Durham Food Hall, vendors close early after ICE ad reportedly shown
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Several Durham Food Hall vendors closed early after an unapproved ad played.
- Vendors posted on Instagram, cited staff safety and suspended operations.
- Food hall blamed third-party screen service, suspended contract and apologized.
Several dining spots at Durham Food Hall — and eventually the food hall itself — closed early Friday after a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement recruitment video was allegedly shown throughout the space.
Multiple vendors took their frustrations to social media, condemning the advertisement that showed Uncle Sam recruiting workers for ICE. The Durham Food Hall also posted on social media to apologize.
Little Barb’s Bakery, EX-VOTO and Patty Boy all announced around noon that they would not be open on Friday due to the ad.
“As a business, we refuse to operate under conditions where our teams do not feel safe. Earlier today, there were ICE recruitment ads playing on a digital screen at the Food Hall. The screen has now been unplugged and removed, and we have sent our teams home,” EX-VOTO and Patty Boy’s teams posted on Instagram.
“We apologize for any inconvenience and ask for your support moving forward once this is resolved. Our hope is that closing for the day sends a clear message of where we stand. We will not open again until we have a guarantee that oversights like this will not happen in the future and that DFH will not use OUR RENT MONEY to line the pockets of any company that would run ads like that.”
Durham Food Hall apologizes on Instagram
The team behind Durham Food Hall also addressed the situation on Instagram with an apology that explained the ad was from their use of a third party service for TV screens in the hall.
“They displayed an ad that goes against our values that we DID NOT approve,” a post on the food hall’s social media page states.
“We suspended our contract with them immediately. We are so sorry to anyone we offended, as this is not what we believe in. We are a safe space open to everyone and do not tolerate that message on our screens.”
Later on Friday, the food hall posted another Instagram story saying it was closing for the day.
“To ensure the safety of our team, vendors & guests, we will be closed the rest of the day,” the post read.
What was in the ICE ad?
As seen in an Instagram story posted by digital creator Joy Wilkerson (@joyeatsworld22), a screen by a beverage dispenser had an image of Uncle Sam with text that reads: “Join ICE today $50,000 signing bonus.”
It’s unclear when vendors will reopen.
The News & Observer has reached out to the food hall’s team for more information and will update as more details are gathered.
This story was originally published October 24, 2025 at 3:58 PM.