Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimana Littleflower.
Hi kimana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I had been in the F&B industry in Downtown Charleston since 1999. That meant late nights and late mornings, which meant late breakfast! Not many breakfast all day spots existed in 2014 outside of Ihop or waffle house. So I saw the need, along with no breakfast spots in Park Circle, our beloved neighborhood. I opened The Junction to fill the void and create a space that neighbors can converge at a ‘junction’ for breakfast all day, lunch, brunch or just a cup of coffee and a chat 😉 We created a vibe that feels cozy and welcoming in our neighborhood, where you can come and enjoy eclectic eats with your friends and family.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Ooof!!! 3 months into owning my first restaurant we had a house fire. My daughter had just turned 1 year old and we lost our home and pet cat. It was devasting and extremely hard to keep tte restaurant going. Our Park Circle neighbors rallied around us and did a fundraiser, supported our brand new business and we made it through – 11 years later we still thrive on the support of our community. Covid was quite the chapter. We survived and came out stronger than ever because we adapted and provided something our community needed and they in turn supported us again. I’m the solo owner if The Junction (not many solo female owner brick n mortar restaurants!), which means I’m the only one who has to make all the decisions. This has it’s perks but also makes decisions challenging. Definitely a lot of self actualization in this business comes from.that! Becoming a single mom when my daughter was 2 and the restaurant was just over 1 year old was definitely hard to juggle but we are reaping the benefits now of all the hard work at the start to get us to where we are now.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I was an anthropology major at College of Charleston so i’m totally addicted to traveling and diving into how other cultures experience food !!! Our original menu greatly reflected those travels. The Junction’s best selling dish, the Mexican Hash, was born from a breakast in a jungle shack in Costa Rica. I love how cultural foods bring friends and family together with tastes, smells, collaboration & inspiration. I consider myself an artist as well as a chef, so I love to make things that appeal to your heart and feel familiar in some way. I’ve created The Junction esthetic from handmade decor. No investors here, just lots of love, blood sweat and tears to make what you now see within our walls.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My ex husband was my partner for opening and was an immense piece if the puzzle to getting us started, as well as a contributor to menu items, a lot of which are still on the menu (shoutout to him for our house doughnut with maple glaze!!)
I’ve had employees become family over the years who have definitely left their mark on The Junction and in my and my daughter’s heart. And I’ve had friends and family become employees! My daughter , Sora has grown up with The Junction since she was 1 year old and everyone gets to know her. She even hosts on occasion! Park Circle Community has always held us in their hearts too.
Pricing:
- Most breakfast / lunch under $12
- Brunch under $16
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.thejunctionkitchen.com
- Instagram: @thejunctionkitchen
- Facebook: @thejunctionkitchenandprovisions
