In Jacksonville, Arkansas, Kusina Cuisine, an Asian-Infusion restaurant, brings a unique blend of diverse flavors to the community. This new venture is the passion project of husband-and-wife duo, Jason and Arlyn Fox.

Jason, a retired Air Force Senior Logistics Manager, credits the idea of Kusina Cuisine to his wife, Arlyn. Arlyn’s culinary journey began in Guam, where she owned Meryenda, a successful eatery from 2018 to 2020. After moving to Jacksonville in 2021, they combined her culinary skills with his management expertise to create something special.

Arlyn’s extensive food industry experience, including being head chef at Rickenbacker’s in Jacksonville and over 20 years as a quality assurance manager for LSG Sky Chefs, makes her perfect to lead Kusina Cuisine’s kitchen. Her accolades, such as Guam Employee of the Year in 2018 and Asian Pacific Team of the Year in 2019, highlight her dedication and skill.

Kusina Cuisine’s menu features dishes from the Philippines, Hawaii, Guam, and South Korea, reflecting Arlyn’s travels and culinary adventures. “We wanted to introduce a broader cultural experience that everyone could enjoy,” Jason said. Their motto, “embrace the taste,” captures their vision of offering a diverse and rich dining experience.

The restaurant is currently in the full swing of its soft opening. Jason shared that they are working toward opening for dinner service as the next step. “Once we have that in place and everyone feels comfortable, we’ll move forward with our grand opening,” Jason said. They are aiming for the middle of January 2025.

Securing a brick-and-mortar location in Jacksonville marked a significant milestone for the Foxes as they prepared to bring their vision to life. To equip their kitchen with essential tools, they turned to the Arkansas Federal Credit Union, which referred them to Communities Unlimited’s (CU) Lending Team. Working closely with Economic Development Loan Officer Candence Brooks, they secured a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan, successfully closing on June 27, 2024.

The funding played a crucial role in helping the Foxes address unexpected challenges and outfit the restaurant.

“We used the funding to purchase several items,” Jason said. “We bought more kitchen equipment, like a convection oven, and dining utensils such as plates and spoons. The funding also helped us get an exhaust hood and replace about 30 feet of rusted plumbing we discovered in the walls. We had to rip open the walls and redo all of that. We also used the money to install a fire suppression system, a fire alarm system, and to put a down payment on security cameras.”

Jason expressed deep appreciation for the support he received from CU during the process.

As Kusina Cuisine continues its soft opening and prepares for its grand opening in January, Jason and Arlyn remain excited to share their culinary vision with Jacksonville.

“I often tell my wife we’re lucky to have met such incredible individuals throughout this process,” Jason said. “With my inexperience, there were moments I wanted to give up, but the support from Communities Unlimited kept us going. Initially, I thought we could open a restaurant with just $21,000, but setting up the kitchen showed me how unprepared I was. This journey has been a learning experience, and I’m grateful for everyone who has helped guide us.”