Upscale restaurant downtown looks for November opening

We decided to use our time (and space) to catch up on a few of the comings and goings in Jackson Business.

Chandelier Café and Cater

The next step in the renaissance of downtown Jackson comes in the form of an upscale restaurant, Chandelier Café and Cater, at The Neely House, 575 S. Royal Ave.

The restaurant’s owner is Jennifer Dickerson, who moves to Jackson from Memphis.

“At one time, Jennifer was a chef at McEwen’s in Memphis, and I’m very excited,” Hal Crocker said. “This is the next step for our downtown to be what we want it to be.”

Crocker, who owns Crocker Construction and The Neely House, co-developed Healthy Community LLC, better known as Jackson Walk with Memphian Henry Turley.

“This helps extend the boundaries of the downtown area,” Crocker said. “The Royal Street area is one of the oldest in Jackson, and used to be a viable part of the city. It’s also the center of the old railroad district.

“It’s great to pick up the Neely House and train depot and incorporate them into the renaissance of the downtown area.”

Crocker said the restaurant, which he believes will open in November, has leased the bottom floor of The Neely House.

“It’s across from NC&STL Train Depot (Nashville Chattanooga),” Crocker said. “They will access about 4,000 square feet.”

Bus station

When the Greyhound Bus Station at 407 E. Main St., was listed for sale in April, it caused a flurry of discussion, but little else.

“Nothing at this moment,” Hal McIver, United Country McIver Land and Realty LLC, said. “No new news at this point. We’ve had some people looking, but nobody has pulled the trigger. The right person has got to want it, and have a plan for it.”

McIver said the asking price for the 5,692 square foot, 76-year-old building remains at $375,000.

Test your knowledge

After drinking a cup of locally produced coffee in Nashville, which U.S. president coined the phrase “good to the last drop!” A) Andrew Jackson B) Andrew Johnson C) James K. Polk D) Theodore Roosevelt (answer can be found at the end of the column)

Firehouse Subs

Firehouse Subs debuts in Jackson at 907A Vann Drive. The location was the former home of United Steaks.

“Firehouse has started its build out and should open before the end of the year,” Brandon Buchanan, principal broker with Buchanan Realty said. “They have a unique sandwich concept, and we’re excited about having them in the center.”

Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless, a prepaid provider of wireless voice, text, and data services, subsidiary of AT&T Inc., moves next door to Firehouse Subs at 907B Vann Drive, after Madison Men (haircuts) left for 408 Oil Well Rd.

The store will be the third for Cricket Wireless.

Nothing doing

Starbucks had in its plans to add the former AmSouth Bank building on the Old Hickory Mall parking lot, near the corner of N. Highland Avenue and Old Hickory Boulevard, but that is not happening, according to company officials.

“The building is still available, this would be a great time to interject,” Robert Snetman, senior director of Peripheral Development with CBL & Associates Properties of Chattanooga, said. “The building is 3,000 square feet.”

Bemis Mill

From the outside looking in, it doesn’t look like much activity at the Bemis Mill, but in about seven months, the building will be history.

“You can’t see what’s going on, but we have three sections of the building,” Christian Morton, Bemis LLC managing partner said. “With each section taking two-and-a-half months each, the actual deconstruct will probably take until April.”

Morton said he understood the emotions attached to the structure, but after a six-month delay, it was time to begin the inevitable.

“We gave the city two acres of land, some bricks and wood to build a memorial,” Morton said. “It has to go, because eventually it was going to fall apart.”

The 364,000-square-foot building was erected in 1900 and has been vacant since 1993.

Answer

The answer to the business quiz is D) Theodore Roosevelt.

David Thomas, 425-9637