February/March2018

EXPERIENCE OXFORD

LOVE AT FIRST BITE FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

A HOTEL FOR MILLENNIALS SULTANS OF SLIDE: THACKER 564

AN INTERVIEW WITH COACH BIANCO

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Welcome Back!

Publisher Ed Meek

Ed Meek Founder and President, New Media Lab LLC

Editor Rick Hynum

Welcome! On behalf of our team at New Media Lab, LLC, parent company of HottyToddy.com and Experience Oxford Magazine, and our advertisers, we hope you enjoy this issue of our magazine.

We also encourage you to visit HottyToddy.com, our online media company, which has grown to have over 3.4 million viewers (and still growing) in the past year. At HottyToddy.com we provide daily news, sports, information and entertainment. Our social media presences (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat) have a combined following of more than 100,000 people and are growing every day.

New Media Lab’s media ventures exist as real-world “new media” companies, which are excellent environments for Ole Miss students to get internship experience.

New Media Lab Mission Statement New Media Lab LLC is a marketing and communications company with multiple ventures inspired by entrepreneurship and innovation, providing enrichment experiences for students and engagement of faculty while generating financial support for the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi.

Creative Director Hannah Vines Advertising Katie Kimbrell Chance Smith Steve Vassallo Contributors Adam Brown Emily Gatlin Ellen Graves Steve Vassallo Photography Steven Gagliano Joshua McCoy Daniel Lee Perea Ann-Marie Wyatt

About Ed Meek Ed Meek is the founder and president of New Media Lab, LLC. He is former Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Relations and Marketing at the University of Mississippi and CEO of Oxford Publishing, a national publishing and trade show group. He was the founder of the Tupelo Furniture Market, one of the largest exhibition centers in America, a Fellow of the American Council on Education and a recipient of the Mississippi Governor’s Distinguished Citizen Award. He is the author or co-author of several books. He and his wife, Becky, are loyal Ole Miss alumni and benefactors who established the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at The University of Mississippi.

EXPERIENCE THE SOUTH

On the Cover:

Trey Bridgers and Michelle Rounsaville Photo by Daniel Perea

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Table of Contents

9 Feature Story: The Sultans of Slide Thacker 564 puts unique, artisanal southern-style sliders at the center of the plate.

36 9 14

14

41 51

Love At First Bite Find out what some of Oxford's best eateries are all about.

26

36

41

51

Tru Believers Oxford gets a new hotel concept designed with millennials in mind.

The Moviegoers See why the Oxford Film Festival has become one of Oxford's biggest events.

Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice The history behind the Sugar Magnolia Antique Mall and what keeps it thriving.

Oxford Spotlight: Coach Mike Bianco talks about renovations to Oxford University Stadium at Swayze field.

In Every Issue

20

30

38

44

What to Eat

Where to Stay

Things to Do

Where to Shop

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Community Events February Concerts at the Lyric

Ole Miss Men's Basketball: Home Games February 6th - March 3rd Feb. 6th: Ole Miss vs.

Missouri @ 8:00 pm Feb. 13th: Ole Miss vs.

Arkansas @ 6:00 pm

Brett Young | February 17th Doors: 8:00 pm Show: 9:00 pm Tickets: $25 - $30

Corey Smith February 22nd Doors: 8:00 pm Show: 9:00 pm

Feb. 24th: Ole Miss vs.

Tennessee @ 12:00 pm March 3rd: Ole Miss vs.

Vanderbilt @ 7:30 pm

o l e m i s s s p o r t s .co m

Tickets: $20 $24

lyricoxford.com/calendar

St. Jude Taste of Oxford February 22nd Taking place at the Jefferson in Oxford, this event will feature live and silent auctions, dancing, and live entertainment. A moving presenentation will also be given from a St. Jude patient and a Give to Live event. Visit the website below for information. stjude.org/get-involved/ďŹ nd-an-event/ dinners-and-galas/taste-of-oxford.html

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Wine Dinner at Mesquite Chophouse February 22nd Mesquite Chop House of Oxford will be featuring a four course dinner at $60 per person. Reservations are required.

v i s i to x fo rd m s .co m/eve nt s

February & March Events Sundays in June at the Ford Center

Oxford Conference for the Book

February 13th - March 25th

March 21st-23rd

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility – Aquila Theatre Tuesday, February 13th 7:30 p.m.

LOU Symphony Orchestra Monday, February 19th 7:30 p.m.

The Oxford Conference for the Book is presented by the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and Square Books. The event will take place at the University of Mississippi. View the site below to see updates on this event. ox fo rdconfe rencefo r thebook.com

Fisk Jubilee Singers Thursday, February 22nd 7:30 p.m.

Considering Matthew Shepard Conspirare, a Company of Voices Tuesday, February 27th 7:30 p.m.

Celebrating Gershwin: A Stroll Down Tin Pan Alley, The Julian Bliss Septet Thursday, March 1st 7:30 p.m.

Russian Folk Instrument Orchestra Tuesday, March 6th 7:30 p.m.

North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra featuring Andreas Klein, pianist: Revolutionaries: Ginastera and Beethoven Sunday, March 25th 3:00 p.m.

fo rd ce nte r.o rg/eve nt s

Miss-I-sippin' Beer Festival March 23rd - 24th The opening night begins at Southern Craft from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm on Friday, March 23rd. This night will feature food, fun games and activities.

