"Rumors of the decline of the food hall era have been (hopefully) exaggerated: A new one called Eastern Edge debuts today in Cambridge's Kendall Square, with operators gambling that there's still demand for an efficiency and variety of fast-casual meal options under one roof. Quick counter service, high ceilings, and industrial-chic vibes are still arguably catnip for office workers on a lunch break or groups trying to accommodate wide-ranging dinner preferences, where everyone can order from a different spot."
"The recent almost-closure of Time Out Market Boston and the January loss of Plant City in Providence caused food-hall hesitance to bubble back up: Are food halls just a simple rebranding of the classic mall food court (or perhaps, more generously, their "up-and-coming sibling,") thus doomed as an ill-fated fad? We think not: They've thrived for around a decade, with food hall discourse practically unavoidable in food media around 2017-2018."
Eastern Edge opens in Cambridge's Kendall Square as a new food hall offering quick counter service, high ceilings, and industrial-chic ambiance aimed at office workers and groups. The vendor lineup includes local operators serving Caribbean patties, Korean bibimbap, and grab-and-go sushi, blending familiar brands with up-and-comers. Food halls experienced a boom around 2017–2018 with roots tracing back to Eataly in 2007. Pandemic delays slowed some openings, and recent setbacks like Time Out Market Boston's near-closure and Plant City's January loss raised doubts. Several indicators, including rescues and busy venues, point to continued demand.
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