PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) -- Highschool sweethearts Bryon and Natasha Dockett used to sleep under the I-95 bridge in South Philadelphia. Their RV had no running lights or water.
“We were homeless in 2015,” said Bryon Dockett.
Nearly six years later and just 5 blocks away, that story has turned around. At the corner of 4th and Moore streets, they’ve started a new and healthy beginning at an eatery called UnSoul Food.
"We've had the privilege ... to hire staff so we can actually pay employees. That for us is a blessing. So we have delivery within 5 miles. We have contactless pickup and it can all be ordered through our website," said Bryon.
Opening a restaurant at a time when so many are struggling to survive is no small feat. So how did the couple do it?
Bryon and Natasha’s vegan journey started with a trip to Israel in 2016. For months they stayed on a kibbutz and learned Hebrew and the essence of veganism.
"We weren’t sure why we needed it, but we know it was something that we were being called to," said Bryon.
"I had a job. He had two jobs. We were always tired and exhausted. We weren’t seeing each other anymore. We had to get back to us," said Natasha.
That was where they also learned that healthy living and eating was also something they wanted to share with others.
"That was really a result of Israel. Before, it was primarily a personal journey," said Bryon.
After their return, they started blogging their own plant-based, Southern-inspired dishes.
Natasha says one night they decided to have some friends and family over for a tasting party.
"They were complimenting our food and saying where they got it from. Next thing you know, the next day we weren’t cooking anything, we came outside, it was a line, and they were like: 'Is this where we get the food? Is this the vegan place?' I'm like: 'This is our apartment building. Wait a minute!'"
Next, everyone wanted a piece of their mac and cheese and fried vegan chicken. The couple began doing small catering gigs and hosting nightly vegan markets on South Street.
"We know we're trying to make money, but there are other companies out there. They also need to get their name out, they may need weekly money. We started inviting other vendors to pop up with us. It really took on a life of its own," said Bryon.
They say the vegan event quickly grew, until the coronavirus restrictions came.
"We had a nice crowd every week. People showed us so much love, and then COVID happened," said Natasha.
Then, during a time of racial unrest and reckoning in America, thanks to loyal customers and followers, the Docketts came into a life-changing blessing through the Discover Eat It Forward Program.
"They gave out $5 million to Black-owned restaurants all throughout the U.S. And they gave us $25,000. It all came from our customers, they all nominated us. Immediately we started looking for a location," Bryon explained. "That was the universe blessing us after so many struggles."
After some struggles searching for an affordable and proper space for rent, they finally landed in the Pennsport neighborhood at 4th and Moore streets. A spot that was once a neighborhood dive bar, is now a restaurant offering healthy comfort food options -- at a time when people can use it most.
The couple, who has an extensive work history in restaurant and food service, credits the late KeVen Parker of Ms. Tootsie’s restaurant, who passed away recently, for his mentorship and inspiration.
Related
"For the past year everything has really been a full circle message for us. It’s so beautiful and amazing," said Bryon.
He says they are looking forward to more business ventures and having people actually eat inside the restaurant after the pandemic.
"I feel like we really do it for the people. They are so important to us. Our customers and the community, of course, but also people who are young, and they want to start their own business."