​At the young and dumb age of 26, Amanda Hayden opened Cafe 212 in April of 2006 in downtown Tupelo. Jason joined in the fight a couple of years later, and they are now nearing two decades as one of downtown Tupelo's longest surviving restaurants. 

  They love to travel, love their dogs, and are surprisingly happily married (which is pretty impressive for a couple that works 2 feet from each other every day). Amanda is a Tupelo native who got her start in the restaurant industry working for her family at their local eatery, and Jason moved to Tupelo in the early 90s from Alabama (Roll Tide...sorry had to). They met in school, and basically grew up together (and continue to do so to this day).

  Jason loves people and cooking, Amanda not so much- but she's good at other things. They love most of their customers (Richard Babb is up for debate) and are very grateful for all the unwavering support the community has shown over the years.