Union Kitchen is an American business incubator based in Washington, D.C. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Union Kitchen merges the concepts of a shared kitchen and a business incubator, catering primarily to small food businesses. ^[4]

History

Union Kitchen was founded as Black Strap Bakery ^[5] in 2012 by Jonas Singer and Cullen Gilchrist in Washington, D.C. ^{[6] [7] [8]} It originated from Singer and Gilchrist's search for a kitchen space for their Blind Dog Cafe and Bakery. ^{[4] [1]} They repurposed a 7,300-square-foot vacant kitchen near the U.S. Capitol into Union Kitchen, starting with a few members. ^{[4] [1] [9]} The first food incubator was opened by Union Kitchen in 2012 in NoMa. ^{[10] [11]}

In February 2013, Washington D.C.'s government established a partnership with Union Kitchen aimed at supporting district residents in initiating culinary careers. ^[12] The initiative provided entrepreneurs at Union Kitchen's Northeast Washington facility a platform for starting their businesses with reduced costs and risks. ^[12]

In May 2013, Union Kitchen acquired empty lots in NoMa, launching weekend open-air bazaars for food trucks and vendors to sell prepared foods. ^{[13] [14]} They also planned to host food events and acoustic music on Thursdays and Fridays, and to collaborate with Relay Foods for a weekly grocery pick-up spot. ^[13]

In March 2014, Union Kitchen opened a market and cafe in Capitol Hill. ^{[15] [16]}

In November 2014, the National Museum of Women in the Arts formed a partnership with Union Kitchen to manage the museum's Mezzanine Cafe. ^[17] This collaboration involved a rotation of pop-up cafes operated by Union Kitchen's members. ^[17] In the same year, Union Kitchen was named as one of the finalists for USA Today's Entrepreneur of the Year award. ^[4]

In 2015, Union Kitchen expanded its operations by opening a second location in Ivy City. ^[18] It also invested $2 million in a 15,000-square-foot warehouse, increasing the capacity for new members. ^{[19] [3] [20]}

In 2016, Union Kitchen stepped down as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Union Kitchen. ^{[20] [21]}

In January 2018, Union Kitchen opened a 2,500-square-foot grocery store in the One Franklin Square building in Washington, D.C., and another 3,000-square-foot store in the redeveloped Ballston Quarter mall in Ballston. ^[22]

Business model

Union Kitchen provides small food enterprises with six-month memberships to a regulated community kitchen at a reduced cost. ^[4] Additionally, Union Kitchen provides services in branding and distribution, as well as catering and distribution for member products. ^[4]

Union Kitchen also provides a distribution company managed by the incubator itself. ^[3] The membership also includes a coworking space situated near one of the kitchens. ^{[3] [11]}

References