Friday, July 30, 2021

M-Bar Wants to Expand

 The M-Bar issued the following press release. 

M-Bar Sports Grill – a premier sports bar and grill located in Northeast Jackson’s thriving County Line Road corridor – will soon begin construction of an outdoor entertainment expansion behind the venue as it continues to grow and spur economic development.

The first phase of the expansion will begin in September and be completed in August of 2022. Phase two – which is still in the planning stages – will be completed in 2023. The estimated cost of the expansion is $8-$10 million.

The outdoor entertainment venue will feature an amphitheater and stage for live music, windowed garage doors that turn the inside outside, beer garden with more than 20 beers on tap, a giant 500-inch LED big screen, multiple fire pits, game field for cornhole and other games, mesmerizing fountains and waterfalls and string lighting throughout the new venue.


 “When we opened our establishment in 2013, we had a vision for vitality, prosperity and economic success in Jackson,” said Richard Bradley, founder and owner of M-Bar. “Our new outdoor venue is a major expansion as our economy continues to emerge from the pandemic. It’s the perfect place to relax this summer. Whether you are an after-work professional, college student, or part of the late-night crowd, M-Bar is the coolest place on County Line. It is a transformative destination that channels a big city vibe in the heart of the metroplex.”

M-Bar is located at 6340 Ridgewood Court Drive. It is the capitol city’s premier sports bar at the epicenter of urban revitalization offering something for everyone – from delectable eats to thirst-quenching drinks to electric entertainment with big screens at every turn.

Kingfish note: Two homicides in nine months, three if counting the I-220 murder that began in an argument in the parking lot.  

 The neighborhood opposition is no surprise.  Leaving the criminal history out of it, residential and nightclubs rarely mix.  The Dock allowed bands to play outdoors at all hours once upon a time.  However, bands rocking the deck at 3 AM also rocked the neighbors who were trying to sleep. They raised hell and The Dock was forced to change its ways.   Richard Butler can say all day long he is going to follow the ordinances but the dirty little secret is Jackson doesn't have a noise ordinance (According to JPD) and the Mayor isn't going to allow JPD to enforce any disturbing the peace ordinances on one of his top campaign contributors. 

Allowing this expansion to take place will merely hasten the decline of East County Line Road as more businesses will close or flee.  

The concept would work great on Commerce Street.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

They should expand to include a firing range so thugs will have empty magazines when leaving the premises.
Also, Two Gun Tactical wouldn’t be the “South’s only Guntry Club” since M-Bar is a nightclub.

Anonymous said...

The rendering and press release are just a ploy. Once the smoke clears it’ll be a renovation and a new covered porch.

Anonymous said...

These nuts venture over to Atlanta for a big weekend and see the Buckhead crowd enjoying themselves at some swanky nightspot and come back to Jackson with grandiose plans and limited funds. He thought he had a good location but he doesn't. Even if he did he does not grasp the pivotal fact: It's the people, not the place. The large crowds he will need to attract to be successful in Jackson will include young bangers who spend more on bullets than booze. Some will come just to start a beef and won't leave without firing a shot. If he limits his clientele to the "professional class" he will soon go broke with the modest turnouts especially during the week.
Expansion? Double his problems. He should change the name to The "T" Bar.
T for Trouble.

Anonymous said...

Renderings and the idea sound and look fantastic and would be a great addition to the area. It's a great idea. However, we all know how this will go with the patrons of the current M-Bar. Call me whatever name you want to, but "IF" this comes to fruition, remember I told you so.

Anonymous said...

8 to 10 million huh ? And this is self financed ? Wonder how ? Lol, I am in no way suggesting un lawful things happening in the back room of this place but you know..........

Anonymous said...

THIS is perfect example of why Jackson is in rapid decline.

Expanding a nightclub, where multiple murders has occurred, is seen as "growth" in the city, while legitimate businesses are constantly fleeing the city due to crime and lack of law/judicial enforcement. All while those in charge blame racism and white flight.

Let them build their patio. Almost every store in the immediate area has bailed anyway. I mean... just scan the parking lots in the area of M-Bar. It won't be long before At Home and the remaining follow suit.

Those townhomes, apartments, and neighborhoods in the area have been in expedited decline over the last decade. I don't see a huge protest by the residents, so they must all support M-Bar's presence and growth.

The Retired Banker said...

With a cost anywhere near what is quoted in the press release they are going to need a loan. Residents of the nearby neighborhood need to find out who the lender is, most likely a bank with a local presence, and let their feelings be known. A loan for this purpose carries significant reputational risk to any lender. The loan officer they are talking to might not recognize this, but members of the loan committee that have ultimate approval responsibility will certainly understand the risk associated with this loan.

Anonymous said...

He appears sincere. He has already gotten the support of that woman redoing the Jackson mall.

Anonymous said...

"It is a transformative destination" - yep from alive to dead or at least shot...

Anonymous said...

@2:44 - why would residents of the local neighborhoods care that a local business is planning to spend money to make it nicer?

Anonymous said...

Why not make it the anchor of the revitalization effort of the Farish Street District?

Helps downtown. Win
Near JSU. Win
Not in NE JXN. Win

Anonymous said...

I mean if the lies start in the first sentence: "...premier sports bar and grill located in Northeast Jackson’s thriving County Line Road corridor..."

"premier" and "thriving" must not mean what I thought they meant.

Anonymous said...

@3:13 uhhhhhhh, its a night club with a sketchy past that attracts some rough individuals. That's the problem with this town. People like to say "they are spending money to improve it", but "it" is a nuisance.

