Soup?  Why Soup?

Ok, here's the story.

I'd been a stay at home dad for 9 years.  Last year I started to think about what I was going to do with my time after my youngest started kindergarten full time (2010). Back then the job market was bleak. To get a good job (or any job) I realized I'd have to compete against people that had 9yrs more experience than me, and they'd probably have a lot more training.  The only skills I'd developed in 9 years were: changing diapers, gardening, and cooking....and I am SOoooooo done changing diapers.  Gardening is great, but you can only do that half the year in Ohio, and I'm too old to start life as a landscaper.   Besides, I love to cook.

Still, there was that problem of getting a job-any job.  I had no experience in restaurants at all.  I'd never even flipped a burger at Mickey D's.  If I wanted a good job cooking my resume would be blown away by chefs and even the most mediocre short order cook.  That left one option: starting my own place.

My wife was extremely supportive of the idea (and still is!).  She convinced me that I could do it, and that if it was affordable then there’d be no reason not to try it.  While researching the costs, I found the perfect place.  It's small, affordable, and its location gives me something I've really been looking for: purpose.

I'd had jobs in the past that either paid well, or had good benefits, or great hours, or adventure, etc., but never all of those.  Also, if you're going to start your own place it should be your dream job.  It better be satisfying at the end of the day.  That's something I always missed in all my previous jobs.  Here, at 30 North High St., The Stew Pot Kitchen is physically in the middle of three buildings where people get government assistance (welfare, medicare, etc).  People who cannot normally afford really good food, and who really need it.

Now, earlier I mentioned that I garden.  My veggie garden, local farmers markets, and 9yrs of cooking on a budget all make it so that the food served here at The Stew Pot Kitchen can be the most affordable in Akron.   A person can get a cup of soup and a drink and be fed for $3 here.  That's great and all, but to the people coming out of those 3 buildings...well, it seems to really help.  Hot soup on a cold and windy, overcast day in Akron, Ohio?  Yeah, that’s gonna make everyone feel good for a little bit at least!

Look, I know no one's going to get rich selling cups of soup at $2.50.  That's not why I opened this place.  I do not aim to be rich-I would love it, but that's not the business plan here.  This is a restaurant out to feed people good food at prices even the poorest can afford.  If you can afford to park here and use the parking meter you can afford the food.  (By the way, just because I’m not aiming to get rich doesn’t mean I won’t accept a donation of a 2011 Chevy Camaro LS!)

Seriously, this is not a charity soup kitchen. Soup isn't free.  It does cost, but it doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and asking people to pay ensures that The Stew Pot Kitchen is not dependent on donations (private or government).  It ensures that I'll be able to serve people good food at affordable prices for as long as they want-not as long as some donor feels like donating food or money.

It’s a strange path that leads a person to do something like this, but it’s been a really fun one so far.  I look forward to cooking for you all, so please stop in and give us a try.   Finding repeat customers is not a problem for us, and I aim to keep it that way. 

 

Great food at affordable prices.

 

Thanks,

Scott Malensek

Owner, The Stew Pot Kitchen

23 South Main St Akron

Akron, Ohio 44308

330-376-7839

Mon - Fri: 11:30AM - 6:30 PM       (Closed on Weekends)