One Jackson institution has new life breathed into it by the brain trust behind the much celebrated Elvie’s, while another Jackson establishment prepares to close its doors.
On the heels of the highly anticipated reopening of The Mayflower Café in downtown Jackson, a favorite Irish pub, Fenian’s, announced its pending closure.
Hello, Mayflower
The new owners of theiconicMayflower, Hunter Evans and Cody McCain, welcomed a packed housewhen it officially reopened on Monday.The89-year-oldrestaurant,locatedonWestCapitolStreet, opened for lunch, served weekdays from11 am to 2 pm,on a first come, first served basis.Reservationsarerecommendedfor dinner,servedfrom 4 pm to 9 pm Tuesday through Saturday.
Emily Hartmantold WLBT News she was lucky to get a boothon Monday.“When I walked in the door,it…brought back my childhood,” said the Jackson native. “I have really sweet memories of being here.”
Evans,34,the executive chefand recent nominee for a 2024 James Beard Award,boughtThe Mayflower in Aprilwith McCain, the general manager. The pair are the brain trust behind another Jackson dining standout, Elvie’s, located in the Belhaven neighborhood.
Renovations to The Mayflower took place all summeras they freshened up theinsideand the menu, while also retaining its original charm.
They added a new bathroom, an improvement over the old one, which included a trek outside and up a flight of stairs.“Our goal (was) to… keep the classic nostalgia,” said Evans, who also co-owns Elvie’s with McCain.
“We heard a lot of stories about this place,” McCaintold WLBT News. “We’re both from Jackson, and we grew up eating in Jackson downtown…we wanted to take the opportunity to further along the stories and create those for the next generations to come.”
Oysters, steak, gumbo, and Gulf shrimpare back.Fried green tomatoes with comeback sauce is ahighlightedappetizer.Today’s blue plate special:braised brisket with mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and green beans for $13.95.
New to the lineup:co*cktails and wine.
Third-generation owner Jerry Kountourisclosed the restaurantin2022, after 87 yearsunder family ownership.Astaple of downtown Jacksonlife, itwas featured in The Helpand Ghosts of Mississippi.
Goodbye,Fenian’s
A day after theMayflowerofficially reopened,the staff atFenian’s Pub on Fortification Street in Jacksonwrote a goodbye letteron Facebook. Within an hour of its post, nearly 600 people hadreacted,some200hadcommented;369hadshared the news.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of Fenian’s Pub after nearly 28 years of serving this incredible community,” posted the Fenian’s Pub Team. “Since opening our doors, we’ve been honored to be a place where friends gathered, memories were made, and the spirit of Jackson was celebrated.We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported us over the years. Your loyalty, laughter, and friendship have meant the world to us.Though this chapter is coming to an end, the memories we’ve shared will last a lifetime. Thank you for being a part of the Fenian’s Pub family.”
“So sad,” Greg Pigottadded. “Great times singing karaoke there.”
Billy Smithsaid Fenian’s “kept me sane while my wife was in UMMC for a few months for cancer treatments.”
Sherry Cothren recalled:“Many stages of life enjoyed there.”
“I remember vomiting in the corner here,”addedAshley Dorsey.
Some people blamed thearguablychallengingbusinessclimate of Jacksonfor its closure.
“Great job, Jackson! Keep up the good work! You’ll be a lifeless smoking crater in no time,”postedMarty Robertson.
Established in November 1996, Fenian’s Pub & Restaurant celebratedIrish and Celtic heritage.The name came from Finn McCool, the leader of a legendary band of warriors who was supposedly “a giant of a man who possessed all the knowledge of the world. It is said that he lies sleeping beneath Dublin and will awake in Ireland’s most dire hour of need.”
The Irish pub,a popular place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, is also a sit-down restaurant.
“Our last day will be Tuesday, Sept.10,” concluded the post, “so come out and join us one more time for some hearty food, stout libations, and just a few more salutations!”
-- Article credit to Lynne Jeter of the Magnolia Tribune --
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