Burwell Reveals Future Plans
On the heels of the news this week that Mimi’s Family and Friends will close by March 5, co-owner Jim Burwell has told Find It In Fondren™ what is next for him. The 65 year old says he will be part of a team that will open new locations of Fresh Market Cafe in areas of metro Jackson and one in Tupelo. Owned by Jackie’s International whose restaurant and hotel holdings include Bumper’s, Pan Asia and Holiday Inn Express, Fresh Market is a place very familiar to Burwell. “I helped start it back in 2003 with Grant Nooe”, Burwell told us. But when widening began on Old Fannin Road three days later, Burwell said the business tanked. “It was tough, but I figured out how to lower costs and market it and by the time the road was done, we were ‘screaming money’”. It was at the same time that Nooe decided to sell that Burwell did, too, staying on though as general manager. “I could make more as an employee”, he said, “than as an owner”.
So when Burwell and his wife Linda decided to shutter their Fondren restaurant, Jim sent Jackie’s International VP of restaurant operations John Kirk, his former boss, a Facebook message and the two reconnected. As a result, Burwell will head up opening teams for the new Fresh Market Cafe locations. For now, he is working as a relief manager in two of Jackie’s metro area properties. And that’s not all: Burwell has negotiated a deal to keep his three full time Mimi’s employees with him as he transitions. “We make such a great team that they are who will (hopefully) be by my side to open the new properties”.
While we will miss your talents here, Jim, we are happy for your new role – and your ability to secure jobs for others too!
Posted in Uncategorized
Swell To Feature Local Designers’ Tees
Sneakerboxx will be February's featured tees
Every third Thursday, Swell-O-Phonic will host a t-shirt release party featuring a local designer as well as a local DJ. The event will run from 5pm-8pm. The featured designers products will be sold in store over the following four weeks and then Swell will move on the yet another designer. Look for each month’s designer to be featured on Swell-O-Phonic’s Twitter and Facebook. Come out and support local designers and shop local. Shop FONDREN.
For information, call 601 981-3547.
Posted in Shop
Photo: Shelby Lynne in Fondren
Alabama native and Grammy winner Shelby Lynne played to a sold-out Duling Hall crowd in Fondren last night. Fellow Alabaman Grayson Capps opened the show and earned a few new fans. The evening, brought to you by Ardenland, is a part of a series of shows in the former Duling School. Check our arts and music listings for upcoming concerts and see a couple more photos here. And, while you’re there, make sure and give us a like.
Posted in Play
“Moving On”: Mimi’s to Close by March 5
A longtime Jackson restaurant owner says it’s time for the next chapter in life. Jim and Linda Burwell, owner of Mimi’s Family and Friends, say they will not renew the lease on their North State Street breakfast-lunch spot. The tentative close date is now said to be February 29. “It’s been a lot of fun the last two years”, Jim Burwell said, “and we’ve met alot of really nice people. We wish we could keep doing it”. For now, he and Linda are reminiscing. “We’ve lived here, we love it here”, she says, “and we opened Mimi’s Family and Friends to reacquaint ourselves with old friends. I think we have accomplished that”. Linda says it’s sad, but, you move on. Jim is quick to point out that he feels they are “going out on top”.
When we asked Linda what her plans were, with a chuckle, she says she’ll take two months off. Jim interjects: “she loves her garden”. And Linda echos this, saying she would like to arrange flowers. The pair have no plans of slowing down. Jim is negotiating with a group who is opening several restaurants in the Jackson area and will probably be involved in a management role. “I’ll have more to say after I close a few loopholes”, he tells us. As the former owner of Burwell’s Deli, Sister’s on Fortification and Lloyd’s Kitchen on Northview, Jim says the menu has been exciting at Mimi’s, something he has wanted to make unique. “We tried to have things here that weren’t on any other Fondren menu”. And it kept people coming back – or hanging around. “We have had people come in for breakfast and literally stay for lunch”.
Dine with Mimi’s before they are gone for good. The restaurant is located at 3139 North State Street in Fondren.
