POK is the commercial kitchen at the heart of a new multi-use development in the heart of downtown Poughkeepsie.
What was an abandoned underwear factory has been given a new life as a mixed-use building, housing artists’ studios, a loft space for the arts, residential apartments, the kitchen and a café.
It’s a spectacular renovation, thoughtfully done, bright and airy, contemporary without ignoring the building’s history.
POK, or Poughkeepsie Open Kitchen is on the ground floor and is called that because unlike most commercial kitchens, it’s an open kitchen.
You’ll be able to watch aspiring food entrepreneurs testing and perfecting their recipes. Who knows maybe you’ll even get to taste?
At the end of the kitchen, you’ll find North River Roasters tucked into the corner. They’re local, small-batch coffee roasters who have been offering a coffee CSA with weekly offerings of fresh roasted coffee. Now they’ll be running the café and roasting onsite so you can get a really fresh cup of coffee!
Some snacks will be available along with tea and other coffeehouse options when they open on May 15th.
There are comfortable chairs so you can hang out and watch whoever might be working in the kitchen, or just hang out and slog through your email in a pleasant, non-Starbucks space.
For local food entrepreneurs looking for a commercial kitchen space, POK might be just what you need. There are flexible hours (and rates) and they’re happy to help you navigate the paperwork.
If you’d like an application, you can download it from the site, where you’ll also find their email if you have questions. They’ve been pretty busy, so be patient and be sure to follow up!
Future plans include using the space for events, lectures and workshops. Who knows, you may even see the Accidental Locavore giving a workshop there soon — or at least lounging and doing email within sight of the kitchen!
