Innsbrook food truck, farmers' market concept picks new location prior to its opening

Due to a change in zoning classifications, The Glades, envisioned as a farmers' market, food truck concept and community gathering space, will move its planned location from the former Innsbrook After Hours music venue to 4951 Lake Brook Drive at North Shore Commons, less than a quarter-mile away.

Under the categorization of the former location as an urban mixed-use district, The Glades had to relocate to the new location, a M-1 light industrial district. While the relocation will indefinitely delay the opening of The Glades, founder Phu Nguyen sees the new location as one filled with ample opportunities.

“It’s a huge change in terms of the vision, the concept, and creating something cohesive in this new location,” Nguyen said.

While finding the perfect location has been the most challenging part of this business endeavor, Nguyen explained that the new location will embody the four pillars of The Glades: community, food, art, and nature.

In an effort to realize these four pillars, Nguyen said that The Glades will blend urban elements, such as seating created from shipping containers, with greenery, vines, and overgrowth. He also intends to make The Glades a hub for community events.

“It’s, at its heart, an outdoor performance venue. From early morning mindful meditation and yoga sessions to live bands and good music at the end of the night.”

The move also is necessitating a shift in plans, at least initially, according to Nguyen. When he files a new application with the Henrico County Planning Department this week, it will be for a farmers' market rather than a food truck court, he told the Citizen Sept. 12. His vision still includes a food truck court, he said, but establishing one will require a provisional use permit after the rezoning process has played out and could take an additional four months.

With a corporate community of 22,000 in Innsbrook, Nguyen sees a broad customer base for The Glades, which will be open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Innsbrook After Hours shifted its operations to the Innsbrook Shopping Center, but once The Glades opens, the concert series will move to The Glades’ new location, Nguyen said.

Calypso’s Caribbean Kitchen, a food truck specializing in cuisine from the Caribbean islands, is just one of a variety of businesses that intends to occupy a spot at The Glades upon its opening. Nguyen contacted Sandra Knight, owner of Calypso’s Caribbean Kitchen, and she jumped at the opportunity.

“This is a place where authenticity and creativity can come together to create an experience like no other,” Knight said.

According to The Glades’ website, once the food truck court is in operation, food trucks can opt into one day for $120 to a week for $560. Food trucks that occupy a spot at The Glades will have access to electricity, a web profile, and online ordering.

Nguyen credits an early introduction to the food scene from his restaurant-owning parents for his interest in the food industry. He attributes a love of photography for his desire to create an artistic space within The Glades – one that can host concerts, local artisans and farmers markets. Overall, Ngu’s ultimate goal for The Glades is to create a place of community – where family and friends can enjoy a variety of local food and events.