Clinton Market Collective Welcomes First Food Vendors to Shipping Container Retail Spaces
Capitalize Albany Corporation and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, October 29, to celebrate the opening of two food vendors at Clinton Market Collective: L’s Simplygoodness, LLC and Shalimar Express.
Owners Latyonia Lee of L’s Simplygoodness and Ruby and Leo of Shalimar Express were joined by City of Albany Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs, Capitalize Albany Corporation President Ashley Mohl, and Downtown Albany BID representatives to celebrate the new businesses and welcome the community to experience their offerings.
Supporting on-site activity beyond pop-up event opportunities, the businesses are the first resident food vendors to occupy the 20-foot retail shipping containers under longer-term leases at Clinton Market Collective, a Capitalize Albany Corporation-owned space located between the Albany Skyway and Palace Theatre. Their openings bring new lunch options to Downtown employees, residents, and visitors while activating the public space throughout the workweek.
“Clinton Market is truly building organic momentum as it was designed to, with more than 30 special events in total and weekly activation. Now taking a step further beyond pop-up opportunities, we’re officially welcoming its first longer-term resident businesses leasing space in Clinton Market’s on-site shipping containers,” said Capitalize Albany Corporation president Ashley Mohl. “Thank you to the Downtown Albany BID for the continued support in activating this premier outdoor venue. We’re grateful to have businesses like L’s Simplygoodness and Shalimar Express recognize the building momentum and commit to being a part of making Clinton Market an even stronger destination.”
L’s Simplygoodness: Homemade Treats and a Dream Realized
L’s Simplygoodness LLC is a licensed commercial kitchen specializing in small-batch baked goods, hearty soups, and fresh fruit-infused teas.
Albany native Latyonia Lee officially established her business in 2017 after encouragement from her best friend, Lorraine Priest, who urged her to turn her baking hobby into a full-time career. Although Priest passed away in 2018, her encouragement continues to inspire Lee as she grows the business.
Lee developed her baking skills alongside her grandmother, mother, and aunts, drawing additional inspiration from the bakeries in the Italian neighborhood where she grew up. Her first major opportunity came when an Italian restaurant in Schenectady approached her about selling her baked goods. That partnership helped launch her business and led to opportunities at farmers markets throughout Schenectady and Albany.
Lee connected with the Downtown Albany BID in 2023 after being accepted into the Albany County Farmers Market at MVP Arena. She went on to participate in BID events, including the Holiday Market and Beats & Eats at Clinton Market Collective, where she first learned about the shipping container retail spaces.
Now, her first storefront will give customers a dedicated place to find her signature “Ooh soo delicious” fruit-infused teas, comfort baked goods, and seasonal specialties.
Lee credits her children, Dominic, Nigel, Malik, and Ashanti, as an important part of her journey. From helping design her logo to working alongside her at events, their support has helped her bring her business to this next chapter.
“We are incredibly proud to pioneer the shipping container retail concept at the Clinton Market Collective,” said Lee, owner of L’s Simplygoodness. “Operating directly across from the Albany Skyway gives us a spectacular platform to embed our homemade recipes into the daily fabric of Downtown professionals, arts attendees, and neighbors.”
L’s Simplygoodness is open Tuesday through Thursday, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Shalimar Express: A New Chapter in a Family Food Business
Shalimar Express serves fast-casual Indian and Pakistani cuisine at Galleria 7 Market and now at Clinton Market Collective.
Ruby and her husband, Leo, previously owned Shalimar, a well-known restaurant brand with locations throughout the Capital Region. Shalimar Express, owned by Ruby and her son Ahmed, is an entirely separate business that carries the family’s passion for food into a new venture.
The menu is curated by Ruby and features convenient, flavorful options for a quick lunch, including chana masala, chicken tikka kathi rolls, palak paneer bowls, and mango lassi.
Shalimar Express first connected with the Downtown Albany BID as a vendor at the 2025 Deck the Hall-bany Holiday Market, followed by Beats & Eats at Clinton Market Collective. It was at Beats & Eats that the family learned about the opportunity to operate out of the site’s retail shipping containers, leading to their new Downtown location.
Family remains at the heart of the business. Their son, Ahmed, is part-owner, while Ruby and Leo’s daughters, Hafsa and Eman, are pursuing their education. Hafsa also helps with the business when her studies allow. The family’s restaurant ventures have helped support all three of their children through college.
Looking ahead, Ruby and Leo hope to host cultural events at Clinton Market Collective that celebrate their food and traditions, including a potential Diwali celebration.
“The community has been very supportive throughout our years. We’ve been part of the community. We felt that this was not just ours. This was a community effort,” said Leo.
Shalimar Express is open Monday through Thursday, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
“Clinton Market Collective is a special place in the city of Albany, providing a space for residents and visitors to gather for a movie night, concert series, or local market. Now, the space will be active throughout the workweek, showcasing two wonderful entrepreneurs and delicious grab-and-go food. We congratulate L’s Simplygoodness and Shalimar Express and look forward to making them part of our city's regular lunch routine,” said Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs.
“You may recognize Clinton Market Collective as the venue for one of over 30 events the BID hosted in this location just this summer, where food trucks, DJ’s, outdoor movie nights, free yoga, and even a costumed puppy parade have brought the space alive. We’re thrilled that with the addition of L’s Simplygoodness and Shalimar Express, these units are now making Clinton Market a different kind of destination, a go-to spot for lunch in Downtown. We’re excited to introduce L’s Simplygoodness and Shalimar Express as unique and complementary additions to the existing lunch options in downtown Albany, and we look forward to welcoming them at upcoming major events, including Deck the Hall-bany and the Hot Chocolate Stroll. We encourage everyone to stop by during their lunch break, support these businesses, and welcome them to downtown Albany,” said Jevan Dollard, Special Events Manager at the Downtown Albany BID.
Interested in bringing your event to Clinton Market Collective? To learn more about hosting a community event, pop-up market, or special activation, contact the Downtown Albany BID and Capitalize Albany Corporation; visit clintonmarketalbany.com.
Signature site amenities need support to maximize Clinton Market’s potential. Contact Capitalize Albany at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