Update: We originally noted March 31 as the closing date. Mimi’s has moved the date up to March 5. The change has been made in the headline and story.
JBA Ride Raising Funds For Polk
The monthly community bicycle ride for the Jackson Bike Advocates takes a twist this Friday, becoming a fundraiser for one of the group’s favorite sons. Jeremy Polk, owner of Revolution Mobile Bike Service, badly injured his hand on January 12 while repairing stationary bikes at a Jackson church. We’ll spare you the photos, but suffice it to say, he will not be able to repair bikes for some time. Since this is Polk’s full time job, the injury has severely limited his ability to make a living.
Jeff Goodwin, seen here with Polk at last year’s JBA ‘Alleycat’ Race (which Polk won), said via the group’s Facebook, with 60 to 80 people attending, “this could really help out our pal”. Riders are encouraged to bring extra cash (the food stop, Peaches, only accepts cash anyway) as they pass the hat for Polk.
The community ride meets at 6pm in the parking lot of Rainbow Co Op in Fondren and departs at 6:30pm. This is an easy ride for all skill levels and all ages. JBA encourages the use of lights, reflective gear and helmets.
‘Healthier You’ Registration Ends Tomorrow
Want to learn how to live a healthier lifestyle and exercise more efficiently? Be a part of ’A Healthier You: A Day of Healthy Lifestyle Strategies, Interval Training and Yoga’ with Scotta Brady of Butterfly Yoga and Terry Sullivan of liveRIGHTnow. The event takes place Saturday January 28 from noon – 4:30pm at Butterfly Yoga at 3025 North State Street in Fondren. Have you ever wanted to try yoga but were a little timid about walking into a yoga studio? Whatever your needs or motivation, this workshop will have something for you. The four hour class will include high intensity interval training, an introduction to the 10 rules of the liveRIGHTnow lifestyle, healthy smoothie samples, a discussion on power foods and an hour of introductory yoga. The price is $50 per person and the registration deadline is Tuesday, January 24. Registration is available online by clicking here.
Posted in Live
Babalu Makes $6k Donation to Blair
Fondren restaurant favorite Babalu Tacos & Tapas recently asked diners to buy gift cards with the promise of donating 10% to Blair E. Batson. Yesterday, they delivered – with a $6,100 check to the state’s only children’s hospital. The proceeds also came from gift cards sold for their sister restaurant, Table 100, in Flowood. On their Facebook page, Babalu said ”a big THANKS to all of you that bought gift cards this holiday season. Babalu and Table 100 would not be what we are without you! We thank you. Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children thanks you”.
FRF Gears Up For Busy Fondren Spring
The holiday season is past us and it seems as though we now have a chance to slow down. Behind the scenes, however, we’re busier than ever - planning the next few months in Fondren!
Mark your calendars now for March 22, when the infamous Arts, Eats & Beats, Fondren’s annual “welcome to spring” party will move from April to March. This event features music from multiple bands and food from your favorite Fondren restaurants. Then, the very next day, March 23, Zippity Doo Dah® weekend kicks into gear with the Sweet Potato Queens® arriving from all over the world. On Saturday March 24, an expanded children’s carnival, a night time parade and street party cap off a surprise-filled, family fun weekend. Look for all the exciting details of the Zippity Doo Dah Weekend and Parade to be announced at 10:00, February 9, at a press conference in front of Duling Hall.
Other spring events you will not want to miss include Read Full Article
Posted in Arts, Eats & Beats, Live, Play, Zippity Doo Dah
‘Appetite’ Coming to Neighboring Downtown
A new festival premieres in neighboring downtown Jackson at The Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art on Saturday, January 28 from 2 to 9 p.m., as a result of a call from the producers of ‘Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern’ to Jackson chef and raconteur Tom Ramsey.
The Appetite for Jackson festival will be the first of what will be an annual event that celebrates the revitalization of the city, its cultural and culinary excellence, and its people’s ability to work together and get things done.
The festival will be held in The Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson’s newly opened public green space and Read Full Article