Vicksburg local Wayne Smith has a long history helping open and run restaurants, and now he is the owner of Soulful Addiction, a new eatery serving breakfast and lunch in the Watermark building in downtown. Their opening day was Tuesday.

“I’ve been in the restaurant industry since 1998. So I’ve been wanting to open a restaurant ever since then,” Smith said.

Smith started working at Waffle House. After about four years, he left to work at Ameristar, where he helped open several restaurants and venues over 13 years. After Ameristar, he helped entrepreneurs open multiple local restaurants. He remembers his first project being KJ’s, which was located across the street from 10 South.

He also worked for several years as the kitchen manager at The Biscuit Company.

“When I left there, I said, ‘It’s time for me to do my own thing.’ And so I’ve been really preparing to (open my restaurant) ever since I left there.”

Smith said he was particularly interested in making good breakfast options.

“You need breakfast to start your day,” he said. “You know, if you don’t start today right, you just ain’t gonna have a good day at all.”

Smith said his favorite breakfast item is the french melt.

“It’s like a breakfast sandwich but made with french toast,” he said.

For lunch, he is particularly proud of his blue plate specials.

Housed in the Watermark building, the restaurant has an open roof overlooking a central garden full of tropical plants on the main floor.

“It’s a unique experience to come in here and see the scenery and all that as you eat,” he said. “It’s like a New Orleans vibe.”

Smith also said he is looking forward to the future.

“I’m super excited. I’m trying not to be too overwhelmed because I gotta cook,” Smith said. “Cause if I notice I’m opening it up and this is mine, I get nervous…. so I try not to do that. I try to act like I’m working for somebody else still.”

Soulful Addiction is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 10:30 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is located at 1415 Washington St.