Island chef and entrepreneur Patty Freebourn has secured a dedicated space on Vashon to set up a production kitchen for her tamale business.
Patty’s Tamales was up and running as of press time this week at her new location in the Vashon Mini-Storage complex behind Sea Change Tattoo Parlor.
“The state has certified the kitchen, and I have a staff ready to go,” Freebourn said last week in an interview with The Beachcomber. “It’s very exciting.”
Freebourn had been leasing the kitchen facilities at The Kitchen Larder (formerly Express Cuisine) one day per week but has always been on the lookout for the right space to call her own.
She kicked her search into high-gear last month upon learning that there was a potential buyer for The Kitchen Larder space.
“I was anxious and sad about where I would go,” Freebourn said. “But then one day on my way to get my mail, I noticed a sign in the window of the tattoo place about space for rent.”
Two of Sea Change Tattoo’s personnel had been leasing the space behind the parlor to use for their own businesses, but both had recently decided to relocate.
Freebourn said that as soon as she saw the space, she had a vision of her kitchen.
“It was perfect,” she said, and within three weeks, she was moved in and ready to get started making tamales and running her catering business. Freebourn notes that she will also take to-go orders at the kitchen, with a minimum of six tamales per order.
Warren Endlich, the building’s manager/owner said that he’s happy to have Patty’s Tamales in the building.
“It was great that Casey (Buxton) found someone to share that space,” he said, referring to Sea Change’s new owner. “And I feel very fortunate to have some really good tenants.”
Having her own kitchen has enabled Freebourn to commit to selling her tamales at three farmers markets (Vashon, Tacoma and Gig Harbor) and three grocery stores, including the IGA and Thriftway on Vashon and Valley Farms in Puyallup. It will also help her move forward with applications to sell at Costco and Trader Joe’s, which had to be put on hold when she did not have mass production capability.
The official grand opening celebration and ribbon untying is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 3, and all are welcome to attend for hors d’oeuvres.
