Sponsor Spotlight: Growing Downtown Together
BY COURTNEY SEARCY
PHOTOS BY COURTNEY SEARCY
Featured in Vol 8, Issue 1: Jackson Grown
As Downtown Jackson grows and expands, a group of business owners have formed a venture known as Card Capital GP to invest in continuing that growth.
In early 2020, High Point Logistics and Haven Insurance were looking for a place to locate their offices, and evaluating opportunities around the city. They chose a vacant Regions Bank building on Liberty and East Lafayette, and as they began to do business downtown, they quickly realized the many benefits, from walkability to the close-knit nature of community.
As their businesses grew, some of the other buildings around them became available at the same time, so they began purchasing the vacant buildings with the hopes of filling them with tenants.
Together, R.E. Butts, Caleb Meriwether of Haven Insurance, Adam Ferguson of High Point Logistics and Drew Shaub of Butts Foods, Inc., formed Card Capital GP. They have purchased 140,000 square feet of commercial and residential space, and what started as mostly vacant property is now over 60 percent full, with more tenants on the way.
These properties include what was previously the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, 200 East Main, 209-213 East Lafayette, and 210 East Layette, and several other properties.
For the group of investors, living and working Downtown has motivated them to be a part of developing the community they have become immersed in.
“The idea is we are local, and we all live in this area, and we want to see these things happen downtown” Merriweather said.
It could feel risky for businesses to invest in an area that has been vacant, but Card Capital GP has seen that their tenants are happy that they did. They credit businesses like the West Tennessee Hearing & Speech Center and their Executive Director Kimberli Moore for taking these risks. They were the first tenant to commit to one of these vacant buildings.
“If you want to change something, you have to do something about it. Our tenants are doing that," Meriwether said.
“I hope that when someone comes to Jackson, the first place they look to live is downtown, midtown.”
These business owners are committed to investing in opportunities for growth for business and culture downtown.
“I think everybody wants to work in a fun location, know your neighbors, and build that sense of community — and being downtown allows you to do that. There’s a sense that we’re all in this together to build this community and create opportunities to enjoy Jackson,” Meriwether said. •
COMING SOON
TO DOWNTOWN JACKSON
TURNTABLE COFFEE COUNTER with LIGHT TRAP BOOKS & GREEN HAWK RECORDS
Turntable Coffee Counter will be relocating to 300 East Main Street to continue investing in the heart of Jackson by crafting drinks, collaborating with friends, employing neighbors, and building community. Light Trap Books will also be located inside Turntable's new location. Green Hawk Records will also have a selection of records available at the shop.
HAVNERS FRAME SHOP
Havners Frame Shop will be moving Downtown to expand the shop and include an art gallery showcasing local artwork.
RESTAURANTS & RETAIL
This fall, a continental restaurant will open on weekends with reservation only indoor and outdoor seating. There will also be a storefront including both wine and a butcher shop.
