New life for a long vacant space
Published 7:39 pm Wednesday, May 4, 2022
- This rendering depicts what the Savour mobile walkup food unit will look like when it opens later this summer in downtown Washington. (Submitted)
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An idea that took root on the balmy Virgin Island of St. Croix will come to fruition in downtown Washington later this summer, revitalizing a prominent property than has sat unused for years-just don’t call it a food truck.
Local culinary maven Kendall Jones is planning on opening a mobile walkup food unit called Savour, on the old Pamlico Rowing Club site at 307 W. Main Street sometime in June.
The unit will have wheels, but won’t be self-driven and Jones plans on keeping it in that location, as opposed to a traditional food truck that can drive from site to site as needed.
Jones, 40, is working with the Pitt Street Brewing Company of Greenville, which announced plans to open a local location on the site in March.
“We’re working in lockstep with them because we don’t have our own bathrooms,” Jones explained. “The plan is to be open Thursday-Saturday, hopefully starting at noon so we can serve lunch. We’re not sure when we’ll stop serving food, but probably around eight. They (Pitt Street) are working through some electrical and sewer issues now, so it will be later in June before we are up and running.”
The Historic District Commission approved Jones’ request at Tuesday’s regular meeting, so the Little Rock Ar. native can move forward with his plan to bring a taste of the islands to Washington.
“I was working in a restaurant in St. Croix seven years ago with my friend, chef Andrew Skiba, who will be in on this project also and I said how cool it would be to have my own space,” Jones said. “I didn’t know then that it would be here, but it seems like a natural fit.”
His wife is from Williamston and the couple decided to move to Washington four years ago when her parents chose to return as well. Jones has cooked all over the world and thinks downtown is the perfect spot to share his talent and fill a niche.
“Our menu will include flavors that reflect where Andrew and I have worked,” he said. “We’re planning on Caribbean jerk chicken, tastes from the West Indies, gyros and some vegan offerings. We have a ton of ideas and the menu will rotate.”
Jones and Skiba are leasing the property and will work with Pitt Street to provide a convenient food option for their customers.
“We’re excited to bring fresh culinary talents to our local food scene,” Washington Harbor District Alliance Executive Director Meg Howdy said. “Savour will be a fun new addition to downtown.”