Down to the Bone was established in Charlotte NC, by Thomas and Linda Hamilton,
who moved from their native New York City (Linda in 2000 and Thomas in 2002).
Linda who comes from a long line of Restaurateurs, Barbers and Cosmetologists, has
always dreamed of opening a Soul Food Restaurant where she would have the
opportunity to work side by side with her mother.
She grew up watching and learning as her mother (a retired cosmetologist) prepared
meals in their home and was impressed by the first reactions from those who ate her
mothers' food. Linda dreamed someday to open a restaurant with her mother in NYC,
however, when her parents retired in 1994 they moved here to Charlotte to be closer
to their native South Carolina.
Finally torn between her job and her dream, Linda decided, after 17 yrs., to resign
her position as an executive assistant in 1997. She pursued and received a license in
cosmetology so that she could make the transition from NYC to Charlotte. Having
mastered chemical treatment/color and precision cutting, Linda moved to Charlotte in
July of 2000 with the intention to open a hair salon. After weighing the two options,
her love for cooking had to be the priority if she wanted to have the opportunity to
cook with her mother.
Thomas who was Deputy Program Director at NDRI's (National Drug & Research
Institutes) Center for AIDS Outreach and Prevention, for 16 yrs. A program whose
goal was to provide street based HIV/AIDS education, prevention and drug
treatment referrals to NYC's drug addicted population. Thomas was also a
consultant/ trainer for the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and for the National
Institute for Drug Abuse. He joined Linda permanently in August of 2002, where
they both would make incredible career changes.
The couple decided then that they would seek out the right location for their
restaurant. After almost choosing several locations they inquired at Gold Hill
Pavilion, but was told that the hero shop that occupied that space had exclusive food
rights there. A short time later a friend was visiting from NY and Linda brought her
over to the Pavilion to see her son's new Tax office upstairs. Afterwards they went
down to Mr. Hero's to get something to eat. Linda was walking around and looking as
if she were inspecting the place. She returned to the table and quietly said to her
friend, "this is my restaurant" That was in January of 2003. Down to the Bone
opened its doors on September 15, 2003. Linda did get the opportunity to cook
with her mother for the first year at Down to the Bone.
Thomas and Linda certainly have the right ingredients for running and maintaining a
successful business. They built their reputation and continue to stand firm on
excellent customer service, excellent food, excellent price, served up in an excellent
atmosphere... serenading the soul with Motown Oldies, R&B, Disco, and Jazz.
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