What’s next for Time Out Market? Phantom Gourmet chimes in.

Food

Making up a very New England food hall, Kowloon, Ernie Boch Jr., and an Aerosmith cover-band would be involved.

There’s a very New England proposal going around for what should become of the closing Time Out Market. Imagine a food hall, complete with a Kowloon stall, a locally famous personal injury attorney behind the bar, and (drumroll, please) an Aerosmith cover band for entertainment. 

For born and raised New Englanders, it almost sounds too good to be true.

In the days after major news broke that Time Out Market, a giant food hall in Fenway that hosted more than a dozen local restaurants, would close for good at the end of the month, local food media program Phantom Gourmet took to Facebook to share the news that it would take over the 27,000-square-foot space. 

“Re-imagining the traditional food court, this vibrant new concept brings together legendary local restaurants, a high-energy central bar, and live weekend entertainment — all under one strikingly redesigned roof,” the post read.

The food options would include a Wahlburgers (even though this celebrity-owned cheeseburger chain has a location across the street), Harrows, Kowloon, Newbridge Cafe, Galleria Umberto, and Abe & Louie’s Cheesesteaks. 

That’s not all. Behind the bar, occasionally, would be “celebrity bartenders” that only a New Englander would know, like Ernie Boch Jr. of local Subaru dealership fame, and personal injury attorney Jim Sokolove, the lawyer from the TV. 

And while it’s still TBD, according to the post, Phantom Gourmet boasted “a high-octane Aerosmith cover band” for entertainment. 

“This project is about celebrating Boston — its food, its characters, and its culture — in one dynamic space,” a statement read. 

A rendering of the concept welcomes potential diners with a large Phantom Gourmet at the entrance, along with its name “Phantom Gourmet Market.” The logo is so big that it blocks the windows on the second floor of the building. 

At first glance, it’s hard to determine whether the press release is real or a gag. Commenters on both Facebook and Reddit seem to think it’s the latter. 

“‘Celebrity’ Jim Sokolove?!?! Surely you jest!!!!”

“Oh boy Wahlburgers and Aerosmith lmfao no way they’re serious.”

“It’s gotta be April 1 somewhere right??”

“Bummer if true, was hoping for a 99.”

According to Michael Andelman, vice president of marketing and sales at Phantom Gourmet and one of three brothers behind the 33-year-old food program, the food hall idea should be taken as fiction.

“We had a creative gathering and dreamed up this post, which is not real,” Andelman said.

In the hours since the post went up, it’s been shared by thousands online, and Andelman said their team has received very real suggestions about who else to include in the food hall. The addition of a “Kowloon On The Run” was especially a hit, given that the beloved Asian restaurant along Route 1 will be torn down as the family downsizes the restaurant.

It’s gotten so much feedback, even from restaurant owners, that Andelman said they’re “exploring this for real.”

“Between all the suggestions we’re getting, I think we could come up with a dream team,” of New England’s best restaurants serving their best dishes, Andelman said.

He added that their messages really are open for ideas.

News broke about Time Out Market closing on Tuesday evening, with representatives confirming that the food hall’s last day would be Jan. 23. It marks an end of business for 15 food vendors inside the market, including Anoush’ella, Lulu Green, and Union Square Donuts. 

Time Out Market opened in 2019, following the success of the media company’s first food hall location in Lisbon, Portugal. But the timing of the Boston location’s debut came just before the COVID-19 pandemic, and foot traffic struggled since then.

Katelyn Umholtz

Food and Restaurant Reporter

Katelyn Umholtz covers food and restaurants for Boston.com. Katelyn is also the author of The Dish, a weekly food newsletter.