Christine Johnson moved from Chicago to Des Moines during the pandemic. Her restaurant Joppa Experience is "for the community, by the community." ...

The $75,000 loan will help The Soul Spot, which is owned by Delicia Bowling of Mandy’s Soul Food Kitchen, open in Fox Valley Mall.

The Soul Spot would be located in the Fox Valley Mall in Aurora and run by the former owner of the now-closed Mandy’s Soul Food Kitchen in Bolingbrook.