A proposed cooking studio has been given a thumbs-up by Naperville planners to teach culinary skills in an area near the new dining destinations of Block 59.
Members of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission last week unanimously endorsed Taste Buds Kitchen’s request for a conditional use that will allow its amusement-focused business to operate in a shopping center district.
Commissioners at the June 17 meeting said they think the enterprise would be a great addition to the restaurants and retail businesses already near its proposed spot at 2603 Aurora Ave. Therese Egner, a member of the city’s planning services team, said staff agrees it would be complementary.
Jackie Burton, managing member/owner of Taste Buds Kitchen, described the business as an appointment-only center that would teach a variety of cooking skills to a wide range of ages and offer events such as summer camps, date nights, birthday parties, caregiver-and-me classes and corporate team-building events.
“We’re really looking to foster community engagement and social gatherings by offering cooking classes for ages 2 to 99, where we could make anything from pasta to sushi to cupcakes and more,” Burton said.
She likened the business to a painting party studio.
“Instead of paint, we would use food,” Burton said. “And at the end, you get to eat your masterpiece.”
The proposed business is the same Taste Buds Kitchen that received city approval for a liquor license earlier this year for a location on River Road. Burton said the business was unable to proceed at that site, but was “lucky enough to find this location” and is excited to join the other tenants at WestRidge Court.
Egner said based on the current tenant mix at WestRidge Court, the shopping center has plenty of parking to accommodate the proposed Taste Buds, which would slide into a tenant space between Bundoo Khan Express Grill and an Escapology escape room business.
The appointment and event-based business model is anticipated to present large gatherings with minimal traffic increases, Egner said.
The Naperville City Council will consider Taste Buds Kitchen’s conditional use request at a future meeting with the commission’s positive recommendation.
Marie Wilson is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
