On the menu: Support for Charlotte food service industry

KEN KOONTZ

A public opening event marked the launch of Lucille’s Kitchen, a space for food service education and restaurants at 2300 Beatties Ford Road.

Developer Shawn Kennedy is cooking up a new way to support the food service industry. 

Kennedy hosted an open event for Lucille’s Kitchen at the redeveloped former site of McCarroll’s Catering at 2300 Beatties Ford Road. That business shut down several years ago when its owner retired. Kennedy said his real estate development company, Kennedy Property, bought the site three years ago but was uncertain about what to do with it.

“I ultimately recognized the great potential for economic development along the Beatties Ford Corridor and a need to have positive impact on that area,” he said. “And having some considerable background on hospitality and food service industries, the light went off in my head, and I knew instantly what I was called to do in this area and for its surrounding communities. 

“I personally took on the financing side and then along came The Park Community Development Corporation as a major and significant partner on community outreach. “And with them on board, we’re off.” 

The Park CDC and Kennedy have history together in housing, which made their venture in this deal easy. The vision for Lucille’s Kitchen includes a full commissary kitchen that will allow food truck vendors to have qualified and certified space for their food preps. The areas outside allow for such vendors to set up and cater or sponsor their own events with food.

The grounds around them can accommodate tents and seating. One side of the building fronting Dr. Spurgeon Webber Way will incorporate a walk-up window featuring food to go.

SHAWN KENNEDY

An artist’s rendering of Lucille’s Kitchen, a food service business and education hub on Beatties Ford Road.

Kennedy says the name Lucille’s Kitchen was inspired by his mother, who operated a beauty salon for more than 35 years in his hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts. At 85 now, she still works. 

Kennedy’s mother, who was born in Tillery, North Carolina, where her family was sharecroppers, was also the go-to person for big family meals. “

My grandfather soured on sharecropping and moved up north looking for a better opportunity,” Kennedy said. “He learned auto mechanics and honed his skills and ultimately opened his own shop. He opened his shop after working for somebody else’s for 15 years. He wanted and carved out a much better life for his family as an entrepreneur along with his wife’s operating her business. Those were my role models.” 

The introductory event featured invited Westside vendors who provided complimentary samples of their food. Each vendor had a chance to introduce their cuisine and invite the estimated 200 attendees to stop in and enjoy their fare. In addition to other Kennedy-involved corporate partners, elected officials from City Council, Mecklenburg County commissioners and the school board were on hand to show support and offer best wishes for Lucille’s Kitchen’s success.

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