The newest Flour Power franchise opened on June 18, 2018 in Rea Farms at 9826 Sandy Rock Place Suite E.  Opening just in time for summer camps, Flour Power Kids Cooking Studios at Rea Farms sold out all 10 weeks of the scheduled summer camps as well as filling up regular classes, adult Sip N Stir, and hosting corporate events.  And they aren’t slowing down any time soon!  They will be participating in the Rea Farms Holiday Magic on Saturday, November 17, 2018 from 4 to 8 pm.  While there will be a chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free hot chocolate and coffee, and much more, Flour Power will be hosting a Holiday Cookie Decorating Contest with the winner receiving 4 free cooking classes!   They are also hosting Kids Night Out events on Fridays from 6-8 pm with upcoming themes including a “Chopped!” style contest (11/30) and Gingerbread House decorating (12/14).  Kids Night Out is a perfect opportunity to get your Holiday shopping done without giving away any surprises, sneaking out for a date night, or even just a few hours of quiet during the busy season.

Flour Power specializes in weekly classes for children ages 2.5 years old and up, birthday parties for ages 3 and up, corporate team building events, summer camps, and beyond.  All of the classes are based on age and appropriate skill levels. and the themes and baked goods change almost every class.  International cuisines, baked good themes, holiday themes, and much more means that even participants who come on a regular basis won’t repeat a class.  And don’t forget the adults!  Whether it’s a BYOB Sip N Stir or a party with a bunch of friends, adults are always welcome to expand their skills as well!

Anne Ward, owner of Flour Power at Rea Farms, wasn’t looking to open a franchise when she started toying with the idea of stepping back from her corporate job as a Compliance Manager of Social Media with Bank of America.  She was thinking that she would teach cooking lessons for kids at their home but when she started doing some market research she stumbled upon Flour Power and their franchise opportunities.  Her daughter had actually attended a class at another location and Ward remembered how much she enjoyed it.  Ward was able to speak directly to Susan Caldwell, who founded Flour Power 10 years ago in Raleigh, about opening a branch in South Charlotte.  They finally found their current location at Rea Farms and decided to take a leap of faith.  And even though it was a big risk for a self-proclaimed non-risk taker, the experience has been wonderful.  With Flour Power’s help for first time business owners and their infrastructure already in place, along with Ward’s previous social media experience, it has been a wonderful experience.  Ward is also able to spend more time with her kids, Fiona and Jude, and she enjoys the unexpected touch points with them.

Fiona and Jude also inspired the kitchens at Flour Power at Rea Farms.  The front kitchen is named “Fiona’s Farmers Market” and has a country vibe with a farm house style.  Connected by a very wide set of double barn doors, the back kitchen is “Jude’s Jammin’ Diner” with an old fashioned diner theme and Elvis posters on the walls.  Ward is proud of her studio design and is the first franchise with the double doors.  Effectively doubling the space, they can open them for parties or close them and have two different camps simultaneously.

And none of this would have been possible without the support of Ward’s husband and staff.  “I’m really grateful for my staff.  They had a trial by fire this year but came through and did an amazing job.”  Janet helps with management responsibilities; Suvondra provides party instruction, amazing customer service and helps train staff; Gabby helps schedule and coordinate birthday parties; and Danielle helps develop private school international cuisines curriculum on short notice.  Ward has also been enjoying getting to know kids and their families as they come back for more classes.  In the future, Ward would love to add etiquette classes to the schedule as well as developing a set of courses that would allow participants to grow their skills over time and progress to more difficult baking challenges.  She also will be working with GiGi’s Playhouse for special needs classes for adults with developmental disabilities.

Flour Power Kids Cooking Studios Rea Farms – 9826 Sandy Rock Place, Ste. E, Charlotte, NC 28277; (704) 246-6069; www.flourpowerstudios.com /reafarms