Since 2015, Ciaran Nagle has owned and operated Kitchen Foundation, a company that specializes in providing a shared commercial kitchen space for local food entrepreneurs interested in growing their businesses. 

With two current locations in Boston and Lawrence, Massachusetts, Nagle said Peterborough is a prime location to open up his third commercial kitchen space based on the growing number of food entrepreneurs in the Monadnock region.

On Wednesday, June 21, community members gathered at the Monadnock Center for History & Culture to hear Nagle and Roy Schlieben, executive director of MAxTMakerspace  present a proposal to convert the property at 50 Jaffrey Road into a commercial kitchen space.

The approximate 3,000 square foot space, previously occupied by Cafe on Noone Falls, overlooks the scenic Contoocook River and is adjacent to the Noone Falls dam. 

Nagle said he was inspired to convert the property based on growing needs of local food entrepreneurs and the region’s lack of resources for growing businesses. 

“The vision is to come together as a community and help get you out of the house,” said Nagle. “I think the time is right and I believe there are people who are committed.”

According to Nagle, the space is currently undergoing renovations to the interior, which he said will soon be equipped with basic kitchen necessities including a walk-in refrigeration system, conventional ovens, flat top grills and dry storage containers. According to Nagle, the kitchen is on track to be open within the next six months for rentals. 

Nagle said kitchen users will be required to rent the space for a minimum 10 hours per month at $35 per hour. Nagle also said users interested in renting food storage spaces will pay an additional $15 per month on top of the base rent of $350.  

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders leaving ConVal School District

PHOTOS: Peterborough hosts Children and the Arts celebration

Vehicle rolls over on Route 31 in Greenfield

Peterborough voters approve funds for fire and rescue station

Mt. Monadnock Little League celebrates opening day

Meg Gourley – Village improvement societies do what needs to be done

Your Daily Puzzles

Cross|Word

Flipart

Typeshift

SpellTower

Really Bad Chess

Schlieben said the fully-equipped commercial kitchen space will allow people to grow food businesses from the ground up at affordable rates. 

“The concept is very similar to a shared community kitchen. It’s for people looking to cook, and we provide the support needed for someone to become successful,” said Schlieben.

Thanks to the support of the Kitchen Foundation, one entrepreneur's journey has transformed into a success story. Jessy Melo from Jessy’s Clean Meals in Lawrence, Massachusetts has grown her meal prep business into a successful online storefront and pop-up shop. Melo said renting a commercial kitchen space is a great way for food entrepreneurs to take their business to the next level. 

“I outgrew my home space in about a year, I knew I needed a commercial space. One of the best things [Kitchen Foundation] offered me was community resources. I was at the start of a new journey, and it helped me grow my business and not worry about overhead expenses,” said Melo. 

Tabitha Young , owner of the Good Granola Company, said her small business would greatly benefit from having access to a commercial kitchen space in town. 

“This is my passion, and I think [a new location] would be great on many levels, it would be a chance to get me going,” said Young. 

Amid the proposal, developers have put out a survey to encourage public input from community members. The survey can be found at .surveymonkey.com/r/MonadnockKitchen.