A St. Joseph woman says she’s looking for some downtown space to rent for a small, start-up restaurant, perhaps with a Mediterranean lean.
Claudine Sousou describes herself as a ‘food blogger’ with 15,000 followers. She moved to St. Joseph from the Chicago area and feels there must be a spot downtown that would animate her dream. Sousou told MOTM in an eamail:
Thank you so much for reaching out. I’d be happy to share more about my vision. I’m a food blogger known in Chicago as MamaPita—Homebaker, with 15.5k followers originally from Jerusalem. As a Christian I’ve always carried a love for hospitality and gathering people around food. Over the years I’ve built a following by creating and sharing Mediterranean recipes and experiences.
Nnow I’m bringing that passion into a new café concept for downtown St. Joseph. The idea is to create a modern, welcoming space where people can enjoy coffee, breakfast, lunch, and Mediterranean sweets, blending elegance with affordability, so it feels both special and accessible.
I also want it to be family-friendly, with a better kids’ menu and little touches that make everyone feel included. I believe this café will bring something fresh to downtown SJ, while also sharing a piece of my heritage and story with the community.
Sousou said she knows there are many vacant spaces around the area, but she’s determined to locate in downtown SJ because the vibe just seems right for what she wants to accomplish. If you have some space she should consider, reach out to Claudine via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claudia.sousou
