How two Chicago restaurateurs are weathering inflation, COVID

Reset talks with the sister and brother duo behind Soul Veg City in Greater Grand Crossing.

By Stephanie Kim
Soul Veg City owners Arel Brown and Lori Seay
Siblings Arel Brown, COO, and Lori Seay, CEO, own the vegan soul food restaurant Soul Veg City in Chicago's Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. Their parents started the restaurant 41 years ago. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
Soul Veg City owners Arel Brown and Lori Seay
Siblings Arel Brown, COO, and Lori Seay, CEO, own the vegan soul food restaurant Soul Veg City in Chicago's Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. Their parents started the restaurant 41 years ago. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ

How two Chicago restaurateurs are weathering inflation, COVID

Reset talks with the sister and brother duo behind Soul Veg City in Greater Grand Crossing.

By Stephanie Kim
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Nearly one in six restaurants around the country have closed during the pandemic, according to industry estimates. Those left standing are faced with rising inflation and supply chain issues. So second-generation restaurateurs in the Chicago area say they’re leaning on their parents’ advice and legacy to weather the economic storm, and taking the moment to consider reinvention.

Reset checks in with two of them.

GUESTS: Lori Seay, co-owner of Soul Veg City restaurant

Arel Israel, co-owner of Soul Veg City restaurant