Here’s the latest on plans for a food hall and brewery opening in downtown Rock Hill
A food hall and brewery will transform the former city power plant in downtown Rock Hill with openings expected later this year.
Middle James Brewing Company, which opened three years ago in Pineville, has signed on as an anchor tenant for the Power House project downtown, according to developer The Sherbert Group, based in Charlotte. Redevelopment of the plant, built in 1930, will reshape the area between Stewart and Ebenezer avenues, and West White Street.
By week’s end, the first batch of applications should be submitted for a food hall also planned at the former plant in University Center. Some of the food stall additions could be decided within two weeks, said Sherbert Group CEO Tara Sherbert.
The food hall concept will bring together dining options known to deliver quality, she said, and won’t be startup restaurants.
The former city plant is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was part of the larger textile industry in downtown Rock Hill for several decades. Now the property sits in a quickly developing area between Winthrop University and the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center.
Boilers, turbines and other infrastructure still at the site at the start of redevelopment hadn’t operated in 40 years, according to Sherbert Group.
Part of economic redevelopment plans
In fall 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Sherbert joined developers and entrepreneurs from across the region at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center detailing large-scale plans for half a billion dollars of downtown economic redevelopment.
Sherbert outlined plans for a $20 million conversion of the power plant site to 55,000 square feet of mixed-use space on four floors. The plan includes a taphouse and small restaurants with first-floor food stalls, second-floor office and event venue space, commercial or office space on a third floor, and fourth-floor loft apartments.
The plans also include family entertainment, game areas and a large lawn for live performances and community events. A four-story open air atrium will greet guests.
What to expect
The project is similar to another Sherbert Group mill renovation, Drayton Mills in Spartanburg. Luxury lofts there combine with restaurants, a coffee shop and a brewery, plus office space.
The same 1800 Drayton Catering & Events that serves as an event space, wedding venue and food option in Spartanburg will oversee Rock Hill’s food hall.
All tenants should be identified within about two months and the full opening is expected later this year, Sherbert said.
Sherbert’s group designed and will build the food hall stalls.
“We wanted a really high end, consistent theme for the food hall,” Sherbert said.
This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Here’s the latest on plans for a food hall and brewery opening in downtown Rock Hill."