The Beer Tasting Trail will begin on Saturday, March 24th via their scavenger hunt app. The end of the trail leads to the Pavilion where the Firkin Festival takes place from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. More information is provided from the website below. o x fo r d a r t s . c o m /eve n t s /s i p p i n

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Grilled petite tenderloin steak. Atlantic salmon.

Grilled all-white meat chicken breast. Sushi-grade Ahi tuna.

Scratch-made sauces and dressings.

Fresh brewed Rainforest Alliance Certified iced teas.

Dine-In * To-Go * Catering * Online Ordering Oxford | 1309 University Ave | 662-513-5303 Galleria-Oxford | 2305 West Jackson Ave | 662-238-2727 Contact Newk's Catering Manager | 662-816-1806

788_2473_ExpOxford.indd 1

7/25/17 11:33 AM

1004 Van Buren Ave | On the Square 662-234-7886

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The Sultans of Slide Thacker 564 puts unique, artisanal southern-style sliders at the center of the plate. Take our word for it: You can’t eat just one!

By Rick Hynum

Photograph by Taylor Square Photography

O

xford chef/restaurateurs Michelle Rounsaville and Trey Bridgers didn’t set out to reinvent the sandwich, but once you’ve tried Thacker 564, their slider-focused eatery at 3000 Old Taylor Road in Oxford, you may never go back to ham and Swiss on white bread again.

Rounsaville, who cut her culinary teeth at Oxford Steak Co. and PRIME Steakhouse, hired her longtime friend Bridgers, a former City Grocery cook and Oby’s manager, a few years back to help her conjure up menu magic at her popular catering/lunch operation, My Michelle’s, located on North Lamar Blvd. in Oxford.

Now they’ve melded minds with Thacker 564, putting sliders at the center of the plate—and we’re talking sliders worthy of Zeus himself—and pouring specialty cocktails with an off beat southern twist.

Artisan Bar Food Call it artisan bar food, but don’t let the high-end fare throw you off: The idea behind Thacker 564 is to build a community where everyone is welcome.

“It’s all about inviting people to sit down together, relax and have a conversation,” Bridgers said. “Cocktails play a big part in that. That’s also why we went with the sliders—so you can share, mix and match, and never feel tied down to one dish.”

The two partners see the classic sandwich as a culinary palette with unlimited possibilities. “To me, sandwiches and pizza go hand in hand because you can put anything on them,” Rounsaville said. “You can do anything with them. We figured there was enough Mexican and enough pizza in Oxford.

We wanted to do something different— something that’s easy enough to execute but complex enough that you’ll think, ‘I’ve never had anything like this before.’”

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Most of the sandwiches are based on popular dishes developed at My Michelle’s. But Rounsaville and Bridgers have transformed them into one-of-a-kind miniature masterpieces.

The Transfer, an open-faced brisket slider with a white cheddar mornay sauce, comes on a sweet potato biscuit, topped with housemade pickled banana peppers, red onions and a creole mayo.

Yes, it’s a slider, but don’t you dare scarf it down—with its complex layers of rich and tangy flavors, it’s designed to be savored bite by bite. A little bit French yet wholly southern, The Transfer is an entirely new sensory experience for the taste buds.

The Spirit, meanwhile, features pastrami that’s made in-house in a five-day process—four days to brine the meat, four hours to smoke it, and another four hours in the oven. Topped off with whole-grain mustard, Swiss cheese and housemade pickles (made with the same brine as the pastrami) and served on pumpernickel bread, it’s a peppery, zesty delight with just the right hint of smoke.

Other popular sandwiches include the Delta Italian (inspired by Rounsaville’s own Mississippi Delta roots), a ciabatta slider made with chicken meat loaf, fresh mozzarella and marinara sauce, and the one-of-a-kind Mississippi Gardener, featuring a sweet potato and black-eyed pea cake, sweet and sour collards and a spicy mayonnaise on a wheatberry roll.

The latest addition to the menu, the Sorority Row, is a cheesy-chicken classic piled with grilled chicken, pimento cheese, housemade fried pickles and Ranch dressing on a Wheatberry bun.

Top Photograph by Daniel Lee Perea Bottom Photograph by Taylor Square Photography

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Those housemade fried pickles are every bit as good as you’d expect, but Rounsaville and Bridgers opted against offering them as appetizers. That’s just a bit too predictable, especially when you can serve up fried okra spears—breaded

with masa corn flour from Oxfordbased The Original Grit Girl—instead.

“Georgeanne Ross brought me a bag of this flour and said, ‘Fry something in this and it will be the most crisp, delicious fried thing you’ve ever had,’” Bridgers recalled. “She was right.”

name to make it memorable. Whiskey aficionados will get hooked on Claude the Elder, a splendid, flavorful mix of Bulleit Rye, St.-Germaine (a liqueur flavored with elderberries), orange juice, lemon, bitters and a ginger puree.

Sunday brunch features the same sandwich menu, with some additional options. “You can add a fried egg to any sandwich and turn it into breakfast,” Rounsaville noted. “We recently did a breakfast slider—blackened chicken and waffles with a housemade root beer syrup, topped with a fried egg. Trey took root beer, cooked it down to a syrup, added hot sauce and a little bit of sugar and drizzled it over the sandwich. It’s phenomenal.”

