A diner counter and soda fountain are taking shape inside downtown El Paso’s historic Kress building as part of a larger redevelopment into a food hall and entertainment destination. During a media tour on October 5, 2026, project COO William Kell described the work as close to completion, with the food hall expected to open in time for Winterfest 2026. That schedule was an expectation reported at the time, not confirmation that the venue has since opened.
What is being built inside the Kress building?
The diner counter is one feature of a planned first-floor food hall, rather than a standalone restaurant project. The El Paso Times reported that the food hall space covers about 15,000 square feet and is expected to seat approximately 300 people. The first floor is also planned to include two retailers and a corner bakery and coffee shop.
The counter, which includes a soda fountain, is designed to recall the former Kress lunch counter. Historic details and new food-service spaces are being combined: the tour report described restored chandeliers, terracotta Spanish-Mediterranean tile on the counter walls, and planned neon signs above vendor spaces. These features were reported by the El Paso Times in coverage syndicated by Yahoo News.
What is known about the food hall’s vendors?
Project officials expected local vendors offering pizza, Mexican, Asian, and barbecue food. The October 5 report did not name any vendors, so specific restaurants or menus cannot yet be confirmed from that account.
#1 Best Overall
- Vintage styling creates a charming atmosphere for restaurant and fast food venues.
- Multi-color booth seat delivers a vibrant visual to commercial dining areas.
- Sturdy iron construction fits daily commercial dining and seating use.
- Integrated booth and table set optimizes space for dining establishments.
- Versatile set suits restaurants, fast food shops and casual dining locations.
Robert Monarez, senior vice president of Food and Beverage, said he had visited about 15 to 20 food halls and estimated there were about 450 in the United States and about nine in Texas, including one in El Paso. These are Monarez’s approximate counts as quoted in the report; it did not provide a dataset or counting method.
How does the renovation balance restoration and new uses?
The project pairs the building’s historic character with contemporary dining and entertainment. Inside, the diner counter evokes the original lunch counter, while the food hall, retailers, bakery and coffee shop introduce new uses for the first floor. Outside, the report described the building as largely unchanged in appearance: the canopy was being restored, the original awnings refurbished, the copper band polished, and the lighting redone.
Rank #2
- ROCK-SOLID FRAME – Reinforced birch plywood internal framing keeps the booth stable under daily commercial use, preventing wobble as guests lean, shift, and slide in and out throughout busy service hours.
- VINYL THAT HOLDS UP – Commercial-grade vinyl upholstery is selected to resist cracking, peeling, and seam fatigue at high-wear points, helping the booth maintain a clean, professional appearance over time.
- FAST WIPE CLEANUP – Smooth upholstery surfaces and practical seam placement reduce crumb traps and buildup, allowing staff to wipe down faster and reset seating efficiently between turns.
- COMFORT GUESTS NOTICE – High-density foam cushioning delivers firm, supportive comfort without feeling stiff, helping guests settle in comfortably for meals, coffee, or extended seating.
- COLOR OPTIONS, CLEARLY – Upholstery colors are chosen by option name shown on the listing; reviewing option images carefully helps maintain visual consistency across multi-unit installations.
Which parts are planned for later?
The food hall and first-floor businesses formed the near-term plan described during the tour. Other uses remained future plans in the October report:
- Second floor: a private theater and sports bar were planned for a later date.
- Basement: a spa was planned, with a connection to the Plaza Hotel across the street.
The report did not establish whether those later-phase amenities were completed or when they might open.
Rank #3
- ROCK-SOLID FRAME – Reinforced birch plywood internal framing keeps the booth stable under daily commercial use, preventing wobble as guests lean, shift, and slide in and out throughout busy service hours.
- VINYL THAT HOLDS UP – Commercial-grade vinyl upholstery is selected to resist cracking, peeling, and seam fatigue at high-wear points, helping the booth maintain a clean, professional appearance over time.
- FAST WIPE CLEANUP – Smooth upholstery surfaces and practical seam placement reduce crumb traps and buildup, allowing staff to wipe down faster and reset seating efficiently between turns.
- COMFORT GUESTS NOTICE – High-density foam cushioning delivers firm, supportive comfort without feeling stiff, helping guests settle in comfortably for meals, coffee, or extended seating.
- COLOR OPTIONS, CLEARLY – Upholstery colors are chosen by option name shown on the listing; reviewing option images carefully helps maintain visual consistency across multi-unit installations.
What did project officials say about timing?
During the October 5, 2026, tour, Franklin Mountain Investments COO William Kell said, “It’s pretty far along and we just need to put the finishing touches on it. The vendors are super excited about it, and I think as people learn more about it, the city will start to get excited.” The El Paso Times reported that officials expected the venue to open in time for Winterfest 2026. Kell also said, “It’s going to be great for El Pasoans and fabulous for tourists because it gives them something else to do and to see.”
Those statements describe the project’s status and anticipated opening as of the tour. They do not confirm that the food hall subsequently opened on schedule.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DINER STYLE: timeless six-channel diner bench meets modern quality with high-resiliency foam, contract-grade PVC vinyl and flush sides for gap-free design against walls
- FRONT OF HOUSE QUALITY: Single-sided booth seating is a necessary component of any restaurant floorplan, lounge, lobby, cafeteria or collaborative workspace
- COMMERCIAL-GRADE: adjustable leveling glides and bracket-affixed seat ensure booths remain wobble-free
- LONG LASTING: Suitable for high-traffic dining spaces; withstands frequent wipe downs with a mild soap-and-water solution
- QUALIFICATIONS: meets or exceeds BIFMA industry standards for durability and safety. Made with CertiPUR-US foam, complies with flammability regulations.
Rank #4
- [COMMERCIAL RESTAURANT BOOTH SEATING] Designed for restaurants, cafes, diners, fast food shops, coffee shops and other commercial spaces, this restaurant booth provides comfortable seating while making efficient use of wall-side dining areas.
- [2.36" THICK COMFORTABLE CUSHION] The generously padded 2.36-inch seat cushion uses high-resilience foam to provide supportive comfort for customers during meals, coffee breaks and extended dining.
- [DURABLE IRON FRAME LEGS] Sturdy iron legs provide reliable support for everyday commercial use. The industrial-inspired design adds a modern restaurant aesthetic and pairs easily with a variety of tables and interior styles.
- [EASY-CLEAN FAUX LEATHER UPHOLSTERY] The smooth faux leather surface is easy to wipe clean, making this commercial booth seating practical for busy dining environments where spills and food messes can occur.
- [VERSATILE BANQUETTE FOR MULTIPLE SPACES] Ideal as restaurant banquette seating, dining booth seating, wall booth seating or upholstered bench seating for cafes, diners, fast food restaurants, coffee shops, tea houses and casual dining areas.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
