Union Kitchen is an American business incubator based in Washington, D.C.[1][2][3]
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Business incubator |
| Founded | 2012 in Washington, D.C. |
| Founders | Jonas Singer Cullen Gilchrist |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Cullen Gilchrist (CEO) |
| Website | www |
Union Kitchen merges the concepts of a shared kitchen and a business incubator, catering primarily to small food businesses.[4]
History
editUnion 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, Jonas Singer 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
editUnion 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
edit- ^ a b c "Union Kitchen: A cooking space for start-ups". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2022-09-29. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ "Union Kitchen gives small businesses a space to call their own". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2023-05-31. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ a b c d "Union Kitchen: Where food truck dreams come true". WTOP News. March 22, 2016. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Davis, Susan. "Union Kitchen mixes good food with smart business". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on 2024-09-01. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ "The Blind Dog Cafe at Darnell's". Washington Post.
- ^ "Shared Kitchen Helps Food Entrepreneurs Cook Up Success". Voice of America. March 24, 2014. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ Sidman, Jessica (December 13, 2012). "State of the Artisan: Will New "Food Incubators" Help Create a Culinary Business Boom?". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Union Kitchen co-founder claims he is not responsible for unpaid rent". Washington Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2021-03-30. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ Holzel, David (January 20, 2016). "You should know... Jonas Singer". Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ Sidman, Jessica (September 10, 2015). "How Union Kitchen's Expansion Will Affect D.C.'s Food Scene". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Hayes, Laura (February 14, 2019). "Food Entrepreneurs Have Much to Weigh Before Tying Their Fates to Union Kitchen's Accelerator". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Conneen, Mike (February 13, 2013). "New program helps D.C. residents launch careers in the culinary arts". WJLA. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Sidman, Jessica (May 17, 2013). "Union Kitchen Takes Over Empty Lot in NoMa For Open-Air Bazaars". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Union Kitchen plans live music, happy hours and food trucks in NoMa". Washington Post.
- ^ "Union Kitchen Owners to open Union Kitchen Grocery: a food market in Capitol Hill". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2020-11-22. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ Sidman, Jessica (February 11, 2014). "Union Kitchen to Open Second Facility for D.C. Food Businesses". Washington City Paper.
- ^ a b "Union Kitchen will take over the National Museum in the Arts Cafe". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2022-08-14. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ "Union Kitchen opens a second, larger facility in Ivy City". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ "Food incubator Union Kitchen to open second location in Northeast D.C." Washington Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2024-09-01. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ a b "Union Kitchen Co-Founder Jonas Singer Steps Down as CEO - Washingtonian". September 6, 2016. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Union Kitchen Co-Founder Jonas Singer out as CEO". Washington Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2024-09-01. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ "Union Kitchen opening two more D.C. area groceries". Washington Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2024-09-01. Retrieved 2023-12-26.