Anonymous said...

@3:13p- You cannot be serious?

Does the ability for a business to "look nicer" really trump the truth about what the business brings to the neighborhood? Wow! Just, wow!!

Anonymous said...

It does not matter. Good honest people were warned 10+ years ago to get out asap. Year after years that waring was restated and those who are left can just live if this huge mess. They were warned !

Anonymous said...

3:13 - Noise, shootouts, fights, etc.

Anonymous said...

All those empty storefronts in the Farish Street Entertainment District...

Anonymous said...

what financial institution would lend this project 8-10 million?

unless....the m-bar is killing it financially.

is it going to rival the brandon outdoor music facility? asking for a friend..

Anonymous said...

So they are planning on having more shootings?

Anonymous said...

Does this include a parking expansion? The few times I end up near the "Murder Bar" on the weekends I'm amazed Ridgewood Place isn't blocked or holding the latest drag race. They will just take over the Zaxby's site when they leave for a safer location. Of course, they could tear down the empty storefronts in Ridgewood Place (old Walgreens, Jason's, etc.). Just keep you eyes open when at the Wells Fargo ATM...

Anonymous said...

I grew up in Jackson. It was a decent place. I read posts like this and . . . am just amazed at it all. What is the hardest to wrap my mind around is why anyone who COULD leave chooses to stay. I assume it must be familiarity and some laziness, family in the area etc. Still, that is a terrible decision. Jackson is done. Will never improve. Madison is not far enough away. Oxford either. Texas, maybe . . .

Anonymous said...

Kinda funny how the local democrats always preach about the help they need for their communities but at the end of the day they like to move to republican areas…just like virus following and infecting the host.

#thetruthmatters

Anonymous said...

Anybody remember the shooting at the Brandon amphitheater after the Zac Brown concert? Think it should be shut down too? It’s also loud with shooting and bringing the wrong crowd into town.

It Will Never Happen, Jack said...

"...the expansion will begin in September and be completed in August of 2022."

Since when does it take a full year to build a couple of lean-to sheds with tin roofs and position four open Budweiser coolers? Oh, and a sound-stage with 220 capability.

Maybe they're contracting with the guys working on 49 South.

Anonymous said...

Moved to Jackson area in 2000, bought a house in Ridgeland. Did almost all my shopping along country line, movies, my teens worked in the mall. Watching the decline in quality has been and still is sad. Moved across the spillway and not seem to be more Lakeland, Flowood focused. I guess the business model is make money, do not know enough as I am old and follow the 10:30pm rule, who does the business wants for a core customer.

Anonymous said...

In the bottom right of the rendering, there are two guys wearing suits and ties. Just sayin'.

Anonymous said...

10:35 is not a serious person

Anonymous said...

They can't even stop the fights at the crab place

Anonymous said...

Poor Harvey J.....these guys doin there ET district far beyond HJ's planned Farish St ETD...

Anonymous said...

...and the shopping center parking lots to the north and east can be used for drag racing and car parties while County Line and Ridgewood will be transformed into a hotspot for Jackson's young party goers seeking to let off a little steam after a busy workday or whatever. And the spillover into Ridgeland will mean you have the added benefit of the Ridgeland PD as additional security. If it's great now, imagine how great it's going to be with this expansion. GREAT!

Anonymous said...

When is the 50,000 seat, $200 million, state of the art domed athletic facility JSU announced plans for in 2013 gonna be ready?

Anonymous said...

LOVE the whitecentric illustration! Is this for reassuring (aka CONNING) residents of the neighborhood? Normally, illustrations for proposed buildings around Jackson, feature ugly young (equally white) Hippies - straight from the late '60s (which is when the original scale figure drawings were done).

So, truly, the "businessmen", in suits, are a refreshing change from the Hippie waifs favored by local architects.

Kingfish said...

I think that is what Mr. Butler would genuinely like to see take place at his bar.

Anonymous said...

Breaking! Kingfish (at 7:20) quickly reverses course (as predicted) to make it appear that he supports 'Mr. Butler' and this thug hangout. Gotta pander to both sides and approach from the right flank while bunkering forward.

Anonymous said...


“When we opened our establishment in 2013, we had a vision for vitality, prosperity and economic success in Jackson,” said Richard Bradley, founder and owner of M-Bar.

Why would he say that, knowing it's a lie?

Kingfish said...

Anyone noticed the only time the Mayor mentioned saving a specific business it was this bar?

Anonymous said...

I woke up with pure clarity about this development this morning.

Let them spend the money and build it.

In 10 years when At Home is home to a new church, the defunct bar's amphitheater will be PERFECT for their revivals and sunrise services!

It's a win-win!!

Anonymous said...

Being a property owner and tax payer in Jackson, I think we (the tax payers in Jackson) should ask our city officials to financially support this business opportunity which could bring in much needed tax income, and keep these tax revenues from going to Pearl and Rdgeland.

Anonymous said...

6:59
Are you being serious? Surely you jest. Not one dime of tax payer funds should be used to support this murder bar. This “business” will be the last nail in the coffin for the remainder of the legitimate businesses on county line road. It’s only a matter of time until chick fil a and At Home run for the hills away from there.

Anonymous said...

As Kingfish rightly noted- Richard Bradley and his M-Bar donated $10,000, placing the combination seventh among the campaign contributors to the Mayor's campaign. It's time for the Mayor to repay him. I guess that was why the Mayor was on TV supporting the expansion. Follow the money!


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