Andrew and Shelley Verhagen's journey to opening Kudzu Bakery & Market in Charlotte technically started three years ago. But if you look a little deeper, the journey began much further back.
“I quite literally grew up on Kudzu," says Shelley. "It opened two years after I was born.”
Shelley, originally from Georgetown, S.C., has lifelong memories of the concept created by Joey and Stacy Rabon, who opened the first Kudzu in downtown Georgetown in 1989. Andrew, too, remembers his first Kudzu experience: biting into a Kudzu Bakery muffin from a gift basket when he was around 12 years old.
Kudzu has since relocated to Litchfield Beach (just 30 minutes from its former home in Georgetown) and opened in Mt. Pleasant and Columbia, S.C. as well. Now, thanks to the Verhagens, Charlotte has the first one in North Carolina.
LOCATION
The Verhagens approached the Rabons about opening a location in the Queen City three years ago. After signing the agreement as licensees of the brand, they searched for the perfect location.
"It took us over a year to find the right space because it was important to us that we got it in the right spot," says Shelley.
That spot is in the Park Square Shopping Center in the Dilworth neighborhood, where part of Tuesday Morning used to reside.
THE GOODS
For those new to Kudzu, think of it as a "dinner party one-stop shop," Andrew says. Hand-crafted wooden shelves are lined with market items like jams, jellies, pickles, rice, grits and jarred sauces. The freezers are stocked with take-and-bake comfort foods, from chicken pot pie to half-baked cheese biscuits, plus appetizers and sides. Inside the refrigerators, you'll find shrimp salad, chicken salad, canned drinks and white wine. Kitchen essentials like Smithey cast iron, wooden bowls and drinkware, plus grab-and-go gifts are also plentiful.
“The whole concept for Kudzu is to make it easy [to enjoy] meals at home," says Andrew. "You can come in and get a frozen meal for take-and-bake, but also wine to go with it, cookware, bread for sandwiches and dessert.”
While the kitchen recipes come straight from the Kudzu brand book, the couple is keen on making sure the market feels local, too. They keep products on the shelves from Charlotte-based companies like Piedmont Pennies, Queen City Crunch, Sweets Elderberry Syrup and Crown Town Frosé.
“That was important for us—to support the local community," says Shelley.
The convenience of Kudzu continues for the lunch crowd. Simple sandwiches made with Boar's Head Deli meats and house recipe cold salads (on freshly baked bread, of course) fill a section of the refrigerator. Customers can grab a sandwich, chips, cookie and drink for only $10, available every day.
MADE FRESH DAILY
When it comes to sweets and doughy delights, Kudzu means business. The pastry case is full of cakes, cookies, pies and breakfast baked goods, all made fresh daily. Loyal Kudzu shoppers will tell you the key lime pie is a staple, and the bread—whether it’s buttermilk white, honey whole wheat, or French bread—is an absolute must-have. The bread often sells out before midday. Some sweet treats and breads rotate by season, as Kudzu aims to offer only the freshest products.
“The Kudzu way is to sell out every day," says Andrew.
The Verhagens aim to impress first-time Kudzu visitors and seasoned shoppers alike.
“We’re trying to stay as close to [the location in] Litchfield as possible," says Shelley. "We want people to come in here and think, ‘This tastes and feels like the original.’”