A brand new food hall called Hickory Food Hall is progressing towards its debut in Hickory, located at 39 2nd Street NW.
The new 23,000-square-foot food hall will move into the former home of the First National Bank building at the corner of First Avenue and Second Street in downtown Hickory, according to the company’s Facebook. While the concept was announced earlier this year, the food hall has posted updates on its social media pages, including new renderings designed by Helt Design, with Winstead Architecture, PLLC, turning this vision into reality.
This is the latest concept from the owners of Nagano Japanese Restaurant. As founder Lynn Nguyen prepares to retire, she has passed the business down to her daughter, Annie Lam, and son-in-law, Tony Vo, who also owns Waterbean Coffee. The two will operate Hickory Food Hall. Several local businesses have expressed interest in participating in the upcoming food hall, but the owners have not made any decisions. Recent renderings show Waterbean Coffee as a potential vendor. Initial plans call for Hickory Food Hall to open in the first quarter of 2024.
“Our family has been proud to call Hickory our home for over two decades, and we are grateful for the warm reception and support you have shown us at Nagano Japanese Restaurant during this time,” according to the company’s Facebook. “After our founder, Ms. Lynn Nguyen, retired from the restaurant, her daughter Thao has taken over its operation, carrying on her mother’s legacy. As a testament to our love for this town, we are thrilled to give back to the community by opening Hickory’s first food hall. We are honored to be the pioneers of the Hickory Food Hall and excited to share this journey with you all.”
