Last summer, we published an analysis "Shopping malls and galleries are expanding catering zones – by up to a quarter of the area", which was quoted by a number of media outlets. We predicted a boom in original and novel food concepts. This trend was kicked off by Manifesto, near the Florenc metro station, in Prague. It’s now confirmed, many new gastronomic experiences await the Czech capital…
In last year's study, we pointed out that so-called food halls are a major trend in Western Europe and the US today. It‘s generally an association of several stores with a wide ranging food offering, in conjunction with bistros and cafes, often offering local but also international specialties.
In the case of a sophisticated setting, such "food halls" can become a key tenant and stimulate visits for new customers of shopping malls. Among the most famous and widespread concepts are Eataly, in a number of worldwide cities, or the Östermalm Food Hall in Stockholm.
The fact that customers are interested in a cultural and well-designed environment, healthy and high-quality food, confirms that even in the case of shopping centres, "slow food" is becoming increasingly common. A quiet, inspiring environment where you can enjoy good food and drink must go hand in hand with an attractive mix of food operators.
This also includes more intimate seating areas, including outdoor terraces, as well as pop-up concepts where meals are created right in front of the diners, and are regularly modified for a more varied menu for customers. For example, Trinity Kitchen in Leeds, UK, combines a permanent menu with a regularly changing offer from pop-up bistro’s, with street food and various food trucks in rotation. It offers an authentic experience and a change for customers that pays off.
Time Out have reached an agreement with the developer Crestyl, which is preparing an ambitious development project, called Savarin, between Panská, Jindřišská Street and Wenceslas Square. And Time Out Market should be a part of it.
The first Time Out Market opened in 2014 in Lisbon. People can find the best restaurants, bars and cultural events all under one roof. The marketplace is one of the most popular places in Portugal today, 3.6 million people visited in 2017. Time Out Group are preparing other markets in London, Canada, and in the US, in Miami, New York, Boston and Chicago.
In Savarin, people will find culinary delights from world renowned and local chefs just like in Lisbon's Time Out Market. The market should be in operation by the end of 2021 at the earliest.
Prague’s Time Out Market will occupy an area of around 2,500 square metres. Approximately 580 seats will be available in the market. The Time Out Group indicated that the area would consist of 14 food stalls, two bars, a lounge, a cultural area and a shop.
People at Lisbon's Time Out Market can also sample dishes that are overseen by Portuguese "Michelin" chefs such as Henrique Sa Pessoa or Miguel Laffan.
The previously mentioned Manifesto, which was voted trader of the year and was visited by more than 650,000 visitors last year, should also expand further. For 2019, they announced that they will be opening in Smíchov, and they also plan international expansion. The new concept in Smíchov should be different from the first one, located by the Florenc metro, and offer a focus on beer culture along with gastronomy.
