Jackson Free Press

One of the reasons I finally broke down and started my own blog yesterday was that there are so many little bits of things I want to share with JFP readers, whether you live in Jackson or away. Truth is, since returning to my home state and moving to the big city of my youth, I've developed a love affair with this city and state—with its people (a handful notwithstanding), its spirit, its sense of place, even its complicated history that we're still trying to sort out. The best part is how many people here are so, so devoted to making this state and the city everything they can be—not denying our past, but using it, and the necessity of understanding it, as a way to catapult us past other states with less to offer, we believe.

Anyway. Suffice it to say that something special is going on here. Our office is in Fondren, which is simply a remarkable example of diverse people (racially, politically, economically, stylistically) coming together to do something special. It is a neighborhood without ugly chain stores, with charming local businesses, where you can literally walk from place to place (idiot drivers who've never seen a pedestrian notwithstanding). It is becoming a symbol of what can happen in the rest of the city, and the state. Best of all, it seems like I can just wish for something to pop up in Fondren, and it happens.

Recent developments include my new hair salon Tangle (Brian is super, and I don't have to drive to some ugly strip mall area to get my hair cut; I WALK over); the Orange Peel (a real vintage clothing store with affordable prices); the excellent new baker at Rainbow (his bread is to die for, and not too dense-healthy tasting); the pizza at Basil's; Fondren Traders moving to Rainbow Plaza (GREAT place for original gifts); wireless Internet at Que Sera.

What's on my wish list for Fondren? A great daily breakfast spot (that serves way past 9 a.m.); a used-book store with affordable books (or a second branch of Lemuria); a great restaurant in the old Woodlands with lots of veggie options; more regular nightlife. Other thoughts?

Previous Comments

ID

171741

Comment

And, and an indie movie theater. ;-)

Author

ladd

Date

2005-10-02T10:08:38-06:00

ID

171742

Comment

Moving toward downtown, I really DIG the new Red Room menu. Their bread is to die for (can you tell I love bread?), and I adore the veggie sandwich on the menu. There is nothing fried on that side of the building. Go there for lunch if you haven't, yet.

Author

ladd

Date

2005-10-03T11:41:50-06:00

ID

171743

Comment

That does sound pretty spiffy, says this fellow vegetarian bread aficionado (I used to keep a bag of submarine loaves just so I'd be able to nosh on them when I was pulling late nights on deadline). I've been mulling on a Fondren wish list, and one thing that comes to mind: We could sure use an independent, relatively low-cost gym. We've got the Baptist Healthplex, but it ain't cheap. FBC's Christian Life Center is a more reasonable $300/year, but there's no pool, and of course it isn't in Fondren. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-10-03T13:50:35-06:00

ID

171744

Comment

Great ideas, and i can attest to the red room, keller is doing a great job and working his butt off, one issue with all this cool stuff is real estate. There aren't anymore buildings in fondren and the ones that are there are occupied for the most part. If someone was able to build on a lot the curent prices would make it hard for anything to stay low cost at least on a independent basis. Development firms could change that story possibly. I really want to start a breakfast only place but where to put it state street, or old canton. Even if it was planned out where would it go? That is one reason every "entrepreneur" gets a franchise and moves to madison because they can build out there and not have to rent or lease.

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2005-10-04T07:09:12-06:00

ID

171745

Comment

"I've been mulling on a Fondren wish list, and one thing that comes to mind: We could sure use an independent, relatively low-cost gym. We've got the Baptist Healthplex, but it ain't cheap. FBC's Christian Life Center is a more reasonable $300/year, but there's no pool, and of course it isn't in Fondren. " - TH You know, I said that the old McRaes location would be a PRIME gym. It might not have a pool but can you imagine the top-of-the-line facility otherwise? Plus, it'd be walking distance for me. ;-)

Author

kaust

Date

2005-10-04T07:31:25-06:00

ID

171746

Comment

Duane and I have had a concept for a business for quite some time (cafe/bar) but I have to agree with NEP that the real estate has become limited. I'd really like to see more people looking at the Meadowbrook area. There's lots of real estate that could be developed that hasn't been. We're also looking at downtown but would prefer to walk to work and rely on the neighborhood for support rather than the bedroomers that flee @ 5pm M-F.

Author

kaust

Date

2005-10-04T07:37:15-06:00

ID

171747

Comment

Is the Capri up there still in one piece? Or did they tear it down?

Author

Ironghost

Date

2005-10-04T10:37:20-06:00

ID

171748

Comment

I just asked the same question. From what I hear there's little happening but independent and rare events. It's like the King Edward of Fondren. SOOOO much potential... So many hurdles.

Author

kaust

Date

2005-10-04T10:55:21-06:00

ID

171749

Comment

I'd love to see it back in one piece, but it'd cost a pile.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2005-10-04T12:51:34-06:00

ID

171750

Comment

Knol, agreed on Meadowbrook. I actually talked to some folks at a church up there the other day who were trying to figure out whether to expand their lot, or chunk it and buy a new building in Fondren or somewhere. One of the arguments against moving, presented by an urban planner, was that Meadowbrook was becoming, in effect, a suburb of Fondren--so expanding the lot would be an extremely shrewd move, because the property will be worth heaps in a few years. The area is ripe for development. But then the King Edward Hotel has also been sitting there dormant for a long time, so who knows. It'll take capital. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2005-10-04T13:01:29-06:00

ID

171751

Comment

Meadowbrook couldnt be more different than fondren in terms of demographic that is served.i'm curious to know how room service is making it down there since they are farther from the fondren lunch rush. The meadowbrook area businesses and residents do not seem to adopt a "fondren" mentality. the forgotten side of state street is the same way in some places, I think it is hard to tell whether that area is getting better or not. The bars on the windows at some establishments tell me no.

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2005-10-04T13:29:39-06:00

ID

171752

Comment

not, I understand somewhat... Still, when 40% or more of property is empty or constantly being re-opened and closed, there's a lot more you can add to the demographic that can be served. For most in Fondren (the chunk between Fondren Corner and Meadowbrook), both are pretty much equidistant. It would be foolish for some developers not to come in and begin transforming the area while the "gettin's good". Fondren Corner was in a similar bind for quite a while and a few changes made the area more appeasing to most in the neighborhood. The retail was diversified (or in many cases added) which brought in a greater demographic. It will take a plan much like the one that made FoCo a growing success. I'd personally like to see Barnes re-open. I miss being able to walk to a plant store!

Author

kaust

Date

2005-10-04T13:52:48-06:00