27/12/2021
Long post warning *****
Whew! It has been an incredible journey these last couple of years from opening our very first rental commercial kitchen to then opening the venue, adding a few more kitchens, a food truck, and then a food truck parking lot. We’ve helped hundreds of food entrepreneurs realize their dreams and have enjoyed watching them open their own restaurants, food trucks, and brick and mortar locations. Providing a home for foodie trailblazers these last few years has been such a dream, and we’ve truly enjoyed being a part of their awesome journey.
We’ve also hosted hundreds of amazing events at our venue, all of which have created wonderful memories for thousands of guests. After experiencing so many highs and lows, along with the drastic pivots COVID-19 has brought us, Carlo and I have sadly decided to close Locavore at the end of this year. We know this may come as quite a shock to many of you, but we’ve come to a place in our lives where we believe it’s best to focus on our careers and provide support to entrepreneurs in our community in a different way.
Our hearts are full when we think about all we were able to accomplish in the short amount of time our business has existed, from winning the Fort Worth Business Plan Competition with our five-month-old business, to being a finalist for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. None of this would have been possible without the love and support from our family, friends, and neighboring business owners. The greatest joy I’ve experienced while running a small business is the many friends, I’ve made along the way who have guided me, mentored me, and given me a shoulder to lean on when I needed it most.
I am beyond grateful for my fantastic business partner and friend, Carlo Capua, who jumped on board as soon as I shared my vision for Locavore. Carlo, so many of our successes are because of you, and bringing you on as my business partner is still the best decision I’ve ever made for Locavore. Thank you for believing in me and always being willing to roll up your sleeves to do the work. I am so excited for your next chapter of helping lead the city alongside Mayor Parker, and starting a family with your beautiful wife, and my darling friend Dr. Rachael Capua, who generously always supported our work together.
Thank you to Megan Henderson, for responding to a stranger’s email with a wild vision to support food entrepreneurs and for immediately finding me our first home for Locavore at The Bastion on Hemphill. You are an absolute angel from above for so many dreamers and business owners, and I can never truly thank you enough for everything you’ve done for us. Thank you to Richard and Chandra Riccetti, our incredible landlords for listening to our vision and fully supporting us every single step of the way. The two of you are absolutely amazing people, and we never would have made it through COVID without the two of you having our backs and always asking how you can support us, as you always cared so much about the success of our business.
Thank you to my talented friend, Kristen Soble, who became my office-mate, and gifted us with a stunning mural that has been enjoyed by so many people. Your talent is a treasure, and I’m glad to see you continue to thrive and book more jobs every year. I could go on and on, with all of the wonderful people in our lives who have loved us and supported our business endlessly. All I can say is, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you!!!
While deciding to close our doors wasn’t easy, like many other small business owners, 2020 was a difficult year. For months our kitchens remained barely used, and our venue practically empty. Sadly, 2021 didn’t rebound the way we had hoped, and many people still aren’t gathering the way they had before the pandemic. Carlo and I sat down and talked about the future of our business, and the directions we wanted to take both personally and professionally, ultimately deciding it was time to move in a different direction. As many of you know, Carlo now works for the City of Fort Worth as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Mayor. He’s already hitting the ground running, and having Carlo join the city’s leadership is exactly what I believe Fort Worth needs right now.
May you all have a Happy New Year, and I’m looking forward to seeing you each next year. Cheers!
XOXO,
Cortney
