Wynwood Yard Team to Open Food Hall in Jackson Health District

Wynwood Yard founder Della Heiman and restaurateur Ken Lyon plan to open a health-conscious food hall this spring.

Jackson Hall, located in the Civica Center of Jackson Health District, will offer five food concepts and a small marketplace in its 10,000-square-foot space. In addition, a hydroponic garden by Cincinnati-based 80 Acres Farms is planned for the third floor of the venue.

Heiman explains the project began when business partner Lyon found out about a vacant food court space on the hospital campus from a chef at the Wynwood Yard. "A couple of hours later, Ken called me. We are already committed to open a second Yard in North Beach, and Ken thought he would have to sell me on the idea, but I got it in 30 seconds."

Heiman, who is passionate about finding ways to make healthful food more affordable and accessible, thought opening a food hall at Jackson was an opportunity to do something interesting with a unique demographic. "It's more than creating a wellness-focused food hall. It's about creating community and warmth in an environment that's very sterile."

Unlike the Wynwood Yard, which offers space to individual owner/operators, Jackson Hall's concepts will be owned and operated by Heiman and Lyon. Miami chefs Julie Frans and Nicole Votano will head the culinary program, with Votano developing recipes that include plant-based and gluten-free choices. The fare will be free of hormones, antibiotics, partially hydrogenated oils, synthetic colorings and preservatives, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, and other highly refined sweeteners.

Frans is establishing an educational component that will work closely with the various hospitals and medical centers on the Jackson campus to help provide nutritional offerings based on the dietary needs of outpatients. First up is Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, where Frans is developing color-coded menu options for patients undergoing various treatments. Heiman says she wants patients to feel comfortable eating foods based on their specific recovery process.

The five concepts at Jackson Hall include Della Bowls, Charcoal (serving meats cooked on a Josper rotisserie), Leo & Bloom Delicatessen (offering soups, salads, and sandwiches), Island Poke, and Levant (a Middle Eastern concept specializing in kebabs, shawarma, and mezze).

In addition, the Radiate Apothecary + Bar at Jackson Hall will offer freshly made juices, smoothies, kombucha, elixirs, tonics, beer, wine, and spirits. The beverage program will be directed by Susan Duprey, a certified nutritionist, former bartender, and founder of Radiate Miami.

The space will also offer a petite market with grab-and-go items and a mobile app on which busy health-care professionals can order meals to-go for their entire families. Says Heiman: "I know so many doctors that eat pizza and bagels because they're too exhausted to even think about shopping for themselves after a 12-hour shift."

In the works is a retail component where customers can buy gifts and flower crowns for patients, as well as a positivity library where people can borrow or buy books that provide laughter or comfort.

Jackson Hall will also offer an event series that will include yoga, nutrition classes, wellness lectures, and happy hours with live music in the afternoon. Heiman says the event schedule won't be as robust as that at the Wynwood Yard but thinks an educational and entertainment component is important. "We hope this will be a refuge where people can recalibrate," she says.

Jackson Hall. 1050 NW 14th St., Miami. Opening spring 2018. Initial operating hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit @jacksonhallmia on Instagram or Facebook.