TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Just when a hobby evolved into a lifelong dream, a Tallahassee businesswoman claims the rug was pulled out from under her.
Latasha Reed, owner of Tootie’s Cafe & Catering, who also goes by Tootie, began running her catering company in 2023 to support the community and provide for her sons, who recently graduated. Before long, her aspirations grew and she promised herself that she would own a storefront in 2026.
“It started out as a hobby, you know, just trying to hustle and make some money to help support my boys through everything, whether it was football, whether it was any activities that they had going on. Then it became like a dream,” Reed said.
The cafe owner and single mother of 23 years said that when the opportunity to establish a full-fledged business emerged, she took it.
Just when a hobby evolved into a lifelong dream, a Tallahassee businesswoman claims the rug was pulled out from under her. (Mishalynn Brown/WCTV)
“I was completely over the top, excited. I was excited to share with my grandma. I was excited to show with my dad and my boys,” Reed said.
Tootie’s Cafe & Catering officially opened at 325 John Knox Road, Ste 104, in late April. The cafe offered meals for the soul, including a grit bowl, pork chops, shrimp & grits and more.
Just when a hobby evolved into a lifelong dream, a Tallahassee businesswoman claims the rug was pulled out from under her. (Mishalynn Brown/WCTV)
However, only a month later, Reed said she received a letter from the property manager that said her commercial lease was invalid.
The letter states that the person she worked with back in February was representing a company that dissolved before the lease was signed. The person Reed worked with to sign the lease released a statement on social media Friday denying any wrongdoing.
After a foreclosure sale in March, the lease is now invalid. Reed said she and her husband completely renovated the space, and invested over $10,000 into brand new ovens, refrigerators, sinks and more.
Just when a hobby evolved into a lifelong dream, a Tallahassee businesswoman claims the rug was pulled out from under her. (Mishalynn Brown/WCTV)
She said the community has rallied behind her and traveled from all across town to stand beside her.
“The community has stood behind me, came, supported. I have friends that just go out [of] their way to come all the way across town to support us. And nobody understands,” Reed said.
The eviction letter demands that Reed and her business move out by June 15. Reed says that her pleas for extending the eviction date have not worked.
Just when a hobby evolved into a lifelong dream, a Tallahassee businesswoman claims the rug was pulled out from under her. (Mishalynn Brown/WCTV)
But the cafe owner said she is not giving up on her dream. The cafe’s last Soulfood Sunday is taking place this Sunday until Reed finds a new home for the restaurant.
People can also donate to her GoFundMe to support her.
She said her motivation for rebuilding comes from her loved ones. “It comes from my boys. It comes from my friends and my family and genuine supporters, even complete strangers,” Reed said.
WCTV has reached out to the property management company NAI Talcor, which currently manages the property for a California-based owner, and is waiting to hear back.
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