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.