Wiltshire Pantry, the restaurant, bakery and catering business that has been growing slowly but surely for over 20 years, has moved its commissary operations into a new 4,250-square-foot space at 900 E. Kentucky St. – about triple the space of its former commissary on River Rd. The Wiltshire kitchen is the second tenant in the former Axton Candy & Tobacco Co. building, which Mike Safai owner of the local coffee roastery Safai Coffee, bought in July 2016.
In a story in Insider Louisville , Wiltshire owner Susan Hershberg explained that the River Road location had become cramped, and didn’t have the space to work or store food that the growth of her businesses needed.
Five months of extensive renovation resulted in food production beginning last August. The building was already FDA-approved for making food, had an indoor loading dock, and had double doors to keep the commissary kitchen sealed from the outside.
The new commissary has deck ovens, which allows for baking at different temperatures and for steam injection for special baking needs. The new ovens have enable Hershberg to add bagels to the menu at Wiltshire Bakery.
Safai, the building’s owner, has moved his coffee packaging operations into the building and also has Hawthorn Beverage Group, a spirit branding, bar concept, and special events consultant, as tenants. Safai has plans to add a brewery, and a nonprofit open-air market for local produce, meats and value-added products like salsas, honey, pickles and prepared foods.
