Lifestyle: Inside Worcester’s pop up economy - Worcester Mag

To succeed as a pop up food vendor in Worcester you need a mighty work ethic, social media savvy, patience for red tape, and culinary ingenuity. Pop ups tend to materialize in unusual locations, so flexibility is also a must. Imagine a catering job for which you are removed from your kitchen and have no idea how many guests will arrive. Think you have the stomach for it? Vendors who can generate hype while maintaining supply and demand along with a cool head are the ones who make it big.

For many of Worcester’s burgeoning pop up vendors, their endeavors began as nothing more than a side hustle. This is extraordinarily common for my generation. A 2018 study by Bankrate revealed that 51% of millennials have an additional income to their primary job. My writing this column is case in point.

Many of Worcester’s most admirable pop-trepreneurs lead double lives, spending their days as pharmacists, woodworkers or the like. This duplicity makes a pop up event all the more desirable. Rarity brings exclusivity, particularly in communities that can’t sustain specialty shops 365 days a year.

On Friday, 3cross Fermentation Cooperative reopened to a packed house after almost a year of renovations. It was hard to tell who had come for the beer and who was there for the noods. The team from Wooden Noodles erected a makeshift kitchen swathed in a curtain of steam as they dished out bowls of ramen. No one minded the wait and everyone Instagrammed their ajitamas — seasoned soft-boiled eggs.

On Sunday, a line stretched down the driveway of New Tradition Coffee Co., trailing around the corner. Fans of Glazy Susan stood patiently in the rain for doors to open at 9 a.m. A much anticipated everything bagel doughnut awaited guests inside, ready to pair with New Tradition’s bright espresso sodas. Like the combination of Wooden Noodles’ ramen and 3cross beer, doughnuts and coffee collided in a harmonious frenzy.

Don’t be fooled, operating a pop up food business is taxing. Aside from maintaining a thrilling social media presence, owners must secure insurance, permitting and food service certification. A sense of urgency is equally pivotal. Like Thomas Keller’s law of diminishing returns, followers must be led to believe that each taste of a sought after creation could be their last.

If all of this still appeals to you, Worcester offers an abundance of resources to help you build a fervid following. Here are the entities to know when the pop up calls your name:

•The Worcester Regional Food Hub plays host to nearly 50 members, providing facilities in addition to technical assistance and marketing resources. Kitchen rental is just $25 per hour. To access the list of current members, visit www.worcesterfoodhub.org, and to set up a meeting about your own business, email info@worcesterfoodhub.org.

•The Department of Inspectional Services can help you navigate the permit and licensing process for a temporary food establishment. Applications are available online at www.worcesterma.gov/housing-health/food-protection or you can set up a meeting by emailing inspections@worcesterma.gov and have a professional walk you through one step at a time.

•The Office of Economic Development’s “Guide to Starting a Small Business in Worcester” is available online at www.worcesterma.gov/business-community-development/start-a-business. After reviewing the startup guide, you can request an advisory meeting by emailing development@worcesterma.gov.