Steelcraft, a company that leases out refurbished shipping containers for retail and dining establishments, has been developing the food-lot project for more than a year now. The lot will feature six eateries, a produce stand and an outdoor dining space that has a capacity for 139 people.
The containers are expected to open around Sept. 21, according to Kim Gros, developer of the company.
Blair Cohn, executive director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA) who has played a part in planning the project, said Steelcraft is in the process of wiring up all the containers with utilities— electrical and plumbing, fixing up the aesthetic pieces for the area and pouring concrete to add additional parking spaces.
Cohn said those involved with the project are anxious to see it come together.
“We’re all thrilled to death. We’ve been watching this for a long time,” Cohn said in a phone interview. “We’ve been talking about this for over a year, and I know it’s been a bit difficult going through the process, only because this is the first time it’s been done in Long Beach like this. We finally got it all worked out, and just seeing them on-site is pretty thrilling. We’re all pretty excited for the opening and watching this thing be a success. I think it’s good for our district and for the city as a whole.”
The site will be home to dining options such as Working Class Kitchen, Smog City Brewing, Tajima Ramen, Pitfire Artisan Pizza, Steelhead Coffee, Waffle Love and a produce stand, according to Cohn.
The containers will serve as the eateries’ kitchens and workspaces— all “built specifically for their needs,” said Gros.
Customers will order food from the window of each container. From there, they can choose between three seating areas or take the product to-go, Cohn added.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-08-11-at-4.27.19-PM.png” align=”right” lightbox=”on” caption=”A project due for completion on Sept. 21 will include six eateries, a produce stand and an outdoor dining space. Steelcraft, developer of the food lot, has refurbished and placed containers at the location to serve as a workspace and kitchen for each dining establishment. ” captionposition=”right”] Steelcraft developers are using wood-decking, as opposed to concrete, for the flooring, Gros said. A woods craftsman with the company is also building all of the tables out of metal and wood. AstroTurf will be used in place of grass.
“The space itself is industrial, but there is a warm feeling to it, as well,” Gros said in a phone interview. “We’re using a lot of different components. Different products. Different feelings and textures. The containers are metal and old, so we’re kind of using old and new together.”
She chose not to share the cost of the project.
A production team from New York is documenting the process, but Gros said that Steelcraft is waiting to hear further details from the film crew. She did cite how curious people have been about the company and project.
“It’s been wonderful,” she said. “I think it’s fair to say there’s a lot of different creative people in the US who have come and have been fascinated by the idea and have definitely taken a vested interest in understanding our story.”
Cohn anticipates that interest will spread into the Long Beach community, as well.
“The neighborhood has been anticipating this for a long time,” Cohn said, “and I think once we see them open up, start taking orders, it’ll be very satisfying. From concept to fruition. It’s very, very satisfying, and it’ll be just one more good feature for the neighborhood.”
