Destin Commons announced today the launch of Destin’s first food hall, offering a culinary and entertainment gathering place for locals and visitors, as well as a unique opportunity for the region’s up-and-coming and veteran chefs.
Set to open in spring 2022, City Food Hall will showcase more than 10 specialty restaurant concepts offering food and drinks from around the globe, an expansive indoor/outdoor bar, and two state-of-the-art Topgolf full swing simulators with a variety of multi- sport games, several HDTVs and comfortable lounge seating.
City Food Hall at Destin Commons will be located in a 14,000 square-foot space next to Foot Locker.
“It’s been amazing to see Destin’s food culture expand and evolve over the past decade,” says Jackie Soffer, Chairman and CEO of Turnberry, Destin Commons’ parent company. “The time is right for the city’s first food hall, and we’re thrilled to introduce it to the market.”
City Food Hall is the brainchild of founders Peter Rounce and Kenzie Motai, who met while launching St. Roch Market (now MIA Market) at Miami Design District. With a focus on creativity, service and true hospitality, the duo successfully planned, developed and operated five additional food halls in cities from Chicago to New Orleans to Houston and more. Now, their new City Food Hall brand adds compelling entertainment and event programming to the mix.
“City Food Hall will be Destin’s newest go-to gathering place,” says Motai, the group’s COO. “After the challenges of 2020 and 2021, we wanted to create a community destination where friends and family can spend time together sharing great food and drinks, with a side of entertainment.”
Across the country, emerging and established chefs are using food halls to springboard their culinary concepts by introducing them in a low-risk environment. Food hall vendors aren’t required to incur the typical build-out and start-up costs associated with a stand-alone brick and mortar restaurant, which includes construction, fixtures and furniture.
Food halls are a trend that is here to stay. Just 11 years ago, the Wall Street Journal reported there were only 25 food halls across the U.S. By 2016 there were more than 100 and now that number has grown into the several hundred.
Motai said the food hall concept enables his team to “bring new culinary talent to the Destin table,” and they have begun discussions with area chefs specializing in Mexican, Japanese, Mediterranean and other cuisines. Guests will be able to order from their phone via the City Food Hall website and execute all transactions digitally.
“We are excited to create an environment that will appeal to Destin’s discerning palate. Our platform is as equally suited for a family night as it is a first date, and we look forward to delivering memorable experiences to the community,” says Rounce, the company’s CEO. “As the region’s premier shopping and dining destination, Destin Commons provides an ideal environment for us to capture both visitor and local traffic. We are proud to be part of such a quality destination.”
In addition, the two Topgolf Swing Suites will be a popular choice for Destin’s thriving golf community. Perfect for novices and aspiring pros, the suites include a massive screen and several fun, multi-sport games. The Full Swing golf simulator technology is the same simulator used by PGA Tour pros Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day for off-course practice.
“Golf enthusiasts can develop their swing and challenge their friends, all while enjoying a cocktail, craft beer and delicious food,” Rounce says. “And they can catch the game on one of our HDTVs. We believe City Food Hall will become one of Destin’s top culinary and nightlife destinations.”
City Food Hall is also opening in Gainesville in summer 2022 and under negotiations to open in Miami and two Georgia locations.
