June 07, 2021
Cameron Mitchell’s most recent addition to the community, Budd Dairy Food Hall, celebrated its grand opening at the beginning of April and has since received a strong outpouring of praise from guests who are excited to visit. We spoke with General Manager Jeremy Hughes about the inspiration behind the concept for Budd Dairy, the reaction from the community, and more.
Who were the minds behind the concept for Budd Dairy Food Hall, and what was the inspiration?
Steve Weis, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants’ Director of Development, really spearheaded the concept after seeing food halls in other markets. The idea to bring a level of service with cocktailers and full service alcohol came from CMR’s hospitality ideals.
What makes Budd Dairy Food Hall a good fit for the location?
It’s a great meeting spot for the area and we want to help build Italian Village. It’s such a wonderful area with great spots already, and we are excited to be a part of its growth in the future.
What is the history behind the name Budd Dairy? Why is it significant?
The Budd Dairy Co. has been around since the late 1800s. The building was built around 1917 and was a working dairy all the way up to the 1960s. In its start, it was a meeting place for the community, and we would like to bring that idea back to this beautiful building.
What did the process of choosing chef partners look like, and what makes each partner special?
We interviewed and sampled food from over 100 possible candidates and we narrowed it down to the final eight. Each chef partner brings their own brand of culinary and entrepreneurial spirit. They are such a wonderful, special group.
Budd Dairy has been open for a little over two months now; how would you describe the overall reaction from the community?
The response from the community has been amazing! Our guests have really gotten to see and experience years of preparation and passion from our chef partners, and CMR and the feedback we have received has been great. We look forward to continue to grow and keep bringing something special for Columbus and this community for years to come.
What does the future of Budd Dairy Food Hall look like?
As we continue to grow we look forward to hosting events and experiences, while continuing to provide an amazing space for people to meet, drink, eat, and have a great time.
Budd Dairy Food Hall is located at 1086 N. Fourth St and is open for a Short North Safe experience. For more information about contactless parking and other options, visit the Parking & Transit page.