Takeout Tuesday: Some restaurants wait to reopen dining rooms

HAMPTON, Va. - It's all in the name.

Bowman's Soul-N-The Wall on Armistead Avenue serves up a little soul with every dish.

The food? Fried chicken, burgers, mac n cheese. All dishes owner Randy Bowman began cooking at a young age under the watchful eye of his grandparents and aunts.

He's owned Bowman's for three years. A spot known for not only delicious food, but great bands, comedians and other entertainment.

"We were on the upswing so this is really like pushed us back but you have to just keep beating the path and keep going forward. This too shall pass," said Bowman in May of restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Two months later, Virginia remains in Phase 3 of its reopening plan, but Bowman still hasn't opened his dining room. He's still only offering takeout.

"We're continuing with the to-go which is doing pretty well. We're down about 50 percent of the profits, but safety is more of a concern for us," said Bowman.

Earlier this month, the owner of Desmond's Island Soul Grill in Virginia Beach also told News 3 she was also keeping her dining room closed.

Bowman says he's waiting as cases and hospitalizations rise in Hampton Roads to reopen his inside space, but the restaurant is staying busy, partnering with musician Pharrell and World Central Kitchen to serve hundreds of meals each week to local families in need.

“We are servant leaders in the community,” said Bowman told News 3 of the partnership. “We, meaning small businesses, we are the heart of the community, and you have to have a heart. You have to be caring, and that’s what we do.”

As the pandemic continues, Bowman's Soul-N-The Wall intends to keep putting a little soul on the plate and a lot of soul into the community.

Bowman's Soul N the Wall
1899 N Armistead Ave, Hampton, VA 23666
(757) 826-7685
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday