Page 11 - Florida Sentinel 2-26-16 Edition

Local
Lannas Soul Food Entrees Moves To New Location
Sulphur Springs Fire Displaces Family Of Five
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Two years ago, Yolanda Allen opened her restaurant, Lanna’s Soul Food Entrees, in the West Tampa neighborhood she grew up in and that contains all of her family’s history.
An open and take-out eatery, Ms. Allen has made sure to give back to the community that has patronized her business.
On Saturday, Ms. Allen will be moving to a bigger location, only a few blocks west of her cur- rent location.
“My dream was to open up a diverse restaurant where cus- tomers could come in and sit down and enjoy their meal.
“Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, I have always tried to accommodate my customers with dishes they suggest during the week, or with my daily specials.”
Ms. Allen said she is prepar- ing for the redevelopment of West Tampa with this move, and her plans are to go nowhere, and be an important asset to the West Tama community.
“I’m proud to be the first soul food restaurant in West Tampa to offer a diverse menu.
“On February 27th, I will open
YOLANDA ALLEN
the doors at 2139 West Main Street to a setting that is perfect for my customers, because they will be able to sit and enjoy their meals.”
Ms. Allen is inviting the en- tire community to come out and help her celebrate her new loca- tion, and dedication to the people of West Tampa.
Ms. Allen wants to pay a spe- cial tribute to her customers, new and old, for helping her stay in business.
She also prepares what’s de- scribed as a healthy breakfast, and a pork-free breakfast.
“Losing my mother and grand- son set me back emotionally for a while, but by the grace of God I managed to keep my restaurant open and continue serving the people of West Tampa.”
At 4 a. m. Tuesday, Tampa Fire Rescue units were called out to a fire at 1315 East Sitka Avenue in Sulphur Springs.
When units arrived, they found a single-story wood framed home 50% involved in flames. Be- cause of the intensity of the flames and heat, fire- fighters waited briefly be- fore attempting to enter the structure.
The fire was brought under control, but not be- fore it destroyed 50% of the home.
Officials said the fire started in the front living room from an unattended cigarette. The fire caused extensive fire damage to the front and side of the home and heavy smoke damage throughout the structure.
According to officials, five people lived inside the home, one of them, 72-year-old Carmen Ortiz. In the home with her were her sons, Tony,
36, and Benny, 34, along with Samuel Calixto, 34, and a fifth person who wasn’t at home when the fire started. Everyone es- caped, with one of them suffering smoke inhala-
tion. He, along with the others, were treated and released from a local hos- pital.
The American Red Cross will be assisting the family with shelter.
This is what’s left of a home on Sitka after it was almost completely destroyed by a fire.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-A