New Caribbean Cuisine Restaurant Planned in Benton Harbor with Cornerstone Guidance

Just Like Momma's to open permanent location, create jobs and training opportunities

Feb. 24, 2026 at 3:20am

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A successful Caribbean-inspired restaurant food truck in the Benton Harbor, Michigan area is adding a permanent brick-and-mortar location with guidance from Cornerstone Alliance Entrepreneurial Services. The new Just Like Momma's restaurant, opening on February 27, will feature vibrant Caribbean cuisine and create 8-10 new jobs while also providing hands-on hospitality training opportunities for the community.

Why it matters

The new Just Like Momma's restaurant represents an expansion of a local minority-owned small business that has found success with its food truck and catering operations. It also demonstrates Cornerstone Alliance's commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and workforce development in the Benton Harbor area, which has faced economic challenges in recent years.

The details

Just Like Momma's, founded in 2018 by husband-and-wife team Josef and Tracy-Ann Bullocks, will open its new permanent location at 456 S. Fair Avenue in Benton Harbor. The restaurant's menu will feature a blend of Caribbean and soul food favorites like jerk chicken, Jamaican oxtails, Caribbean goat, and reggae ribs. In addition to the food, the new location will host themed nights with live music, comedy, and karaoke. As part of their community investment, the Bullocks and Cornerstone Alliance will also launch a Hospitality Education and Training program to provide hands-on experience and workforce readiness skills.

  • Just Like Momma's food truck and catering operations were founded in 2018.
  • The new permanent restaurant location will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.

The players

Just Like Momma's

A Caribbean-inspired restaurant that started as a food truck and catering business in the Benton Harbor area, and is now opening a permanent brick-and-mortar location.

Josef and Tracy-Ann Bullocks

The husband-and-wife team who founded Just Like Momma's in 2018 and are now expanding the business to a permanent restaurant location.

Cornerstone Alliance Entrepreneurial Services

The organization that has provided guidance and support to the Bullocks in launching the new Just Like Momma's restaurant, including through its Business Plan Certified program.

Purpose Church Ministries

The organization that is partnering with the Bullocks on the new Just Like Momma's restaurant location.

Brandy Jaquez

The Director of Entrepreneurial Services at Cornerstone Alliance.

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What they’re saying

“Cornerstone Alliance Entrepreneurial Services is proud of recent Business Plan Certified graduate, Tracy-Ann Bullocks, and her husband, Josef, as they broaden their hospitality venture with Just Like Momma's new restaurant. Enriching our community with good food and entertainment is a key contribution this new business will bring.”

— Brandy Jaquez, Director of Entrepreneurial Services at Cornerstone Alliance

“As pastor of Purpose Church Ministries and founders of Just Like Momma's, our goal is to bring the community together in a place that celebrates culture while offering great food and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.”

— Josef Bullocks

What’s next

The new Just Like Momma's restaurant location is scheduled to open on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. with a grand opening celebration.

The takeaway

The expansion of the Just Like Momma's restaurant business, with support from Cornerstone Alliance, demonstrates the potential for minority-owned small businesses to thrive in the Benton Harbor community by offering unique culinary experiences and creating new job and training opportunities.