WESTLAKE, Ohio — A Columbus-based restaurant is doing its part to help fight homelessness across Northeast Ohio.
Hot Chicken Takeover, a Nashville-style fried chicken restaurant, just opened its first location in the Cleveland area.
Located at 242 Main St. at Crocker Park in Westlake, Hot Chicken Takeover is giving the community more than just good comfort food.
A few weeks ago, the restaurant donated one dollar for every meal they sold in the first four days they were open, raising $3,900. They then gave that money to Neighborhood Alliance, a social services organization, helping to fight homelessness.
In addition to the donations, Hot Chicken Takeover went a step further and employed two people who are assisted by the Neighborhood Alliance organization’s shelter.
“[Hot Chicken Takeover] is a great opportunity for them to have stable employment, build their income and create the life that they want,” said Alicia Foss, Neighborhood Alliance president and CEO.
The two new employees of Hot Chicken Takeover are a newly married couple ready for a fresh start.
“It’s been a blessing for us, me and my wife. we just got married this past Saturday, thank God for that,” Don Wilson Sr. said. “The job is going great! They’ve got great benefits. I would like to be a GM or assistant GM.”
Wilson and his wife are happy to work at Hot Chicken Takeover as they work to build a life together outside of the shelter.
RELATED: Hot Chicken Takeover brings the tastes of Nashville with its first Cleveland location
This story is part of A Better Land, an ongoing series that investigates Northeast Ohio's deep-seated systemic problems. Additionally, it puts a spotlight on the community heroes fighting for positive change in Cleveland and throughout the region. If you have an idea for A Better Land story, tell us here.
