A Dutch Eataly?
Last weekend I read a blog by Ciao Tutti about the Mercato Centrale in Florence. Within approximately 3000 square meters above the Mercato Centrale you will find a selection of small restaurants, winebars and tasting rooms that are in place to allow you to try the best Italian delicacies. This in addition to the market where you can buy local products. A type of “foodhallen” that have been popular in South European countries for years. The owners of Eataly were able to also make this concept of a combination of restaurants + retail popular outside of Italy. The growth of Eataly locations seems unstoppable, right now they have 27 locations of which 10 in Italy, 13 in Japan and the others in cities like New York, Chicago, Dubai and Istanbul. Rumors say they are working on a Dutch location.
While reading I started wondering why don’t we have a “foodhall” with Dutch products?
The question is whether this would be popular in Holland or just outside of Holland, where our products are already in demand. They aren’t as wanted as for example Italian products but plenty to create a “Hollandia foodhall”, definitely when you include the Dutch “gezelligheid” and humor in the design and marketing. I visualize outlets with “bitterballen” (typical Dutch deepfried snack), “frikandellen” (typical Dutch deepfried snack) and “stampot” (typical Dutch dish). Or delicacies as our cheeses, sausages (of Brandt & Levie for example) and Dutch pickles. But there is much more, think of new herring during the start of summer, Dutch shrimp sandwiches, “appelstroop” (apple spread we eat on our bread) sandwiches, “hagelslag” (chocolate sprinkles we eat on our bread), licorice (the Dutch salty kind) and fresh “stroopwafels” (caramel waffles). And the retail part can sell all of these goodies.
You are not convinced? Well, a “Scandinavian foodhall” is in the making right now in New York, so it’s definitely possible. It will be a combination of stores, casual restaurants and a large brasserie with Nordic cuisine. The initiative came from Claus Meyer, restaurant owner and co-founder of Noma, Copenhagen.
So, who is ready to start a “Hollandia” that might be smaller than Eataly but works with the same principle? Recently I read in the “Parool” (Dutch newspaper) that a bunch enthusiastic hospitality entrepreneurs are creating the first “foodhallen” in Amsterdam, maybe they’ll feel inspired by this blog! The only thing I would like in return is a notion; idea was inspired by Marjolein van Spronsen #stealmyidea.
