Jackson Free Press

Schimmel's restaurant served its last customer on Friday, May 21, after 11 years of operation at 2615 N. State St. in Fondren, citing the sluggish economy and lack of sales revenue.

George Schimmel restaurant investor and uncle to co-owner Jay Schimmel, said the restaurant business "is a highly competitive industry with a relatively low margin," meaning it only takes a handful of low-revenue months to send the bankroll spiraling.

The restaurant occupied a theoretical hotspot for a restaurant and entertainment venue. The building sits close to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and offered food, drink and live entertainment--but that didn't protect it from the bad economy of this past year, Schimmel said.

"The recession was not a help," Schimmel said. "When you have a restaurant that has as part of its name the words 'fine dining,' it's certainly one of those discretionary items that are easy to let go of when people are tightening their budgets."

Schimmel said the business had been in bankruptcy for several months, but moved from a re-structuring bankruptcy into liquidation this month. He said he hoped the building will remain a restaurant under different ownership, but said he could make no guarantees.

"I'll admit, it was a huge part of my world, socially," Schimmel added. "The high point of my week was Thursday night listening to blues performer Ben Payton. There's certainly a large hole in my future right now."

Schimmel's also served as a venue for benefits and community events. Jackson 2000 board member Pam Confer said she regrets the closing and questions where the progressive Jackson-centered group will now hold its luncheons.

"It was a wonderful place. I don't think there was another place in town like that one. I'm really disappointed," Confer said.
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Previous Comments

ID

157934

Comment

Thank you, George, for your hospitality to our Jackson 2000 Board for so long. I agree with another Board member, Pam, that "It was a wonderful place." I know this will be tough, George, and you will feel the hole in your life. My prayer is that as you move through this, something equally or more fulfilling will move into that void in your life and the venue will evolve into whatever is best for our wonderful city. Thank you for making it possible for so many people to have had a place to gather and learn and celebrate and eat wonderful food and drink wonderful beverages.

Author

J.T.

Date

2010-05-24T13:03:42-06:00

ID

157942

Comment

Kip, you are a right. It's a shame. But how many Friday nights have you been in there lately? Not to fault you AT ALL. But it's what I hear everytime a business closes. "Too bad, they were the best at this or that," or "I always enjoyed this or that about that place" yet, those same people hadn't darkened the doors in years. Not to put anybody out of business or out of work, but think about a city where chain restaurants were not the full ones on Friday and Saturday nights. I mean, the last time I drove by Red Lobster, for example, on a weekend night at 9pm, they were packed. Why? So that you can have bland, cookie cutter dishes that you could find anywhere else in the country? We have such a bountiful and flavorful abundance of LOCAL choices. Yeah, yeah..."stop preaching local." No. I have too many friends in business for themselevs who thrive on being "the local guy." Folks, we better get really proactive about promoting and patronizing our favorite LOCAL businesses, the emphasis being on the latter. There will be more and more Schimmels come and go if we don't put our money where our mouth is.

Author

2599

Date

2010-05-24T23:57:38-06:00

ID

157952

Comment

I am all for promoting and supporting local business owners, but I think some of the fault need to lie at their feet as well. Stop deciding what type of patron you want and being selective about who gets in; setting up your business for only a particular group of people and THEN getting mad when the business falls on hard times. There is a more affordable place down the street. That's where most people will go, especially during a recession. i'm not saying this is what happened to Schimmels, I wouldn't have a clue what happened there. I am just speaking generally for those who have businesses or are looking to start one. Consider this when you're deciding how to market your establishment.

Author

Queen601

Date

2010-05-25T15:19:40-06:00

ID

157961

Comment

What local Jackson business is being "selective about who gets in"? You make it sound as if people are being turned away at the door.

Author

Mark Geoffriau

Date

2010-05-26T11:14:34-06:00

ID

157965

Comment

I stated, this is for general knowledge for those who have businesses and/or thinking of starting one. It's just food for thought. But this does happen.

Author

Queen601

Date

2010-05-26T13:50:40-06:00

ID

157966

Comment

I wish you'd share where in Jackson this is happening. I'd love to know so that I could avoid those discriminatory businesses and not unwittingly support them with my dollars.

Author

Mark Geoffriau

Date

2010-05-26T13:53:51-06:00