When you think of a food court, large corporations like Chick-fil-A and Auntie Anne’s probably come to mind. But Onnie Sanford has launched her own food court featuring only local businesses.
Sanford, the owner of Paleo Num Yums located at 359 Furys Ferry Road, has turned her shop into a new shared kitchen and retail space called OPP Kitchen, LLC. OPP stands for Other People Prepping. She now shares space with four other businesses: Angelino’s Street Tacos, PJ’s Snacky Sack, Uprooted Vegan Cuisine, and ZipChef.
Sanford and the other entrepreneurs celebrated the grand opening of OPP Kitchen on Saturday, August 13. Businesses take turns using the kitchen to prepare grab-and-go meals that are sold in the shop. Sanford won’t allow two competing businesses to rent space at the same time.
She developed the idea for this venture because Paleo Num Yums was struggling. Sanford initially considered laying off employees or even closing her business, but she can now continue selling her healthy meals and desserts.
“In September, I’m looking to add one or two more businesses,” she said. “All the businesses are so different.”
Jenn Kraus owns Uprooted, an Aiken-based company that sells a variety of vegan menu items, such as tacos, nachos, and burgers, as well as cupcakes and peanut butter cookies. Kraus, who also provides custom catering services, is excited to join OPP Kitchen.
“It allows me to diversify where I can serve,” she said. “I already have a pretty good clientele on this side of the river.”
Like Kraus, Andrea Fanfan, who owns and operates PJ’s Snacky Sack, has many local clients. Fanfan named the business for her young son, PJ, who was diagnosed with autism. PJ’s sells Hawaiian-inspired snack bags in a variety of sweet and spicy flavors.
“I’m excited about being able to offer so much more than snacks,” she said.
Fanfan will also offer other menu items, such as lumpia, spring rolls filled with pork and vegetables, and musubi, which consists of rice and spam wrapped in seaweed.
Sanford offers her new business partners not only kitchen and retail space but also staffing when they need it.
“I’ve been able to hire on more staff,” she said.
OPP Kitchen is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit oppkitchen.com.
