building out the first kitchen
Hi, everyone! Just wanted to share a quick update about what’s going on at our future space. We’ve got quite a bit of work to do before things are up-and-running, but we’ll get there. Just a few things you should know about the kitchen.
Black Belt Kitchen will be located at 902 Whelan Street in downtown Greensboro. The property is locally known as the Roseberry Cottage, and we will absolutely continue using that name. Until we can find funding to purchase the entire property, our kitchen will operate from the North side of the property. From there, we can organically grow into the full space, which will involve building a bigger, more expansive kitchen for future programming. While the space will be a commercial kitchen, we are staying true to the cottage feel by building a very homey space for our chefs and participants. A big, sterile kitchen just doesn’t seem fitting for the space.
Current tasks include the following:
(Things with a strike through have already been completed. Yay!)
removing the horrible fake wood paneling from the kitchen walls
painting the dining room, kitchen, and pantry
patching the flooring in the kitchen
rebuilding rotted windows
patching damaged wood on the facade
rerouting gas lines for the 6-burner stove we scored on Facebook Marketplace
installing the oven cabinet
installing the double ovens
removing the hot water heater from the kitchen
building prep tables
adding shelving
installing window units throughout the space
installing and plumbing the 3-compartment sink
installing the hand-wash station
installing the mop sink
venting the gas range
upgrading the fuse box to a breaker box (with a few more important updates…)
We’re really working on a very tight budget here, so most of everything we purchase is secondhand. We found a really amazing Viking double wall oven and 6-burner gas stovetop on Facebook Marketplace and had to drive to Memphis to pick them up. Along the way, we found the perfect 3-compartment sink for the space. Only $150. What a score! We found the most beautiful butcher block table that Robert of Stone Fruit Woodworks is turning into a gorgeous kitchen island. Another great Marketplace find!
Since we’re doing pretty much all the work ourselves (minus the electrical work) with the support of a few volunteers in the community, this project is taking some time. More time that we’d like for it to, but that’s all part of it. It’s hard to hire out when you don’t have the funds to do so. To be honest, it has been quite overwhelming. There have been so many days where I’ve questioned what I’m even doing. Taking breaks and focusing on one task at a time—that’s how I’ve been staying positive.
We’ve received so much positive feedback from the community and have received some really great donations thus far. Thank you very much to everyone who has either lended a hand at the cottage or given a donation. Your support is what keeps us moving!
If you are financially able, please consider donating to Abadir’s, the local eatery that is building out this beautiful restaurant space. You can also donate to Black Belt Food Project. We are seeking general operating costs as we begin building programming opportunities for the community.
Abadir’s is a for profit organization. Donations to Abadir’s are NOT tax deductible. Black Belt Food Project is a 501c3 nonprofit. Your donations to BBFP are tax deductible.
PS—in-person donations don’t require a fee on our end, which is a big help!
And if you can’t do either, spreading the word about our organization is also extremely vital. Share us with your friends and family. Follow us on our social outlets. Help us build a bigger impact by getting others involved with our mission. It would mean the world to us.
More kitchen updates coming soon!
Love,
Sarah Cole
Founder + CEO
Black Belt Food Project
