THE COOLEST
THING IN TOWN
Springfield works on a foodie
new attraction BY SHANNON FINNELL
I
NEDCO
ASSISTANT
DIRECTOR
SARAI
JOHNSON
P HO T O B Y R O B S Y DO R | DI G I TAL L AT T E . C O M
n some circles, on some topics, some people make fun of
Springfield. But Eugene’s neighbor to the east has some pretty
sweet attributes, as anyone who’s spent a day on foot in the city can
tell you. And Springfield is getting even more flavorful with the
addition of Sprout!, a community food hub set to open in the fall of 2012.
The Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation (NEDCO) has
long been a positive, innovative feather in Springfield’s cap, but Sprout!
has the potential to make Eugeneans drool.
NEDCO Assistant Director Sarai Johnson says the project, in the soon-
to-be remodeled building that was First Christian Church in Springfield,
will have three main components: a year-round farmers market, an
industrial central kitchen and an expansion of NEDCO’s Hatch business
incubator program.
“So far we’re in the design and development phase,” Johnson says,
which involves making a plan to modify the building while preserving
some of its architectural features. Johnson says the plan is to keep the
“classic sanctuary style” of the church while knocking down some walls to
make a modern kitchen. The remodeling will also provide space for at least
two anchor businesses.
Sprout!’s kitchen, which will be able to accommodate up to five
businesses simultaneously, is the focus of many of the renovations. And
even though it’s months from opening, other Springfield business owners
are already singing its praises. John Patrick, who owns Devour, says the
kitchen would have been an incredible resource for him when he was
starting his business.
“Right now there’s nothing quite like Sprout!” Patrick says. High health
standards make finding affordable kitchen space a challenge for new
business owners focused on the bottom line, he says, and that’s “a daunting
task for anyone who’s going to open a street food business or a restaurant.”
Patrick says he thinks that having Sprout! at the old church on 4th and
A will create a “commercial Mecca” for vendors in the area, cultivating a
whole new central location for Springfield and Eugene foodies.
Leda Hermecz has grown her business with the help of NEDCO’s Hatch
program, and she says she’s excited about Sprout! because it will be able
to specialize in helping new businesses related to food. Hermecz owns
Food Industry Resources for Sustainable Transitions (FIRST), which helps
food businesses reduce waste in ways that increase profits.
Part of what Hatch has done for Hermecz and FIRST is provide affordable
office space downtown, but Hermecz says that what’s been even better for
her is the support that she’s received when meeting with NEDCO staff to talk
about ideas and obstacles. “That’s where I feel like every cent of rent is going
to way more than office space because I get that support,” she says.
Johnson says that as Sprout! grows, she and her NEDCO colleagues hope
to offer more and more of that support to food-centered businesses, through
avenues like workshops and one-on-one work with businesses, and by
helping clients access safe loan products that won’t take advantage of them.
And that sort of support makes all the difference to businesses like
FIRST. Hermecz says, “I feel lucky to be in Springfield.” ■
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