The current evolving food retail trend presents food halls. And it’s not a new trend. The concept goes back to Europe where hundreds of food halls are found and now, they grace us with their high-demanded presence in the U.S.

Unlike food courts that make up fast-food chains, food halls mix local artisan restaurants, butcher shops + creative signage with memorable interior designs under one roof. Although mostly found in large cities, their expansion won’t stop there. This culinary invention fits the common person and their friends, always on the search for a place to eat out at with a plethora of food options. Food halls are the ideal crowd-pleasing fix and now they’re coming to Lakeland too.

Jonathan and Sarah Bucklew of Seventeen20, a handcrafted furnishings company in Lakeland, are diving into the project of turning the former Lakeland Brewing Co. into Lakeland’s first food hall. The lease on the 12,000 sq ft building has been signed, and a $250,000 grant from the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency has been approved.

Going for the vibe of Grandview Public Market in West Palm Beach, the space will accommodate about seven food vendors, two beverage vendors (coffee and beer, of course) + potentially a couple of retail options. Both indoor seating and outdoor patio seating will be available for customers.

Projected to be completed in 2019, the look of the industrial warehouse will be fresh and bright. The currently existing commercial kitchen will be centralized for all vendors to use, with the addition of having individual space for storage, preparation + service.

Now that your mind is spinning with the potential aesthetic vibes of your future lunch spot, we wanted to bring forth some more visual inspiration of food halls that are less than an hour away.

The Hall on Franklin | Tampa

Plant Street Market | Winter Garden

Heights Public Market at Armature Works | Tampa

And a few more just because…

Market on Magnolia | Orlando

Locale Market | St. Petersburg

East End Market | Orlando

Let’s bring community to the table and brainstorm together. What would you want to see in a LAL food hall?

We want to place votes for ramen, poke bowls, a wine + cocktail bar, and gelato. Have more ideas? You know what to do.

- Jessica