On Thursday afternoon, a printed notice was posted at the entrance of the popular indoor-outdoor food hall, informing visitors that operations had been suspended pending further inspection and remediation. The cited issue - "Sewage in Food Facility", a violation of California Retail Food Code section 114409, prompted the immediate intervention of health officials and the full closure of the building for several hours.
According to one vendor, the incident began when a burst pipe led to flooding inside the premises. "Some pipes burst and flooded certain stalls, so they had to shut down and figure it all out—it’s a market/building issue," the vendor told this outlet. "The health department did show up, to be expected. Our guys are going out tomorrow morning to check it out and get some updates."
Patrons have also reported an unpleasant odor inside the property. "It's been smelling so bad there for a while," said one recent customer. "Last time I went when I was pregnant and I nearly threw up from the stench".
While the full extent of the damage remain unclear, the closure impacted all of the market's dozens of small businesses - from long-standing food vendors like Bottlecraft and Wicked Maine Lobster to newer additions such as Kebab Craft and The Mini Donut Company. The businesses ultimately re-opened later in the day after remedying the issue.
Opened in 2016 by Coronado-based Blue Bridge Hospitality, Liberty Public Market has grown into one of San Diego's premier culinary destinations, drawing tourists and locals alike to its vibrant collection of gourmet, chef-driven food stalls and retail shops. The market underwent a major expansion in recent years, growing its footprint and outdoor patio space to accommodate new vendors and entertainment offerings.
"[T]he issue arose from a clogged drain line outside of the market," explained Assistant General Manager Stephanie Chronis. "It was not a raw sewage line. It was promptly repaired and the venue was signed off by the health inspector by the late afternoon."
Liberty Public Market is located at 2820 Historic Decatur Road in San Diego's Point Loma. For more information, visit libertypublicmarketsd.com.
Originally published on April 17, 2025.
