Parkville food hall opening pushed back
Developer tells Hartford council that construction delays will postpone market’s debut to May or June
HARTFORD – Construction issues have delayed the opening of a highly-anticipated food market in Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood, pushing the start date back at least a month.
Carlos Mouta, the developer behind plans for an elaborate food hall in a building on Park Street that he purchased at the turn of the century, told city council members that the new grand opening is set for May or June. It previously had been scheduled for April.
Crews working at the site discovered that new footings and structural beams were needed to reinforce the building. Mouta said the original wood beams would be kept to preserve the venue’s character, but steel was being added for support.
“The structure of the building had to be completely changed to steel,” he said. “The building right now is being held up by wood, and it’s going to be held up by steel. We’re keeping all the characteristics of the wood, but that’s for show, really.”
In a presentation to council members recently, Mouta said the market’s core business hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week, with the option of opening as early as 7 a.m. and closing as late as 11 p.m. More than 60 companies have applied to open a booth or cooking station in the food hall. Applicants include Hartford Baking Co., The Rocking Chicken, Taco Tequila, Nora’s Cupcakes, Karobean Kitchen and Hartford Prints.
Construction at 1400 Park St., a longvacant warehouse less than a mile from the city’s western gateway, began in September.
Lease agreements with tenants are expected to be signed by the end of February, Mouta said. The project calls for 22 vendors on the ground level selling freshly cooked food that represents the city and its many flavors. Everything from Vietnamese fare to Mexican cuisine would be served.
Along with the permanent fixtures, there will be space for new entrepreneurs to try their hand at the food business. The plans include five booths whose tenants will rotate throughout the year.
The market’s second floor would feature a blend of other retail, such as a coffee shop, a bar or tavern, an ice cream parlor and kiosks selling jewelry, flowers, stationery and spices. Mouta has said he is hoping for 35 vendors on the upper level.
The development is estimated to cost $3 million to $3.5 million and is backed in part by a $300,000 loan and $100,000 grant from the state Department of Economic and Community Development. The rest will be covered by a bank loan.
The venture is expected to create 150 new jobs, Mouta said, with 45 to 55 new or expanded businesses taking space at the market. Mouta will also hire 16 people for building operations.
“This is a project where the developer did not come to us with an outstretched hand,” Councilman John Gale, a Democrat, said. “We’ve got private money that he’s willing to invest and upgrade the property. I think you can say Hartford has truly started to turn the corner.”
Once the market is open, Mouta wants to expand it into the two neighboring buildings at 1390 and 1420 Park St. He is hoping for an “urban winery” and other unexpected tenants.
Jenna Carlesso can be reached at j carlesso@courant.com