HAVANA, Fla. (WCTV) – A comeback story for one local Tallahassee woman.
What started as a hobby turned into a lifelong dream for Latasha “Tootie” Reed-Hopkins. Then, she says, that dream was pulled out from under her.
Now, she’s back and better than ever.
More news out of the Big Bend:
Reed-Hopkins, the owner of Tootie’s Cafe and Catering, started her business in 2023 to support her family. But her dream was always to open a storefront.
That dream became a reality in April when she opened a location on John Knox Road in Tallahassee.
Just one month later, she says a letter from her property manager informed her that the commercial lease was invalid and that she was facing eviction.
But she says the community rallied around her, helping her find a new space in Havana along Florida-Georgia Highway.
And now, she’s back open.
The new storefront of a local woman’s cafe after she was evicted from her cafe in Tallahassee.(WCTV)
“I couldn’t understand why everything was happening, but I feel like everything happens for a reason,” Reed-Hopkins said. “I think I had everyone rallying behind me and so much support even now. People still show up to support; they drive from Tallahassee, Cairo, Bainbridge, all over; we had a couple who came from Pensacola just because they wanted to come and support.”
Reed-Hopkins says Tootie’s is also bringing a new food option to Havana, offering soul and comfort food.
And despite all the challenges it took to get here, she says she’s thankful for the support.
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