2013reviewDecember 20, 2013

Can you believe another year has flown by? In Fondren, 2013 will go down as 365 days of continued growth, cooperation and pressing forward.

It is our goal and mission, 365 days a year, to bring you the people, places and events of Jackson’s Hippest Neighborhoodâ„¢. So we’re taking a look back at the top stories for the past year, including art, fitness, retail and dining along with civic, religious, and medical developments.

In March, Dr. Hannah Gay made history after releasing findings of a functional cure for HIV in an infant, a treatment prescribed from here in Fondren at UMMC. In that same month, Fondren’s Zippity Doo Dah® Weekend brought three days of merriment and excitement to the neighborhood, despite threats of severe weather. Over 8,000 participated in the Color Me Rad 5k and the entire weekend netted a $100,000 donation for Blair E. Batson Hospital For Children.

Longtime Jackson restaurateur Grant Nooe opened M!SO Sushi, Stir Fry and Noodles on Duling Avenue in May and, just next door, lululemon athletica, Fondren’s first national retailer, opened a showroom.

In June, artist, retailer and community activist Ron Chane celebrated 25 years of off kilter tee shirts while Campbell’s Bakery celebrated 50 years of cakes and cookies – and introduced breakfast. Brad Reeves and  Jonathan Shull gave us an exclusive about their new pre-prohibition lounge, The Apothecary at Brent’s Drugs.

In July, Jackson got its first Little Free Library (in Fondren, of course) – and a second one followed three weeks later. In the same month, Kate McNeely and Christie O’Bryant became the proud new owners of Social Agenda and renamed it Trim Salon.  And in August, we got the skinny on a new barbecue and brew joint coming in 2014 called The Pig & Pint.

Fondren Public welcomed us in for a look at their craft beer bar. We were first to bring you their menu and photos of the place inside and out. (It was our most popular story of the year, by the way.)

Tattoo artist Jason Thomas moved his Electric Dagger Studio to Fondren Corner’s ground level and William Wallace Salon moved a barbershop – Fondren Barber Shop – in to Fondren Village. In the same month, model Jamie Ainsworth opened a new women’s boutique, Mulberry Dreams.

We broke the news to you about Jesse and Rachel Houston’s new place, Saltine Oysters + Brew, coming to Duling School this spring. And just days ago, we were first to report exciting news for Woodland Hills Baptist Church and Fondren Church who will be sharing space at Woodland Hills in 2014.

And that’s just the BIG stuff! Scroll back through our archives or use the search bar to find out about the people, places and events that make Fondren such a special place. And make sure you check out our most talked about issue of Find It In Fondren this year, our history issue.

Happy Holidays – and here’s to an amazing 2014 (just wait until you see what’s coming up!)