Big changes are in store for Weiser’s Metropole. Thursday, August 31st The Metropole and Dude’s Kitchen announced that Dude’s Kitchen is purchasing the Metropole. Easton and Amanda Shepard began their small batch donut and pastry business in 2019 in Washington State where they specialized in gluten free and vegan donuts. In 2021 they sold their business and moved back to their hometown of Payette, Idaho. They sold their first batch of donuts in Idaho out of their food trailer in 2022.
Earlier this year Dude’s Kitchen opened up a storefront in Fruitland where they shared a space inside Hitchcock Station. With the growth of both Dude’s and Hitchcock Station Amanda shared that they realized they were going to be needing a bigger space, “We were putting feelers out and the opportunity came up to purchase The Metropole and we just jumped on it because the building is just absolutely beautiful.” The Metropole has been a wholesale location for Dude’s since they first got started. Having an already established relationship with The Metropole team and owner made the purchase of The Metropole make even more sense. “We have loved that location forever. Sterling has amazing taste in how he has decorated it and all the equipment he’s bought is just amazing and we absolutely love Weiser.”
Currently the plan is for Dude’s Kitchen to transition to the Weiser location towards the end of September, until opening their doors as Dude’s Kitchen at the Metropole at some point in the beginning of October. Current owner Sterling Blackwell will run the Metropole until September 24th. Dude’s plan is that Weiser will be their base of operation, but they do not want to leave their Fruitland patrons without their pastries, “We won’t be in both places but we are finalizing the details for wholesaling through Hitchcock Station so that our pastries and what not will still be available there,” stated Amanda.
With the change of ownership Dude’s plans to extend the current menu to offer lunch items such as soups and sandwiches, as well as dinner popup events. Amanda shared, “We really aim to utilize the space and have it really be somewhere the public wants to hang out.” In October Dude’s Kitchen at the Metropole plans to run Tuesdays through Saturdays 7am to 2pm. In Dude’s current location they also run a plant store called The Plant Babe and the Shepard’s plan to bring that to the new location as well.
Sterling Blackwell shared his thoughts on saying goodbye to a dream he made happen, “Purchasing The Metropole and running it this last year has been a literal dream come true! (Bucket list check) I have dreamt of owning a coffee shop that was a place people wanted to come and relax at. With the help of Herbert, and my amazing employees over the last 12 months, I feel like I’ve done that quite successfully. I also recognize that I am so busy with other commitments that it’s time to let someone else have their dream and take the next steps. Easton and Amanda have a wealth of experience I do not, and they have an incredible dream and vision for the space that I am so excited to see come to fruition. I believe they will build the Metropole into a destination that people will travel to come see and I can’t wait for that to happen. I want to say THANK YOU WEISER for helping me make my dream come true and supporting me through this incredible journey. SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES; they need YOU! Every one of those business owners are following a dream of theirs. Why not make dreams come true in Weiser?”
Congratulations to Dude’s Kitchen and welcome to Weiser! To keep updated on Dude’s Kitchen at the Metropole news and grand opening follow them on Facebook and their Website, Dude’s Kitchen Idaho.
