“What is this place?” has to be the #1 question asked by people coming through our door (followed by “Do you have a menu?” or “What do I need to join?” and “Do you have chicken salad?”) So what IS The Hive? We are a health department-inspected shared commercial kitchen space available to rent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We currently have 2,400 square feet of workspace with stations for cooking, baking, food prep, dish washing, as well as cold and dry storage space available to our rental customers. Interested in renting space at The Hive Kitchen? Check out our Getting Started page.
In The Storefront
The Hive Storefront is open Tuesday 12 – 6pm, Wednesday thru Friday 12 – 9pm, Saturday 8am – 12pm and 4 – 9pm. Items stocked daily, available while they last.
- Happy Tuesday! October 20 in the kitchen
So I have some news to share.
Almost two years ago, we started searching for a larger space for our business. We looked into building our own building and quickly found out we arenât millionaires so we donât stand a chance in that arena. Nothing came up for sale in Channahon or Minooka, and there were no options where we could lease because there are pizza places in pretty much every strip mall around. So we decided we were going to stay put and continue on with the carryout pizza business as is.
At the end of August, a realtor I know reached out and sent me a listing for a place in Channahon that was going on the market. We went and looked at it, thought about it and made an offer thinking it wouldnât get further than that. Well.
I was hoping to wait until all of the paperwork is signed and the keys are in our hands, but the landlord of our current location wants to put a For Lease sign in the window and start marketing the space as available soon. Thatâs understandable. So before that sign goes up and we are inundated with questions, hereâs what is happening:
We are currently under contract to purchase a building in Channahon that will house Not Another Pizza Joint as well as the storefront that currently sells all of the Hive premade meals. There will be seating for approximately 50 people to join us for pizza. We will have a beer and wine license, but there will not be a bar. This just means you can order a beer or wine with your pizza at the table youâre eating at. Currently under consideration is also having a carryout license for the same beer and wine for those of you wanting to order carryout and take some to go. There are a lot of moving parts to this and we should be moved to the new location by the end of the year. Hoping everything goes as planned and we can make a smooth transition with little time being closed.
I had asked a question on our page about a month ago about what toys do you remember from your childhood, because a lot of people have said this pizza reminds them of when they were kids. That was research because I have a theme in mind for the new place.
This is going to be a gen-x pizza place for all of us who grew up before everything gotâŠcrazy. Think Pac Man and Galaga. A reading rewards program for the kids (not called Book-it), music we came up listening to (and still do), a place to get together with your little league team after winning that game. Heck maybe some 40th and 50th birthday parties!
Thatâs all I can say for now. We are waiting on a closing date and Iâll keep you all updated as we go along. Feel free to ask any questions, Iâll do my best to answer what I can.
The Hive rental kitchen will stay where it is in its current spot next to Mallard Point Vet Clinic, we are signing another 5 year lease for that spot. Everyone who rents the space now will still be able to do so.
IN THE REFRIGERATORÂ
Cream of chicken rice soup
Meatloaf
Meatball sandwiches
Lasagna
Roast beef w mashed potatoes and gravy
Pistachio cake
Banana cake
Working on tortellini pasta salad ready by 1pm, cabbage roll soup ready by 2:30pm, chicken enchiladas ready by 3pm.Â
Sourdough bread
Apple slices
Chocolate cake
Pineapple upside down cake
Turtle brownies
Blueberry buckle coffee cake
Rice krispy treats
Double chocolate chip cookiesÂ
Monster cookies
Local honey
Papa Caps hot sauces
IN THE FREEZERÂ
Chicken tortellini soup
Beef bacon and sausage chili
Blooming bowls acai bowls
Greek chicken and potatoesÂ
Loaded mashed potatoesÂ
Chicken pasta AlfredoÂ
Chicken tetrazziniÂ
Energy bites
Parbaked pizzasÂ
Cheesecakes
What’s New In The Hive
Find out about new clients, special events, and other things of note in the Hive Community.
- Hive Kitchen Catering
We are now offering some options for event and brown bag lunch catering. Visit our Catering page for the full menus!
- Welcome Not Another Pizza Joint
- Space Available!
This is a rare occasion, but we will have some daytime kitchen space available for rent beginning in May! If you have a food business and you are looking for a kitchen to work from, send us a message and we can set up a day and time to arrange a tour!