ORLANDO, Fla. – The Hall on the Yard in Lake Ivanhoe is shuttered after it was sued and evicted by its landlord. Now, a new concept called City Food Hall is taking over the space.
Peter Rounce is the founder and CEO of City Food Hall. He has been taking note of what the people want.
“A lot of the feedback we got so far is they (want to) see engaging entertainment, they want a local vibe here,” Rounce said.
He operates food halls across the state including West Palm Beach.
This new location is set to open before the fall in place of The Hall on the Yard.
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A lawsuit filed by The Hall’s landlord, Ivanhoe Place Propco, shows the food hall’s parent company didn’t pay rent after receiving several notices.
The suit claims the hall owes nearly $250,000 in rent and utilities.
Lisa Adkins lives in the neighborhood and said she ate at The Hall on the Yard multiple times.
However, she wasn’t satisfied with the model.
“The restaurant model didn’t work well, food was good, but there were lag times on getting the food when you ordered it,” Adkins said.
Rounce said he is excited to breathe life back into the building with a new model.
“They can come in here and have a coffee or come in here and have lunch or come in here and work or come in here and play golf in our simulators upstairs,” Rounce said.
He said this is a good opportunity for food vendors who don’t have a brick and mortar.
“That’s exactly what the business model is predicated upon, it’s really helping them perfect their concept or business in a less risky environment,” Rounce said.
He is currently looking for food vendors who can help him provide an unforgettable experience to the community. Interested vendors are encouraged to go to this website to connect with the City Food Hall team.
Beyond trying the different cuisines, customers can also play chef.
In a room on the upper level, there is a glass kitchen where Rounce said groups can sign up for cooking classes then sit down to try the dishes they made.
Groups can even use the bar to participate in mixology classes.
Across the from that Kitchen, is an event space, that will also have golf simulators.
Rounce believes under this new concept, there will be something for everyone.
He said he wants people to leave his establishment “like they haven’t had enough.”
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