A unique restaurant has taken root downtown: Flora Jean’s.
Founded by sisters Helen Grace King, Leila King and sister-in-law Kamiya King, Flora Jean’s is a welcoming hub for those seeking healthy, nourishing meals.
The idea was born out of the sisters’ own health journey during the pandemic. As they navigated the challenges of running their first restaurant, @ The Corner Modern Diner, they found solace in reconnecting with nature and the healing power of nutrient-dense food. Inspired by their journey, they reimaged their original vision for the space.
“We felt the effects of food as medicine,” Helen Grace says. “We were excited to give that to the community because she's a gift.”
Flora Jean’s name reflects its plant-focused menu and location in a former denim factory. Once the sisters felt aligned with their new vision, the restaurant's concept took shape in one afternoon. They were able to open their doors only a few months later.
“We just listened to our gut, and it all came together so easily,” she says.
Central to Flora Jean’s mission is sustainability. The restaurant prioritizes sourcing ingredients locally and works with other trusted partners nationwide to bring high-quality organic goods to Little Rock. The menu changes with the seasons, thanks to a digital QR code system that allows for seamless updates. This adaptability ensures dishes are fresh, creative and reflective of what’s available at any given time.
Beyond the food, Flora Jean’s compliments the sisters’ other venture, Sixth House, a wellness studio offering yoga, meditation, sound baths and more.
“Flora Jean’s is the food as medicine portion, and Sixth House is the movement as medicine portion,” she says.
As it has settled into the community, Flora Jeans not only nourishes the bodies of residences but also builds a sense of community. Helen Grace said it’s created a space for people, especially families with kids who have dietary restrictions.
As the sisters continue to grow Flora Jean's, they continue to grow their mission by making wellness accessible and affordable for people.
“A lot of people don’t feel like Flora Jean’s is for them because she’s vegetarian, but she’s for everyone,” Helen Grace says.
Now in its third year, they are focused on deepening their community education efforts, teaching people how nutrient-dense foods can heal the body.
“Our goal for 2025 is to dive into the education piece, to help people understand what food as medicine means and the importance of combining certain foods,” she says. “We want to make it accessible in layman's terms so people can truly grasp the benefits of this way of eating."
Sixth House has offered a speaker series in the past, and Helen Grace says they plan to continue that into the next year, pairing menus with the series' messages.
The restaurant is a place full of passion for them and they hope that others will come to try the food and share in that.
“Flora Jean’s keeps us on our own path,” she says. “So when we get off the bandwagon, or life makes us take a detour, she brings us back to our core and our mission because she's ultimately what we believe in.”
Flora Jean’s is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It’s located at 433 East Third Street. They also offer a supper series, so be on the lookout for dates for that. For more information, visit their website at eatcleanflorajeans.com.
“Our goal for 2025 is to dive into the education piece, to help people understand what food as medicine means and the importance of combining certain foods."
“Flora Jean’s keeps us on our own path ... she brings us back to our core and our mission because she's ultimately what we believe in.”