WS Chronicle

S.G. Atkins Community Development Center (SGACDC) officials, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Chancellor Elwood Robinson and several elected officials came together earlier this week to cut the ribbon and officially open the city’s first shared-use commercial kitchen.

According to Carol Davis, executive director of SGACDC, the kitchen, located at The Enterprise Center on South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, will help caterers, food entrepreneurs and others who have products they want to package and sell in stores, online and on food trucks. She said the goal is to see entrepreneurs use the kitchen as a stepping-stone to open their own restaurants in the community.

“I know that it will change the lives of people who have been waiting patiently for this place to open. Right now there are some shared-use kitchens and facilities in other counties but this is the first one here,” continued Davis. “I know that having it here is going to be a benefit and help people perfect their craft, perfect their menus and complete their business planning, and hopefully we see businesses spin out into this community.

“We would love to see some of these chefs, caterers and food entrepreneurs spin out into their own restaurants and be part of the implementation of the East End Masterplan,” Davis said.

The kitchen has three refrigerators, three freezers, and several pantries with shelving for storage. It also has a six-burner range, a 40-pound fryer, a double convection oven, a 40-quart mixer and a bakers’ station. There’s also an ice machine and a dishwasher.

After applauding Davis and the SGACDC staff for their efforts to make the kitchen a reality, Chancellor Robinson said the work at The Enterprise Center is important because it lets people know that businesses can survive in the predominately black neighborhood located less than a mile from WSSU’s campus. The Enterprise Center aims to help people in the communities around WSSU grow businesses.

The center also offers a business incubator, workshops and classes for entrepreneurs.

“The work that we do here is making sure that in this part of Winston-Salem that these opportunities are made available to the citizens that live here,” he continued. “If we can spark innovation and creativity, then that’s what we’re all about. I can’t tell you how excited I am about the opening of this shared kitchen.”

“… It begins to put us in a different phase, a different platform about how we operate and how we do business.”

Following the ribbon cutting, those in attendance had the opportunity to tour the kitchen before enjoying lunch at The Enterprise Center. City Council Members Derwin Montgomery, who is a co-owner of The Chronicle, and Denise “DD” Adams were also on hand for the ribbon cutting and both spoke highly of the shared-use kitchen.

According to the WSSU story about the kitchen, it will be closely regulated by the Forsyth County Health Department. Davis said to be considered, users must have their business plan approved by the Enterprise Center, have insurance and be food safety-certified and have a permit from the health department.

For more information on the shared-use kitchen visit The Enterprise Center, 1922 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive or call (336) 734-6916.