"Shared-use kitchens are a relatively new concept, designed to meet the needs of a food scene increasingly geared toward locally sourced products and small-batc

"Shared-use kitchens are a relatively new concept, designed to meet the needs of a food scene increasingly geared toward locally sourced products and small-batch production. Access to a commercial kitchen is a significant barrier to entry for a food business. Commercial kitchens are big, complicated, and expensive to run—monthly overhead for Logan Square Kitchen, with utilities, pest control, waste pickup, janitorial services, insurance, etc, is about $10,000. Shared-use kitchens allow small-food artisans and other entrepreneurs to ramp up legally with a minimum of risk. Also known as contract kitchens, they're fully equipped and licensed spaces available for rent on an hourly basis to caterers, bakers, confectioners, and others who either can't afford their own kitchen or simply don't need a full-time workspace."