Charleston Women Spring 2021

www. Char l es tonWomen . com | www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com CW Workshop, a group of incubator kitchens for chefs to perfect their skills and menus. Hudgins was adamant about not opening a restaurant at first. “My husband owns restaurants, and I just didn’t want to be tied down to one of my own.” Instead, she committed to a three- month stint at Workshop that turned into a year. “The option to walk away at any time was appealing. But what it really did was give me confidence in my food.” Not only was it successful, but Hudgins noticed that most of her customers were from Mount Pleasant, so ultimately, the location for a restaurant was a no-brainer. It’s a small menu by design. Much of it is gluten- free. All of her children have food allergies, so dietary restrictions are top of mind. Even the egg roll recipe has been modified to include no eggs or dairy of any kind. Hudgins knows her audience and wants Little Miss Ha to be the kind of place you can afford to visit once or twice a week. The space itself is a little jewel box tucked into the Whole Foods shopping area on Houston Northcutt Boulevard. Mixed media on the walls vies for your attention. It’s part Vietnamese kitsch, part Asian shabby chic, with attractive lighting. There’s a long, well-lit bar and tables that are well-spaced. Little Miss Ha opened on February 13, 2020, exactly one month before the full force of the pandemic hit. Hudgins remarked that since then, it has literally felt like they have had to change their model every week. “Failure was not an option for this family,” she insisted. “Luckily, we could pivot, and we did.” Her catering experience was a plus. She already knew how to package food for home delivery, complete with reheating instructions. “Asian food reheats well,” she added gratefully. “In the beginning, we delivered everywhere and did really well. As places began to open and people had more options, we took a hit, but we pivoted again.” Today, half their business is still take-out. When asked if she can see more restaurants in her future, Hudgins laughed with a tiny twinkle in her eyes. “Perhaps a space for additional catering,” she mused. No doubt she’s thinking about those egg rolls, and which of her own children to enlist for the next assembly line. Little Miss Ha Vietnamese Cuisine is located at 915 Houston Northcutt Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. Visit online, at littlemissha.com , or call 843-388-7251. lowcountry cuisine Whether you're shopping for yourself, looking for a gift, or decorating your table, our boutique has curated exceptional pieces from around the world just for you. Visit Our Store in Belle Hall 616 D Long Point Road Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 Shop Online www.lavenderhilldesigns.com