In fact, purees figure prominently in the cocktails selection—two of the drinks use pink guava puree, including a wine-vodka combo called Frances Loves a Frose (La Vieille Rose, Absolut Pear, St.-Germaine and fresh lemon juice are the other ingredients) and Steal Your Peach (also featuring Absolut Peach, fresh lime juice, balsamic and soda).

Ginger puree lends a kick to Don’t Stop the Carousel, made with Hendricks Gin, St.-Germaine, soda, cucumber and lime.

Cocktails That Tell a Tale Then, there’s the wonderfully eccentric cocktail menu, developed by Rounsaville herself—and she knows her spirits. Every drink has a story behind it and a catchy

If all of that sounds “southern chic,” you’re not wrong, but Rounsaville and Bridgers aren’t the chichi types. After all, they’re used to feeding the masses in catering events around the Lafayette-

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Oxford-Ole Miss community through My Michelle’s.

“We wanted this to be very much a southern thing and a Mississippi thing, inspired by our families,” Bridgers said.

“Family is important to both of us.”

That family vibe is reflected in the restaurant’s décor as well. Between sips and bites and contented sighs, customers can look around and take in the beauty of the venue, which showcases stunning artwork by multitalented Oxford artist and Studio Whimzy owner Sarah Kathryn Dossett Bridgers, who happens to be Trey Bridgers’ wife. A majestic three-piece installation serves as a visual centerpiece, adding to the elegant yet laidback atmosphere.

Off the Beaten Path You’ve gotta wander a little ways off Oxford’s beaten path to get to Thacker 564, but that’s part of the charm, the owners note.

Restaurants on or near the Square may get the lion’s share of culinary platitudes, but the area’s parking problems and traffic can make you want to stay home and heat up a Totino’s.

It takes a few extra minutes to reach Thacker 564, located at 3000 Old Taylor Road, but once you get there, you don’t have to compete for a parking space and feed a hungry meter.

“We felt like people our age would enjoy being able to come to a place like this rather than dealing with the Square,” Trey Bridgers said.

And thanks to a construction boom in the area, the demographics look just right for a concept like Thacker 564. “We offer a great alternative to going downtown and fighting for a place to park,” Michelle Rounsaville said. “You can come here, hang out and truly relax.”

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Rounsaville sees her crew—most of whom work for both My Michelle’s and Thacker 564—as a family, too. “We have a great team at both places,” she said.

“We thought about assembling a whole new team, but then we thought, ‘Why don’t we just build off the existing team?’

So many people at My Michelle’s have our backs, and they’re just as passionate as we are about what we do, so we decided to keep it all in the family.”

And that family keeps growing, she says, since the restaurant expanded its hours after Thanksgiving to include lunch. The new hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and 10:30 a.m.2 p.m. on Sundays. They’ve also added party platters for large groups and hope to offer delivery through Landshark Delivery soon.

And they’re having a good time while they’re at it. Hang out with Rounsaville and Bridgers in the restaurant’s slower hours, and you’ll hear them cracking jokes, teasing each other and laughing a lot. And that’s no small thing for business partners in such a demanding line of work. “It’s been hard, but I don’t regret a second of it,” Rounsaville said.

“It’s fun to focus on a different aspect of food. It’s fun to return to the restaurant and bar scene after being out of it for about eight years. And it’s fun to do something different from feeding 500 people at a time.”

All in all, opening her second restaurant—and the rave reviews that have accompanied it—has been an emotional experience for Rounsaville.

“The response has been overwhelmingly awesome—the flowers, the texts, the emails, the Facebook reviews,” she said.

“We’ve gotten amazing community support. I’ve cried a bunch of happy, appreciative tears lately. Exhausted tears, too, but happy tears for sure.”

1002 Van Buren • Oxford Square • 662.234.7829 Offering salads, wraps and soups made with the freshest ingredients.

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LOVE BITE

By Rick Hynum

at first

A NEWCOMER’S GUIDE TO SOME OF OXFORD’S BEST EATERIES AND NIGHTSPOTS

S

omewhere in Taipei City, Taiwan, there’s a restaurant that serves its meals in dinnerware shaped like a commode. It’s called Modern Toilet, and, no, we are not making this up. You can snatch a napkin from a toilet paper roll on the wall and sip your libations in cocktail glasses that resemble men’s room urinals.

Yes, we know that’s gross. We’re only telling you because we originally planned to start this story with some hackneyed lead about how Oxford, rightly celebrated as a culinary Mecca of the Deep South, has every type of restaurant imaginable. After a quick Google search, we now know better.

There’s also a café in Tokyo that’s crawling with live cats and a joint in Bangkok called Cabbages and Condoms, but we think we’ve made our point.

OK, so Oxford’s restaurant scene doesn’t cover all the bases, but who wants a Trojan with their after-dinner mint anyway? For such a small town, Oxford still has quite a big appetite, plating everything from southern home-style cooking and Creole/ Cajun to Italian, Greek, Thai, Indian, Mexican, and Chinese.

And new restaurants keep coming.

