Columbia, August 19, 2025
News Summary
Local restaurant owners in Columbia are adapting to economic challenges by partnering with ghost kitchens. This model allows them to reduce overhead while tapping into new delivery revenue streams. Notable collaborations include Chickieboom’s Hot Chicken at Publico Kitchen + Tap and Granby Burger at Lucky’s bar. These partnerships cater to changing consumer preferences, particularly among younger diners. Enzo’s Delicatessen has also teamed up with Alimentari Don Luigi, offering customers combined lunch and grocery options. As the restaurant industry navigates post-pandemic realities, these innovative strategies reflect a promising future.
Columbia—Local restaurant owners in Columbia are turning to innovative strategies, particularly ghost kitchen partnerships, in response to economic struggles and changing consumer preferences. These collaborations present new revenue streams while minimizing the overhead typically associated with traditional brick-and-mortar establishments.
Chickieboom’s Hot Chicken and Granby Burger Implement Ghost Kitchen Models
Chickieboom’s Hot Chicken has commenced operations at Publico Kitchen + Tap, capitalizing on the unused kitchen space to enhance revenue. Similarly, Granby Burger has reopened in the kitchen of Lucky’s bar after its original Granby Grill location shut down due to the pandemic’s impact on indoor dining. This transition to operating as a ghost kitchen allows Granby Burger to access delivery services through platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats while avoiding the costs of maintaining a physical storefront.
Access to Younger Customers Through Delivery Service
The owner of Granby Burger has noted a shift in consumer behavior, particularly among younger customers who prefer using mobile apps for ordering rather than traditional phone calls. The ghost kitchen setup allows Granby Burger to operate from Tuesday to Saturday, with delivery service available from 5 p.m. to midnight and bar ordering from 7 p.m. to midnight at Lucky’s.
Strategic Location for Chickieboom’s Success
Chickieboom’s opened at Publico’s BullStreet location earlier this year, taking advantage of the area’s lack of competition and its proximity to Fireflies baseball games, which increases customer visibility and foot traffic. The owner of Publico reintroduced a hot chicken concept after overcoming significant challenges, including the loss of a business partner and pandemic-related disruptions. The ghost kitchen model offers the potential for future standalone operations based on its success.
Enzo’s Delicatessen Teams Up with Alimentari Don Luigi
In a separate initiative, Enzo’s Delicatessen has merged its operations with the Italian grocery store Alimentari Don Luigi. This move comes as a strategy to reduce costs amid tariff pressures and improve overall operational efficiency. By sharing storefront space, the two businesses provide convenience for customers, allowing them to purchase both lunch and groceries in one location.
Operational Hours and Benefits of Collaboration
Enzo’s operates daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., excluding Sundays, while Don Luigi is available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The merge has proven beneficial, with Enzo’s regulars introducing new customers to Don Luigi, thereby boosting cross-sales.
Future of Ghost Kitchens in Columbia
While restaurant owners are currently reaping the advantages of shared operations, they also express a readiness to dissolve partnerships when needed, especially in response to changing economic conditions. The ghost kitchen model, although offering reduced overhead, presents challenges like maintaining brand visibility and consumer perception in the market.
Conclusion
As Columbia’s restaurant landscape adapts to post-pandemic realities, these ghost kitchen partnerships illustrate a promising path forward for culinary entrepreneurs, ensuring they can navigate economic challenges while catering to evolving customer preferences.
FAQs
What is a ghost kitchen?
A ghost kitchen is a commercial cooking space that delivers food through online order platforms without a dine-in establishment.
How do ghost kitchens help restaurants?
Ghost kitchens allow restaurants to reduce overhead costs, reach new customers through delivery services, and experiment with new menu concepts without the need for a physical storefront.
What are some examples of ghost kitchens in Columbia?
Chickieboom’s Hot Chicken operating at Publico Kitchen + Tap and Granby Burger operating from Lucky’s bar are prime examples of ghost kitchens in Columbia.
What are the operating hours of Enzo’s Delicatessen and Don Luigi?
Enzo’s Delicatessen operates from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Sundays, while Don Luigi operates from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with shorter hours on Sundays.
What benefits do the partnerships provide to the restaurants?
The partnerships provide shared operational costs, increased customer exposure, and convenience for customers, leading to better sales opportunities.
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