The long-running saga hoping to get what will be one of the biggest malls in the country open for business looks like it will finally end in success next year, and an online foodie channel will be opening a diverse culinary concept in the sprawling new development.
The 91-acre American Dream has a long and troubled history that dates all the way back to initial approvals in 2003. Then called Xanadu, the project, located in East Rutherford within the Meadowlands Sports Complex, has gone through several lawsuits and three different developers, currently being finished up by Triple Five Worldwide.
American Dream will be the third largest mall in North America when completed next year, and a popular food and culture brand has just signed on to take up 38,000 square feet of space in the complex. Munchies, which is owned by Brooklyn-based Vice Media, is a YouTube channel that launched in 2014 and they will be bringing their culinary treats across several bridges and tunnels with the endeavor.
Munchies will be selecting 18 vendors to fill their food hall that reflect the brand’s “signature youth-driven perspective,” featuring everything from authentic BBQ, Mexican options, and desserts including ice cream. The space itself will feature a cooking studio and two revolving kitchens, allowing demos from visiting chefs to take place on a regular basis.
“Our restaurateur partners will be provided with attractive design and construction amenities to showcase and attract the best talent,” said Dimitri Lalagos, American Dream’s SVP of Leasing, in a statement. “Most importantly, you can score a great Martinez cocktail to wash down the Beef Marrow Cheeseburger and Eggplant Tempura.”
Munchies’ food hall will be located near the bottom of the Big Snow America indoor ski hill section of American Dream, a three-million-square-foot complex that’s also set to include 20 other full-service restaurants, about 50 grab-and-go options, and a six-vendor kosher food hall. Triple Five has promised that the first part of the project will open to the public in the spring of 2019.
