Oshri Gal grew up in Cocoa Beach and would often ride his bike along State Highway A1A, passing by the Minutemen Causeway.
“I bought this land and dreamed of doing something here for the community,” Gall, a real estate developer and owner of OG Enterprises, said of the corner intersection in the city’s downtown.
The representation paid off.
Gall is building Destination Downtown Food Hall, a family-friendly eatery where locals and visitors can gather to enjoy great food, relax and enjoy beachside views.
“That was really my vision behind the food hall – a place where locals and regulars could come and enjoy local cuisine,” Gall said.
What will Cocoa Beach’s Destination Downtown Food Hall include?
Locals will know the location as the former location of the popular restaurant Yen Yen. The new location at Destination Downtown Food Hall will be a single-story building measuring about 5,000 square feet. About 4,000 square feet will be air-conditioned, and the rest will be an outdoor covered patio equipped with misting fans.
Initially, there will be seven concession stands, and Gall wants the food hall to feature a large number of family-run restaurants, rather than chains or franchises.
“The goal is to have as many dining options as possible and really make it a one-stop culinary destination,” he said.
It’s expected to serve a variety of cuisines, from Chinese to American to desserts, and there will also be a bar, but initially it will only serve wine and craft beer.
“We wanted to remain a family-friendly store, so we didn’t want to sell hard alcohol,” says Gall.
He leaves open the possibility of expanding the building and adding a second floor, which would allow him to move the bar upstairs and expand the menu.
What is the timeline for Destination Downtown Food Hall?
Initially, Gall had planned to build a parking lot on the site, but the idea was not well received by residents. After hearing complaints from residents, Gall changed his plans.
“It was really important to us to develop a community-based facility that could be enjoyed by locals as well as tourists,” Gall said.
Demolition of the current building began at the end of May, and Gall hopes Destination Downtown Food Hall will be open by this time next year.
What if a vendor wants space at Destination Downtown Food Hall?
Food vendors interested in setting up shop at Destination Downtown Food Hall should fill out an application, which is available on the OG Enterprises website at www.ogenterprisesfl.com.
Gall said he is already in discussions with a number of interested parties.
“As someone who achieved the American dream, I’ve always wanted a platform where other people can achieve their dreams,” Gal said. “I want the food hall to be a platform for people who are pursuing the American dream.”
Spitzer is a trends reporter and can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com.
