The CRA’s Recipe for Success: BoJo’s Seafood Kitchen
The Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) plays a vital role in fostering economic growth within its districts, and the success of BoJo's Seafood Kitchen exemplifies this impact.
Since its inception in 2015, BoJo's has garnered acclaim for its exceptional Southern Seafood cuisine, even earning accolades on PBS's culinary program, Check Please! where esteemed Chef Michelle Bernstein and her guests enthusiastically praised signature dishes such as shrimp and grits, salmon patties, and fried snapper.
While regulars of the establishment relish these affordable and perfectly prepared delights, this beloved restaurant in the Northwest Community may have only remained a dream if it weren’t for the CRA.
Brandon Smith, the visionary behind BoJo's, nurtured his entrepreneurial spirit by enrolling in programs offered at the CRA’s Business Resource Center. These programs were designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with essential business skills which provided Smith with invaluable knowledge encompassing financial planning, marketing strategies, and other critical aspects of successful business operations.
“I knew restaurant operations,” explained Smith, “but I needed more insight into other aspects of running a financially successful enterprise.”
Smith was raised in a rich culinary tradition. His father, Alonzo Smith Sr., successfully operated Lombo’s Fish Place for 27 years in Pompano Beach, an establishment that was renowned for its exceptional seafood selection and the popular "buy and fry" model. Brandon developed an affinity for this style of cooking and planned to launch a food truck business, but the CRA once again provided critical guidance.
Through the CRA Micro Enterprise Loan program, Smith secured a $25,000 loan, enabling him to move into a prime location at 731 MLK Boulevard, a CRA-owned property.
For CRA Director Nguyen Tran, Smith’s success is a model for other local business owners. “Brandon has created one of the most beloved businesses in all of Pompano Beach, and everyone at the CRA is so proud of everything he has accomplished. He realized the opportunities that our agency offers, and he utilized them all to make his dreams a reality. Our CRA revitalizes areas, like MLK Boulevard, with the partnership of resourceful entrepreneurs who want to invest in neighborhoods to make them thrive!”
As BoJo's approaches its 10th anniversary, Smith envisions expanding the restaurant's offerings beyond its successful breakfast and lunch service. He plans to introduce Friday and Saturday night dining experiences and ultimately establish a Sunday Brunch, further enriching the culinary landscape of Pompano Beach.
