When the call came that Seattle Restored had an opening in its new commercial kitchen space in Lake City, Jonathan Hudson said it was “a no brainer.”
“It was the perfect timing,” said Hudson, owner of Mama Row’s Caramel. “It opened up a lot of possibilities, a lot of sales channels, and created a lot of stability that I didn’t have.”
Managed in partnership with Good Business Network of Washington (formerly Seattle Good Business Network), our Seattle Restored program matches small businesses with vacant commercial spaces for pop-ups and creative storefronts. Earlier this year, we opened spaces for businesses to pop-up and utilize the commercial kitchen in Lake City. As part of our work to create economic opportunities, close the racial wealth gap, and support innovation, this program provides access to commercial spaces and opportunities for entrepreneurs to test their business ideas without assuming the complete financial risks of starting a business.
For Hudson, the opportunity is “a springboard” to grow the business he started in 2023 to honor his late mother, Rhonda. She taught a young Hudson how to make caramel from scratch, igniting his passion for cooking. He took home economics classes and learned other recipes from his mother, but caramel remained their special recipe.
After losing his mother to lung and liver cancer in 2018, Hudson decided to turn his pain into purpose and started Mama Row’s Caramel in her memory.
“This is just a way to recreate everything that made my mother great,” said Hudson.
Mama Row (a nickname given to Rhonda by the students she taught) is present in every part of the business. The branding is purple, her favorite color. She loved disco music, so Hudson uses “funky fonts” for signage and plays R&B music while he’s in the kitchen. Even the product names are inspired by her, with names like the “Ah-Shucky-Shucky-Now” caramel brownie, a nod to her favorite phrase whenever Hudson dressed up.
“I want to invite people into a space that feels like she curated it,” he said. “These little ways to commemorate her memory mean a lot to me. It allows another talking point, another layer to our brand of turning pain into a purpose.”
That purpose is to give back and build community. Hudson donates his products to fundraisers, charities, and food banks. He volunteers, sometimes going to nearby senior citizen centers to bake with them. He also shares his story to connect with others who are grieving the loss of their loved one to build a supportive community.
“You can develop a new spiritual relationship with your loved ones. I often connect with people who lost a loved one and we have a community that is connected by grief,” he said.
Operating Mama Row’s is Hudson’s full-time job. Before moving into the Seattle Restored space in Lake City, Hudson was popping up at farmer’s markets and festivals. Hudson says the unpredictability of those festivals and markets meant he was scrambling to find a consistent sales channel. Now, he has consistency that allows him to focus on growing brand awareness.
“It’s a lot of autonomy, a lot of freedom,” Hudson said. “There’s a lot less stress that I feel as an entrepreneur. I get to figure out all the different nuances when it comes to running and managing my own space. It’s like practice for me.”
The Seattle Restored program is designed for entrepreneurs like Hudson, providing financial and technical support to help grow small businesses. Seattle Restored participants also have access to an array of consulting services including accounting and business consulting, legal consulting, and when they’re ready, commercial space consulting.
“Opening a commercial space can come with a significant financial barrier for small businesses as they’re getting started. Through Seattle Restored, we’re breaking down those barriers by providing access to prime, main street real estate and giving communities an opportunity to showcase their work,” said Brooke Sanders, Seattle Restored program manager.
Now, Hudson is focused on how to continue to utilize this springboard to keep Mama Row’s growing. He’s taking on more catering opportunities and trying out new menu ideas in hopes of opening a café or restaurant in the future.
“It’s more than sharing caramel, it’s more than sharing desserts,” he said. “It’s sharing a part of my testimony and a piece of my life and a piece of my heart.” Launched in 2021, Seattle Restored has transformed more than 95 vacant storefronts into pop-up shops, window art installations, and artist residencies. Around 180 participants have activated these commercial spaces in 11 neighborhoods, helping boost local business sales, foot traffic in their neighborhoods, and adding to the beautification and safety in these areas. We also provide technical assistance to help businesses grow from pop-up to permanent space. To date, 18 participants have signed a long-term lease.