The Modern Food Court: How Illinois Malls Are Adapting

Once a staple of malls across the country, the food court has, for the most part, gone away. Or did it? While the malls have been vacated and withered, the food court is finding new life under a new banner.

Community Food Court

Bell Market at Bell Works in Holmdel, New Jersey, has found success in providing a hub of food choices in one central place with easy access to other community amenities, including entertainment, special events, and private gatherings, including business and tech space and a theater for live performances.

The former World’s Fair at Bell Works in Hoffman Estates previously provided food and beverages like Fairgrounds Craft Coffee and Tea.

The new plan is to offer a wider variety of food and drinks within the large space and use it as a hub for community activity in much the same way that has had success in New Jersey.

Is This A Mall?

Yes, it’s a little different, but still a place that the community can come together for events and lots of different things to do and eat.

Could you see this plan being implemented in most any region’s hub of commerce? It wouldn’t necessarily need to be housed in an old mall. The Bell Works buildings weren’t made as malls and yet so far, they seem to work well as a gathering space for community life.

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Bell Market in Hoffman Estates will open officially this summer. In the meantime, there will be a pop-up venue next door.

Million Dollar Idea

Why not find some up-and-coming restaurant brands of varying styles and fold them into one large venue?

Then make the whole available where you find a large enough building. Essentially a cluster of food offerings with space options for community events, gatherings, entertainment, etc. as one large franchise.

Yes, a lot of legal hoops to get through, but it would be something different and unique that could find a home in many cities across the country, potentially.