It was only a short year ago that Tacomans Bridgett Crews and Krista Keithly infused fresh, organic fruit to create delightful popsicles sold through their Hilltop Pop Shop. The duo popped up at Tacoma farmers markets and music festivals throughout the summer. Inevitably sold out before day's end.

Next month, Crews and Keithly embark on a new venture - a free-range community kitchen space on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue. This isn't an ordinary cooperative kitchen space. These women intend on "blazing a trail" of community building and connection. Crews and Keithly are kindred spirits and as I spoke to them in the new kitchen space - the former Taco Time space - their energy was electric. With large smiles the duo spoke of lengthy work check lists and long-term missions.

Their culinary incubator is called Free Range Kitchen. It's an open but warm interior - it feels larger than the space that once shelled out taco shells. Only ruminants of the old taco kitchen space remain. Crews and Keithly are bartering for equipment that is appropriate for a community kitchen.

Future community chefs will be pleased with Free Range Kitchen's ample cold storage, packaging space, a client meeting space and banquet room, which will also serve as a green house. I can picture community-dining events surrounded by lush greens and fresh produce. I can picture it because it's exactly what will happen.

The duo's community kitchen idea has been in the works for some time. After holiday hibernation, Crews and Keithly reconnected over brainstorming sessions. The Sixth Avenue space fell into their laps. A quick bond with building owner and new Free Range Kitchen cheerleader Debbi Anderson and the idea was off and running.

Crews and Keithly haven't set out to simply start a business; these women seek others to "bring them their ideas." This is truly a community space. Crews says, "We really want this place to be a place to connect and we want to work with other kitchens."

When these two set out on this journey they had a few key missions in mind: find a home for the Hilltop Pop Shop, build a space for their friends and provide an opportunity for culinary educations.

"Not just cooking classes," Keithly adds, "but knife classes and practical courses that will help people grow in their business and culinary skill knowledge."

The women plan to collaborate with local businesses such as Crop Swap, Tacoma Food Co-op and the YWCA. Crews and Keithly refer to the space as a "culinary incubator" - essentially a hub that will include services to help the culinary community flourish with knowledge and a sense of pride. They inspire to provide a space for small food producers with limited resources to make ideas a reality, as well as provide space for nonprofits to achieve employment assistance and training goals.

The Free Range Kitchen also wants to bolster creative culinary fun, such as cooking shows and special events.

As I said, Crews and Keithly have long-term goals. Above all, their mission centers on being sustainable and aiding the growth of the culinary community.

You can call or email for rates and availability.

FREE RANGE KITCHEN, 4426 SIXTH AVE., TACOMA, 360.662.6461, FREERANGEKITCHENTACOMA@GMAIL.COM