Memphis restaurateur Johnny Kirk took over the iconic 208 South Lamar spot—formerly home of the late and still lamented Smitty’s and then 208—and launched the fine-dining concept, Stella, in late October. Brooks Roberts and Preston Lott of Indianola brought their Mississippi chain Lost Pizza to College Hill Road that same month. And the hits just keep 14 | Sign up for Daily Headlines from hottytoddy.com

coming: As we type these words, Brooke Krizbai, owner of the uber-popular Volta Taverna, is converting the old YMCA space across the street on North Lamar into an Italian-American eatery called Track 61.

Meanwhile, the mainstays—both on and off The Square—are mainstays for a reason: Their food is just so consistently good. Food writers and critics journey from around the world to sample the fare at the Square's world-class fine-dining establishments like Stella, McEwen's or Saint Leo. Once they get here, the smart ones extend their hotel stays, loosen their belts a notch and dig into the countryfried steak at Ajax Diner, the Wednesday night tapas at The Ravine, the thin-crust pizzas at Newk’s and the Redneck Nachos at Moe’s Original BBQ. Before long, they wish they didn’t have to go back to their drab, dreary lives in Manhattan. And they haven’t even made it out to Taylor Grocery yet.

Even most of us who are lucky enough to live here haven’t tried every restaurant in town. But we’ll get to them sooner or later.

Meanwhile, we offer you, gentle reader, this helpful guide to the local food scene, an overview that is, admittedly, far from comprehensive and a little biased. If we didn’t mention your favorite, please don’t get mad and rip us on Facebook. Safe to say, this won’t be our last article on great places to eat in Oxford.

Date Night Delight

Here are 5 must-try restaurants for Valentine’s Day and beyond.

The Ravine

53 CO RD 321, OXFORD, MS • (662) 234-4555 This rustic eatery on the outskirts of town boasts a farm-to-table menu packed with exotic flavors. From the duck breast served on wild-rice pancakes with a sweet and sour cherry sauce to the seared pheasant and Israeli couscous, your every gastronomic wish will be satisfied. But you’ll still want to come back for Tapas Night on Wednesdays.

Grit

2 TOWN SQUARE LN, TAYLOR, MS • (662) 638-3922 Nick Reppond and Angie Sicurezza are giving folks another reason to make the trip out to Plein Air in Taylor. Grit will hook you in with Buck-A-Shuck dollar oysters on Thursday nights, then bring you back for the Cubano and the Fried Green Tomato Po-Boys at lunch and the Smoked Corn Pudding and Lamb Kebabs at night.

Snackbar

721 N LAMAR BLVD, OXFORD, MS • (662) 236-6363 John Currence calls Snackbar his “Bubba brasserie,” but Chef Vishwesh Bhatt, a James Beard Award winner, is an unlikely Bubba, fusing Indian flavors with French bistro and Deep South cuisine. The results are mouthwatering marvels like the Truffle Parmesan Frites, the Collard GreensWrapped Catfish and the “Punish Stew” made with beef and root veggies.

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Saint Leo

1101 E JACKSON AVE, OXFORD, MS • (662) 380-5141 The food media has canonized owner Emily Blount and Chef Dan Latham with James Beard Award nominations and national “best of ” kudos. Take a bite of their pork belly sandwich, and you’ll feel blessed, too. And those artisanal wood-fired pizzas—like the Burrata & Soppressata or the Radicchio, Gorgonzola & Speck—will make you a true believer.

McEwen’s

1110 VAN BUREN AVE, OXFORD, MS • (662) 234-7003 Yes, the seafood’s amazing, but don’t miss out on the Cast Iron Flameado, a mindbogglingly delicious Tex-Mex blend of melted white cheddar and San Simon de Costa cheeses with spicy chorizo. Save room for the Duo of Duck (an oh-soFrench combo of seared duck breast and duck confit) and the Masa-Dusted Catfish topped with a crawfish ragout.

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Keeping It Casual

Ready to kick back? Try these 10 laid-back hangouts for good times with family or friends.

Newk’s Eatery

1309 UNIVERSITY AVE, OXFORD, MS • (662) 513-5303 2305 JACKSON AVE W SUITE 217 • (662) 238-2727 Along with must-try thin-crust pizzas, Newk’s offers pairing options on their 600-calorie menu, like the half roast-beef sandwich with a hot, soothing cup of Steak, Roasted Veggie and Farro Soup.

And their handy online Nutrition Menu makes it easy to stick your diet!

Papito’s Mexican Grill

2570 JACKSON AVE W #21, OXFORD, MS (662) 234-4011

We've got two words for you: Jalapeno Margarita. It's just the right balance of spicy bite and Margarita tartness and deliciously refreshing. While you’re there, try the incredible Steak Fajita Nachos and save a buck or two with their three-item combo deals for under $10.

South Depot

1004 VAN BUREN AVE. OXFORD, MS • (662) 234-7886 Had your fi ll of fast-food tacos? South Depot Taco Shop should be your next stop. Where else can you find tacos stuffed with marinated steak drizzled with Korean BBQ sauce or slow-roasted pork with an Asian dragon sauce?

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La Perla Tapatia

1912 UNIVERSITY AVE, OXFORD, MS • (662) 638-3873

Dig into La Perla’s scrumptious enchiladas and chimichangas while admiring gorgeous murals by artists Julia Vizcaino Luna and Brian Sanchez. And if you think pineapple doesn’t belong on Mexican food, the Hawaiian Quesadilla might just change your mind!

