What's up with that plan for a new food hall in Albany's Warehouse District
A rendering of the planned interior.
The food hall is one of the hot food/dining concepts around the country at the moment, and it's popped up here, too -- in Troy with Troy Kitchen, and Latham with Galleria 7.
There's another new-school food court on the way: GoodMRKT -- "Good Market" -- planned for the Nipper Building conversion in Albany's Warehouse District. Word of the project first surfaced in late 2015 as part of the state's Regional Economic Development Council grant process.
Roughly a year and a half later the project is still on, and the backer is planning to open later this year.
Here are a few bits about what's up...
Where
GoodMRKT is planned for space int the first floor of The Nipper Building, on Broadway at the intersection with Loudonville Rd in the Warehouse District. A developer -- Bill Barber -- is converting the upper floors of the building to apartments. (He's also the same developer doing the residential/restaurant conversion of building just down the street at 960 Broadway.)
Who's behind it
The backer of GoodMRKT is Ross Goodman. He says the idea is for the market to be a place people can have a meal or pick up ingredients for a meal at home, while also serving a gathering spot in the Warehouse District, especially as space there is converted to residential.
Goodman doesn't currently work in the food industry -- he's an attorney -- though he worked in restaurants in the past. He sees his role as the project backer as one of setting the stage for vendors -- designing the layout, assembling a good mix of vendors, and fitting up the space with utilities.
"I don't see it fully as a food venture," he said of the Good Market, "I'm coordinating and aggregating."
Goodman said the overall project cost is in the $500k-$600k range. The REDC grant is 20-percent match worth up to $260k.
The vendor lineup
Here are the vendors Goodman said he's lined up as of last week:
+ Fin - Your Fishmonger
+ Stacks Espresso
+ Hudson Valley BBQ Co.
+ Empanada Llama
+ Mugzy's Barkery
+ Lucky Clover Artisanal Bakery
He said a seventh vendor is in the works. And he'd ultimately like to have 10 to 12. Among the options he'd like to add: prepared food vendors selling woodfired pizza, Mediterranean, sushi, and tacos, along with merchants selling ingredients such as produce and cheese.
What he's looking for in vendors: "I like ones that are creative, ones that are willing to work together with other merchants, ones that generally have existing infrastructure so that Good Market would act as a satellite location."
Timeline
Goodman said he's hoping construction with start in the next few weeks. And if that happens, an opening would be targed for mid summer.
Preview event
The Good Market has a preview event set for May 9 at The Palace Theater at 5:30 pm. Vendors will be there offering samples and answering questions what they have planned for their booth in the food hall. It's free to attend, though space is limited (see that link to register).
Proceeds from a cash bar at the event will benefit The Palace.
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Comments
sounds good, but stick with Good Market; GoodMRKT sounds corny and already dated.
... said a on Apr 17, 2017 at 3:45 PM | link
This is closer to my dream, a Reading Terminal Market in Albany, than the others have come.
... said Ryan H on Apr 17, 2017 at 6:11 PM | link
Yeah, sounds nice, but I think the big question is: will it have a gondola??
... said Neighborhood Curmudgeon on Apr 18, 2017 at 9:28 PM | link
Isn't this the guy that was given tons of tax payer money to make this happen?
... said KT on Apr 18, 2017 at 11:43 PM | link
Although seeking vendors who already have a brick and mortar location is less of a risk and having multiple shops in one spot has its benefits, but if I want Stacks or Empanada Llama, I may just go to Stacks or Empanada Llama (or one of the farmers' markets where they already have satellite locations) as they're centrally located in Albany. What will draw me to Good Market are new eateries providing options that aren't already common in Albany, or mini-versions of established restaurants/shops that are far enough away from Albany such that visits there are only occasional (e.g.: Schenectady (Tara Kitchen), Saratoga (Hattie's), Troy (Sunhee's) etc.). I'm looking forward to seeing what other new or non-Albany based ventures Good Market will bring in.
... said N on Apr 19, 2017 at 9:35 AM | link
Good Market is like infrastructure to support living downtown. very much complements the new apts being built, etc. CDTA should take note and adapt to the changing scene...and provide bus service that supports downtown living (rather than primarily providing Suburban living to city employment)
... said jsc on Apr 19, 2017 at 9:42 AM | link
Nice to see there's a gluten free place going in, I was assuming I wouldn't be able to try any of them. Plus the city needs more of them!
... said Jeff W on Apr 19, 2017 at 12:34 PM | link
I love Troy Kitchen and love this concept overall. But I am very surprised that the backers and the participating eateries think there is enough business in that neighborhood.
... said albanylandlord on Apr 19, 2017 at 11:36 PM | link
Any idea on when these apartments will be available?
... said DG on May 8, 2017 at 12:26 PM | link
Has AOA heard any updates on this project?
... said Jane on Aug 28, 2018 at 9:30 AM | link
@Jane: It sounds like the situation involving the redevelopment of the Nipper Building isn't good right now -- Mike DeMasi reported over at the Biz Review the developer had fallen behind and is now facing a lawsuit from investors.
... said Greg on Aug 28, 2018 at 1:04 PM | link