Hammond Development Corporation opens commercial kitchen to support entrepreneurs
Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr., the City of Hammond, and the Hammond Development Corporation are pleased to announce a vital new asset to the reimaging of downtown Hammond, the HDC Community Kitchen. Located in the lobby of the HUB building at 5233 Hohman, this commercial grade kitchen will be a valuable space for food entrepreneurs to test, market and produce their goods for their customers.
“The City of Hammond recognizes the growing need for community kitchens in urban areas,” said Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. “These creative incubators draw people in the food industry together for collaboration and idea exchanges. They also help support new and flourishing entrepreneurs establish their customer base.”
Executive Director of the HDC, Jen Bussey, agrees. “Our Food Entrepreneur Program works with start-up food businesses by providing educational classes, a commercial kitchen space and a pop-up café to try out their products and hone their services.”
“And with the West Lake Corridor downtown train station and new residential developments coming, these creative food entrepreneurs will have a built-in support system in Downtown Hammond,” said Director of Economic Development Anne Anderson. A community kitchen, education classes and a pop-up café are great new partners in redeveloping Hammond’s urban core and reinforcing its new-found vibrancy.
A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for Tuesday, March 29th at 10am. Additional information on the HDC’s Food Entrepreneurs Program can be found online at https://hdcnwi.org/kitchen-cafe/