Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Jayne Sprenkle
Hi Katie Jayne , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have a background in food, hospitality, and culture creation. Working in the hospitality industry for over 15 years. Food and community have always been a theme, but the dream that is Always Hungry Grocery & Goods was ingrained in me during childhood. Growing up on sprawling farmland, I saw my parents work tirelessly on their passions to create the life we got to live. Every blueberry picked, every wood floor laid, they did so with heart. It sealed in me the love for all small businesses and the belief that a dollar is more than a dollar. It is a source of energy that can help communities move together. That is why I want to create Always Hungry. Let’s support our communities’ small businesses, let’s eat locally, let’s celebrate everything!
ALWAYS HUNGRY IS THE VISION OF A FORMER FARM GIRL, DESIGNER, EVENT PRODUCER, CURATOR, AND FOOD-OBSESSED WOMAN. I opened Always Hungry with one giant goal: To be a place where people can come & find things that other really amazing people made. These makers are LOCAL, artisans, under-represented, or just so damn special I had to share with you. That’s it. That’s my why. It’s not about my over 20 years in hospitality, being raised by one hella badass mother, or having a family in catering & farming. It’s about supporting the people I love on their journey. Maybe it’s a mom who just started making some of the best bread I have ever tasted & by you buying that bread, she is filled with self-confidence & is a happier mother. She feels like more. It’s a couple who just picked up everything & moved here to make a better life, bringing with them a Traditional Muhammara recipe you must try. It’s a local farmer’s flower. I think you should have it in your home just to make you smile. It’s about supporting the farmers because we must always support the farmers. That’s it. As an artist, this store is now my greatest work. Goods are my medium. This place is Built with my heart & I hope to serve you & the community with love every day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
HA. No. It has not been a smooth road at all. In my beautifully romanticized dreams, we were going to have our doors open by December of 2023. I had no idea how much goes into a full build out. Every day is money spent, and we are working around the clock to get open by this Fall.
In the meantime, we are hosting a fun pop-up in Oceanside for the summer. It will be different from our flagship, which is more of a legit high-end grocery/farm stand. The pop-up will be the coolest beach snacks and fun treats. An ode to a quintessential family beach trip, complete with the most fabulous items for a killer apertivo hour. We also have launched our “Discovery Boxes” a monthly box (you can sign up for 1 or multiple months) filled with local finds, fresh foods, packaged goodies and more. Each box is basically just filled with what we are currently obsessed with, supporting brands we love and sharing our finds with our friends! https://www.alwayshungrygroceryandgoods.com/boxes/p/discovery-box-membership
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
There are a million grocery stores. Big box, snack shops, & everything in between. At Always Hungry we party by a grand set of rules: items must be local, support an under-represented group, be absolutely the best in their category, or just be plain fun. We have a soft spot for farmers, impromptu dinner parties, tinned fish as meals, hot beach days, and supporting our community. We are lucky to call Carlsbad Village home and are just a short walk from the beach.
To most, grocery shopping is a boring errand; to us, it’s a magical journey of taste, health, curious finds, and supporting businesses we believe in.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Yes of course! For the last two years I had the honor of working with Rising Co. on all their community events. It was here that I met the most amazing women lead business owners. Whom I now call friends, and who will forever be mentors. Julie Ellis of Rais Case, Danielle Quigley of Wild Habit and Marti Sato of Ranbow Barnical. Each of these brillant beings have taught me something about business, something about being a mother and running a company and just life things. I will forever be in debt to them. They get all the snacks.
My location suite mates Little Victory Wine Bar, run by Kristen Potenza and Jeremy Simpson have also been crucial in helping me make this happen. A build out is no small feat, and with out their guidance, we would be slinging bread from the back of our car.
Lastly, my husband Jordan Katz. He is a numbers person. I am not. He is also the best cheerleader ever. and works tirelessly to help make my dreams come true. I am very lucky.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alwayshungrygrocery.com
- Instagram: alwayshungrygrocery
Image Credits
All taken by me
