Businesswoman and Restaurant owner Erika White Talks her Journey with Fat's Chicken and Waffles on We Live In Color
Photos by Jordan Somers
Deaunte Damper is back with another weekly episode of We Live In Color! In this installment, Damper Talked with Erika White, a Central District native and co-owner of Fat's Chicken and Waffles, a community hub and culinary staple within the Central District. Sitting down with Damper, White discussed her background growing up in the neighborhood, the rich community fabric of the Central District, and her journey to opening and running Fat's as it nears its ninth anniversary.
Born and raised in Madison Valley, White has lived in and around the Central District since childhood. A 1987 Garfield High School graduate, White grew up experiencing many of the Central District's iconic businesses and cultural touchstones that are now a thing of the past, such as Jordan's Drugs and Grocery, Thompson's Point of View, and more.
"Growing up in the CD, [the] 70s, and the 80s was super dope," White said. "At that time, it was just a lot of Black people. It was predominantly Black, and so you seen the culture everywhere you went. I could go to different businesses and see people that look like me. That was always an inspiration to be able to eventually own my own business, and [I] want to be able to be that person for other young Black youth to be able to look at and say, "Oh, that could be me."
White, whose own restaurant has become an integral part of the community, fondly recalls other local eateries that influenced her growing up. Notably, when White was still a student, Ezell's Famous Chicken opened its flagship location across from Garfield's campus in 1984.
"It was dope because now you had a spot that was right across the street," White said. "Get a snack pack, some fries, chicken, and a roll. Back in the day, the only thing about growing up in the 80s, $5 could take you a long way. $5 ain't going to get you nothing now."
The location of White's restaurant, situated on a corner spot on Cherry Street, holds a rich history within the Central District. Originally a burger joint called One Stop, which White frequented during her childhood, it later became Catfish Corner under the ownership of Woodrow 'Woody' and Rosemary 'Rosie' Jackson in 1985. After the original Catfish Corner changed hands and eventually closed in 2014, the space remained vacant until it was purchased by Marcus Lalario, a notable Seattle culture shifter and businessman who is also White's business partner.
"I really started focusing on what I needed to know in order to run a business," White said.
Having initially worked in the music industry for numerous years, including collaborating with Lalario, White had spent years preparing for her own business. She approached the restaurant venture with cautious optimism, aware that the location was and still is undergoing significant gentrification.
"I think every day, if you go into something and you don't have a little bit of self-doubt, then you're probably going into it a little bit too overconfident," White said.
One could argue that White had been preparing for the restaurant business her entire life. Growing up in what she called the "host house," White started in hospitality early on.
"My dad was a chef, and my aunts and uncles, you know, they would play cards and do everything. My dad would cook up an elaborate spread, and we'd eat and do our thing," White said. "So now, when they're playing cards and dominoes and doing all that, there was a bar."
White got her start in food service at this family bar, pouring drinks and making tips from family and friends as early as five or six years old. This experience, combined with being one of the youngest in her family, is what she cites as giving her the confidence to go out and make something happen, eventually leading to the creation of Fats. Her previous work in entertainment also contributed to this venture, equipping her with the experience and nerve-handling skills necessary to approach opening the restaurant successfully.
"I would get a little nervous before I went on, not that I didn't know what I was doing, but it's just like natural jitters that you get, and that lets you know that, okay, you're human, and this is just natural," White said. "Just release it and then make it happen."
Having transformed the restaurant into a spot for both regulars and customers from all over the city daily, White takes pride in being not only a born-and-raised Black business owner in the Central District but also a successful woman entrepreneur.
"It also goes to show that behind every great man, there's a strong woman," White said. "For people to be able actually to see, okay, you the boss? Yeah, I've been a boss, regardless of what you thought or what you understood a boss to look like. It's redefining how people see us and just being ambitious and going for things that I've always wanted to do."
Emphasizing the restaurant's community status, many of Fat's employees are often budding high schoolers from Garfield, having grown up in the area. This connection to the local youth underscores the restaurant's role as a cornerstone of the community.
"I love to be able to be that first job because it's something that you never forget as you're growing up," White said. "You remember your first job; you remember the people and what they showed you and how they made you feel and encouraged you. So I love to give the opportunity to anyone that wants to learn."
Working alongside White in that family-oriented atmosphere is her wife, also named Erika.
"I have a work nickname, and then they call her by her last name, but everyone knows who it is," White said. "She's been there since day one, even before she started working there, just in support of what I was doing. It's just like, yo, let's do this together. Let's just make it grow."
Incorporating family into the restaurant has proven successful, as both Erikas navigate the fast-paced restaurant culture with ease and teamwork.
"Sometimes it could be hard because people be like, "Oh, you guys do everything together," White said. "Especially when it's busy, the energies can get up, and so, in the end, we'd be like that wasn't personal. We've learned to deal with those moments because we understand what it is."
In keeping with WLIC's tradition of guest tributes, White extends her shout-out beyond a single person, honoring her family—parents, son—and lifelong friends from Garfield who have steadfastly supported her journey in turning her restaurant dream into a reality.
"I look at anyone that comes in and supports your dreams [and] enjoys what you're doing," White said. "Those are all the people that have helped me to continue to get up and be like, "Okay, let's go in there, and let's make this happen. Not just for us, but for them."
For delicious Southern-style cuisine or seeking a sense of community, visit Fat's Chicken and Waffles at 2726 E Cherry St. in the heart of the Central District. Additionally, make sure to check out "What's Good Wednesday," where DJs spin music from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. weekly!
"Come out and support, White said. "Don't just support Fats. We have a lot of Black-owned businesses, especially now in the Central District. You can walk and go down Cherry. We got different juice bars. We got Central Cafe [& Juice Bar.] Go up to Union. Go support Arte Noir. Go to Jerk Shack or Communion. I mean, just come out and just support all the businesses because we need you, just like you need us. So come and check us out."
Tune in to We Live In Color with Deaunte every Thursday on all Converge Media platforms for more engaging conversations with inspiring guests like White to hear more about advocacy, inclusivity, and living life in color!
