When Steven Hartsock opened Socks Love Barbecue in 2018, he fulfilled a dream he didn’t know he had. Located in a Cumming strip mall, the counter-service restaurant became a magnet for barbecue enthusiasts from the Atlanta metro area , with some fans traveling from as far away as Texas . After years of perfecting his smoked brisket, Hartsock has turned the keys over to new ownership. The sale marks the end of one chapter, but for Hartsock, barbecue has always been more than just a business.

It started as a hobby. Hartsock began working in construction after he graduated high school and enjoyed having a creative outlet on the side. He valued sharing meals with friends and family, and barbecue lends itself nicely to casual gatherings. “There’s something special about food and sharing a

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