Owner Belinda Hull’s decision to open Belinda’s Down Home Cooking came after she noticed there wasn’t a restaurant that served the style of food her mother used to make. She had always wanted to run her own business, and while she pondered what she should do, her son advised her she should do something unique.

Growing up with 10 siblings, Hull was always the go-to person when the family wanted some good food. Hull says 30 years of cooking for her family has given her the experience she needed to open a restaurant.

"Everybody I knew thought I was crazy for starting a business in this distressed economy," said Hull. "But when I took over the locations inside Salem Crossing Plaza, it just felt like it was meant to be."

The restaurant sees customers from all over Metro Atlanta from Buckhead to Covington. Taking up three units within the plaza, the business features a full bar which hosts live entertainment and karaoke and a luxurious dining hall where you can dine while catching the game. The entire establishment is warmly lit and exudes a cozy atmosphere.

"People will travel for good food," said Hull. "There’s nothing like this anywhere in Georgia."

Seasoned and cooked the way she remembered when she was growing up at home, Hull’s dishes feature down-home recipes like fried corn on the cob, lightly-breaded fried chicken and catfish, macaroni and cheese and desserts like red velvet cake and peach cobbler.

On top of putting in 80 hours a week at the restaurant, Hull is also a part-time real estate broker for Remax, where she has worked for 22 years. She hopes the current renovation of an event center, which accommodates 200 people, will allow customers to rent it out for weddings and other formal events. The event center is expected to finish in two weeks.

She has also recently begun catering, which she expects to take off in the coming months. There are multiple catering menus to choose from, including but not limited to breakfast/brunch buffet, The Bessie Mae menu, and Grandma’s favorites of the South.

"In my heart, I wanted to give people back something they have lost — when the baby boomers were growing up, life was simpler," said Hull. "But there’s nothing simple in life anymore.

"So when people come to the front door, they will see a sign that reads ‘home, smiles and happy memories.’ That’s what I want my customers to feel when they’re here."