St. Joseph Breaks Ground on New Food Hall to Boost Local Restaurant Startups

(KNSI) – A groundbreaking ceremony was held in St. Joseph on Monday for a new building that will act as a business incubator for restaurants.

Work is underway on The House Food and Tap on the corner of 2nd Avenue Northwest and Minnesota Street. The food hall will include three commercial kitchen spaces, which will be occupied by Birdie’s Pizza and Garden Bar, 98 Hawaiian Grille, Joetown Smashburger and Eminent Coffee Roasters. There will also be 30 taps available.

A parking lot will be built directly across Minnesota Street. Other improvements include a crosswalk on the west side of the intersection.

The land used to be a gas station. Craig and BriAnne Hern bought the lot in October 2023. In November, the St. Joesph couple conducted a survey to learn what residents wanted to see in the space. They had over 300 submissions, and far and away, people’s top answers were places to gather and share food. The goal is for the restaurants to start in an affordable space, get established, and grow the customer base so they can move into their own building.

It is expected to open in the first half of 2025.

___