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Soul Food NJ Pivots to Ear Piercing: A New Experience Dining Trend

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  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/24 .. -ear-piercing-a-new-experience-dining-trend.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 4:34 GMT by NorthJersey.com

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Soul Food NJ: From Southern Classics to Ear‑Piercing Innovation – A Comprehensive Overview

The North‑Jersey Daily’s latest feature, “Soul Food NJ Restaurant Ear Piercing,” chronicles the surprising pivot of a beloved New Jersey soul‑food establishment into the world of body modification. The article follows a narrative arc that begins with the restaurant’s storied history, moves through the motivations behind a new, unconventional service offering, and concludes with an examination of the broader cultural, regulatory, and economic ramifications. In a single feature, the author stitches together interviews, regulatory filings, and community feedback to paint a picture that is at once local in its roots and forward‑thinking in its ambitions.

1. The Roots of Soul Food NJ

The piece opens by setting the scene: a modest brick‑and‑mortar eatery on the edge of Hackensack that has been a staple of the area’s African‑American community since 2005. Founded by the late Chef Kwame “K.J.” Johnson, Soul Food NJ is famed for its fried chicken, collard greens, and the signature “K.J.’s Soul‑Sauce” that has been a crowd‑pleaser for over a decade. In a series of quick vignettes, the article highlights the restaurant’s evolution—from a one‑floor diner to a bustling family‑owned business that now draws diners from across the Hudson Valley.

The author provides a brief timeline, noting that after Chef Johnson’s passing in 2021, the business was taken over by his daughter, Nia Johnson, who has been pushing the brand toward a modernized menu while staying true to its roots. The article also mentions a recent expansion into catering, community events, and a partnership with the local “Soul Food Foundation,” which supports food‑security initiatives in North‑Jersey.

2. A Surprising Pivot: Ear Piercing on the Menu

The central, and most unconventional, feature of the article is the introduction of a professional ear‑piercing service at Soul Food NJ. The article explains that, in October of this year, Nia Johnson approached a licensed local piercer, “Pierce Me NYC” (operated by veteran piercer Maya Lopez), with a bold proposition: offer certified ear‑piercing sessions to customers who purchase a meal.

The author details the behind‑the‑scenes conversation, noting that Nia wanted to create a unique “experience” that would blend culinary delight with a small personal milestone. “We’re all about the soul,” she is quoted saying, “and we thought why not let people add a little more soul to their body as well?”

The article then delves into the practical aspects of the partnership: Lopez will work only on Sundays and Tuesdays between 12 pm and 3 pm, with each piercing session priced at $35 (including after‑care kits). Nia Johnson insists that all piercers will operate under New Jersey’s Bureau of Health Services guidelines, and all equipment will be sterilized according to state and federal standards. The article quotes Johnson about her careful selection of Lopez, describing her as “trustworthy, knowledgeable, and a natural fit with our values.”

3. Regulatory Context and Health‑Safety Considerations

Readers are led through a quick primer on New Jersey’s regulations regarding body modification. The article links to the “New Jersey Department of Health: Body Modification Regulations” page, summarizing key points:

• Licensing: Piercers must hold a valid state license, which involves a background check and certification in infection control.
• Sterilization: All instruments must be sterilized using autoclaves or approved single‑use tools.
• After‑care: Clients must receive written after‑care instructions and be advised to seek professional help if complications arise.
• Insurance: Businesses offering piercings must maintain liability insurance.

The author also notes that the city of Hackensack recently updated its local ordinances to require any business offering body modification services to register with the municipal health department. The article cites an interview with the city health commissioner, who expresses support for the initiative but stresses the importance of compliance.

4. Community Reaction: Support, Skepticism, and the Cultural Significance of Body Modification

The article provides a balanced view of community sentiment. A group of regular diners expresses excitement: “It’s a unique way to celebrate a meal,” says long‑time patron, Marcus Thompson. Meanwhile, a small cluster of parents raise concerns over children: “If a kid’s going to get a piercing, it should be under adult supervision and a qualified professional.”

An additional interview with a local advocacy group, “NJ Body Mod & Health Alliance,” highlights their view that regulated piercings could reduce illegal, unsafe practices. “We’ve seen too many injuries from amateur piercers,” they say. “Partnering with a reputable business like Soul Food is a positive step.”

The piece also touches on the cultural resonance of body modification in the African‑American community, citing historical references to piercings as forms of self‑expression, resistance, and art. The article cites a small segment from a recent panel discussion on the “Soul of the Body” hosted by the Hackensack Library, in which Dr. Lillian Owens, a professor of African‑American Studies at Seton Hall, explained that modern piercings often echo the heritage of African body adornment.

5. Economic Implications and the Future of “Experience” Dining

Beyond the immediate buzz, the article speculates on broader economic trends. The author points to a growing market for “experience dining,” where customers seek more than just food. Restaurants such as Soul Food NJ are tapping into this niche by offering ancillary services that enhance the customer experience. The article links to a Forbes piece on the rise of experiential services in hospitality, summarizing data that indicates a 12% growth in such offerings over the past five years.

The article concludes with a brief discussion of how the ear‑piercing initiative could spur further diversification. Nia Johnson hints at potential future expansions, such as offering other body‑mod services, like temporary henna designs or professional hair extensions. “We’re just getting started,” she says.

6. Takeaway

In less than 1,200 words, the North‑Jersey Daily’s “Soul Food NJ Restaurant Ear Piercing” article offers a thorough, multi‑angled look at a unique business experiment. By interweaving the story of a family‑owned restaurant, regulatory context, community voices, and cultural commentary, the piece does more than simply report a quirky new service. It situates the initiative within larger conversations about food culture, body autonomy, and the evolving landscape of experiential hospitality. Readers leave with a clear sense of how a traditional soul‑food kitchen is reinventing itself—one piercing at a time.