In just a few years, Barbara Collins and her daughter Lillian went from selling pies on the street to serving slices in Seattle’s Simply Soulful Café.

Though there wasn’t a soul food scene in the Seattle area when they started out, they knew the hunger existed, and that if they created the supply, the demand would take care of itself. They trucked their wares from co-ops to farmer’s markets purely for the love of the food — and, of course, for the love of sharing that food. Their resilience and dedication to their dream allowed them to open their friendly restaurant in Madison Valley’s central district.

Now Simply Soulful is relocating again, this time to join the revamped business community in the historic Central District Corner of 23rd and Jackson. Barb and Lillian are excited to remain firmly grounded within the community. They are especially proud that they can bring their Black-owned business to a gentrifying area. To that end, the restaurant’s relocation will offer a place for BIPOC artists to display their work (though many would swear that the true artists reside in the kitchen). Tabor’s Black Business Equity Fund supported Simply Soulful in several crucial ways, helping them purchase much-needed equipment and relieve some of the financial pressure of their relocation.

In turn, Simply Soulful strives to support other minority businesses in the area wherever they can, recommending other restaurants, ordering from local suppliers, and generally helping to empower their BIPOC business peers. They also mentor their employees in how to run a businesses. Passing down that knowledge is part of the heritage of Simply Soulful which comes from a Black-owned business legacy.