A little over a year ago, I approached the City of Amesbury with my plan for Kitchen Local. After all, I had made my decision! I had done the research, knew that I was meant to own and operate a commercial shared-use kitchen, and had already rented space at 14 Cedar Street Studios. 

I met with the Health Superintendent, Planning Department and Building Inspector, and it became obvious that a shared-use commercial kitchen was a very new and not-at-all-familiar idea. It just didn't fit into any of the city's zoning or permitting regulations. When I met with Mayor Thatcher Kezer, I was impressed by the fact that he was well-aware of Kitchen Local. Although he wasn't familiar with shared-use kitchens, he was open, receptive and excited by the potential. I became engrossed in the permitting process, working closely with the planning board, city council, health and building departments to establish a business that did not fit into any existing regulatory categories.

Last month, I attended an event put on by the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce . Mayor Kezer was also there, and when I overheard him talking to a group of fellow business owners about Kitchen Local I joined the conversation. He explained that he had recently attended a conference in Washington, DC, where he cited Kitchen Local as an example of an innovative business with a significant impact on the economic development of the City of Amesbury. He talked about the number of new businesses seeking permits from the city council and how much of an impact that made in a small city. It was a great reminder of why I started this business and how big an impact Kitchen Local makes both for food producers and my local community. Oh, and the best part? Unbeknownst to me, a part of this conversation was videotaped by fellow local business owner Christine Green! Here's the clip:

Just as Amesbury has supported this new concept shared-use commercial kitchen, Kitchen Local is committed to supporting its community of foodpreneurs as they launch and grow. Today, several of the businesses at Kitchen Local are in the process of securing wholesale licenses, which will allow them to sell their products to restaurants and local food shops. Others have been focusing on the Farmers' Markets, selling their goods directly to the consumers and getting to know others in the local food community. As we enter fall, catering, cooking classes and home delivery services become more popular.

I continue to be awed by and grateful for the sense of community here at Kitchen Local. The businesses operating out of Kitchen Local have started to get to know each other and share resources and experiences. We've also received a tremendous amount of support from the City of Amesbury and the Amesbury business community. One of the reasons I started this business is because I believe in local businesses and my local community. So when I hear Mayor Kezer talk, it reminds me of why I do what I do. The truth is, we're all here to support each other!

Keep on Cookin'!

Lisa

January 28, 2013... oh, what a day! It was a Monday and all four inspections were scheduled to take place. Fire and Plumbing in the morning, and Building and Health in the afternoon... all four permits needed to make Kitchen Local (and, as you have heard before, my dream!) a reality. What was I nervous about? Well, everything! I have learned to expect the unexpected, so even though I knew that the kitchen space was top-notch, I was worried (of course) about what I wasn't expecting. Needless to say, Kitchen Local passed with flying colors, acquiring all four permits that day... and, officially opening for business!

The project coordinator and his team left shortly thereafter and there I was... just me, myself, and my brand-new utlra shiny business. I took time (well, an evening!) to pause, breathe, and take in all that had transpired over the past 6 months. This was an end (to the planning) and a beginning (to the implementation)... a smooth ending and a glorious beginning!

Later, during the week of the 28th, word came from the Amesbury Department of Health, that the first Kitchen Local clients had received their Food Service Permits. Not only was Kitchen Local "officially" a business, so were six other small food producers. Dreams realized and opportunities created... just like that!

Kitchen Local is proud to welcome... Habib's Home Cooking (www.habibshomecooking.com); Fresh Beginnings Baby Food; 19 Steps Bake Shop ([email protected]); Alex's Whey (www.alexswhey.com); Carolyn's Farm Kitchen Cooking Classes (www.carolynsfarmkitchen.com); and Grillicious. Check out their websites and stay tuned for updates about these amazing businesses!

Keep on Cookin'! Lisa

It's hard to believe that the last time I wrote to you it was November. The kitchen build-out was only just beginning. Fast forward eight weeks and it is only a matter of days before Kitchen Local will be open for business!

These past couple of months have been a whirlwind of details, details, details and more details (did I remember to mention details?), mixed in with  much exhilaration, anticipation, and progress! The general contractors, kitchen designer, equipment suppliers, landlord, architect, electricians, plumbers, floor installers, marketing mentor, graphic designer, attorney, insurance agent, bookkeeper, city officials and, last but not least, close family and friends... have all been swirling around (or maybe it's me who has been swirling around!) in an extremely organized chaos! And, when I say organized, I mean organized! It has been a pleasure to work with the above-mentioned, collective group of professionals.... the Kitchen Local Team as they will forever be referred to by me!

 It was last week though, when I stood outside and looked up at the at the brand-new 12" x 12" stainless steel vent pipe glimmering in the winter sun and running 3 stories up the outside of Cedar Street Studios, I was overcome (and, I must admit, overwhelmed!) with both joy and butterflies at what is about to unfold. This wasn't just any old vent pipe accompanied by a heat exchange and three condensing units, this was MINE (gasp!).  A concept, born of a dream, has quickly become a reality.

This week, the butterflies remain while the excitement grows. I am preparing myself to say good-bye (for now) to much of the team who I became pleasantly accustomed to having around and welcoming a new team... the clients who will make Kitchen Local "home" for their businesses.

Keep on Cookin'! Lisa

I have so much to be thankful for... family, friends, colleagues and my dream job as founder/owner of Kitchen Local. All of which is part of my grand plan for a well-blended life. 

This has been a month (or I should say... many months) of anticipation and progress. I have learned to expect the unexpected and I have gained an appreciation of where the unexpected can lead me.  

I have experienced how the wheels of a city turn when faced with decisions regarding something so new and different. In Amesbury, the wheels that turned were thoughtful, deliberate, and expeditious. I am grateful for a city that has decided to embrace a shared-use commercial kitchen.

I am thankful for the people who continue to support this endeavor. They appear at times like magic, with an exuberance that continues to propel me and my dream forward.

Now that the permitting has been approved (and I breathe a sigh of relief), I look forward to the next phase... the Kitchen Local build-out which will begin next week. The anticipated opening is slated for sometime in late  December!  
 
Wishing all of you a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
 

Well, the launch of Kitchen Local is rolling right along!

I have met with many prospective clients and I am so impressed with the stories, the products and services, and with the dreams of these foodpreneurs. They are each unique in how they have come to be where they are and where they would like to go.

Their excitement and relief about finally having a permitted, professional commercial kitchen workspace continues to energize me as I work through the details of opening this "new concept" endeavor.

This past month has made me almost an expert in health, building and zoning regulations, as well as flow charts and site plans. Next week is a big week, as I will learn about the zoning for Kitchen Local. In the meantime, I continue to set up the Kitchen Local office which is across the hall from the kitchen; streamline plans with the general contractor so the build-out can ramp up as soon as the permitting goes through; work on my website; continue meeting with prospective clients; and so much more...

I'll continue to keep you posted, as I continue rolling right along!!

Planning for Kitchen Local is in high gear! These past few weeks have had me "swirling" around with meetings, phone calls and emails with the kitchen designer, painter,marketing mentor, micro-business advisor, graphic designer, attorney, insurance agent, landlord, city officials, the state, and even prospective clients!

The design for the kitchen has been finalized and looks awesome... thank you, Glen!

Kitchen Local is officially an LLC... thank you Priscilla!

The temporary webpage is a hit... thank you, Erica!

For sharing your business and life expertise from across the miles... thank you, Larah!
 
The thing is... I am loving all of it! I am so excited about Kitchen Local. And, I am so excited about the response it is receiving! So, bring on the "swirling"!

I am in the midst of the permitting process and will be revealing details as they are finalized.