Chroma Building Developer Calls Off Plans for Food Hall in Milwaukee Junction #DetroitFood

A rendering of the exterior of the Chroma building redevelopment | Inform Studio/The Platform

Another food and beverage option is expected to take its place

Plans for a big, new food hall in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction neighborhood have been scrapped, according to a report by Crain’s. The project was originally announced in January by development group the Platform with Florida-based food hall group Grandview Public Market. It was expected to house some 14 different food and beverage projects across two floors of the rainbow-colored Chroma building.

Dan Austin, a representative for the Platform, confirms to Eater in a statement the developer is now pursuing “a local partnership for the food and beverage offerings at Chroma instead.” The Platform did not provide details on what those food and beverage offerings might be, leaving open the possibility that a different food hall could take Grandview Public Market’s place. “We look forward to sharing more details in the near future about what will surely become one of Detroit’s top culinary destinations,” Austin adds.

In a statement to Crain’s, the Platform’s CEO Peter Cummings indicated that an announcement about the new operator could be made in early 2020. Grandview Public Market did not respond to requests for comment.

Food halls saw explosive growth across the country over the past five years, but signs indicate that the boom may be winding down. The first set of restaurant owners to operate at Fort Street Galley in downtown Detroit faced challenges making ends meet in their first year of business. Three quarters of the original lineup folded within 10 months of the Galley’s opening. Detroit Shipping Company has experienced more robust growth, though several of its restaurant only recently opened — more than a year after the grand opening. In Chicago, Galley Group’s Fulton Galley closed after a mere five months in business.

• Plug Pulled on Milwaukee Junction Food Hall [Crain’s]
• Detroit’s Biggest Food Hall Yet Is Heading to Milwaukee Junction [ED]
• All Eater Tracking Coverage [ED]

from Eater Detroit - All