soups and salads as the weather gets warmer. Jambalaya and Roasted Red Pepper Bisque, a vegetarian choice, are staples available throughout the year. All soups come with a hearty hunk of bread.

A long-time Lakewood resident, Moore has always been excited about the possibility of opening a restaurant in the city. With the new establishment, Moore is aiming for a “pub-like” feel and more dining space. His current Ohio City stop caters mostly to carry-out customers, but the new location will have a winding hardwood bar that diners can sidle up to when ordering their food. They can stay there while eating to chat with other customers or watch the cooks at work in the open kitchen. Moore is excited about the overall design and renovation for the Lakewood site, which includes exposing and finishing the hardwood floors and original ceiling along with commissioning a wall-sized mural by a local artist.

All Souper Market staples and seasonal menu items will be available at the Lakewood location. Moore noted that he is also planning to upgrade diner experiences by bringing more of his fine dining background to the menu. This might include braised items, like braised short ribs, along with sandwiches and items he calls “comfort food.”

Moore hopes to open in Lakewood by the end of January or beginning of February. Until then, check out the website www.thesoupermarket.com for information about current menu selections at the Ohio City location.