CAIRO, Ill. (KFVS) – Only 2.4% of U.S. business have black owners, according to one industry trade group. However, one local business owner’s passion for cooking shines bright in a community with some hardships.
”I took my last workers compensation check which was $613 to be exact and I risked it all.” Romello Orr said.
Romello Orr is the owner of Cosmic Creations in Cairo. Orr risked that money on his business and started the chicken joint out of his home. He never considered taking his business elsewhere.
“For me not to leave and still make it,” Orr said. “It means the world to me”
Staying here means something to Orr, and the rest of his community.
“It makes me happy that I can be something that can inspire our kids,” Orr said.
Since he opened his doors last summer, support has been strong.
“I understand that my people that don’t have money to spend here every day but somehow my customers find a way to support me anyway,” Orr said. “I don’t know how but I’m thankful for that.”
Heartland News caught up with a few of Orr’s customers as they grabbed lunch on Thursday afternoon, February 1.
”I been supporting him since he was in his house and his food’s pretty good,” Jaliyah Williams said.
“It’s paying off for everybody, we get good food out of the deal and Cairo gets another business,” Jeremiah Johnson said.
“Ever since he was younger, he used to cook me something to eat, and I used to go over to his house,” Angela Mitchell said.
On this first day of Black History month, Romello Orr wants you to have a taste of his food and all that small businesses have to offer.
“When it comes to local businesses, local black businesses, small businesses,” Orr said. “Support them so you can keep them because every business that you see started small.”
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