Nov. 29, 2021

Four years after beginning development, The Wedge on Western is 100 percent occupied.

The uniquely designed retail center at 69th Street and Western Avenue has welcomed a variety of businesses over the years, from a pet store to a fitness studio, a restaurant and most recently a flower shop.

Once its shared kitchen becomes operational in April 2022, all spaces will be filled.

“From the onset, we’ve been very selective, and it has paid off,” said Steve Gratzfeld, a co-owner of the restaurant Daily Clean Food & Drink and owner of The Wedge retail center. 

“Our tenant mix consists of complementary small-business owners who provide nearby neighborhoods and businesses with high-quality services and products.”

Shared prep kitchen

The purpose of the shared kitchen is to give budding entrepreneurs in need of access to an affordable kitchen a chance to take their business to the next level.

The Wedge is offering two six-month rental plans that will include utilities, janitorial supplies and equipment maintenance to relieve the burden of operating out of a commercial kitchen, Gratzfeld said.

“Our aim is to provide plan holders with an efficient kitchen space without the hassle of equipping and managing the space — freeing them to concentrate on production,” he said.

Plan holders will be able to reserve the kitchen for a certain number of hours each month with an option for renewal at the end of that time period.

“The Wedge will work with initial plan holders to identify equipment that proves most useful to their operations and outfit the kitchen with that equipment,” Gratzfeld said.

Daily Clean Food & Drink is on track to secure one of the spaces, and a second will be considered during the next four months while the kitchen is under construction, he said.

“​​I am excited about lowering one of the obstacles that face small food service purveyors: affordable access to a commercial kitchen,” Gratzfeld said. 

“I myself have faced similar showstopping obstacles in business over the years and quickly learned to embrace opportunities that helped to overcome those obstacles. Now, I am in a position to present an opportunity to help my fellow entrepreneur.”

Floral shop relocates from downtown

Josephine’s Floral Designery, previously located downtown at the 8th & Railroad Center, has relocated to The Wedge as it celebrates its 36th year in operation.

The new space features a large walk-in cooler so that customers can pick out their own flowers and 24-foot ceilings to bring in natural light.

Design tables are placed in the middle of the store so that floral displays can be seen throughout their creation.

“I wanted the new space to be bright and clean, and we are definitely getting that. We also have so much sunlight in this space that we are not used to having,” owner Josephine Schallenkamp said. 

“Our neighbors are great as well; we all complement each other in the best way.” 

Since its move, Josephine’s has made a few updates to its packaging and products as well. Its signature color has switched from a deep purple to a dark green, and it has added popular East Coast chocolate company Harbor Sweets. Josephine’s is also offering private classes upon request.

The flower shop is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 

Expansions

Two Wedge tenants, Motiv Fitness and EarthWise Pet Supply, also recently expanded their footprints.

EarthWise has grown its pet grooming services with the addition of a 1,000-square-foot grooming studio.

Motiv Fitness, previously known as Define Body & Mind, underwent a brand change. It originally operated as a franchise, but during COVID-19, the chain started to move in a different direction, owner Andrea O’Connor said.

“There were also other franchisees in the same position, and we all banded together to create our own brand,” she said. 

“There are now eight Motiv Fitness locations who operate independently. The change has been wonderful and very well-received, and we love being a truly locally owned business.”

In addition to the name change, the business also has expanded its studio space by adding a larger child care room and a space for its newest fitness method, Motiv Climb, which is done on a VersaClimber.

“In addition to expanding our studio space, we are currently exploring options to open a second location,” O’Connor said.

The Wedge is the perfect location for Motiv Fitness, and the building itself is unique and recognizable, she said.

“Every business that is in the building really just fits so nicely together. We have common clients and customers, and it’s great to be able to partner together to promote our businesses and bring more awareness to The Wedge,” O’Connor said.