The Block, expected to open next to Kmart this fall, will offer a new concept in dining – new to Annandale, at least.
It will house several food vendor stalls around a central area with communal seating. It’s like a food court, says the developer, Arturo Mei, who owns the Snocream food truck usually parked near Kmart.
In addition to Snocream, which sells a light, icy version of ice cream with a variety of toppings, the Block will house Balo Kitchen; PhoWheels, from the owners of a food truck offering what Mei calls “Vietnamese concept” food; Pokéworks, featuring Hawaiian-style seafood salads; a vendor with Thai food; and Munch Ice Cream, offering ice cream-filled doughnuts.
Several of the vendors already operate food trucks; others are new businesses. Mei describes the Block as “an incubator for new food concepts.” It offers food entrepreneurs an opportunity to test their ideas if they don’t have the funds for a brick-and-mortar establishment. If they’re successful in the Block, they could then open their own restaurant.
Mei chose the name, the Block, because he envisions the place will be “like a block party where neighbors come to enjoy good food together.” He got the idea for the Block during his travels throughout Asia where he saw many similar places.
The Snocream truck, actually a converted school bus, will be at the Taste of Annandale Oct. 1.