Timberwolves Star Shows Love For North Loop Restaurant
Well-known athletes and entertainers are helping support small businesses through the new online platform, Google Uninterrupted, and Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns used his appearance to shine a light on Soul Bowl in the North Loop.
In a videoconference call with Soul Bowl co-owner Gerard Klass, Towns said he’s gotten so accustomed to ordering food in Minnesota and not seeing a person of color, “I was so touched when I heard Soul Bowl was even a thing. I never thought I would see the day.” And he pledged to buy $5,000 worth of food from the restaurant to share with one of his favorite non-profits, HopeKids.
Soul Bowl is on the second level of Graze, and serves fusion soul food in a fast casual setting. In their conversation, Towns asked Klass how he’s adapted to the year of COVID-19. “One of the big things for me was always like, how do I create something where people can order collard greens on their phone,” Klass said. “We were able to pivot into tech and to doing curbside and delivery.”
Soul Bowl has also found ways to get free food to those who need it through their “Food For Your Soul” program. Donors helped them serve Thanksgiving boxes to more than 120 families.
“I always say when I’m having a difficult time if I can find myself serving somebody else, that’s where I can kind of get some peace and joy myself,” Klass told Towns.
The video finishes with Towns writing a 5-star Google review for Soul Bowl. “The most authentic African-American food you’re gonna find in all of Minnesota,” it says.
By Mike Binkley, North Loop Neighborhood Association