Nearly five years ago, the owner of Mulberry Mill in Downtown Dickson had ideas of creating a commercial kitchen.
The space could be used, thought Ron Runyeon, by food-based business owners to cook or bake and sell to the public. The Dickson County Chamber of Commerce also supported the idea.
Runyeon and manager Ande Truman were particularly focused on food truck owners using the proposed kitchen. But there was one snag: Food trucks were illegal in Dickson.
Flash forward and that commercial kitchen, called Cookspace, will have a grand opening Thursday in Mulberry Mill. The kitchen already has a client with Lauren Cowan, owner of the popular Louie’s Linguine, already cooking and hosting pasta-making parties.
“This new space allows us to expand our products, class offerings and community reach,” Cowan said.
Truman said she hopes Cookspace will be “the hub” for all cooking classes in Dickson County. Truman, who was a food blogger, will also teach cooking classes.
The closest rental kitchens are in Nashville, Truman said, so they hope Cookspace will draw customers from multiple counties. She said Cookspace is certified with the Dickson County Health department which allows for food trucks, caterers, and any ready-to-eat foods. It’s also certified with the State of Tennessee for food manufacturing and packaging.
A near decade-long discussion about allowing food trucks in the City of Dickson reached a conclusion early last year when an ordinance was approved allowing “mobile food vendors.”
In addition, Truman believes caterers, chefs, food scientists and photographers, and other entrepreneurs could use Cookspace.
Local business leaders, including Jennie Wagner, president of the Dickson County Chamber, were excited about the businesses prospects.
“The opening of this commercial kitchen in Downtown Dickson inside Mulberry Mill will continue to add to the small business growth here as well as open the door for future opportunities especially in the food industry,” Wagner said.
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More on Cookspace
The kitchen is currently in Phase 1 without a hood vent, meaning customers can’t yet use grills, fryers, or high-heat, high-grease food.
“But if there is enough interest, we’ll build out a second kitchen in the future,” Truman said.
Cookspace will also allow 24-hour access for members with rates starting at $25 per hour, and drop down in hourly price the more hours are used.
The Cookspace ribbon cutting is Thursday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m.
Cookspace
100 S. Mulberry St. in Dickson
cookspacedickson.com