Coyote Blues

1202 MERCHANTS DR, OXFORD, MS • (662) 638-3680

Happy hour just got a lot happier—and a lot longer—thanks to Coyote Blues’ daylong drink specials. From 11 a.m.-6 p.m. every day, you can sip $3 margaritas with your Crawfish Burritos or the half-pound Angus burger on a cheddar-jalapeno bun.

Greenline

1002 VAN BUREN AVE, OXFORD, MS • (662) 234-7829

If you’re in the habit of saying, “I’ll just have the salad, please,” you’ll feel silly at Greenline.

Salad is all they do, and they do it splendidly, with signatures like the uber-healthy Superfood and build-your-own options with a selection of four greens and 30-plus toppings.

Lost Pizza

7102 COLLEGE HILL ROAD, OXFORD, MS (662) 371-1576

With its savory pies, folk-pop art and bluesyartsy ambience, Lost Pizza is a welcome new addition to Oxford's restaurant scene. Sidle up to the counter and order loaded signature pies like The Kujo or The Otis or try the meatballpacked Mee-Maw 2.0 sandwich. The decor is so engrossing and fun to look at, you'll never get bored waiting for your food.

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Moe's Original BBQ

311 S LAMAR BLVD, OXFORD, MS • (662) 236-6637 From the smoked brisket, Rib Tacos and Redneck Nachos to the one-of-a-kind Penny Bar with its half-priced Bloody Moes and MoeMosas, Moe’s has become one of the Square’s hippest happy-hour headquarters and BBQ joints.

Mugshots Grill & Bar

1400 MERCHANTS DR, OXFORD, MS • (662) 380-5054

Home of the “sweetest buns in the South,” Mugshots was singled out by Mississippi Magazine for the best burgers in the state. And if you’re a student, they’ve got an even sweeter deal for you—half-price off your entire meal on Wednesdays!

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What to Eat Fine Dining

Chancellor's Grill & Lounge 425 South Lamar Blvd 662-371-1400 City Grocery Southern Cuisine 152 Courthouse Square (662) 232-8080 (Reservations Recommended) Colonels Quarters Fine Dining 120 Castlehill Dr (662) 234-3735 Lenora’s Italian Southern Dining 309 N Lamar Blvd, Ste. C (662) 236-1144

Stella 208 South Lamar Blvd.

(662) 380-5047 Tarasque Cucina 14 CR 307 (662) 380-0381 The Wine Bar 401 S. Lamar Blvd.

(662) 238-3500

Greenline Salads 1002 Van Buren Ave. 662-234-7829 greenlinesalad.com

Casual Dining

Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches 2206 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-7117

6’n Tubbs Pizzas & Calzones 2625 W Oxford Loop (662) 563-6562

McEwen’s Southern Steakhouse 1110 Van Buren Ave (662) 234-7003

Abner’s Chicken Tenders & Wraps 430 S Lamar Blvd (662) 232-8659 1927 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-3080

Mesquite Chop House Steak House 1001 Jackson Avenue East (662) 232-8855

Bacchus On the Square Seafood 122 Courthouse Square (662) 638-3800

Oxford Grillehouse Seafood & Steaks 114 Courthouse Sq (662) 701-8285

Beacon Restaurant Home Cooked Meals 1200 N Lamar Blvd (662) 234-5041

Ravine Contemporary Southern Cuisine 53 County Road 321 (662) 234-4555

Big Bad Breakfast 719 N Lamar Blvd (662) 236-2666

Saint Leo 1101 Jackson Avenue East (662) 380-5141 Snackbar 721 N Lamar Blvd (662) 236-6363

Chicken Salad Chick 1300 Merchants Dr. 662-380-5582 Dodo's Pizza 614 Jackson Ave E. (662) 638-3555

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King's Steak House 1007 College Hill Road (662) 638-3933 Mama Jo’s Plate Lunches & Daily Specials 1503 N Lamar Blvd (662) 513-0235 McAlister’s Deli Sandwiches, Salads, Potatoes & Desserts 1515 University Ave (662) 234-1363

Newk’s Salads, Sandwiches & Califonia Style Pizzas 1309 University Ave (662) 513-5303 2305 W Jackson Ave, Ste. 217 (662) 238-2727 newks.com

Oby’s Cajun Cuisine 1931 University Ave (662) 234-4530 Oxford Burger Co. 920 Jackson E. (662) 238-6101 Oxford Canteen 766 N Lamar Blvd (662) 638-3393 Phillips Grocery Hamburgers, Chicken, Salads & Desserts 2406 S Lamar Blvd (662) 236-5951 Pizza Den Spaghetti & Sandwiches 499 Heritage Dr (662) 234-5537 Pizza Hut 1103 W Jackson Ave 662) 236-3333 1506 E University Ave (662) 236-2005

Fun Dining

Ajax Diner Catfish & Daily Specials 118 Courthouse Square (662) 232-8880 Bim Bam Burgers Burgers & Toppings Bar 2204 W Jackson Ave (662) 238-7802 The Blind Pig Sandwiches & Craft Beer Flights 105 N Lamar Blvd (662) 234-5119 Bouré Upscale Family Dining 110 Courthouse Sq (662) 234-1968 Buffalo Wild Wings Draft Beer & Wings 2315 W Jackson Ave (662) 238-2716 Chili’s 2576 W Jackson Ave (662) 281-3951

Sizzler Steak House Family Steak House 582 Hwy 6 E (662) 234-4667

Coyote Blue's Fresh Mexican 1202 Merchants Dr. (662) 234-4472

Soulshine Pizza Factory Pizza, Calzones & Salads 308 S Lamar Blvd (662) 533-7685

Frank and Marlee’s Steaks & Sandwiches 1210 Harrison Ave (662) 259-2442

Southern Craft Stove & Tap 705 Sisk Avenue, Suite 111 (662) 234-6007

Funky’s Pizza & Daiquiris 1012 E Jackson Ave (662) 259-2881

The Coop at Graduate Oxford 400 N. Lamar Blvd.

(662) 234-3031

Gus's Fried Chicken 306 South Lamar Blvd.

(662) 638-3420 gusfriedchicken.com/oxfordmississippi-location/ Lamar Lounge Burgers & Specialty Drinks 1309 N Lamar Blvd (662) 513-6197 The Levee Burgers & Wings 1008 Jackson Ave (662) 513-3223 The Library Burgers & Sandwiches 120 S 11th St (662) 234-1411 Local's Restaurant & Bar 309 North Lamar Blvd.

(662) 234-9594

Lost Pizza Co. 7102 College Hill Rd. (662) 371-1576 lostpizza.com/oxford/

Green Roof Lounge Comforting & Seasonal Cuisine 305 West Jackson Ave (662) 638-6017 Visit hottytoddy.com for news, arts, sports and fun! | 21

Taylor Grocery Catfish, Steaks & Brown Bag Old Taylor Rd, Taylor, MS (662) 236-1716 Mugshots 400 Merchants Dr. (662) 380-5054 mugshotsgrillandbar.com

Thacker 564 3000 Old Taylor Road, Suite C (662) 380-0381

Fast Dining

Old Venice Pizza Co. 1112 Van Buren Ave (662) 236-6872

Burger King 1741 University Ave (662) 281-0870

Panera Bread 1902 West Jackson Ave. 662-234-3793

Captain D’s 2533 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-7347

Pita Pit 319 Old Hwy 7 N (662) 238-3535

Chick-Fil-A 2307 W Jackson Ave (662) 232-8787

The Corner Bar Sandwiches, Wraps & Fries 1002 Jackson Ave (662) 380-5029

Chipotle 2151 Jackson Ave W (662) 236-6412

Proud Larry’s Pizza, Pasta & Salads 211 S Lamar Blvd (662) 236-0050 Rafter's Music & Food 1002 Jackson Avenue E. (662) 234-5757 The Roundtable Plate Lunches & Burgers 132 Courthouse Sq (662) 513-0588 Square Pizza 1101 Van Buren Ave (662) 234-9333 Tallahatchie Gourmet 1221 Van Buren Ave. (662) 380-5047

Domino’s Pizza 1603 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-3840 Firehouse Subs 1501 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-0707 Five Guys Burgers & Fries 2153 Jackson Ave W (662) 550-4607 Huddle House 1925 W Jackson Ave (662) 238-2977 IHOP International House of Pancakes 2152 W Jackson Ave (662) 513-9991

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Krystal's 459 Hwy 6 W (662) 234-1469 LB’s Meat Market Burgers & Lunch Plates 2008 University Ave, Ste. E (662) 259-2999 Lenny’s Sub Shop 2580 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-3600 Little Caesar’s Pizza 1725 University Ave (662) 234-7878 McDonald’s 1900 E University Ave (662) 234-3800 1803 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-6600 Papa John’s 1506 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-8648 Popeye’s 2622 Jackson Ave W (662) 234-4700 Sonic Drive-ln 2000 Jackson Ave W. (662) 234-8005 Subway 1948 University Ave (662) 236-1008 1901 W Jackson Ave, Ste. C (662) 234-7545 Taco Bell 1726 University Ave (662) 234-4403 Wendy’s 1904 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-9207 703 Sisk Ave (662) 236-4745

Wingstop 1522 Jackson Ave. W (662) 380-5667 Zaxby’s Wings, Tenders & Salads 2574 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-1024

Kabuki Sushi Bar & Japanese Steakhouse 1631 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-7346

International

Aloha Thai-Hawaiian Restuarant 2580 Jackson Ave W #30 (662) 202-6661 Casa Mexicana Mexican Food 1908 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-3855

La Perla Tapatia Mexican Food 1912 University Ave #8 (662) 638-3873 Maharaja Indian Cuisine 2570 W Jackson Ave, Ste. 23 (662) 234-1975

China Royal Asian Cuisine & Buffet 1938 University Ave (662) 513-4999

Toyo Japanese Sushi Bar & Hibachi 2305 W Jackson Ave, Ste. 207 (662) 232-8668

Chow King Grill & Buffet Asian Buffet 2142 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-6664

Papito’s Mexican Restaurant 2570 W Jackson Ave, Ste. 21 (662) 234-4011

El Agave Authentic Mexican 2305 Jackson Ave W #211 (662) 715-1740 El Milagros Taqueria 1420 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-1717

Rice and Spice Authentic Thai Food 1520 W Jackson Ave (662) 801-9338 Salsarita's 1801 Jackson Ave W. (662) 638-0595

