SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- A Springfield woman fulfilled a childhood dream Thursday with the grand opening of A Taste of Tradition in the city’s Indian Orchard neighborhood.

Lia Warrick, who grew up in Springfield and returned home from Atlanta, opened the restaurant’s doors after years of planning. “This was a childhood dream that I always had with my mom and my grandmother. They’re really good cooks,” Warrick said. “It feels amazing it almost feels like serial, you know. I’m super excited and feel privileged to feed my community.”

The menu mixes traditions that Warrick believes represents the diverse community. “We have some things from the South that we brought and put on our menu. We have a Cuban heritage, so we have some Cuban things on our menu. Syrian, we’re Syrian as well, so there’s some Syrian and, of course, American dishes and traditional breakfast that everyone loves,” Warrick explained.

Warrick grew up cooking in the kitchen with many members of her family and is now bringing those experiences to the restaurant. “It’s a lot of my family’s recipes, so it feels great to put it out,” she added.

A Taste of Tradition is one of many restaurants on Main Street in Indian Orchard that city leaders and the community hope to add to the neighborhood, making it a dining district.

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