Wash Ave. Food Hall opens before Mizzou-SLU game: ‘You could park here, eat, and just walk’

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The new Wash Ave Food Hall held its grand opening Friday, adding a stop for people heading to events like the Mizzou-SLU basketball game, which renewed the rivalry after 25 years.

Fans stop at food hall before tipoff

Andrew Cook, a Mizzou fan, met a friend at the food hall before the game and ordered tacos.

“I wouldn’t have probably even come downtown if it wasn’t for this,” Cook said. “I think just having a place that’s casual that you can just sit and then have a couple drinks, just some food and just chat for a little bit --It’s really good.”

Cook said of the game, “I think it’s going to be an easy Mizzou win.”

Quinlan Chavez, a SLU fan, said the food hall’s location suits game days throughout the city.

“You could park here, eat, and just walk to the City SC games,” Chavez said.

Survey found demand for more downtown businesses

A July survey of the downtown community found a demand for more businesses and places to gather.

Downtown resident Al Anderson previously told First Alert 4 evening hours are the gap.

“The thing that’s keeping people from coming downtown on a daily basis is we don’t have enough businesses along this Washington Avenue corridor that are open in the evening,” Anderson said.

David Bickel, the food hall’s bar manager, said the food hall is serving people who live nearby.

“They can come for lunch, they can come for dinner, they can socialize, they have games on, and they’re able to do that so close to home,” Bickel said.

The space includes eight food vendors, bar and table seating--even a lawn area for games and activities.

Weekend events

Wash Ave. Food Hall grand opening events continue this weekend.

A vintage market and cornhole tournament will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The food hall will also host an NFL watch party Sunday starting at 11:00 a.m.