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Photos: At L.A. Prep, artisanal food makers can rent commercial kitchens

Zlicious Confections owner Matt Walton, who currently uses a co-packer for his caramel corn, is looking forward to the flexibility of having his own space at L.A. Prep in Lincoln Heights.

Zlicious Confections owner Matt Walton, who currently uses a co-packer for his caramel corn, is looking forward to the flexibility of having his own space at L.A. Prep in Lincoln Heights.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A new project in Lincoln Heights called L.A. Prep is aimed at helping a growing number of local artisanal food manufacturers who have outgrown their home kitchens.

At L.A. Prep, artisanal food makers can rent commercial kitchens

Construction is underway at L.A. Prep, which will rent 54 commercial kitchens outfitted with stoves, stainless-steel countertops and walk-in refrigerators to tenants.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

At L.A. Prep, artisanal food makers can rent commercial kitchens

Construction is underway at L.A. Prep, which will rent 54 commercial kitchens outfitted with stoves, stainless-steel countertops and walk-in refrigerators to tenants.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

At L.A. Prep, artisanal food makers can rent commercial kitchens

L.A. Prep co-owner Brian Albert, right, and Zlicious Confections owner Matt Walton tour the construction area at the 56,000-square-foot industrial building.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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At L.A. Prep, artisanal food makers can rent commercial kitchens

Jean-Claude Setin, owner and master butcher of Le French Butcher, is photographed inside his business space at the L.A. Prep facility, which is still under construction.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

At L.A. Prep, artisanal food makers can rent commercial kitchens

Matt Walton, who founded Zlicious Confections in 2012, has signed a one-year lease for a 333-square-foot kitchen at L.A. Prep at $3,600 a month. “There’s a huge need for this,” he said.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

At L.A. Prep, artisanal food makers can rent commercial kitchens

L.A. Prep general manager Bruce Dauer kisses his macaw, Buster, while working in his office at the Lincoln Heights construction site.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

At L.A. Prep, artisanal food makers can rent commercial kitchens

L.A. Prep co-owners Mott Smith, left, and Brian Albert, right, with general manager Bruce Dauer, center, inside the construction site in Lincoln Heights.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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