RICHMOND, Va. -- There will be a focus on local food, chefs, and talent at Hatch Local when the Richmond food hall opens in the spring.
Co-founder and executive director Austin Green said the space will open with seven food vendors, two bars, and a venue for live music.
"It's going to be a very diverse offering of foods," Green said.
Hatch recently announced the first vendor will be chef Mike Lindsey's Buttermilk and Honey fried chicken sandwich concept (click here to listen to Lindsey talk about Buttermilk and Honey on the latest episode of Eat It, Virginia!).
"We are really putting a lot of emphasis on diverse, types of food. There'll be something for everybody," Green added.
Slated to take up the bottom floor of a new mixed-use development dubbed "The Current" on Hull Street in Manchester, Hatch Local will serve as a place where chefs can get comfortable before making the leap to their own restaurant.
"We have not specifically designed it to be short term or long term. Just like everything else with Hatch, we see this as a jumping-off point for local businesses," Green said. "If a local business sees it fit to go and move on to their own brick and mortar, then we'd be very happy to see that advancement."
Green said he hoped by the time Hatch Local opens in the spring, more people will be able to dine indoors.
"We are pretty optimistic that by the time we open The Local that we'll be in better shape, the public in general. However, we're also building some functionality into Hatch Local to accommodate meal delivery services, pick up, take out, and we'll also have a fair amount of outdoor seating, so perfect for the spring and summer," he said. "We're just hoping we're hoping things are gonna be better but we're also preparing for sort of the new normal and the way people are consuming food right now."