MOUNT VERNON — A $1 million Vibrant Communities Program grant will bring a food hall and office suite to 18 E. Vine St.
JobsOhio awarded the grant to the Knox County Land Bank, formally known as the Knox County Land Reutilization Corp.
The $4.4 million redevelopment project will create 25 jobs and generate an annual payroll of nearly $1.2 million.
“This will create job opportunities in the downtown,” Land Bank Vice President Sam Filkins said.
“The building had a lot of jobs when it was the Mount Vernon News, but it’s been vacant. The mission of the land bank is to bring abandoned and vacant buildings back into productive use.
“We are very excited about bringing jobs back into a downtown building.”
Filkins said the land bank board wanted to bring something to the space that would increase foot traffic to Mount Vernon’s downtown. This would, in turn, encourage visitors to spend money and shop in other establishments.
“We have fantastic historic buildings downtown, but it’s very hard to add a restaurant to a historic building,” he said. “Getting more dining options downtown is difficult due to the cost of renovations, so we prioritized food in this phase.”
The land bank worked closely with JobsOhio and the regional economic development partner, One Columbus, to secure funding for the project. Officials expect the project to catalyze continued investment in Mount Vernon’s historic core.
“It will really help the vibrancy of the downtown.”
Sam Filkins, Knox County Land Bank vice president
“Downtown Mount Vernon is already a great place, and Founders Food Hall will only make it better,” said Kenny McDonald, president and CEO of One Columbus.
“This investment will create opportunities for entrepreneurs, revitalize the space, and create even more momentum for Mount Vernon and Knox County.”
The JobsOhio Vibrant Communities Program offers competitive grants for development projects that help transform areas within a distressed community. Eligible projects include mixed-use projects, real estate development projects, and operated share spaces that meet the JobsOhio project criteria.
“The revitalization of the former Mount Vernon News building will act as a catalyst for additional investment and development for this historic community,” said JobsOhio president and CEO J.P. Nauseef.
“The Knox County Land Bank’s leadership in securing public-private investment to redevelop 18 E. Vine St. will create jobs, add businesses, and provide a community gathering spot for a more vibrant downtown.”
Founders Food Hall
The land bank named Founders Food Hall as a tribute to the pioneers, entrepreneurs, and hard-working individuals who built and sustained the area. The name reflects the community’s rich history and industrious spirit that shaped it.
It also reflects the forward-thinking vision that will carry it into the future.
Founders Food Hall will occupy 9,000 square feet of the 13,000 square-foot first floor. It will feature eight independent kitchens, a full-service bar, and a four-season room.
Filkins said 9,000 square feet is too big for one restaurant. Additionally, the smaller individual spaces spread the risk among several restaurants, compared to having “all of our eggs in one basket” with one large restaurant.
Entrepreneurs will lease their space. The land bank will provide the kitchen, refrigerator, freezer, and storage space.
“The idea is we’re hopefully creating a reduced-cost venture for someone to try something new or expand by lowering barriers,” Filkins said.
The land bank aims to bring more diverse flavors to the downtown.
“There will be no more than 10% overlap between the kitchens. They will be completely different cuisines so that you can go with your family or group of friends, and everybody can find something they like or are interested in trying,” Filkins said.
The menus will be similar to food truck menus featuring five to 10 items on the menu.
Open-air dining
Two garage doors can open between the main seating area and the four-season room. In good weather, the windows in the four-season room can open, making patrons feel more connected to the street.
“The intent was to create a feel for outdoor dining, which we don’t have a lot of,” Filkins explained. “We want this to be an addition to the downtown that does not compete but is different, a place where people can be inside or outside.”
For more information about Founders Food Hall, including vendor opportunities and how to get involved, visit www.foundersfh.com.
Entrepreneurs interested in launching their food concepts at the hall can complete an interest form for kitchen space, sign up for updates, and learn more about the vision behind the project.
Office suite
Office space will occupy 4,000 square feet. Filkins anticipates finalizing details with an interested buyer this spring.
“Investing in Mount Vernon’s historic downtown is critical to ensuring our community remains a vibrant place to live and work,” Shelley Coon, chair of the land bank board, said.
“The redevelopment of 18 E. Vine St. will not only bring new businesses and jobs to the area but also reinforce our commitment to responsible growth.”
A long time coming
The land bank acquired the 18 E. Vine St. property in December 2020 and applied for the Vibrant Communities Grant in 2021.
Filkins said the delay stemmed from the state wanting the land bank to “solidify the use” of the space instead of proposing possibilities.
“The plan is much more stable than it has been,” he said.
Redeveloping the upper floor of 18 E. Vine St. is a land bank investment and separate from work on the lower level. In addition to the $1 million grant, the land bank is reinvesting money from Heartland Commerce Park.
“The land bank takes on projects that nobody would make an investment in. Hopefully that investment encourages other investment,” Filkins explained.
Filkins said interior work begins soon with a hopeful end date of August. He anticipates crews will complete construction in September 2025.
“We are excited about the use, but we are also excited to bring vibrancy back to the downtown,” he said. “I think people will be excited about this, too.”
About the Knox County Land Bank
The Knox County Land Bank is a quasi-governmental organization dedicated to strengthening neighborhoods and preserving property values by strategically returning vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, and other properties to their most productive and highest-and-best uses.
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio, Ohio’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across 10 competitive industry sectors.
With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio.
Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership, and Team NEO, JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage.