Opening a restaurant is hard. Reopening a restaurant after six years is even harder. When Keith Corbin and Daniel Patterson announced that they were going to reopen Locol, we knew they’d need help. We immediately volunteered with a social media marketing campaign to help them get the word out. We’ve worked with Keith and Daniel on several projects, and their project to reopen Locol as part of Alta Community Foundation’s bigger mission was something we knew we wanted to support. 

We made that promise about a year ago. One month ago, Locol finally reopened with a new soul food menu, a new vision, and a renewed commitment to help the Watts community. We were there for their community barbecue and for an emotional opening day. Throughout this process we’ve been inspired by the way the neighborhood turned out for the restaurant and for Keith. As expected, the opening was covered by all the local media, and then some, with Eater, LA Times, Fast Company, KCRW, and others covering not only Keith’s menu, but Locol’s mission and role as a job-training incubator. We captured and shared content for social, introducing the new Locol to the community, and as a bonus, landed our first Fast Company photo credit.

Beyond social media, we’ve supported Locol with new handout menus (and new characters to join their family), and marketing strategy to help them find a new audience in Watts and beyond.  

Go on, head to Watts and grab a plate of soul food that’s good for your soul, and be sure to get a slice of cake if they have it. After all, it’s for a good cause.

And tag @welocol on your post, we’ll be watching!