“I gained 100 pounds,” jokes Barnes “Boe” Reynolds, of the time he met and married a Buena Vista High School grad named Letia Joe.
On the other hand, Boe knows cooking, too, even though he’s from Saginaw High.
They have teamed to open Tia’s Soul, and they will return to Letia’s alma mater, now home of the BV Farmers Market, for the township’s “Food for the Soul” tasting event from 11 a.m until 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, to bring a close to Black History Month. Admission is $15.
Specifically, the market is located in the ROTC section of the former high school. with access at 3945 Towerline Road. Township leaders have combined a federal grant with volunteer cleanup labor to bring new life to the site, while still seeking developers.
Baldwin’s Smokehouse Barbeque will join Tia’s Soul as co-caterers. They have brought family-owned to a Holland Avenue corridor once totally dominated by fast-food chains. Wendy’s departed with the loss of Fort Saginaw Mall, and the Reynolds couple obtained a former Burger King.
Boe also knows jokes, because he never came close to 100 pounds over while he was laboring as a machine operator at Nexteer Automotive. Letia, meanwhile, was a cleaning and housekeeping supervisor at Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital.
They never dreamed that they one day would become restaurant owners and operators, but when house guests would praise the plates they served, they volunteered to cater some events for family and friends. Next, they tried their hands at the downtown SVRC food court. They met some moderate success, but they discovered that their menu staples like fried catfish and/or BBQ ribs, or chicken and waffles, are not standard takeout fare for someone on a short lunch break.
With spiritual inspiration from New Life Baptist Ministries, they say their efforts are “honoring God” in a foremost way.
Baldwin’s Smokehouse also brings spiritual inspiration to the former Texan Restaurant across the roadway from Tia’s. The owners are Pastor Roy Baldwin and his wife, Evelyn, from New Beginnings Deliverance Ministries. The Baldwins are entering their fourth year in business, while the Reynolds couple are in their second year.
