Uncommons Food Hall Closure: A Cautionary Tale for Las Vegas Developers

The closure of the Sundry, a food hall within the Uncommons development in Las Vegas, has sparked a conversation about the challenges facing new commercial projects in the city. Despite the Uncommons' initial promise as a hub for retail and dining, the premature opening of the Sundry has led to its demise, leaving the community to wonder what went wrong and what lessons can be learned.

Uncovering the Factors Behind the Sundry's Downfall

Timing and Foot Traffic: A Mismatch

The Uncommons development was envisioned as a bustling hub of activity, attracting both tourists and locals. However, according to Makea Macaluso, the owner of Togo's Sandwiches located nearby, the Sundry's opening may have been too soon. "They didn't have a lot of the businesses, apartments, and residential stuff completed, so in my opinion, they were just a little early. They didn't have all the foot traffic they would need to support a business like that," Macaluso explained. The lack of a fully developed ecosystem around the Sundry may have contributed to its struggles.

Accessibility and Ongoing Construction: Challenges for Patrons

In addition to the timing issues, the Sundry also faced challenges with accessibility. Macaluso noted that it was "not always that easy to get into there" due to the ongoing construction in the area. This may have deterred potential customers and made it difficult for the food hall to establish a consistent customer base.

Concept Misalignment: Balancing Fine Dining and Fast Casual

Hayim Mizrachi, the CEO of MDL Group, a commercial real estate company, observed that there may have been a "misalignment between a fine dining operator trying to do fast casual." This suggests that the Sundry's ambitious vision of bringing a "cosmopolitan food hall" to Las Vegas may have been at odds with the preferences and expectations of the local market.

Lessons Learned: Adapting to the Local Landscape

Despite the Sundry's closure, Mizrachi remains optimistic about the future of the Uncommons development. He believes that the developers will have an "opportunity to recast some things" and that new operators may be interested in reimagining the space. Macaluso echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the challenges faced by businesses and expressing hope that the Sundry's operators or others will be able to "figure it out and come back."

A Cautionary Tale for Las Vegas Developers

The closure of the Sundry serves as a cautionary tale for developers in Las Vegas. It highlights the importance of carefully considering the local market, ensuring adequate foot traffic, and aligning the concept with the preferences of the community. As the city continues to evolve, developers must be attuned to the unique needs and dynamics of the Las Vegas landscape to create successful and sustainable projects.