Jackson Jambalaya

A cigar bar will not open in the Fondren after the Jackson City Council's Zoning Committee rejected its special use application Monday. 

663 Duling Street is home to a shopping center that has establishments such as Corner Market, Brent's Drugs, Fondren Cellars, and Fondren Fro-Yo.  The property is zoned C-2 and is owned by Gabriel Prado.  

Sean Michael Comwell owns Versos, LLC.  Versos is under a lease as a cigar shop with a beer station in the shopping center.  However, Mr. Comwell applied to permission to use the property as a "craft cocktail lounge and blues/jazz music venue in September.  

The Planning & Zoning Department recommended approval (p.14-15). The Planning Board approved the request on October 22.  Neighborhood opponents appealed the decision to the Zoning Committee.  

Quite a few people submitted letters opposing or supporting the cigar bar.*

The majority of supporters' letters included this language:  

 There also seems to be more of a desire for residents to gather in social settings, whether it be at a restaurant, coffee shop, or bar/nightclub. When you look at a map of Fondren there seems to be a growing variety of these social and entertainment offerings.

Right now, Fondren is missing a bar/ music venue where residents can enjoy a premium cigar along 
with their craft cocktail of choice or cup of coffee, while listening to local artists play music.

Mississippi has a rich history of birthing incredible artists, especially musicians. With Versos aiming to showcase local blues and jazz musicians, Versos will create another unique offering to local residents and those visiting Fondren. We need more businesses supporting Mississippi's musical roots.

Molly Walker wrote the lounge would be withing 500 feet of three churches and a pre-school.  Another church meets in Duling Hall across the street. She represented the Woodland Hills HOA.  The Fondren Renaissance Foundation argued the lounge did not "complement" its plan for Fondren.  

The entire City Council - all seven members - sat in judgment as each side made its case .

Comwell defended his dream as he read out loud his justification statement (posted below). 

Mr. Comwell said the lounge will be more than 100 feet away from churches and schools as required by the state.  Robert Hutchinson and Molly Walker stood against the cigar bar. Mr. Hutchinson said the Woodland Hills Shopping Center has been an anchor for many years with a historic drugstore and grocery store.  "We feel, this particular proposal, which is for a bar that allows smoking, will be detrimental," said the Woodland Hills resident. He said it would fit in better on North State Street than the "family-oriented shopping center."  

 

Ms. Walker said there are few grocery stores left in Jackson and neighbors did not want a business that could jeopardize the grocery store. She pointed out the shopping center was real close to several churches.  Mr. Comwell responded he would not open the cigar bar until 1:30 PM on Sundays "out of respect for the churches."  

Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth I. Stokes said he could not vote against the cigar bar if the owner of the shopping center supported it.  

 Kevin Parkinson, the Great White Father of Ward 7, said it "was a very tough case" but he could not support it because it was in the same shopping center as a grocery store.  He noted several recent grocery store closures.  He said a few constituents told him they would not shop at Corner Market if there was a bar with drinking, smoking, and live music.  The Councilman said he could support the lounge in a different Fondren location.  

After all was spoken, a vote was taken.  The motion to approve the special use application failed 5-1. Mr. Stokes voted for approval while Council members Foote, Hartley, Grizzell, Parkinson, and Brown-Thomas voted against approval.  Councilwoman Tina Clay abstained.   

* Supporters included James Washington, Kenneth Bolton, Arnold Dennis, Dee Bost,  Lexie Maier, Jonathan Dixon, Ashley Wadlington, Jennifer Petit, Lauren Miltner, India Clark, Kimberly Robinson, Gabriel Prado, Alphonso Wilson, Corey Davis, Jared Lewis, Arturo Cox, Dakari Wallace, Lindsey Edwards, Matt Flagg (Native Coffee), Alexandria Marzette, John Hawkins, Ashley Laskin (Roosters), Keith Richardson (Conkrete), Nathan Glenn (Roosters), and Shawn Giles.  

Opponents include St. Luke's United Methodist Church,  Doug Boone (Executive Director of Fondren Renaissance Foundation), and Molly Walker.  Jonathan Lee showed up at the Committee meeting in opposition to the cigar bar. Walker is on the board of the Woodland Hills HOA.