When Carolyn Clay, Tonya Essick and WyTerria Thornton decided to expand their catering business and open a soul food restaurant, the three settled on Northside Marketplace.
The marketplace’s reputation as a small business incubator and its proximity to downtown were major draws. The Plannerz Place Eatery opened at Northside Marketplace in February 2024, and its owners worked diligently to attract new customers. Essick said the restaurant brought in $8,000 to $10,000 per month in 2024.
“The first year was really incredible,” Essick said. “From day one, we did extremely well.”…