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AURORA, Ill. — The community of Aurora is coming together in a heartwarming show of support for a local restaurant owner who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Residents have stepped up to volunteer their time and efforts to ensure the restaurant continues to operate smoothly during this challenging period.
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Lisa Bowling, who realized her dream by opening The Soul Spot at Fox Valley Mall, received the devastating news of her stage four cancer diagnosis just a week after launching her business. As she bravely battles the illness, the community is rallying around her with unwavering support.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Bowling expressed, reflecting on her journey to open the restaurant where she invested her heart and soul.
Since its opening in August, The Soul Spot has been Aurora’s sole destination for soul food. Unfortunately, shortly after its debut, Bowling’s health took an unexpected turn.
“I had to have open heart surgery and then put on the ECMO machine to breathe for me, and all of that stuff. So now, I’m getting ready to do chemo,” Bowling said.
“Any day above ground is a good day,” family friend Vera Giles-Norris said.
Her illness has kept her away from the restaurant for nearly two months, as the community steps in to keep her dream alive.
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Whether it’s volunteering to play music, or clean tables, they’re there.
“We see one of our soldiers fall, to do what we can do to help pick them up. And that’s what I’m seeing play out. Business has not stopped since day one,” Giles-Norris said.
Even the restaurant’s one and only chef, Katrina Reed, has been working morning to night every day of the week.
“We bring the soul food; we bring the soul food. We bring the greens, the yams, the macaroni,” Reed said.
The flavor comes from Bowling’s heart.
“When she was able to give back, she did so much sowing. And so, now in her time of need, it’s her time to reap,” Giles-Norris said.
Bowling said she is out of the hospital, at home.
Her friends and family are hoping to raise close to $50,000 to help pay for her medical expenses, but also keep her business afloat while she recovers.
Visit www.thesoulspots.com for more information.
