SPRINGFIELD — A food hall in Springfield may be economically feasible, draw visitors, and support local business owners, as per a recent study funded by the city.
The concept was initially introduced by a City Council special committee established to examine ways topromote economic growth and tourismin Springfield. The city recently engaged the consulting company Market Ventures Inc. to examine the proposal and determine its financial feasibility.
After being set up, a food hall might generate around $300,000 annually and attract visitors from a 30-minute area, such as Hartford. However, the study states that financial support or grants would be necessary to secure the $6.6 million to almost $10 million required for its development.
You all have the necessary elements on the ground to bring it to life, and I believe there’s a lot of excitement about undertaking the project,” said former City Councilor Sean Curran, who has been leading the initiative. “It will definitely require some dedication to the concept and strong leadership to make it a reality.
However, the concept is still in its initial phase.
The city hasn’t officially backed the idea as a public initiative yet,” stated Timothy Sheehan, the city’s chief economic development officer. “However, we currently have findings indicating there is interest in Springfield for this kind of place, and a level of interest that private developers should pay attention to.
The research indicated that certain particular components are essential for the model to endure. It would perform optimally as a food court, with most vendors offering ready-to-eat meals, rather than a traditional market where fresh produce is available.
The research also recommended that the hall be approximately 10,000 to 16,000 square feet, with around 140 seating positions. The space should accommodate 12 to 20 vendors, which would be sufficient to create a destination location and foster a collaborative atmosphere rather than a competitive one, where emerging or smaller businesses might struggle to thrive.
“Springfield offers the real estate that makes this project feasible,” Curran stated.
The research identified 10 potential downtown sites, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Two of them were suggested close to MGM Springfield, where the drawback would be that a food hall might have difficulty establishing a unique identity, but the benefit would be convenient and free parking via the casino’s garage. Parking and accessibility were also highlighted as essential factors in the study.
One of its prime locations would include renovating one of the empty structures on Worthington Street. Curran mentioned the shuttered Mardi Gras strip club building, which is also being considered as a site for the newSpringfield courthouse, might be a location for a food court.
Worthington Street between Main and Dwight streets is being transformed into a restaurant district,” the study stated. “The area offers both surface and garage parking, along with enjoyable outdoor spaces such as Stearns Square and Duryea Way Park.
Curran stated that he discovered the suggestion to utilize the first floor of the newly finished buildingMassMutual garageinteresting, as it is already under the ownership of the Massachusetts Convention Authority and is planned for commercial use on the ground level. He imagined individuals going to a concert, a Thunderbirds Hockey match, or a conference, and purchasing a meal before or after the event.
Other potential sites considered in the study are the recently acquired formerHippodrome building; the Old First Church; the Juvenile Court building, once it is vacated; and the Peter Pan Bus Barn at 11 Liberty St., which is anticipated to be emptied soon.
To establish a food hall, the city must first identify a willing developer. The owner would be responsible for setting up a space that includes refrigeration units for the vendors, exhaust fans, cooking areas, and essential facilities like waste disposal and restrooms. Rent could be collected from each vendor either as a flat fee, a portion of their sales, or a mix of both, according to the study.
Effective advertising would be necessary to attract individuals who might travel from as far as Hartford, according to the report.
During the research, Ted Spitzer, president of Market Ventures, Curran, Sheehan, and others made a visit to theWorcester Public Market, which launched in 2020 as part of an apartment complex, and spoke with the owner. The marketplace functions as a nonprofit enterprise and includes a full-service brew pub along with several food vendor stalls. Market Ventures, based in Portland, Maine, focuses on culinary-related initiatives.
The group also studied various other models throughout the country, such as those in Boston, Hartford, Michigan, and Milwaukee. For a market to succeed, a local food hall must be “authentic” and offer foods and products that are distinctive to the Pioneer Valley, they noted.
In a written statement, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno expressed his support for the concept and mentioned he is keen on discussing with developers, using the feasibility study, to thoroughly explore what is needed to bring such a project to the city.
My administration is consistently examining and eager to investigate innovative methods to introduce energy, economic growth, and improvements in the quality of life for our residents and guests,” he stated. “The report indicates that such a project could be successful in Springfield and has the potential to greatly enhance all of our current attractions and facilities.
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