The Bunny & Jane Newton Community Kitchen

The Newton Kitchen is now open at the Joplin Empire Market. It is available to rent on a monthly basis for catering service, as a commissary kitchen, or whatever your food-based small business requires. The kitchen is also suited for pop-ups or for events. Apply below.

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Bunny & Jane Newton Community Kitchen

Downtown Joplin Alliance has done an amazing job utilizing our donated structure, and some major facilities upgrades have been completed including a new roof and electrical upgrades. In late 2021, we launched a capital campaign to create a commercial kitchen on site. Construction was completed in 2022 and the Bunny & Jane Newton Community Kitchen opened in January of 2023. This kitchen is integral for future growth and will provide:

  • To expand farmers’ crop output with preserving, freezing, dehydrating and otherwise creating value-added products like salsa, jams, and spice mixes
  • To provide a test kitchen for start up chefs and a platform for existing vendors to create a wide range of food options for market days
  • To teach food prep and cooking to individuals from a variety of ages and economic backgrounds
  • To expand free kids’ meal offerings to include hot meals on Saturdays and other times as needed 

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The Future of the Empire Market

In December of 2016, the Empire District Electric Company donated to Downtown Joplin Alliance over 33,000 sq ft of buildings on 3.34 acres in the heart of Joplin. The primary structure, which now houses the Empire Market on the ground floor and rental workspace on the second floor, was built in 1907 and is located at 4th & Railroad.

Rendering of external view of the Empire Market

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Our Goals for the Capital Campaign

In order to take our vision for the Joplin Empire Market to the next level, our facility will need to change. A fully-funded capital campaign will allow us to:

  • Make critical repairs to our roof
  • Construct a commercial kitchen, allowing our vendors more opportunities for onsite food prep and value-added products
  • Reconstruction of the former truck bays to create an open-air Farmers Pavilion and Event Venue
  • Expansion of the current Market Halls
  • Remodeling the 2nd floor as a coworking space, with private offices and classrooms

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How You Can Help

For more information about donating to our capital campaign, including naming opportunities,
contact Lori Haun at 417-529-3888 or at [email protected]

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What We’ve Accomplished So Far