ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - A new business is moving into a westside Albany strip mall that could use a bit more foot traffic.

From seafood to soul food, Sista’s Soul Food Kitchen really has everything. The owner says she’s looking forward to contributing to the economy in the city she was born and raised in.

“Blessed to be an Albanian. I was born and raised here, and I’ve been living here all my life. I just wanted to contribute something to the community,” Sista’s Soul Food Owner Lazela Mathis said.

In a plaza that once lacked commercial traffic, new businesses are being added and Lazela Mathis hopes this positive trend continues.

”We want to bring more business to the area. In this plaza, if you look around it looks like there is nothing going on. If we bring something here maybe they’ll put something in that old store over there. Hopefully, this small step will be a product of them building something bigger,” Mathis said.

The Albany Dougherty Economic Commission President Jana Dyke is excited that this business is expanding in the city. Dyke believes this is a great way to invest in the community.

“It’s always a win when local businesses come to the community because they’ve seen the investment that can be made, they stimulate our economy and create new jobs,” Dyke said.

The owner of Sista’s Soul Food Kitchen hopes her family’s restaurant will provide locals in Albany with affordable quality food and further stimulate the economy.

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