Against Odds, Single Mom Finds Success In Pittsburgh Food Scene

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Starting a new business is a challenge for most, but Torie Day of Wilkinsburg overcame obstacles that would throw many off course.

Day, the owner of a successful catering business, will be opening Day La Soul Café & Grocer in the Allentown neighborhood in December.

Located at 829-831 E. Warrington Ave., the cafe will offer a fresh juice, smoothie, and herbal tea bar with a cafe style menu with a soulful spin offered by the Soul Bar.

"Day La Soul is my entrepreneurial baby and is a 10 year old dream previously suppressed," said Day. "Knowing that urban communities are food deserts that have little to no access to fresh produce and healthy food options, I knew I had to put Day La Soul where its needed most, Allentown is one of those places."

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The 30-year-old single mother of five attended Taylor Allerdice where she excelled academically and was a member of the cheerleading squad, but her youth was marked by challenges.

Her father was sent to prison for life shortly after she was born, and he died in SCI Pittsburgh in 2008. His passing was the beginning of a series of struggles.

"I became a teenage mother in 10th grade at age 14. My daughter's birth made me feel college was impossible. After all nobody in my family had gone. So after graduation I left home at 17, got a job and worked hard to make sure my daughter would be well cared for", said Day. Undeterred, day started her catering business in 2014 and has catered dozens of private and public events.

Day has received considerable support from various organizations including Urban Innovation 21, Hollymead Capital, Kiva Zip Pgh, Hilltop Alliance, Bridgeway Capital and Just Harvest.

She has also been the recipient of numerous awards and culinary honors.