Food Park 'Experiment' Continues Under New Ownership

[May 29, 2026]

Fourteen years ago Richard Stein opened the Hillsdale Food Park as somewhat of a social experiment.

After years of working with other local volunteers to develop Hillsdale’s potential (he was a founding member of the Hillsdale Vision Group, which helped secure Town Center status and a Main Street grant), Stein wanted to create a space that wasn’t just for eating, but but a welcoming place for students and the community to connect—a park.

New owner Marc Winter (left) with Food Park founder Richard Stein (right).

His park would have no fences, no surveillance cameras, no night-time lock-down, and no extra security. Rents were kept low for cart owners and profits were poured back into maintenance and improvements in hopes of creating a top-level experience for customers and vendors.

In 2022, Willamette Week called Stein a “unicorn” among pod operators, providing everything cart owners want: trash, utilities, pest management, and janitorial services. Stein told WW, “If I wanted to make money, I’d have to raise everybody’s rent. It offers immigrant families the chance to make it in the new country.”

“I believe human beings are inclined toward respect and good behavior when given the opportunity,” he recently told the Hillsdale News. Give people a clean, inviting space built with high-quality materials, he predicted, and they will treat it with respect.

Fourteen years into the experiment, it’s safe to call it a success. In that time, only two chairs—and an umbrella that turned up a few days later—have gone missing. The food cart line-up has remained remarkably stable, with no turnover in the past five years, and the longest-standing vendor, Phat Cart, has been there for 12. The Park has become a fixture of daily life for Ida B. Wells High School students and a destination for neighborhood dining.

Now, Stein has handed ownership to longtime Food Park manager Marc Winter, who shares his vision and plans to build on it. They signed the official papers on December 21st, the winter solstice. An auspicious date given its promise of new beginnings and Winter’s surname.  

Stein’s park faced challenges over the years, beginning with mixed reactions from neighbors concerned about trash and aesthetics. Some years bring more problems with student behavior (Stein says this year’s class are the most well-behaved and respectful group he’s seen) and bad weather is always a concern as there is no covered dining. While the pandemic and school closure brought a reduction in student business, it was actually a high point for the vendors because the Park could remain open for take-away while regular restaurants were required to close. Business has remained strong.

Winter will face his own challenges—upcoming sewer upgrades and construction of a new Ida B. Wells campus will disrupt car and foot traffic. The high school rebuild will also result in the loss of five of the Park’s eight parking spots. He plans to adapt by encouraging more foot and bike trips as well as expanded use of food delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats.

At the same time, Winter is looking for ways to enhance what already works. He will continue hosting public and private events, along with the summer concert series on the Kadish Community Stage. Plans include adding covered seating for year-round comfort, expanding local music programming, and introducing outdoor movie nights—steps toward fulfilling Stein’s original vision of the park as more than just a place to eat.

“I want the park to be THE community gathering space. So it’s not just about eating, but more about being present with our neighbors and building up the community together,” Winter said.

Stein will remain a daily presence during the busy lunchtime hours, when as many as 120 students arrive. His role, he says, is simply to be an adult presence—neither teacher nor parent—helping maintain a respectful, self-regulated environment.

For Stein, the transition came down to trust and timing. “After 14 years, it’s time to do other things,” he said. “And it’s in good hands.” He describes Marc as “thoughtful, caring, and trustworthy”—someone who not only understands the day-to-day work, but also the deeper purpose behind the Park.

Winter, for his part, is motivated by both independence and vision. “I have an entrepreneurial mindset,” he said. “I’m also not very good at being told what to do.” Owning the Food Park gives him the chance to shape its future—while honoring its founding vision.

Call for Musicians

The Food Park is currently seeking local musicians to perform in this summer’s free concert series. Artists interested in playing are encouraged to reach out to Winter at hillsdalefoodpark@gmail.com —especially those based in the Hillsdale neighborhood.

—Valeurie Friedman

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