MUNCIE, Ind. — Back again in March, in the course of the starting of the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrea Venable-Bond was making an attempt to consider of new ways to start out a business.
The 41-12 months-outdated mother of 4 was now a compact enterprise owner of Charisma Cleaning, but she required a little something extra. At very first, she began venturing into the planet of daycares, having classes and earning certificates.
Soon after a discussion with her father, she realized that might be also challenging all through a pandemic. Venable-Bond ongoing discovering more concepts in April, and while she had the usually means to start off a second organization, she required to avoid using out a loan.
“I wished to build careers. I’m a giving individual, so I really do not like to see persons struggle,” Venable-Bond said. “I know how it feels to battle, simply because I was a single father or mother just before I was married, so I understand the wrestle.”
How the soul foodstuff cafe acquired its title
In mid-April, the thought of a soul foodstuff cafe popped into her head, and from there, she developed a checklist of what she would need to have to put her system into motion.
First, she essential a chef, so she commenced investigating who could possibly be a good cook in Muncie, irrespective of whether it be just at dwelling or a side-organization. Her beautician recommended Sonya Hawkins.
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Hawkins’ mom, Minnie, was well-identified in the community for cooking at the Big Wheel and 12th Road Cafe. As a kid, Hawkins watched and served her mom put together food items, and when she obtained older, she started cooking for mates and family gatherings and shared her recipes on social media platforms.
Once she and Venable-Bond connected, the desire of owning a restaurant became a fact. They secured a downtown site in Suite 100, 125 E. Charles St., but the eatery however necessary a title.
One working day, her husband’s mother popped into her head, and she resolved to get in touch with the cafe Mama Bond’s Soul Food Kitchen area.
Venable-Bond reported she and her sister-in-legislation were questioning what her late mother-in-regulation, “Mama” Regina Bond, would say about the restaurant.
“We just explained we feel she’d just be grinning, would not halt grinning,” Venable-Bond reported. “‘You fellas did this for me?’ She would be very energized, proud, that we would do this in her honor.”
What’s on the menu at Mama Bond’s?
Mama Bond’s held its grand opening on Friday, Nov. 13, and whilst it was supposed to be for buddies and family members, Venable-Bond explained they have been slammed.
Phones have been ringing off the hook, even the day just before, and there was a line for dine-in, carry-out and the restaurant’s curbside company. Operations became a lot easier on Saturday and Sunday, with the wait around down to 3-5 minutes, Venable-Bond said.
“I viewed and shifted individuals all over to make the procedure go improved, and it was a results,” Venable-Bond claimed. “(Sunday) was a good results. From this level on, I’m seeking for absolutely nothing but achievement, no additional waits and every person is happy.”
No matter of what is purchased, foods are $15 throughout the board. On Tuesdays, Mama Bond’s will have “Downtown Tuesdays,” which has a decreased cost of $10. Usually, just about every day of the week has two out there entrees, with unique sides like a cornbread muffin, mac and cheese or inexperienced beans. The entrees include:
- Monday: Slices of Meatloaf or Southern Fried full Rooster Wings
- Tuesday: Beef Steak Hoagie with mozzarella cheese, onions, eco-friendly peppers, mushrooms, mayo,
lettuce, tomato and fries. - Wednesday: Southern Complete Fried Hen Wings with several sides
- Thursday: Southern Pig Ft or Southern Fried Rooster Wings
- Friday: Southern Fried Whiting Fish or Southern Fried Catfish
- Saturday: Southern BBQ Leg Quarter or Southern Fried Chicken
- Sunday: Southern Smothered Pork Chops or Southern Fried Wings
‘We want to keep bringing soul food to Muncie’
Though the pandemic has designed some worries, Venable-Bond is trying to preserve organization as normal, but she’s also produced the have-out alternative less complicated by packaging all foods in a to-go trend. And unless there is a further point out-mandated shut-down, dine-in will be offered.
“I know the pandemic is out there,” Venable-Bond stated. “I’m just heading to preserve the faith, you know, that we’ll just make it.”
Mama Bond’s also has turn into a spouse and children affair for her young children, with her next-oldest daughter, Teanna, coming home from Purdue College to enable out with the grand opening.
Venable-Bond claimed she’s committed herself to the initially 30 days of being open up to assistance operate out any kinks. When her staff is prepared, she’ll scale back again her time in the restaurant to shell out time with her loved ones.
Having one of the few corporations owned by a black woman in Muncie has also appear with its have worries, a little something she uncovered earlier when opening Charisma Cleansing. In excess of the weekend, she observed a handful of Fb feedback complaining about the wait, and some seemed racist, Venable-Bond reported.
“I consider to ignore that things and go on, but at times it’s tough,” Venable-Bond explained. “Sometimes you never get the company that you imagine you really should because you’re African American.”
There’s no complaining when ready for a desk at chains like Texas Roadhouse, Applebees, Chili’s, Red Lobster or Olive Backyard garden, Venable-Bond claimed. She hopes the group will give Mama Bond’s a prospect now that 1st-working day kinks are worked out.
Her most important intention is to make the restaurant a warm and welcoming location for all, the place all people feels snug consuming.
“I hope we can continue to be about. I hope everyone will still assistance us. We will get greater, we will increase distinctive entrees to the menu and to hopefully be all-around for a pair additional many years, if not indefinitely,” Venable Bond mentioned. “We want to preserve it here. We want to maintain bringing soul foodstuff to Muncie.”
Mama Bond’s Soul Food stuff Kitchen area is open up midday-6 p.m., Monday by means of Sunday. A total menu can be viewed at mamabondssoulfood.com.
Charlotte Stefanski is a reporter at The Star Press. Get hold of her at 765-283-5543, cstefanski@muncie.gannett.com or abide by her on Twitter @CharStefanski.