
It's curtains for Citizens Market Hall, a food hall that debuted in 2021 within the sprawling Manhattan West development. Having served up an assortment of culinary offerings, from burgers to sushi, this ambitious project is slated to shutter on April 2, leaving 68 workers in the job hunt, as per a state layoff notice. Crain's New York Business reported the closure, which underscores a wider trend of food hall closures across New York City.
The story of Citizens Market Hall is somewhat of a short-lived tale, opening its doors a mere four years ago with about a dozen eateries within its 40,000-square-foot space. Notably, the venture was spearheaded by Creating Culinary Communities (C3) headed by Sam Nazarian, with backing from heavyweights like Simon Property Group and Brookfield. By 2023, Legends Hospitality had joined the fray, indicating a potential change in strategy. That strategy, however, could not stave off the hall's closing which Legends seems to be managing, based on the layoff notifications, according to Eater New York.
While the closure of Citizens represents a setback, Brookfield Properties spokeswoman Laura Montross conveyed optimism about the future of food halls as an attractive offering. "While Citizens was performing reasonably well," she said in an email obtained by Crain's New York Business, "we are excited to be launching a comprehensive redesign of the Manhattan West market hall space to introduce a new, modern experience." The revamped space draws inspiration from Hudson Eats at Brookfield Place, favoring a diversified roster of independent food vendors over the single-owner model.
Manhattan West, under the Brookfield banner, represents a significant investment in the mixed-use space realm. Following the enigmatic, cost of nearly $5 billion to build, the last beacon of the development was the completion of the office tower 2 Manhattan West about a year ago. The Citizens Market Hall's closure fits into a broader narrative, with food halls having blossomed pre-COVID but now experiencing a decline. Operators claim that the city is down to approximately 25 food halls, compared to a peak of more than 30 prior to the pandemic.
As one culinary chapter ends, the city's diverse food scene continues to evolve elsewhere. Other recent developments in the city's palate include the turmoil of East Village's Lebanese fast-casual Hen House and the arrival of a new Tex-Mex taco operation in Queens. And let's not forget the sweet expansion of Dough, a beloved doughnut chain making its latest foray into the Upper East Side. While the concept of food halls may be reconsidered, New York's appetite for varied dining experiences still thrives amidst ongoing challenges.