Wash Ave Food Hall targeting October 2026, with named vendors now on the board
FEATUREDOriginally published by St. Louis Magazine. By George Mahe and Mike Miller. Updated June 8, 2026. Read the story.
This updates the January 20, 2026 Wash Ave Press reprint of the early St. Louis Magazine version, which aimed at an April 2026 opening. STL Mag later updated the same URL (editor’s note on that page: “This article has been updated from the original version”) to an October 2026 target.
Oliver Properties is targeting an October 2026 opening for Wash Ave Food Hall at 1122 Washington Avenue, in the former Reign nightclub and Copia Restaurant and Wine Garden space, according to George Mahe and Mike Miller’s June 8, 2026 update in St. Louis Magazine. The hall is described as a 10,000-square-foot destination with eight food-and-beverage concepts, two central bars, and an indoor-outdoor social space under a retractable roof — six full-kitchen vendors and two specialty concepts, with integrated tech so guests can order from multiple vendors in one transaction, plus a gaming / interactive social space.
Raineri Construction is named for construction management; FIRETEN Hospitality, a national food hall operator, for daily operations. Construction is expected to finish late summer 2026. Oliver Properties says it has invested more than $150 million in the area, including more than 650 residential units and 150,000 square feet of commercial space. Walking distance named in the STL Mag piece: Busch Stadium, Ballpark Village, Energizer Park, Enterprise Center, America’s Center, Union Station, City Museum, and the Gateway Arch.
Photo Credit: David Carson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“This is not just a food hall—it’s an anchor for connection, relationships, food and experience. We are creating a place where people don’t just come to eat—they come to visit, connect with others, and be part of the energy of the Washington Avenue neighborhood.”
— Alex Oliver, quoted by George Mahe and Mike Miller, St. Louis Magazine, June 8, 2026
“The most successful hospitality destinations today are the ones that give people a reason to stay, interact, and come back.”
— Natalie Zabiegalski, COO, FIRETEN Hospitality, St. Louis Magazine
“Food halls have evolved beyond simply providing multiple dining options under one roof. The future belongs to places that combine food, beverage, entertainment, technology, and social interaction into a seamless experience.”
— Jeremy Barker, CEO, FIRETEN Hospitality, St. Louis Magazine
From the earlier STL Mag version still on this Wash Ave Press post (January 20, 2026 reprint): the hall was aimed to open by April 2026, with 230 seats, one bar inside and one on the back patio, Eimer Design, Colicchio Consulting, and Fireten curating vendors. Oliver then said, “We’ve been working on Wash Ave for a while. This is really that next big push and launch. It’s something that is a little more grand than what we’ve done so far.” And: “When we went down this venture, we were very adamant about finding expertise. I know how to develop properties. I know how to manage multifamily [developments]. I don’t know anything about running a food hall.” Explore St. Louis CEO Brad Dean: “This is not only going to serve residents. It’s going to serve visitors. It’s going to serve meeting planners and their attendees.”
What’s new: named vendors (July–August 2026)
These follow-ups landed after the Wash Ave reprint and after STL Mag’s June 8 update.
4 Hands PourMyBeer. George Mahe, St. Louis Magazine, July 1, 2026. As of that piece, “eight food vendors have yet to be announced”; 4 Hands is the first named beverage tenant. (The headline/dek on that story used 1120 Washington; later pieces and Oliver/STL Mag’s main story use 1122. This post uses 1122.)
Steve’s Smash. Lauren Healey, Sauce, July 13, 2026; also Cheryl Baehr, St. Louis Magazine, same day. HuSTL Hospitality Group; the concept grew from smashburgers at Steve’s Hot Dogs on South Grand (2024). Custom blend chuck, sirloin, brisket; grilled potato buns. Named burgers: Hey Now You’re An All-Star; Figgy Stardust; Tropic Thunder; plus build-your-own. Steve Ewing (release): “We have always been known for taking familiar comfort food and making it creative, fun and memorable. We proved that with Steve’s Hot Dogs, we expanded it with Steve’s Meltdown, and now we are giving our smashburgers the brand and the focus they deserve.” Danni Eickenhorst, HuSTL CEO (release): “Downtown St. Louis matters to the future of this city, and Wash Ave has all the ingredients to be one of the region’s most active and exciting neighborhoods.”
Little BAO. George Mahe, St. Louis Magazine, July 27, 2026. “A second food vendor has committed… slated to open in October. Little BAO, the fast-casual sidekick to The BAO (14 N. Central) in Clayton, will offer bao, rice bowls, udon noodle bowls, and Japanese curry, according to RJ Xu, who owns…” (from the page’s og:description; the full body was JavaScript-heavy).
Macis’ Prime BBQ. George Mahe, St. Louis Magazine, August 17, 2026. Macis’ joins Little BAO, Steve’s Smash, and the 4 Hands PourMyBeer wall. Founder Shawn Mueller; first permanent location after catering and a trailer. Wagyu beef; Duroc and Berkshire pork. Mainstays: smoked brisket, pulled pork, turkey. The name is from nieces Maddie and CiCi. Mueller: “make the best food we possibly can and never sacrifice quality just to grow.” Menu promise: “If our barbecue needs sauce, I’ll give you a refund.” Alex Oliver, in a release: “Macis’ is a great example of the local operators we are excited to have join the Wash Ave Food Hall — a distinctive St. Louis business with a great story, a passionate following, and exceptional food offering that people will come to Wash Ave to experience.”
First Alert 4’s Cory Stark (July 15, 2026) called the venue a 14,000-square-foot hall with more than a half dozen vendors and multiple bars — a conflict with STL Mag’s 10,000 square feet. Both figures are reported as given; this post does not pick one. Oliver, in that First Alert 4 piece: “Getting local operators like them on board is huge. That is validation, but it’s also showing their support and that they believe in downtown and believe in Wash Ave.”
For the Eat|Drink profile — address, named vendors, and a path to the operator — see our Wash Ave Food Hall listing.
