Petite 4 Grows Community
Photo by Marilyn Isaac Photography
This bistro nurtured local partnerships through COVID-19
by Lex Nelson
In the fall of 2020, Jamie Brennan noticed a small, untended garden growing on the southern side of Boise restaurant Petite 4. Brennan had just founded the kitchen garden business Gold Feather Gardens — so the beds captured her full attention.
“I asked them if they would let me plant it for free — because it was COVID-19 and I didnt want them to worry about paying for it with all of the other stuff going on,” Brennan recalled.
Photos by Marilyn Isaac Photography
That chance encounter kicked off an enduring local partnership. Brennan tends Petite 4’s garden, and in exchange the French bistro’s owners Sarah and David Kelly give her access to their outdoor space for workshops and provide promotion, food, and wine for the events.
“I work directly with [Sarah and DK] and they are a true joy to work with. They could not be more interested in how community is built at their restaurant,” Brennan said.
Building community became a challenge when the pandemic forced Petite 4 to close in March 2020. Chef Sarah became the “pop-up queen,” selling date night packages and chicken dinners through a side door. But even when money was tight, she prioritized buying from local farms like Global Gardens — a collective of refugee farmers she’s faithfully supported since opening Petite 4 in 2018.
Photo by Marilyn Isaac Photography
“The beets I’ve always used from them are so vibrant and colorful. I always look at their list ... I like a lot of color in vegetables, and I like to eat that way myself, so I always look to see what they have,” Sarah said, recalling bright bunches of rainbow carrots, peppers, and kale. “... It was so nice to be able to have pretty food and produce coming in, you know, to still make it enjoyable to cook those pop-ups for [customers].”
“They consistently order weekly with us, and they increased their order when they managed [Act 3 at Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s Café Shakespeare,]” said Hannah Roche, Global Gardens’ food hub coordinator at the time.
Sarah’s colorful dishes drew in the Boise community, which rallied around Petite 4 and its partners. Over and over, Sarah saw the same last names appear on Petite 4’s to-go bags.
“The customers were more there for me than I was there for them,” Sarah said modestly. “... We were lucky. All of our pop ups either sold out or almost all sold out.”
Petite 4 reopened in April 2021 — and rehired as many of its original staff as possible, always paying a living wage.
Photo by Marilyn Isaac Photography
Unfortunately, the restaurant’s revival didn’t last. On May 5, 2022, the Kellys announced on Instagram that they would shutter Petite 4’s dinner service at the end of the month.
“Opening back up to the public in April of 2021 brought excitement and relief,” they wrote. “It also brought the harsh realities of trying to run a restaurant during a pandemic. Everyone knows supply chain issues, employee cost, employee availability concerns, fuel costs and food price spikes have hurt our industry, but with a tiny spot like ours those problems were exacerbated.”
And yet, Petite 4’s flame still flickers. Supported by the community they’ve grown, the Kellys will continue to offer “Coffee and Donuts” on Saturdays and occasional pop-ups.
“We love all of you and can’t thank you enough for making Petite4 what it was,” they wrote.
Now, Boise awaits what it will become next.
