Sandusky's food hall: a taste of what's to come

SANDUSKY — For many wondering about the status of a new business concept going into a landmark Sandusky property, its proprietor provided an answer. "The food hall project is alive and well," said Dave Yanko, a business partner with Collective Projects. It's the company tasked with breathing new life into the former Kreimes Cardinal Grocery Store on East Washington Street. Yanko also gave a preview of what people can expect. "Sandusky's first food hall is slated to open in 2022," Yanko said. "The food hall will feature a large central bar and six vented vendor stalls occupied by chefs from around the region, offering an array of food options. Committed vendors currently include fish and chips, fried rice and fresh poke concepts." He continued: "New York-based restaurateurs, Hospitality HQ, will oversee vendor curation, management and operations of this culinary destination led by renowned Chef Akhtar Nawab and his team." Beyond what's inside — this $2 million estimated initiative, all privately financed thus far — also involves sprucing up the outside components. "The latest (project) in the area's resurgence, it will include a public piazza and patio to provide space for public art, entertainment, indoor/outdoor dining and private events," according to a company statement. Company representatives originally wanted to debut the space in 2020, but COVID-19 pushed back this timeline. In 2019, Collective closed on the East Washington Street property. While patient, Yanko expressed his eagerness to welcome the public in for food and tours. "After nearly a decade in southern California, I'm excited to come back home to reinvest in the places where I'm from and where my family lives," said Yanko, who's originally from Cleveland. "I have traveled both domestically and internationally to seek out the world's very best food experiences and use that knowledge to inform our project here in Sandusky." With so much change in store, the property should retain Cardinal's existing footprint, housing these amenities — and keep the ever-so-famous letter sign spelling out "Sandusky" on a street-side-facing marquee. For these reasons, and more, the project delights Sandusky city manager Eric Wobser. "The food hall concept is an exciting reuse of an important property in an area of the city that is seeing significant residential and commercial reinvestment," Wobser said. "We look forward to continued momentum as the economic energy downtown spills into surrounding neighborhoods." - Appreciate news from your community? Click here to subscribe to the Register.