Chuck Fallert was on his way to work yesterday when he stopped to sample Downtown's newest treat -- its first market in 14 years.

He came away impressed.

"It's awesome," he said. "It's great to have something like this Downtown. I definitely will be back."

Mr. Fallert shopped shortly after yesterday morning's grand opening of Rosebud Fine Food Market and Deli. The market is the first Downtown since late 1994, when Market on the Square closed.

The grand opening followed a "soft opening" Monday which attracted about 120 people -- a "decent start," said owner Robin Fernandez, who hopes to more than double that daily total in the weeks and months ahead.

At 3,100 square feet, Rosebud won't come close to rivaling a Giant Eagle in size, but it still manages to pack a lot of variety into its space at Seventh Street and Fort Duquesne Boulevard.

Shoppers yesterday had their pick of fresh bananas, grapefruits, oranges, strawberries, melons, grapes, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, cabbage and green beans among the fruits and vegetables the store stocked.

Prepared foods included chef, Greek, Cobb and chicken Caesar salads and tuna and egg salads as well as desserts such as chocolate mousse cake. Among the fresh meats were roasts, steaks, pork chops and ground beef.

There also was the usual array of staples, including coffee and tea, cereals, sodas, chips, canned goods, pet and cleaning supplies, and organic products.

Rosebud, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, even left some shelves open for customers' special requests.

"We want to try to meet their needs and really have those items for those people that are down here that are going to be frequent shoppers," Mr. Fernandez said.

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said the market's opening builds on the momentum started by construction of the Three PNC Plaza skyscraper and redevelopment of the former Lazarus-Macy's and G.C. Murphy stores.

"The store might not be the biggest store that you will see outside the city, but it's very symbolic. This was a day that people thought couldn't happen here and it did happen," Mr. Onorato said.

He said he and the mayor will focus their efforts on building more housing Downtown. As more people move in, amenities will follow, he said.

One of the shoppers browsing Rosebud yesterday was Sally Denmead, who lives in the Gateway Towers condominium building, Downtown.

While she said she plans to do her major grocery shopping elsewhere, she expects to use the Downtown market a couple of times a week to supplement that or when she needs to whip up something at the spur of the moment. The store is particularly convenient for her because she does not drive.

Another shopper, Ricardo J. Graca, who works near Duquesne University, checked out the store after dropping off his car at a nearby shop. He saw the market as a "good spot to pick up something quick" or perhaps to grab a few groceries on his way home to Indiana Township.

"It's overdue, long overdue," he said. "I think there's a definite need."