Business marketers love to lay claim to being first, even when the evidence appears anecdotal at best.
When a Providence developer’s design plans for “Rhode Island’s first food hall” were approved recently, the pronouncement led some PBN readers to wonder if this was one more case of overpromotion.
The answer to Marsella Development Corp.’s claim depends on one’s definition of “food hall.” Defined broadly, Marsella’s proposal for the Union Station building wouldn’t even be the only one in Providence.
Plant City Providence LLC opened what it called Rhode Island’s first vegan food hall three years ago.
And the state’s history with food halls stretches back to at least the 19th century and Warwick’s beloved Shore Dinner Hall at Rocky Point.
But if Marsella’s plans come to fruition, it may rightly lay claim to being the first of its kind, with 13 vendors and a much wider variety of foods than either Plant City or Shore’s seafood delights.
We agree with Eat Drink RI LLC President David Dadekian, however: whatever the definition, Rhode Island needs more of them.