In an effort to utilize the small space connected to her business, which sat vacant for a couple of years, Pro Kitchen Hub Tampa owner Kristin McKinney decided to launch a new service window that food vendors can use as a pop-up space.
The Bakery Box Pop-Up, a shared 300-square-foot retail space located at 5226 S. Dale Mabry in Tampa, allows Pro Kitchen Hub Tampa clients to sell their products to the public. So far, the list includes local small foodie businesses including Moonlights Ice Cream, Peanut Butter Rush, Urban Bakers, and Big Crush Slush.
McKinney opened the shared commercial kitchen, Pro Kitchen Hub, back in 2015 as a way for small food entrepreneurs to learn about the business without having to spend a ton of money. Over the last five years, the kitchen served as a launching pad for almost 450 small businesses including Empamamas, Gulf Coast Sourdough, and Craving Donuts.
“Anyone that’s a baker, caterer, food truck, or any type of food retail can come in and rent time and space from us instead of having a full overhead,” McKinney tells CL.
McKinney’s two decades of experience as a caterer gave her the insight she needed to open Pro Kitchen Hub Tampa to help out other small business owners. It’s open 24/7 so owners can work on their businesses whenever their schedules allow. She says clients rent between 10 hours and 160 hours a month.
“Me coming into this position is a perfect fit because I’ve gone through all those speed bumps and hurdles as a small business owner myself,” she explains.
And when McKinney got to thinking about what the vacant space next door should house, she didn’t have to go very far for input.
“I listened to my clients to figure out what is the best use of that space to increase the volume of what they’re selling and their exposure,” says McKinney.
There are 14 slots available exclusively for her clients to sell their foods. They pay an additional fee to rent space on a month-to-month basis and they can choose a specific day and time.
“It gives 14 entrepreneurs from the kitchen the opportunity to get the full retail experience without having to pay the full retail cost,” she adds.
But how will you know who is slinging goods out of the space from day-to-day? It is up to the retailers to do the marketing and get the word out. Which means, it is time to start following local businesses so you don’t miss out.
Although advertising may not be that hard being that Bakery Box’s order window is next door to the new Guthrie’s Chicken.
“Ironically, Guthrie’s doesn’t have dessert on their menu, so it works out really well for us. Their owners say people can leave there, make a right, and be at our window afterward,” says McKinney.
Bakery Box is open every day and guests can stop by anytime during the 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or 4 p.m.-8 p.m. time slots for their favorites. Although the concept will be in soft opening stages, BB plans to host an official grand opening next month.
“This is a very unique spot for food entrepreneurs to sell their products. There’s nothing like this at all in Tampa Bay and it lets them try out what retail is like if they want to open up their own bakery.”
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