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Mimi’s Soulfood opened this month at 533 S. Kimbrough Ave., the former home of Yan’s Chinese Restaurant.
Provided by Mimi’s Soulfood LLC
Mimi’s Soulfood opened this month at 533 S. Kimbrough Ave., the former home of Yan’s Chinese Restaurant.

Soul food concept arrives in center city

Posted online

After a trial period selling soul food dishes from a family member’s restaurant this year, a Springfield woman opened an eatery of her own.

Tonisha Manier is co-owner of Mimi’s Soulfood LLC, which launched June 8 in center city near Missouri State University at 533 S. Kimbrough Ave. It’s a first-time ownership venture for Manier and her husband, Octavius, who also is the cook at the four-employee restaurant.

Tonisha Manier said startup costs were $30,000, noting her aunt, Marti Fewell, provided financial assistance for the business. Manier, who grew up with the nickname of “Mimi,” said she’s accrued 10 years in the food service industry, including past management roles at KFC, Fazoli’s and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

Manier said she’s long been making soul food for relatives at home.

“My family was like, ‘Mimi, you need to get it out there. Everybody needs to try your food,’ she said.

That encouragement led Manier to begin selling food such as Cajun catfish, pepper steak, brown beans, succotash and cornbread for around six months at Carriage House Family Restaurant, which is owned by her brother, Tonish Fewell Jr.

“It went very well,” she said of the trial run, adding her husband, who formerly worked at NorthStar Battery, helped in the kitchen. “I’ve taught him the ropes and how to measure and all that stuff.”

The couple signed a two-year lease for an undisclosed rate with landlord Nehal Kemal, but Manier said she’s interested in one day owning the 2,100-square-foot building. Mimi’s replaces Yan’s Chinese Restaurant, which shuttered last year.

Mimi’s menu offers daily specials including meatloaf, smothered pork chops and Salisbury steak, as well as chicken wings, fried chicken, burgers and pasta.

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