Oxford residents react to chain restaurants near Square

By Jennifer Wilson

Oxford prides itself on being the ideal small town. The official Oxford website, oxfordms.net, boasts several awards the city has received throughout the years, including: Money Magazine’s “100 Best Places to Live,” Outside Magazine’s “20 Best Small Towns in America” and a commendation for preservation of historic structures. The site also states “the primary concern of the citizens [of Oxford] has been to manage growth while maintaining the ambiance of a small college town.”

It is clear through the receipt of these awards that Oxford has established itself as one of the best small areas to live in. But with the influx of many new businesses, more specifically, chain restaurants, some residents are worried that Oxford is losing some of that “small town charm.” Several residents are especially annoyed with chain restaurants moving in and operating close to the center of downtown Oxford, the Square. 

Abby Loden, a senior at the University of Mississippi, said that the rapid expansion of businesses in Oxford doesn’t generally bother her, but she does not like the chains that are “creeping slowly closer” to the Square.

“Chain restaurants really take away from the feel (of the Square) in my opinion,” Loden said. 

Loden said that eateries like Checkers, Abner’s and the soon to be added Pita Pit steal some of the charm away from the historic look and ambiance of the Square. 

The recent addition of Checkers has incited some especially strong reactions. 

“I don't mind Old Venice or Soulshine Pizza. However, I hate Checkers being near the Square. It's an eyesore and the food is gross,” said Lindsey Clark, Ole Miss senior.

Recent Ole Miss graduate Brandon Grimes recognizes that Checker’s isn’t technically on the Square, but said that it’s still too close. 

“That place looks completely awful. There shouldn’t be any chain restaurants anywhere close to the Square,” Grimes said. 

Others think that it’s not about if a restaurant is locally owned, but more about the overall atmosphere and the quality of the food.

Christine Wilson works as a server for Soulshine Pizza Company. Wilson said she believes if it feels too much like a corporate business that it doesn’t belong apart of the historic downtown. 

“Soulshine has three locations, but it doesn’t feel chain-y to me,” she said. “The food is great and the cool atmosphere makes Soulshine fit in with the places on the Square just fine.”

Ole Miss alumnus Timothy Moore agrees that the quality of the food is more important than the type of business. 

“An Applebees on the Square would be jacked up, but I don't have a problem with something like Soulshine,” Moore said. “And Abner's is freakin' tasty, you leave that one alone.”

Although many Oxford citizens are extremely bothered by the addition of chains near the Square and feel that the small town they love is becoming tarnished, there are some that simply don’t give it a second thought.

Randy Yates, owner of Ajax, is one of those people.

“I don’t talk about other restaurants. I say, just worry about your own food.”