In an exposed brick conference room in Mercadito Hospitality headquarters, most of the Mercadito team (Ryan Poli, Paul Tanguay, and staff) met for the first look at design renderings narrated by Mercadito designer Vincent Celano (Seed Design Studios)of the plans for the new project at 646 N. Franklin. Tippling Hall (working name) will be an open three-pronged space with a rustic bent meant to preserve the historic industrial manufacturing in the old Hop Haus building with "the layer of personality in all (Mercadito) concepts." Reminiscent of a classic beer hall, it'll feature long communal tables, thick overhead beams, and layered-chipped-plaster artwork. It'll be one long space with "flow and balance" lined with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the street below.
The center will feature a concrete bar, inspired by turn-of-the-century European copper taps, custom-flask champagne bottles, an industrial layered-glass backdrop, and quotes from historic Chicagoans. The section to the right will feature the hefty Viking-esque long tables and benches. To the left will be a "showcase room" with a jukebox, high tops, and more communal tables. The highlight might be the changeable menu board, a kind of movable art piece, prompting Poli to joke, "like Wheel of Fortune?"
The overall theme is "grungy," "old and warming," and with "details that expose a storyline" yet "preserve the flow and balance." It's moving away from current gastropub and speakeasy trends to be grand, welcoming and stripped-down. Construction will commence in a couple weeks, they'll pinpoint the dining and beverage concepts in the coming months, and hope to open by July. More to come.
·Mercadito Taking Over Hop Haus Space, Opening New Concept Before Fall [~ECHI~]
·Mercadito Hospitality [Official Site]