Food halls are trending, and we're here for it. If you're never heard of a food hall, don't be so quick to pass it off as your everyday food court. They're so much more than that. Sure, it's designed in a way that resembles a food court, but you have so many more options than your typical fast-food chains. Food halls are filled with unique, local restaurants with food made from scratch. Some even feature dessert shops, butchers, bakeries, markets, and more.
They've been around for years, but have recently begun gaining more traction. From 2010 to 2017 food halls saw over 700% growth across the US. It's our bet that it'll only be a matter of time before food halls are in every city. Below are a few of our favorites. They are great examples of utilizing retail space in a fun and successful way, especially if you're interested in bringing more local offerings to your retail spaces.
Chelsea Market (New York City, NY)
NYC locals and tourists alike can’t get enough of Chelsea Market. This food hall is iconic amongst foodies and there’s a reason for it. It features various local restaurants, dessert spots, coffee stands, and more that keep customers coming again and again. Oh, and let’s not forget the markets, stores, and art attractions.
This unique food hall calls themselves an exploratory food court. It features six rotating kitchens and the chefs experiment with different culinary concepts. Customers are always looking forward to the next restaurant rotation that keeps them coming back for new eats to try.
The Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts has been around for 40 years and is the largest food hall in the United States. The food hall has over 100 restaurants, cafes, bars, and more. Similar to Chelsea Market, it also has shops and is a spot for local events and entertainment.
Grand Central Market (Los Angeles, CA)
The historic Grand Central Market opened in 1917 and has been a local favorite ever since. Like most food halls, it features a variety of local restaurants, shops, and more that people can’t get enough of. People love meeting up here for coffee or drinks. Part of what makes this food hall so popular is the community events it holds such as rooftop concerts, trivia nights, and more.
Revival Food Hall (Chicago, IL)
The Revival Food Hall takes pride in featuring all local dining. The food hall includes 15 fast-casual stalls and even has grab-and-go options for well-known sit-down restaurants. The food hall doesn't limit itself to restaurants, either. It also has bakeries, cocktails, coffee, books, and records.
If you can't tell from our list, food halls are a big hit all around the US, but especially in larger metros. If you're looking to fill a vacant retail space, you may want to consider opening one up. They are great ways to attract local food concepts that might not be able to fill a larger traditional space.
Already creating a food hall at your shopping center? Let Retailsphere help you find those new, exciting food and store concepts to bring into your new immersive retail experience. Sign up for a no-obligation demo today!
