FOOD HALL OPENS WITH THREE BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES AS FIRST TENANTS

A grand opening ceremony was recently held for the One Eleven Food Hall, 756 E. 111th St., in Pullman which is the new home of three black-owned restaurants. Photo Credit: Katherine Newman
A grand opening ceremony was recently held for the One Eleven Food Hall, 756 E. 111th St., in Pullman which is the new home of three black-owned restaurants. Photo Credit: Katherine Newman

Food Hall Opens With Three Black-Owned Businesses As First Tenants

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

The One Eleven Food Hall, 756 E. 111th St., in Pullman is officially open after a recent grand opening ceremony held by Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives (CNI), 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale, and three black restauranteurs who have set up shop in the new Food Hall.

This most recent grand opening is just one of the many projects that have been taking place in the Pullman neighborhood as a result of the city’s partnership with CNI, a nonprofit community developer.

“The Food Hall concept really came in response to listening to our businesses and their challenges. We initially thought of having one business in this space but the cost to build out posed a significant challenge for these businesses,” said Ciere Boatright, vice president of Real Estate and Inclusion for CNI.

In order to make this space more accessible for small business owners, CNI decided to handle the build-out themselves and make space for three restaurants to operate.

Laine’s Bake Shop, Majani Soulful Vegan Cuisine, and Exquisite Catering and Events are all serving food out of the One Eleven Food Hall and offer a wide variety from breakfast and baked goods to full dinners in a casual setting.

“We wanted all three businesses in this really cool space so we pulled up our sleeves at CNI and handled all the build out. We partnered with CNI’s Micro Finance Group to make sure that these businesses had access to low-cost capital and we provided short term leases and low rents to really ensure that these businesses can focus on being successful,” said Boatright.

Rachel Bernier-Green is the owner of Laine’s Bake Shop and will be selling baked goods at the Food Hall. Bernier-Green uses many of her grandmother’s decadent recipes and makes all of her products from scratch.

“My first memories are in this community and growing up this entire area was desolate,” said Bernier-Green. “Laine’s Bake Shop is an artisan baking company with a social mission. Our mission is to be a catalyst for revitalization in urban communities starting with the south side of Chicago and because of this location, we are able to hire more people.”

Majani Soulful Vegan Cuisine, led by Chefs Tsadakeeyah and Naysa’s, has opened their second location in the One Eleven Food Hall and will be serving a full menu of vegan and soul-vegetarian options.

Tiffany Williams is the owner of Exquisite Catering and Events and is known to have cooked for President Obama, Chance the Rapper, Beyonce, and many others. This is her first brick and mortar location.

“When I came to check it out this was just an empty space with gravel on the floor but I saw the vision right away and I was grateful. We started in January of 2018 and we are open now and it has been an amazing experience,” said Williams.

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