Island Soul Owner Theo Martin On Family Legacy And The Pack The House Campaign

This Rhythm & News Podcast episode shares more about the Pack the House campaign, a 10-week initiative by The Seattle Medium, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, and Byrd Barr Place to support Black-owned restaurants in Seattle. The first featured business is Island Soul Rum Bar Soul Shack in Columbia City, owned by Theo Martin. The episode traces Martin's journey from working in his father's Judkins Barbecue as a child, through a 20-year corporate career at Nordstrom, to eventually transforming the family business into Island Soul. Martin discusses the restaurant's Southern and Caribbean cuisine, challenges facing the industry, and the campaign's goal of building lasting customer relationships rather than temporary support.