The Noodle Bowl Asian Bistro 1501 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-4974 The Taco Shop 1921 University Ave (662) 234-9668 Volta Taverna Greek Cuisine 710 N Lamar Blvd (662) 236-1871 Zaap Thai Kitchen 1438 N Lamar Blvd #3 (662) 801-9991

BBQ

B’s BBQ Smoked Pork Tenderloin, Chicken, Ribs & Sides 825 College Hill Rd (662) 513-0401 Dickey's BBQ 311 Jackson Ave W #301 (662) 801-9260 Handy Andy BBQ, Sandwiches, Ribs, Peach & Apple Fried Pies 800 N Lamar Blvd (662) 234-4621 Louisiana Rubdown BBQ & Burgers 78 Highway 30 E (662) 380-5010

H20 Oriental Café Pan-Asian Cuisine 1304 University Ave (662) 513-6288 Jinsei Sushi 713 N Lamar Blvd.

(662) 234-0109

South Depot Taco Shop Tacos, Quesadillas & Nachos 1004 Van Buren Ave (662) 234-7866 southdepottacoshop.com

Moe’s BBQ BBQ, Ribs, Sandwiches & Nachos 311 S Lamar Blvd (662) 236-6637 moesoriginalbbq.com

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Neon Pig BBQ & Burgers 711 N. Lamar Blvd.

(662) 638-3257 Rebel Barn 1412 Jackson Ave W. (662) 469-6227

Bakeries & Cafes Beagle Bagel Cafe 1801 West Jackson Ave. Ste.B-104 (662) 380-5094 Bottletree Bakery 923 Van Buren Ave (662) 236-5000 Community Donuts 1703 University Ave (662) 638-3839

Square Books Café 160 Courthouse Square (662) 236-2262 Starbucks Coffee 1804 West Jackson Ave (662) 281-3964 Uptown Coffee 265 N Lamar Blvd, Ste. G (662) 513-0905

Sweet Treats

Baskin Robbins Ice Cream & Milkshakes 550 Hwy 7 S (662) 513-0156

Holli’s Sweet Tooth Ice Cream & Candies 265 N Lamar Blvd (662) 236-7505

Honey Baked Ham Hams, Turkeys, Roasts & Desserts 204 Merchant's Drive (662) 234-4472

Insomnia Cookies 303 South Lamar Blvd.

(877) 632-6654

Lusa’s Pastry Café Pastries & Sandwiches 1120 N Lamar Blvd (662) 234-9208 Mugg Cakes Online Catering (662) 771-6844 Shipley’s Do-Nuts 2151 S Lamar Blvd (662) 281-8414

Vienna Desserts House Of Fine European Cakes, Pastries & Desserts 2102 Harris Dr (662)-234-0088 Ya’s Ya’s Yogurt Frozen Yogurts 100 Courthouse Sq (662) 234-0038

Great American Cookie & Marble Slab Creamery 1801 Jackson Ave West A-102 (770) 514-4500

Cup's of Oxford 1543 Jackson Ave W Oxford (662) 380-5027

Living Foods Wellness Cafe & Juicery 809 College Hill Rd (662) 234-4443

Chaney’s Pharmacy’s Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt 501 Bramlett Blvd (662) 234-7221

Juva Juice & Smoothie Bar 1801 Jackson Ave W. (662) 380-5043 Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Gourmet Chocolate & Candies 2305 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-2911 Smoothie King 2311 W Jackson Ave, Ste. 307 (662) 259-2651 Sno Biz 1707 University Ave (662) 234-8889

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7102 College Hill Rd. Oxford, MS (662) 371-1576 lostpizza.com/oxford

OXFORD’S NEWEST STUDENT HOUSING OPENING FALL 2018.

Are you ready?

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believers TRU BY HILTON IS A NEW HOTEL CONCEPT DESIGNED WITH MILLENNIALS IN MIND

By Steve Vassallo

O

xford’s newest hotel, Tru by Hilton, is a new concept aimed specifically at millennials, that much-hyped demographic consisting of Americans born between about 1982 and 2004. Experience Oxford’s Steve Vassallo visited with Janet Watkins, Chief Operating Officer at Charter Road Hospitality Inc. (CRH), to find out how this one-of-a-kind property will turn younger customers into “Tru believers.”

Vassallo: Janet, this is an exciting new concept for CRH’s fi fth Oxford hotel. Tell us a little bit about it.

Watkins: It absolutely is an exciting new concept. With 470 Tru hotels in various stages of development, this brand is the fastest-growing in history. We are so excited to be a part of its future success.

Hilton has done so much research to get this right. It appeals to millennials—a growing demographic that needed a market niche—but it also will appeal to

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all travelers. Who doesn¹t want fast WiFi and a 55-inch TV, a comfortable bed in a streamlined room, and a lobby with tons of space?

Vassallo: How does the Tru brand encourage guest interaction?

Watkins: The lobby has four spaces for the guests to work, play, lounge and eat. We actually toured the prototype earlier this year at Hilton’s headquarters.

There will be a breakfast area featuring a “Top It” breakfast bar so the guests can customize their breakfast, plus comfy lounge seating, a game area complete with a foosball table and board games, and a work area with cubicles providing sound barriers. The lobby area is almost the entire fi rst floor. The Tru brand is encouraging interaction in the lobby by creating an inviting and versatile space.

