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A long-awaited addition to downtown Mount Vernon’s dining and entertainment scene officially welcomed its first guests Tuesday as Founders Food Hall hosted a successful soft opening inside the former Mount Vernon News building on East Vine Street.
The event drew a steady crowd eager to get a first look at the renovated space, sample food offerings, and explore one of downtown’s newest destinations. Representatives from local businesses and community organizations were also on hand, including Experience Mount Vernon’s Lacey Filkins, who promoted the upcoming July First Friday festivities.
According to Area Development Foundation President Sam Filkins, the project was created to address two community goals: expanding dining options in Knox County and increasing foot traffic throughout downtown Mount Vernon.
“Our goal from the very beginning has been to try to offer a diverse array of dining options that you don’t currently get in downtown,” Filkins said. “We have seven kitchens, two lanes of duckpin bowling, and a full bar. Ideally people can walk in and always find something to eat, something new to try, and bring a whole family and everyone’s happy.”
The Area Development Foundation purchased the former Mount Vernon News building with the vision of creating a destination that would complement existing downtown businesses while attracting additional visitors to the area.
“We knew that we wanted to do something that was going to drive foot traffic in downtown,” Filkins explained. “We have fantastic stores and restaurants already in downtown, but we just need to get more people to come down and walk around and check it out.”
In addition to creating a new gathering space, developers worked to preserve elements of the building’s history. Originally constructed in the late 1920s or early 1930s, the structure featured Art Deco characteristics that had largely been hidden during its years as office space.
Filkins said renovation crews were able to preserve sections of the original hardwood flooring, terrazzo tile flooring, historic brickwork, and one of the building’s original chimneys. Those features now serve as reminders of the building’s long history while helping create a unique atmosphere inside the new food hall.
The soft opening served as a preview of what visitors can expect when the facility opens fully later this month. Once operational, Founders Food Hall will feature seven food vendors, duckpin bowling, and a full-service bar. The venue plans to operate Tuesday through Sunday, opening daily at 11 a.m.
The official grand opening is scheduled for June 30 at 11 a.m., with state officials expected to attend in recognition of grant funding that helped make the project possible.
For downtown supporters, Tuesday’s strong turnout provided an early indication that Founders Food Hall could become a significant draw for both residents and visitors, helping bring new energy and activity to Mount Vernon’s historic downtown district.
