City Farmhouse Pop-Up Fair: Stephanie & Katie's Best Picks
Welcome to West Tennessee, City Farmhouse Pop-Up Fair shoppers! We're so glad to have you. If you're taking a few days to peruse the fair but also want to check out all the fun we have here in Medina and Jackson while you're in town, check out some of our best local picks from Our Jackson Home Editor-in-Chief, Katie Howerton, and White Oak Farms owner, Stephanie Alexander, featuring our favorite restaurants, boutiques, and more.
Best cup o' joe
Medina: Creamers
358 South Main Street
Thursday: 6:30 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. | Friday: 6:30 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. | Saturday: 8:00 A.M. - 9:30 P.M.
Their toasted mocha iced coffee is perfect on a warm, sunny day! Don't forget to try their lunch/dinner and treats as well.
Jackson: Modero Coffee Roasters
1050 Union University Drive (inside Logos Library)
Thursday: 7:30 A.M. - 11:00 P.M. | Friday: 7:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. | Saturday: 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
This coffee shop may be primarily known amongst Union University students, but it's open to the whole community and is the best in town hands-down.
Read more about Modero's sister coffee shop, Barefoots Joe, on our blog.
Other faves: The Farmer's Perk, Green Frog Coffee Co.
Best Breakfast Spot
Medina: Medina Donuts
201 South Main Street
Thursday - Saturday: 6:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Fresh and homemade. It doesn't get much better than that.
Jackson: Rock'n Dough Pizza & Brew Co.
16 Jackson Walk Plaza
Saturday: 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
This pizza spot has blown up in the four years it's been in our community, but it's not just about the beers and slices; don't miss their awesome Saturday brunch!
Read more about Rock'n Dough on our blog.
Other faves: The Bakers Rack, Paul Latham's Meat Company, The Donut Truck
Best Spot to find a Local Souvenir
Jackson: The LoCAL
202 West Lafayette Street
Thursday: 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. (Garner Blue Shop/Hub City Love closed) | Friday: 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. | Saturday: 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
This micro-retail center launched last November and has been booming ever since. Whether you're looking for an accessory, home decor, clothing, or cozy candle, these four shops have just the perfect thing to remember Jackson by.
Read more about theLOCAL shops (Garner Blue Shop, Indigo Scents Candle Co., The Lost Reserve, and Hub City Love) on our blog.
Other faves: West Tennessee Farmers' Market, The Shoppes of Seven Three One, Vineyard's Gifts
Best Afternoon Activity
Medina: A Field trip to The Humboldt Plaza 3 Theater
1408 East Main Street (Humboldt)
For an authentic, historic movie experience!
Jackson: A Stroll through The University of Memphis at Lambuth
705 Lambuth Boulevard
This historic campus, surrounded by Jackson's charming midtown neighborhood, is not only a beautiful walk; it's also a registered arboretum!
Read more about midtown on our blog.
Other faves: Cypress Grove, Pinson Mounds, Jackson Downtown Dog Park
Best Casual Lunch Spot
Medina: Rhode's Diner
201 South Main Street
Thursday - Saturday: 6:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Sliders and curly fries are delish! We also love their meat and three plate lunch special.
Other fave: Coco's
Jackson: ComeUnity Café
218 East Main Street
Thursday & Friday: 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
ComeUnity Café is not only the most unique lunch experience you can have in Jackson—it's also the yummiest. Ask them about their mission when you go, and enjoy six different varieties of soup, sandwiches, and salads each day.
Read more about ComeUnity Café on our blog.
Other faves: Tulum Fresh Mexican Grill, Burger Barn, West Alley BBQ
Best Afternoon Pick-Me-Up
Jackson: Chandelier Café
575 South Royal Street
Thursday - Saturday: 5:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. (Also open 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. on Friday)
While Chandelier is best known for their fine dining, their classy bar is just the place for an unforgettable drink in a beautiful, historic home. (We suggest a glam appetizer to complete the experience.)
Read more about Chandelier on our blog.
Other faves: J. Thomas House of Bourbon & Blues, The Downtown Tavern
Best To-Go Snack
Medina: The Chow Wagon
1086 East Van Hook Street
Thursday - Saturday: 10:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
The best milkshakes in town. My personal fave is the peanut butter chocolate shake; it’s so thick you can barely get it through the straw!
Other faves: Janabelle's Bakery, Candyland
Jackson: Dumplin's Bistro & Bakery
31C Wiley Parker Road
Thursday: 10:30 A.M. - 6:30 P.M. | Friday & Saturday: 10:30 A.M. - 8:00 P.M.
If you're craving a classic Southern sweet, make sure to hit up Dumplin's, the best cakes in town—not to mention pies galore.
Other faves: Grubb's Grocery, Shirley's Bakery
Best Delicious Dinner
Medina: Main Street Grill
106 South Main Street
Thursday: 10:30 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. | Friday & Saturday: 10:30 A.M. - 10:00 P.M.
Our personal favorite is their hamburger and fries, but they've also got steak, pizza, and other entrées.
Other fave: La Carreta Grill
Jackson: Picasso Bistro & Pizzeria
10 Stonebridge Boulevard
Thursday: 11:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M. | Friday & Saturday: 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 A.M.
Picasso's stone hearth pizza is out of this world, and the apps and drinks will make for a dinner that's sure to keep you full.
Other faves: Coyote Blues, Asia Garden
Originally from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Katie Howerton moved to Jackson in 2011 to study Graphic Design and Drawing at Union University. She discovered Our Jackson Home in January 2015 and used it as a guinea pig for her senior design project, creating the first issue of Our Jackson Home: The Magazine. After graduating she was given leadership over Our Jackson Home at theCO, where she now runs the blog, designs the magazine, and coordinates events. She and her husband Jordan live in Midtown and are active members of City Fellowship Baptist Church.
Stephanie Alexander is a West Tennessee native, married to her high school sweetheart, and mom to two beautiful children. She is the co-owner of The Venue at White Oak Farms with her husband Josh. She loves party planning, DIY renovations, antique and estate sale shopping, cooking-especially baking, being creative, interior decorating, and farm living.
Illustrations by Katie Howerton.
