A Chicago, IL, soul food restaurant saw a boost in customers after receiving a visit from Jay-Z.
Mario Coleman and Angie Price are the owners of Bronzeville Soul.
The store — located on the corner of 47th & King Drive and opened in August 2022 — aims to serve the community “authentic soul food and a great vibe,” according to the company’s website.
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“I couldn’t believe it was him. Actually, when I first saw him, I didn’t think it was him. I thought it was someone else acting like Jay-Z,” Coleman told CBS News.
Coleman also revealed Jay-Z was more inclined to endorse Bronzeville Soul after learning it was Black-owned.
“His actual words to me was once he looked us up and saw it was a Black business, he did tell me he wanted to support Black businesses, and he said, that’s why I’m here. He said they said the food is good,” Coleman explained, per CBS News.
As a result, the exposure from the Hip-Hop billionaire has led to nonstop calls for Bronzeville Soul, Block Chicago Club reports.
“The impact was immediate, of course. Coleman’s phone hasn’t stopped ringing since, and he’s been fielding interview requests, he said,” according to the outlet.
This is timely as the last 11 months have been “up and down” for the restaurant, Block Chicago Club also reports.
“We went through a lot of changes, but it all turned out good for everybody. We’re happy. We want it to be better, of course, but we are happy it’s not killing us to the point where we thinking like, ‘We ain’t gonna make it,” Coleman said, according to Block Chicago Club.
Coleman, who is also head chef, remains very hopeful for the future of the restaurant.
“This upcoming year we’ll probably be in a much better year just based on understanding what’s to be expected and how to maneuver during this particular time and that particular time,” Coleman told Block Chicago Club.
