Mama Bond’s Soul Foodstuff Kitchen debuts in downtown Muncie
5 min read
MUNCIE, Ind. — Again in March, during the commencing of the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrea Venable-Bond was trying to believe of new means to start a company.
The 41-12 months-previous mother of four was now a tiny business enterprise owner of Charisma Cleansing, but she preferred some thing more. At very first, she started venturing into the earth of daycares, using classes and earning certificates.
Just after a dialogue with her father, she recognized that might be too hard all through a pandemic. Venable-Bond ongoing exploring much more thoughts in April, and even though she experienced the indicates to start a second enterprise, she desired to keep away from having out a personal loan.
“I desired to generate careers. I’m a providing person, so I do not like to see people wrestle,” Venable-Bond said. “I know how it feels to battle, because I was a one mother or father ahead of I was married, so I recognize the struggle.”
How the soul foodstuff cafe obtained its name
In mid-April, the notion of a soul foods restaurant popped into her head, and from there, she made a listing of what she would need to have to set her plan into motion.
To start with, she desired a chef, so she started investigating who may well be a superior cook dinner in Muncie, whether or not it be just at property or a facet-organization. Her beautician advisable Sonya Hawkins.
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Hawkins’ mother, Minnie, was very well-identified in the community for cooking at the Major Wheel and 12th Street Cafe. As a little one, Hawkins viewed and assisted her mom prepare food items, and when she got older, she started cooking for friends and spouse and children gatherings and shared her recipes on social media platforms.
After she and Venable-Bond related, the dream of proudly owning a restaurant turned a fact. They secured a downtown locale in Suite 100, 125 E. Charles St., but the eatery nevertheless necessary a name.
One particular day, her husband’s mother popped into her head, and she made the decision to simply call the cafe Mama Bond’s Soul Meals Kitchen area.
Venable-Bond mentioned she and her sister-in-regulation were thinking what her late mom-in-regulation, “Mama” Regina Bond, would say about the restaurant.
“We just explained we assume she’d just be grinning, wouldn’t stop grinning,” Venable-Bond reported. “‘You guys did this for me?’ She would be incredibly energized, proud, that we would do this in her honor.”
What is actually on the menu at Mama Bond’s?
Mama Bond’s held its grand opening on Friday, Nov. 13, and whilst it was intended to be for pals and family, Venable-Bond claimed they have been slammed.
Phones ended up ringing off the hook, even the working day prior to, and there was a line for dine-in, have-out and the restaurant’s curbside assistance. Operations grew to become simpler on Saturday and Sunday, with the hold out down to 3-5 minutes, Venable-Bond mentioned.
“I viewed and shifted men and women close to to make the procedure go superior, and it was a accomplishment,” Venable-Bond explained. “(Sunday) was a achievements. From this issue on, I’m hunting for almost nothing but accomplishment, no more waits and everyone is satisfied.”
No matter of what is ordered, foods are $15 throughout the board. On Tuesdays, Mama Bond’s will have “Downtown Tuesdays,” which has a decreased selling price of $10. Normally, each individual day of the week has two accessible entrees, with different sides like a cornbread muffin, mac and cheese or environmentally friendly beans. The entrees consist of:
- Monday: Slices of Meatloaf or Southern Fried entire Hen Wings
- Tuesday: Beef Steak Hoagie with mozzarella cheese, onions, environmentally friendly peppers, mushrooms, mayo, lettuce, tomato and fries.
- Wednesday: Southern Whole Fried Chicken Wings with numerous sides
- Thursday: Southern Pig Toes or Southern Fried Chicken Wings
- Friday: Southern Fried Whiting Fish or Southern Fried Catfish
- Saturday: Southern BBQ Leg Quarter or Southern Fried Rooster
- Sunday: Southern Smothered Pork Chops or Southern Fried Wings
‘We want to keep bringing soul food stuff to Muncie’
Although the pandemic has designed some problems, Venable-Bond is hoping to continue to keep business as normal, but she’s also produced the carry-out alternative a lot easier by packaging all meals in a to-go trend. And unless there is one more point out-mandated shut-down, dine-in will be available.
“I know the pandemic is out there,” Venable-Bond stated. “I’m just going to retain the faith, you know, that we’ll just make it.”
Mama Bond’s also has come to be a relatives affair for her children, with her 2nd-oldest daughter, Teanna, coming property from Purdue University to assist out with the grand opening.
Venable-Bond stated she’s committed herself to the first 30 days of remaining open up to enable get the job done out any kinks. After her workforce is all set, she’ll scale back her time in the cafe to commit time with her family.
Having one of the few organizations owned by a black woman in Muncie has also occur with its very own issues, a thing she learned before when opening Charisma Cleansing. More than the weekend, she saw a number of Fb opinions complaining about the wait, and some appeared racist, Venable-Bond stated.
“I check out to overlook that stuff and transfer on, but from time to time it’s tough,” Venable-Bond mentioned. “In some cases you really don’t get the organization that you imagine you should since you are African American.”
There is no complaining when waiting for a desk at chains like Texas Roadhouse, Applebees, Chili’s, Purple Lobster or Olive Backyard, Venable-Bond mentioned. She hopes the neighborhood will give Mama Bond’s a prospect now that 1st-day kinks are worked out.
Her biggest purpose is to make the cafe a heat and welcoming area for all, in which everyone feels snug having.
“I hope we can remain all around. I hope all people will still assist us. We will get much better, we will insert various entrees to the menu and to hopefully be around for a few far more decades, if not indefinitely,” Venable Bond explained. “We want to keep it listed here. We want to hold bringing soul foodstuff to Muncie.”
Mama Bond’s Soul Food Kitchen is open noon-6 p.m., Monday as a result of Sunday. A entire menu can be considered at mamabondssoulfood.com.
Charlotte Stefanski is a reporter at The Star Press. Get hold of her at 765-283-5543, [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @CharStefanski.
