Big cities may have built the food hall industry's brand, but the nation's next wave of projects will be built in suburbs and smaller spaces.

Why it matters: That takeaway from the State of Food Halls report — recently presented to a gathering of industry insiders in Minneapolis — is another sign of how remote work has changed where we spend our happy hours and our weekends.

• Nationwide, 14 of the 20 newest food halls opened in suburbs or small towns.

Before COVID, urban food halls did their biggest business serving cubicle warriors at lunch hour.

• Now, "a lot of people are saying, 'I want to be where the people are; the people are in the suburbs,'" said report co-author Trip Schneck of Colicchio Consulting, which tracks the industry.

Plus: Food halls have an easier time standing out in communities dominated by chain restaurants, Schneck told attendees.

Case in point: Eden Prairie's Asia Mall and Rosedale's Potluck were early adopters, and Blaine's Asia Village is estimated to open at Northtown Mall by May or June.

• The long-awaited Ate Ate Ate at Burnsville Center is also in the pipeline.

What we're watching: The team behind the Market at Malcolm Yards is planning a second location in St. Louis Park's West End and another project in downtown Minneapolis' LaSalle Plaza.

• A bill sent to Gov. Tim Walz's desk last week authorizes both projects to receive liquor licenses — a necessary step under Minnesota's quirky alcohol laws.

What they're saying: "We weren't going to go spend $15 million building something out if, legally, we were to not be able to sell liquor," Malcolm Yards owner Patricia Wall told Axios.

Zoom in: Nationally, the move to suburban and tertiary markets has fueled a shift into smaller spaces.

• In 2012, Colicchio Consulting pegged the average food hall at nearly 25,000 square feet. (Malcolm Yards is roughly 19,000 square feet.)
• New food halls average around 14,000 square feet — or roughly the size of Eat Street Crossing on Nicollet Avenue.

😉 Our thought bubble: This trend is only new if you think the suburban mall food court never counted as a "food hall."

• Kids these days don't appreciate the combo of Sbarro, Cinnabon and some sort of potato-themed stall!

Share with a suburbanite

A French "bistronomie" serving Afro-Caribbean fare is moving into Owamni's spot along the Mississippi River.

Why it matters: Owamni's upcoming departure from the Water Works Pavilion, operated by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, opens up prime restaurant real estate overlooking the Stone Arch Bridge.

What to expect: Arch and River, set to open this summer, will serve coffee and pastries in the morning, with brunch, lunch and snack menus offered throughout the day, per a Park Board release.

• Dinner and a "dessert bar experience" will be available in the evenings.

Plus: Beer, wine and cider will be served inside and on the patio.

Zoom in: Arch and River will be operated by the husband-and-wife team behind B'beri Desserts, a pastry shop inside Alliance Française.

Flashback: We asked readers what they wanted to see in the space after Owamni announced plans to move to the Guthrie.

• Lower price points and more casual food options topped the wish list.

A Park Board spokesperson told Axios they haven't seen a finalized menu or prices. yet.

What's next

🏙️ St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her used her first State of the City address to call on state lawmakers to approve funding for Operation Metro Surge relief and a proposed Grand Casino Arena revamp. (KARE 11)

• She cited downtown revitalization and continuing a recent drop in homicides and non-fatal shootings as priorities.

🔎 Records released yesterday provide more detail on the law enforcement response immediately following last June's targeted attacks against state lawmakers. (Star Tribune)

• The time-stamped logs indicate that officials identified Vance Boelter as a suspect shortly after the shootings. They also show the time it took to render aid to slain House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman.

💰 Gov. Tim Walz is launching a federal PAC to recruit and support Democratic candidates in rural areas. (Politico)

🏗️ The Lakeville City Council approved a one-year moratorium on new residential construction after years of rapid growth. (Background via Star Tribune)

Today marks 10 years since Prince died of a drug overdose at Paisley Park.

• His estate is commemorating the anniversary with the release of the fully produced demo of "With This Tear," a ballad he wrote for Céline Dion.

The big picture: The late star's estate is still sitting on a "vast vault of unheard material," Star Tribune music critic Jon Bream writes.

• The posthumous handling of his legacy has frustrated some fans, who want the estate to do more to attract a new generation of listeners.

What we're watching: The estate is working on its own documentary, following the cancellation of a nine-hour Netflix project that executors had opposed.

• The "Purple Rain" musical is undergoing revisions in a bid to reach Broadway.

📆 Save the date: Fans can celebrate Prince at a June 6 block party and sing-along in downtown Minneapolis.

Cannabis use among Minnesota youth continues to decline, even after the state legalized the substance for adults 21 and over.

By the numbers: Just 6% of middle and high school students who responded to the 2025 Minnesota Student Survey reported using cannabis in the last 12 months, down from 15% in 2013.

Yes, but: Teens who do use cannabis are starting sooner, with 41% reporting trying it for the first time at 13 or 14, the Star Tribune notes.

What we're watching: While the dip mirrors national trends, high schools across the nation say they're struggling to keep the substance off their campuses as legalization makes access easier.

👋 Torey here! I spotted this wall o' Spam while out with my family in the Twin Cities.

• Reply with your guess for where I found it.

🏆 We'll send one randomly selected reader who gets it right an Axios tote!