Helen Holmes: Ms. Girlee’s Kitchen

It took nearly two years of saving and hosting regular fish frys
for Helen Holmes to raise the money she needed to open Ms.
Girlee's Kitchen in Fulton.


Holmes raised her family in the East End neighborhood and family
is the secret to Ms. Girlee's success.


The restaurant is named for Holmes' grandmother Girlee Francis
Crump. Grandma Girlee also provided the inspiration for recipes
like meatloaf, fried chicken, and mac & cheese.


Holmes and her brother Frank Crump both plan the menu and execute
that vision in the kitchen. It's a vision that has had to adjust.


Days after the restaurant opened its door in March 2020, COVID-19
descended upon Virginia and forced restaurants to rethink the way
they do business. 


Ms. Girlee's transformed into a take out restaurant with hungry
diners traveling from across Central Virginia to try the old
fashion Southern dishes. 


 


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