Jamaican restaurant opening in Pickerington in early 2022
After operating a mobile food business for the past five years, an Etna woman plans to bring her authentic Jamaican cuisine to a Shoppes at Turnberry storefront in early 2022.
Born the daughter of Jamaican immigrants in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Reana Jackson moved to Columbus in 2005 to pursue a career in journalism.
Rather than chasing stories, however, she realized she enjoyed cooking the foods of her parents’ homeland, including jerk-style in which meat is dry-rubbed or wet marinated with a hot spice mixture.
Also true to her heritage, she found it challenging to make dishes just for herself.
“I found people loved my food, and I had a passion to cook for large groups of people,” Jackson said.
In 2016, she decided to make a run at turning her passion into her livelihood when she launched Twinado Kitchen’s Jerk Shack, a mobile food business she operated out of tents she’d take to festivals and pop-up events.
The name Twinado is inspired by her twin sons, who are 8 years old.
The business quickly grew in popularity.
In 2017, Jackson purchased a trailer to take her business to the next level.
Now she hopes to open a storefront business at The Shoppes of Turnberry in January or February.
“We have, honestly, outgrown the trailer,” Jackson said. “We have so many people that love our food. I can see that Pickerington is growing and a lot of our customer base is from Pickerington.”
The shop is awaiting an official address because it’s being converted from a storage space located between Omezzo Restaurant & Pizzeria, 1755 Hill Road North, and Goodwill, 1771 Hill Road North.
Once it opens, Jackson, 39, said she plans to operate for carryout only from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
“I make jerk chicken, jerk beef, different types of jerk seafood, oxtail and lamb chops,” she said. “I’m just really excited to serve people some good Jamaican food.”
Jackson is eager to get started, and city officials are excited she’s chosen Pickerington to open a storefront business.
Dave Gulden, Pickerington’s economic development director, said it adds diversity to the community and is pleased to see another self-owned shop come to town.
“It is great to hear about Twinado expanding into a permanent location in Pickerington,” Gulden said. “I believe it will be another independent restaurant that will find success here.” nellis@thisweeknews.com @Thisweeknate