Thursday, January 3

 
Harrods' Food Hall Slated for Chicago?

Astonishing! Chicago's Block 37 retail development might be the site for Harrods' first incursion into the U.S. gourmet market with its fabled food hall. Gourmet News magazine is e-reporting this development but cautioning that it's based on "news reports" from The Scotman that "suggest" plans are in the works. This lifelong Midwestern snob says, "In Chicago? Not New York? Wow!" Of course, if it's true, it means one of two things: One: Harrod's is more likely to stand out in the Chicago gourmet market than in New York, where it would compete with the likes of Zabar's and Dean & Deluca. Or, two: Harrod's is following that great theater tradition of opening out of town before heading to Broadway (make your mistakes somewhere else first).

Well, who cares what the reason is. As long as they come. And, where is Block 37? Apparently the long undeveloped block (I think they meant "vacant") across from Marshall Field's wonderful flagship store on State Street. Field's has a food hall of its own, which Dayton's moved from the Seventh Floor to the basement and added lots of selling space after it bought the store (Dayton's has now renamed the whole chain Field's, for those of you keeping score at home). Hmmm.
posted by Unknown 12:59 PM