POPLAR GROVE SPOTLIGHT
Supporting Our Community Businesses
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS! WHAT SERVICES AND/OR PRODUCTS DO YOU WISH TO HIGHLIGHT TO THE COMMUNITY? WHAT NEEDS ARE YOU HOPING TO MEET FOR THE RESIDENTS OF POPLAR GROVE, OTHER WESTSIDE COMMUNITIES, AND SALT LAKE CITY AT LARGE? Square Kitchen is more than just a culinary space; we're a community-driven hub for culinary innovation and entrepreneurship. Our primary services include providing kitchen facilities, equipment, and mentorship to local food producers and entrepreneurs. We aim to highlight our diverse range of services, including one-on-one mentorship, connections to fundraisers, legal support, design services, and more. Our goal is to meet the needs of residents in Poplar Grove, other westside communities, and Salt Lake City at large by providing a platform for small businesses to thrive, fostering economic growth, and offering delicious culinary experiences that reflect our vibrant community. HOW DID YOU COME TO RESIDE IN POPLAR GROVE? IS THERE AN ORIGIN STORY OF HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAME TO BE LOCATED IN OUR COMMUNITY? DO YOU HAVE DEEPER ROOTS OR CONNECTIONS TO THIS AREA YOU WOULD LIKE OUR COMMUNITY TO KNOW ABOUT? Our journey to Poplar Grove was driven by a deep-rooted empathy for the community and a recognition of the area's potential for revitalization. Ana, hailing from Argentina, and Tham, originally from Indonesia, both found resonance with the diverse and welcoming atmosphere of Poplar Grove. Both Ana and Tham studied City Planning at the U and worked both at the Salt Lake City Planning Division and NeighborWorks, recognizing the need for economic development efforts on the city's west side. This led us to establish Square Kitchen in Poplar Grove, where we could contribute to the area's growth and empowerment while fostering connections with the community we now call home, since 2018. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? IS THERE A WAY YOU ARE PLANNING TO MAINTAIN OR DEVELOP YOUR BUSINESS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OUR COMMUNITY TO KNOW ABOUT TO SUPPORT CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT? Looking ahead, we envision expanding our services and offerings to further support local entrepreneurs and meet the evolving needs of our community. We plan to maintain our commitment to providing comprehensive support to our clients, including continued mentorship, access to resources, and opportunities for growth. In the Uber Eats era, we are working to provide additional space for our clients that offer this service like Marcato and Drunken Kitchen (open for take out every weekend, and open late), and perhaps will be able to have some seating are in the front during the weekends. Stay tuned. Additionally, we’re exploring initiatives to enhance consumer engagement, such as community events, workshops, and partnerships with local organizations. By fostering a dynamic and inclusive environment, we aim to strengthen our ties with the community and contribute to its ongoing prosperity. ARE THERE ANY OTHER FUN FACTS OR ADDITIONAL HISTORY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY ABOUT YOURSELVES OR THE BUSINESS? One fun fact about us is our shared passion for the pay-it-forward mentality. Having received immense support in our entrepreneurial journey, we are dedicated to giving back to the community that has welcomed us with open arms. Our commitment to supporting local businesses extends beyond Square Kitchen, as we actively seek opportunities to uplift and empower entrepreneurs throughout Salt Lake City. We are deeply grateful for the support and camaraderie of our community, and we look forward to continuing our journey together. We are also proud to have been able to be the first home of many businesses that outgrew our kitchen and stayed in the vicinity supporting our anti gentrification values. Those businesses that you may have heard of are: Han’s Kombucha, Z Nectar, Hello Bulk Market, Raw Eddy’s, Fortythree Bakery, Roctaco, Wasatch Nectar, Delicius Venezuelan Food, Daydreams Bakery, On the Hook Fish and Chips, Olive’s and Oasis Food Truck, Sugar Fix Cookies, etc.
0 Comments
|
Archives |