What Is A Food Hall & Why Are There So Many?

Food halls are now what food trucks were in 2010... and what mall food courts were in the 1980s.

We're all going to pay for these food halls... one way or another!

If you've never been to a food hall, or dont have one nearby, you will. There are at least five here in Central Ohio, but we're going to focus on Trolley East Market on the Near East Side in Columbus.

Another video asking why there are so many food halls:

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[Doomer]

I live right next door to a food hall. It's the worst. Overpriced everything, I ain't paying $6-8 for a single beef taco.

[woolfwoolf]

This is my hood. We need a grocery store not a place for yuppies to buy overpriced drinks. Just keeping us real people down. It makes me sad because I love it over here.

[mrsrant]

so sad, the concept, if done with the right intention, could be a blessing to so many. we are so dang good at tripping ourselves up. thanks for the learnin!

[scottwoods]

Thanks for the shout-out! And for upgrading my Emmy win to an Oscar! Keep up the good work.

[carsonwieker]

Haven't heard of this. Learning something new. Cheers!

[ecoquilting]

While many people enjoy cornmeal pancakes, they are usually only partly cornmeal. A johnnycake is usually all or only partly cornmeal, so there's some distinction. Loved this video about the food halls! I love the idea of working or doing business in a place like that but those politics!

[zBurlz]

Johnnycakes originated in Jamaica. They're actually called Journey cakes, but the the Jamaican accent makes "journey" sound like "johnny."

[chrishenriq]

I live in Yonkers and my friend asked me if we had a food hall which apparently is the true mark of any town on the rise. We don’t, really, but it got me thinking about whether food halls are actually good for the communities they’re located in. Thank you for your perspective! Take my like and sub!

[BlueRoseFaery]

I'm in Oklahoma, I'm not sure why this video was recommended for me, but I've been to a few food halls in my state that seemed to be a very similar situation. As you said, on one hand it's nice to see old abandoned buildings get revamped, but is it gentrification because they usually charge more than the local market can truly sustain, leading them to be "tourist" spots more than true local spots? I don't know about the ones in your area, but at the OK food halls, parking was almost non-existent leading to overcrowded street parking & people illegally parking in surrounding residential lots which impacts local residents and can lead to increased police presence in already over policed areas (one food hall we went to, we saw 5 police vehicles circling just as we were trying to find parking, and saw 2 incidents involving citizens and police). Demographically, the main people I saw in the food halls were Gen Z, early-late 20s mostly college student types, far more than Millennials (though I and my partner are both Millennials so there were at least 2). The tax breaks definitely don't sit right with me, either, especially since those areas have such underfunded schools. Schools in Oklahoma in general have terrible funding, we passed a lottery years ago supposedly to fund schools but 90% of our schools have gotten worse because of course there's loopholes & misappropriation, I'm sad to hear your area is dealing with similar issues. Food deserts are a big issue, and I just don't think food halls are the best answer, even if they have little grocery stores, it's a bandaid when you need stitches.

[zoromer]

very cool. i live local to you in columbus. i am enjoying your work found you from tyt back when you did that

[KeithCooper-Albuquerque]

I hadn't heard of food halls. Thanks for that introduction, but also thanks for speaking the truth of what so often happens when businesses promise one thing, but deliver another. Sounds about white to me. I love your content!

[willboler]

They opened one up in downtown Indianapolis, at the old Coca Cola factory in a bar district. Although it's pricey, it seems to be doing everything right. They've got a bunch of small restaurants, a barber, a movie theater, and a gaming building with bowling and pinball machines. They revitalized the outside so it looks nice to walk around during day or night. But it definitely seems more to cater to the rich folks, and I definitely don't have the capital to visit often.

[racegrooves]

As always, great report and bonus 😻 ta' boot!

[tacrewgirl]

I like watching your cat in your videos. Learning info is cool too.

I never heard of a food hall until this video.

[katehartley]

Thank you for covering this Jeff! I'm loving your channel.

[abusesay]

I was taken there when I came last August. Explains a lot. Appreciate the video, my man!

[christopherwilliams]

Interesting phenomenon! Never heard of these. Shame about the pricing, it's a cool idea, basically a food court for towns too small for malls.

[CarloRufinoSabusap]

We have one here, literally an old train dept now called Grand View Public Market, $20 for a bowl of pork ramen or $14 for a milkshake

[WallebyDamned]

I am glad Scott Woods' scarf was acknowledged, it is lovely

[Reesispiecis]

Your first video I’ve watched- fantastic!