Unexpectedly high traffic prompted Richard Sandoval and Jose Garces to close their Latinicity food hall in Chicago on Sunday, or what would have been its fourth day of operation, for some emergency restocking.
The facility explained on its Facebook page that 10,000 people had passed through the 22,000-square-foot hall during the first three days it was open. The space features 12 stations where customers can buy Latin supplies and ready-to-eat foods. It also has a complementary restaurant, Loncheria, which suspended operation on Sunday as well.
It's truly incredible that since we opened on Thursday morning over 10,000 people have visited our new restaurant. Many...
Posted by Latinicity on Sunday, November 8, 2015
The place has been called a Latin version of Mario Batali’s Eataly, which also had to close its Chicago outlet after it was swarmed during its opening.
Latinicity said that it opened to a line out the door on Thursday and “that line has steadily grown each day.” It decided to stay closed on Sunday “to replenish, restock and rearrange the restaurant” and reopened yesterday.
Latinicity is the first Chicago venture of Sandoval, who first drew national attention for his restaurants in New York City, and Garces, whose Philadelphia restaurants include Volver.
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