I Love Food Group Building a Restaurant Empire in the Grand Crossing Community of 75th Street

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 11:23:11
By Ron Carter, South Street Journal Publisher

Six years ago, Quentin Love decided it was time to make a change in the inner city way of living. To raise capital for his business, Love sold his 500-disc DVD collection to friends and neighbors.

"My first restaurant was Quench and after having success, I felt the need to expand," Love says as he addressed the Black Wall Street Economic Summit. "The purpose of the I Love Food Group is to encourage a healthier lifestyle for the people and pave the way for urban communities by creating jobs and ownership."

Studies show that high blood pressure and cholesterol is very common among the Black community. For this reason, restaurateur, Quentin Love founded the, I Love Food Group (ILFG).

The I Love Food Group consists of six restaurants serving everything from soul food, fast food and family style food to vegetarian dishes. All restaurants sponsored their catering services at the BWS summit and supports the concept and campaign of 75th Street as a Black Wall Street District in Chicago.

Love partnered with four business associates, with each restaurant under the ILFG umbrella. The restaurants include Quench, with 2 locations at 510 E. 75th St. and 4653 S. Michigan, Soul Food Xpress, owned by Taron Bailey, at 2236 E. 71st St., 5 Loaves owned by the Kincaid Family at 405 E. 75th St., Vegetarian Life, owned by Rhatsiyah Worfolke, at 622 E. 71st St. and Stephanie Hart’s Brown Sugar Bakery at 328 E. 75th St. "Our mission is to position food establishments and systems where they are needed the most; right in your neighborhood," said Love .

For complete menus from The I Love Food Group restaurants visit www.ILoveFoodGroup.com.

Love, restaurateur, interior designer, community developer, professional barber, musician, and artist tells SSJ, "I am not done yet." He continues to develop and perfect his craft which at its' foundation is art, love for community and a passion for good food too. At the age of 35, he has owned and co-owned several Southside businesses. Love has owned Q-Cuts (1995), Q Cuts II (1996), Nero Menswear (1997), and Completion (1999). He continued to elevate his journey by acquiring a 30,000sq ft + space in which he housed a restaurant, a warehouse and a neighborhood Quality Discount dry cleaners.

In addition to his for profit businesses Love and two longtime friends with childhood ties to the Chatham/Park Manor community created a youth serving non-profit -The Love Foundation, Inc. (2001) also known as More Power 2 Youth. The organization provides youth development programs throughout the year that focus on education, technology, community-service, cultural enrichment, and entrepreneurship.