HYBRID HAPPINESS: Canton business to combine food truck, fast-casual platforms
Shawna and Joe Polidori, owners of the Impasto Food Truck, are on the verge of opening a virtual food hall in Canton.
Considering all the helpings of happiness the innovative platform promises to deliver, it is fitting that the site of the first Detroit Area Food Truck (DAFT) virtual food hall will be located on “Joy” Road in Canton.
Following a concept that has succeeded on the West Coast, Joe and Shawna Polidori are excited to open a shared commercial kitchen for food truck entrepreneurs and caterers that will offer customers multiple brands of palate-pleasing items on a year-round basis — not just during the warmer months when food trucks thrive in the Midwest.
Owners and operators of the Impasto Food Truck for close to seven years, the Polidoris are ecstatic to launch their new business, which is set to open within the next few weeks at 39481 Joy Road in Canton.
Innovative idea
DAFT will feature a carry-out/delivery format with virtual to-go ordering — and a fully-equipped commissary kitchen where food truck owners and caterers can prepare their delicious menu items on a year-round basis.
Shawna Polidori said food truck owners are appreciative of the collaborative idea because many can’t afford to own their brick-and-mortar space.
“To say we are very, very excited about this venture is an understatement,” Shawna Polidori said. “This is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time.
“Canton is a perfect location for a business like this because it’s centrally located in the metro-Detroit area and close to so many freeways.”
Initially at least, DAFT will be open six days a week year-round, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Fabulous feedback
Shawna said once all the details are worked out during the first few months of operation, they may extend their hours of operation.
“Not only are members of the region’s food truck community excited about DAFT, we’ve heard great feedback from people who love food trucks because the availability of the brands will be there 12 months a year, not just when the weather is warm,” Shawna said.
“Plus, people have told us repeatedly they want a carry-out/delivery option that is open later at night, so we will be providing that option.”
Appetizing backgrounds
Former residents of Plymouth and Canton, the Polidoris — who currently reside in Ann Arbor — worked together at a downtown-Plymouth eatery (Joe was the general manager, Shawna a sous chef) before launching the Impasto Food Truck.
Demand for their Italian inspired wraps and other offerings quickly boomed during the warmer months in southeast Michigan.
Multiple markets
Once the weather cools in late-fall, they move their food truck operations to Florida, before returning to Michigan in the spring.
After launching Impasto in 2017 with just themselves and Joe’s best friend, the Polidoris’ staff has grown to 20 — a reflection of their inspiring success.
The Polidoris will continue to operate their food trucks in addition to managing DAFT.
“We’ve always had a great following in Canton and in its surrounding communities, which is one reason we chose Canton as the site of DAFT,” Shawna said.
“It’s been a dream of ours for a while to open an all-in-one facility for food-related start-ups and food truck owners because it bridges a gap and gives them a place to operate without all of the expensive overhead that comes with owning your own property.”
DAFT will launch with primarily Impasto menu items. The menu will grow as popular southeast-Michigan brands become members of the innovative platform.
Marvelous mission
The Polidoris state their mission to assist ambitious food-related entrepreneurs on their DAFT website:
“Our vibrant community offers unwavering support, abundant resources, and invaluable assistance to aspiring food entrepreneurs in the metro-Detroit area. As a member-based incubator, DAFT unlocks a world of possibilities with licensed shared kitchen spaces, convenient food truck parking, catering prep areas, a cutting-edge virtual or “ghost” kitchen, and so much more!
“Our ultimate mission? Empowering culinary start-ups and anyone in need of a commercial kitchen to thrive and triumph in this fiercely competitive market. Discover the recipe for success with DAFT, your partner in culinary entrepreneurship!”
Grand opening coming soon
DAFT has opened a virtual site where food truck owners and caterers can register for memberships.
Once DAFT officially opens as early as late-December (Shawna Polidori said they are waiting on a final inspection), customers will be able to order menu items on the business’s easy-to-navigate website.
SocialHouseNews.com will post an article announcing the official opening date of DAFT.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
