STAUNTON — Latin Soul is Bessy Peralta’s baby. She and her partner, Jeff Coffey, opened the restaurant at the beginning of 2024, combining their love of food from Peralta’s Central American roots and Coffey’s African-American roots.
But Peralta also had experience in preparing Mediterranean food, and she and Coffey have always had it in the back of their minds to open a restaurant that features that style of food.
The two found a spot for rent not far from Latin Soul and decided not to wait any longer. Helios, a Mediterranean restaurant, will open in early December. The restaurant will be located on the first floor of the American Hotel at 125 S. Augusta St. in Staunton, directly across from the train station loading platform. It is the former home of Serendipity, which closed in 2023.
“Mediterranean food is something that attracts me because it’s so healthy and so different,” Peralta said. “Not a lot of people have the knowledge of that food.”
The concept will be similar to a Chipotle restaurant, but instead of Mexican food it will be Mediterranean. Customers will enter the front door and, to their left, will build a salad bowl or pita pocket. They can choose their protein — gyro meat, chicken, steak or falafel.
There are also grains and greens available, as well as a variety of dippings and toppings. Salads and dressings will also be available. The restaurant will offer lentil and chicken noodle soup and desserts, including baklava, chocolate chip cookies and tiramisu.
The two have been talking about the idea with customers at Latin Soul and have only heard encouraging comments.
“They’re looking for a healthy option,” Coffey said.
The couple has had the space since July and have slowly been working to get it ready, including a new paint job with bright colors. Peralta, who is an expert seamstress, upholstered the chairs in the restaurant herself.
Empowering employees
The two also own Sweet Addie’s, a Belgian waffle restaurant on West Beverley Street. Two restaurants keep them busy, but the chance to open a third was something the two couldn’t pass up. But it won’t just be the two of them. Peralta said the couple wants to give some of the responsibility, and ownership, to their dedicated employees.
“We are trying to allow our employees who want to grow, be partners,” she said. “We are going to have a manager here (at Helios) but at the same time she’ll own a percentage.”
Ana Palacios will be the manager of the new restaurant.
“Every time we open a new location we want the people who really want to grow, to grow,” Peralta said. “We don’t want people to work seven years in the same position. Sometimes the owners aren’t thinking about them. This will be an opportunity. I want to see the same passion that I have in them.”
Peralta has worked in the restaurant industry since arriving in the United States from El Salvador in 2002. She has worked all levels of restaurants, from bussing tables to kitchen staff to serving to management. For years she was working long hours to put money in someone else’s pocket. That’s one of the reasons she and Coffey launched their own restaurant – they want to make sure their employees are rewarded for their work.
“We want to make another happy place in Staunton,” Peralta said.
— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.