Today we’d like to introduce you to KAREN HENRY-GARRETT.
KAREN, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have a BA in English Language and Literature, graduating in 1995. I was recruited to work for ISA which was a well paid job in Nottinghill London but mu boss made my life hell for 18 months so I resigned after and saved the money to train at the Tante Marie (a Cordon Bleu school) in greater London When I graduated I started my own catering business in London and worked for businesses, universities, private clients, Lords and Ladies. I married and had our son who I would take to work with me. We moved to Boston 2005 on an H1B visa. I found a vacant hair salon which I remodeled and turned into a cafe/restaurant in 2008 which I owned for 10 years in Dorchester. To me my biggest achievement was to have integration among blacks, Vietnamese, Irish, white, caribbean,gays, transgender, young, old. Dot 2 Dot was the community spot for everyone. I helped artists, musicians, actors and other small businesses that needed a space to start up. I trained young people to work in hospitality and saw them grow into responsible adults. We changed the policy for alcohol licences to be affordable to small businesses. I was helped by some of the local politicians and community leaders. I lost Dot 2 Dot because of the next door business lying about my financial staus to the landlord. We decided to move to Georgia to open a Bed and Breakfast and I have a commercial kitchen here which I use to offer dinners, brunches, catering and events.
Eatonton GA is a small town with a long way to go for true integration. We live in a house with antebellum history and our doors are open to everyone who wants to come over for dinner. We are politically active for local issues – I ran for City Council, and recently campaigned for my husband for County Commissioner.
In December 2002 I had a brain aneurysm that wrote off the next year but I was marching for Jimmy Davis Park within 6 months of getting home. In 2025 I am still struggling with health issues but continue to be vocal for local politics and try to help others whenever I can.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No – a ridiculous amount of health issues,. Heart surgery, long term illness auto immune that affects my arteries (Takeyasu), pacemaker, brain aneurysm,
Not enough foot traffic to make the business successful. People here who do not like what I have to say and think I should go back to where I came from.
Up against the Sheriff, the Mayor and his wife,
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I became a chef because of having a nightmare boss and decided to resign rather than making myself sick.
Everything I do is ‘made from scratch’ and offered to everyone. Changing the perception of what is the norm, thinking outside of the box, accepting the challenge to create food that can be enjoyed by someone with specific dietary restraints.
I am most proud of having integrated so many of the different populations living in Dorchester, Boston and having them sit together with food being the joining component that ended up with friendships, marriage, babies and seeing artists, musicians, writers, actors move on to their goals for being something else.
I think that coming from a different part of the world has allowed me to cross the racial divide, to speak to everyone, everywhere and not be afraid to speak my truth. To always want to make a change that will benefit the community. To demonstrate and march for important issues.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I wanted to fly – escape to another part of the world. I was quiet, tidy, an avid reader, cared about my siblings and wanted to protect them. I wanted to travel. I learned to cook from my grandmother and mother because that was expected. Reading was escapism. I loved my English classes. University was not an option. Being bought up as a JW was hard. Trained to be obedient, not question, have respect for parents, elders. Learned to speak publicly and answer at meetings but not to question.
I never wanted to see anyone bullied, hurt or humiliated because they werent part of the ‘group’. My music tastes were not what my peers were listening to. We did not watch TV, party, drink, smoke or have sleepovers.
I married too young because of the religion and wasted 6 years of my life before I could find what I wanted to do.
Now my interest is to play the piano, master Italian so that I can live there, write a book, leave a legacy here in Eatonton GA.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dot2dotinn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/londonofmypastandfuture/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dot2dotcafe/
