A popular Chittenden County Jamaican restaurant is on the move, with big plans for a big space in downtown Burlington. Owner Shaneall Ferron-Cowey and general manager T’Yana Cheney, both 32, plan to open Thingz From Yaad Authentic Jamaican Cuisine at 152 Cherry Street in May. They’re working to transform the former Sushi Maeda space into a multifaceted restaurant that will celebrate Jamaican culture while offering a larger menu and a Caribbean cocktail list that complements the food. Friday, March 27, is the final day for Thingz From Yaad Kitchen in South Burlington. Ferron-Cowey opened there in January 2025 after several years operating as a home-based caterer and running a takeout-only spot in a former dining hall in Colchester. She built the business slowly, but this latest move “was always the goal,” Ferron-Cowey said. “Thingz From Yaad deserves to be downtown.” T’Yana Cheney Credit: Courtesy The duo aren’t worried about the negative perception some Vermonters have about the city and its current challenges. “That doesn’t scare us at all,” Cheney said. “We know we have a following, and Burlington is the heart and the hub of Vermont.” Thingz From Yaad’s Cherry Street restaurant is three times bigger than its South Burlington spot. The 20-plus seat bar area will be casual, with TVs playing Jamaican football and other sporting events. Customers will be able to sit and work in a separate café-style space, and the remainder of the restaurant will feature a full-service dining room. Takeout and lunch service will continue with a designated grab-and-go area, and delivery will be available via apps. In the future, Ferron-Cowey hopes to host reggae and dancehall nights. “We don’t just want to be a place to get food,” Cheney said. “It’s really about the experience. We want to keep sharing the Caribbean culture in a bigger way here.” Cheney joined the biz last May while pursuing a master’s degree full time. The Vermont native has a decade of experience in the Burlington restaurant scene. Her role will expand with the new restaurant and its growing team. Kate Wise, currently a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, is consulting on the drinks side of the restaurant. She’ll help create a cocktail menu and set up the new location’s bar, Ferron-Cowey said. Tropical cocktails with fresh ingredients will complement the spices and richness of dishes such as slow-cooked oxtail and beans, curry goat and jerk chicken. All the drinks will have Jamaican patois names. “We are doing big things,” Ferron-Cowey said. “I was just a little immigrant girl with a big dream, and now the dream I’ve built is bigger than me. It’s for the community.” The post Thingz From Yaad to Move to Burlington’s Cherry Street appeared first on Seven Days. ...read more read less