WILMINGTON – The first of about a dozen concepts for a new indoor-outdoor food hall coming to the northern end of Wilmington’s central business district include multicultural offerings, officials announced this week.
The Chancery Market Food Hall & Bar, scheduled to open this fall, is a $5 million project, undertaken by the ownership of 1313 N. Market St., also known as Hercules Plaza. It will create a communal outdoor seating area that dovetails into a renovation of the eastward side of the building’s bottom floor.
The first concepts to be revealed include Fuku, a popular fried chicken joint from New York City that started as a secret sandwich at David Chang’s acclaimed Momofuku Noodle Bar. It has since grown to serve a variety of fried chicken offerings and sides in a fast-casual concept.
Also coming are Rooted AF, a quick-service vegan experience offering unique multicultural fare, herbal products, fresh cold-pressed juices, and smoothies; and Kati Roll Wala, serving up authentic Indian cuisine composed of Indian street food staples such as kati rolls and rice bowls.
The 12,000-square-foot food hall is curated by HQ Hospitality co-founder and award-winning chef Akhtar Nawab.
Hospitality HQ (HHQ) will oversee all management and operations of Chancery Market, from vendor curation and relations to day-to-day logistics and guest services. HHQ is seeking a few additional concepts to round out the diverse group of vendors at Chancery Market. In particular, Nawab encourages vendor applications from minority-owned businesses and talented culinarians who create various styles of global cuisine with reimagined specialties.
“We’re thrilled to bring such an exciting new array of dining offerings and culinary experiences to the Wilmington community,” Nawab said in a statement announcing the first concepts. “Our goal is for our kitchens to serve as a springboard for talented, local vendors looking to take their businesses to the next level and to create a thriving communal space where visitors feel welcome.”
Earlier this year, Scott Johnson, representing ownership of 1313 N. Market and TSG Hospitality LLC, gave Delaware Business Times a tour of the project, where locals will see familiar outdoor aesthetics to the Riverfront and a vendor concept akin to the popular DE.CO food hall in the DuPont Building.
The ownership expects the indoor-outdoor approach, achieved by installing large retractable windows in the food hall that will seat about 233 inside, to be a considerable draw. The food hall will be open seven days and feature an adjoining 10,000-square-foot communal plaza will feature outdoor dining and co-working areas with seating for 150, lush green gardens and landscaping designed by the Delaware Center for Horticulture, as well as activities and games for families and visitors
“Chancery Market represents the start of exciting redevelopment projects for 1313 N. Market and 1201 N. Market,” Johnson said in a statement. “As our tenants continue to return to the office environment, Chancery Market and the adjacent outdoor plaza will be an exciting amenity for professionals in the city, as well as a welcoming gathering place for our wider community and visitors.”
Interested vendors are encouraged to apply immediately for more information by filling out the contact form on the Chancery Market website.
