Opened in February 2012, Uptown Kitchen started out as a
business plan for Kelly’s final thesis project (she attended Calvin College).
She won two business plan competitions, and in May 2012, she received a
$5,000.00 grant through the 5 X 5 program (now Start Garden).
The Michigan Cottage Food Law allows small producers to make
their food products at home and sell through direct sales (such as via farmers
markets). To expand into retail stores, restaurants, Internet or mail order
sales, or to wholesalers, brokers or other food distributors, the product must
be made in a commercial kitchen. Uptown Kitchen, with 2,500 square feet of
space, is rented hourly to provide small producers the access they need to
expand their businesses. They have a pastry area, catering area, and two prep
kitchen areas.
Additionally, there is a dining room that seats 50 which
includes a counter for small classes of up to 12 people. The Grand Rapids Cooking School holds classes at Uptown Kitchen, and the Grand Rapids Public
Library held a canning class there this summer.
How cool is it that all of this started as a college thesis
project? Below is a list of the Uptown Kitchen tenants.
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