Hatch plans to close its local food hall in Manchester at the end of March.
The company said Jan. 18 that the Hatch Local Food Hall space at 400 Hull St. will transition to “an incubator and systems integrator” for the local food and beverage sector. Hatch said the change is being made to better meet entrepreneurs’ needs and market demands.
"Hatch Local Food Hall will transform its capabilities/service offerings to provide mentorship and educational opportunities, in addition to space, to assist with operationalizing business ideas," Hatch said in a statement. "Our goal is to provide more comprehensive support to food system entrepreneurs to ensure the viability and scalability of these business ideas in an opportunity rich regional food system."
Hatch is owned by Richmond real estate developer Lynx Ventures. It was founded in 2019 when food entrepreneur Austin Green, Richmond investor Brad Cummings and Lynx came together. They opened a 9,000-square-foot commercial kitchen in an old tobacco warehouse in Manchester and operated it like a coworking space for food entrepreneurs. It has also expanded into shared warehouse and logistics services for small food businesses. It has helped more than 20 food and beverages businesses grow into their own brick-and-mortar operations.
The food hall, which opened in 2022, was part of that strategy, allowing restaurateurs set up shop in a low-cost manner and gain exposure.
"We are actively working in close collaboration with each entrepreneur to ensure their future success and hope you will come visit us before these changes take place," Hatch said in its statement about the food hall’s closure.
It's last day in operation is March 31.
