Jackson Free Press logo

This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
Note that any opinions expressed in legacy Jackson Free Press stories do not reflect a position of the Mississippi Free Press or necessarily of its staff and board members.

A meeting on crime in Fondren this week focused on community building. File Photo

Last Friday, Aug. 21, the James Meredith Lounge opened in the Farish Historic Street District at 217 Griffith St. Civil-rights legend James Meredith owns the lounge, which his niece, Meredith McGee manages.. The lounge is open Friday and Saturday evenings from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m., with poetry readings both nights from 8 to 9 p.m Patrons can bring their own alcoholic beverages and food. There is no cover charge, but the age requirement is 25 and older for the lounge, and 21 and older for those reading poetry.

Next door to the lounge, Jโ€™s Zone Convenience Store recently opened. Meredithโ€™s daughter Jessica Knight owns the store, which is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m to 6 p.m

Fondren Corner is having a Summer Sidewalk Sale today from 10 am. to 2 p.m., inside the Fondren Corner Building at 2906 N. State St. Fondren Merchants will sell artwork, gifts and home items.

Huntingtonโ€™s Grille at the Hilton Jackson Hotel recently won an award from the Distinguished Restaurants of North America, DiRoNA, for top quality and distinguished southern hospitality. To receive the award, the organization conducted an anonymous inspection process. The restaurant recently appointed local celebrity chef Luis Bruno as director of culinary development and Timothy Sims as executive chef. Bruno formerly served as the chef at the Mississippi Governorโ€™s Mansion, and owned the now-closed Brunoโ€™s Eclectic in The Quarter.

Opening Sept. 8 in Highland Village, VIP Grand Events will feature services and rental options for coordinating events. In businesses for 35 years in Brandon, the Jackson location is a new addition for the company. The showroom and planning office will be located upstairs in suite 278.

Previous Comments

congrats to the new businesses on Farish St. I will be over there soon…


For the Meredith Lounge, was the age requirement 25 or is that a typo for 21? I can’t understand why that would be the case.