ROCKINGHAM — Sly’s Famous Diner is more than a restaurant, according to 22-year-old DeMarcus Hough.
It’s a place where people can come in to not only fill their bellies, but their spirits as well.
“It’s a cold world we’re living in and I want to help change (it) any way I can,” he said.
The small soul food restaurant — named in honor of his brother Sly, who was tragically shot and killed last year — held its grand opening with the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce late Friday morning.
“He was a loving, giving person, great person, who cared to give to anyone, doesn’t matter who you are,” DeMarcus said about the diner’s namesake. “He touched a lot of people and he knew a lot of people and we just want to keep his memory going.”
A photo of Sly hangs behind the checkout counter.
There were “dark days” for the family prior to DeMarcus Hough and his mother, Linda, officially opening on Oct. 16 at Broad Street Square, quickly filling the space left by Wing Queen Cafe.
Linda Hough ran Linda’s Kitchen in Roberdel from 2009-2012.
“To see her down … I knew she loved to cook, she loved to cater and that’s what really pushed me over the edge start this for her … to get her up and moving,” he said.
However, Linda Hough said opening the new restaurant wasn’t just for her benefit, but to help her son stay focused.
“When you lose a loved one, someone so close, it’s so hard,” she said, so they started the business to “keep him busy, keep his mind occupied.”
The mother said she wanted to get back into the business and now her son is able to do some of the things she no longer can due to her health.
The diner, which serves country-style food — including fried and lemon-pepper chicken, lasagna, collards, cabbage, cole slaw, rice and fatback — has two full-time employees, two part-time employees and several family members who volunteer to help out.
Following remarks inside by Chamber Board Chairman Neil Robinette, Chamber President Emily Tucker and DeMarcus Hough, the crowd gathered outside for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
