Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Fresh Soul restaurant to hold grand opening on Thursday in East Central

Spokane’s new soul food joint is more than just a restaurant. It’s an opportunity for youth looking to gain job skills.

Fresh Soul is opening its doors at 3 p.m. Thursday at 3029 E. Fifth Ave. It will serve southern food staples like smoked ribs, fried chicken and seafood gumbo out of its bright-blue building.

The idea of Fresh Soul is to help youth gain life skills, said Michael C. Brown, president and founder of the nonprofit called Spokane Eastside Reunion Program, which owns Fresh Soul.

“We’ve got a lot of community support,” said Brown, who is also the manager of Fresh Soul. “I’m very excited about it.”

Kids age 14 to 18 will earn minimum wage at Fresh Soul during a 16-week long internship and tutor program, Brown said. Three kids are currently on staff and five more are waiting to start, but Fresh Soul also employs professional staff, Brown said.

The grand opening will include a speech from Spokane Mayor David Condon, said city spokesman Brian Coddington.

Brown said his faith in God has driven him to work hard for over 3 years to open Fresh Soul.

“This is not a Michael thing. It’s not a Spokane Eastside Reunion Association thing,” Brown said. “It’s a God thing.”