Vassallo: What are some other features that will appeal to millennials?

Watkins: This hotel is bright but also very thoughtful. For example, the rooms are streamlined with ample space to plug in electronics, and the WiFi will be super-fast. Our researchers found that millennials value experiences over things. So the hotel was designed with that concept in mind. It is a streamlined hotel, but they put thought into what matters to the guest. For example, WiFi is incredibly important to travelers—they want to do work and stream on their own devices. We will make sure they have the best WiFi experience possible, and we can exceed their bandwidth needs.

Vassallo: The check-in desk is also unique, right?

Watkins: It is. The check-in desk is circular and will feature a 24/7 market with amenities such as premium snacks, light meal options and single-serve wine and beer. All of these are available for purchase at a 24/7 retail market. It is the center of the public space, which includes

four areas where guests can work, play, lounge and eat.

Vassallo: With the addition of Tru to CRH’s portfolio in Oxford, your employee count is projected to reach 150.

This is significant.

Watkins: Yes, our employees are our family, and we are thankful for the opportunity to employ so many members of the Oxford/Lafayette community. We look forward to hiring new team members in early 2019 for the Tru by Hilton.

Vassallo: I understand that Tru will represent an $11 million capital investment here. It also gives CRH three hotels in the shadow of the Oxford Conference Center. What will this latest hotel mean to the Conference Center?

Watkins: The Oxford Conference Center opened in 2004, and it is my understanding that they struggled for several years until Charter Road Hospitality built the Hampton Inn

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in 2011. Since 2011, the Oxford Conference Center has seen an increase in revenue from $378,000 to $1.2 million in 2017.

This certainly is a testament to the Conference Center’s amazing staff, but it is also because the center needed walkingdistance lodging to be successful.

We are very happy to fill that need, and we feel it is an investment in our community and an endorsement for our tourism industry.

Vassallo: In his remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Phil Bryant said Mississippi’s tourism industry is alive and well and set a new

record for visitors in 2017. Does this suggest great timing for the opening of the Tru hotel in Oxford?

Watkins: Absolutely. Mississippi is known for its hospitality and culture. It is no surprise that we have seen a boost in the tourism industry. In particular, I think Visit Oxford has done a great job of promoting our city and helping our hotels provide lodging to our visitors.

Vassallo: Janet, what Tru features have we failed to discuss?

Watkins: We didnšt mention that the property will have 104 rooms or that it will include a state-of-the-art fitness center. And I think the breakfast offering is really cool because the guest can customize their breakfast with over 30 sweet and savory toppings for their bagels, donuts, Greek yogurt and oatmeal.

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PACKING/UNPACKING SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

MOVING SERVICES

For a Stress Free Move, Call (662) 321-1682 or (662) 205-5941 1739 UNIVERSITY AVE #104, Oxford, MS

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Where to Stay Apartments

Molly Barr Ridge 1101 Molly Bar Rd. (662) 816-0444

Anderson Estates 1731 Anderson Rd (662) 234-0380

ARCHIVE Oxford 2212 Jackson Ave. West (662) 234-7460 Cambridge Station 801 Frontage Rd. Phone: 662) 234-1801 Fax: (662) 234-1878

Flatts at South Campus 900 Whirlpool Drive (662) 281-1335 flattsatsouthcampus.com Fox Hollow Located on College Hill Rd (662) 236-7736

Campus Creek 101 Creekmore Blvd (662) 513-4980

Gather Oxford 207 Hathorn Road (662) 382-9612

Canterbury Crest Apartments 1531 Tyler Cove (662) 234-1012

Heritage Park 600 McElroy Dr (662) 236-4433

Clearbrook Located on Old Sardis Rd (662) 236-7736

Highland Square 206 Town Center Dr, Ste. 100 (866) 978-2497 Leasing Office: 309 N Lamar Blvd, Ste. A (662) 550-2020

Cotton Creek Located on Old Sardis Rd (662) 236-7736 Cove Apartments 1903 Anderson Rd (662) 234-1422 Creekwood Located on Old Sardis Rd (662) 236-7736 Faulkner Flats 2998 Old Taylor Road (601) 707-1097

Molly Barr Trails 1021 Molly Barr Rd (662) 816-8800 Oak Grove Apartments 3036 Davis Dr (662) 236-4749 Oak View Apartments 41 Rubin Dr (662) 236-3927 Old Sardis Place Located on Old Sardis Rd (662) 236-7736 Old Taylor Place 2112 Old Taylor Rd. Phone: (662) 236-4300 Fax: (662) 236-4305 Pine Grove Apartments 2400 Anderson Rd (662) 234-1550

Hub at Oxford 109 Anchorage Rd (662) 234-2833

Solo Apartments 1430 University Ave (662) 234-4144

Lafayette Place 1711 Anderson Rd (662) 513-6222

Solo 2 Apartments 1304 Elliot Drive (662) 234-4144

Lexington Pointe 2000 Lexington Pointe Dr. Phone: (662) 281-0402 Fax: (662) 281-1173

Taylor Bend Apartments 101 Old Taylor Rd (208) 356-6686

Maplewood Apartments 49 Effie Circle (662) 236-7091

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The Connection 2000 Oxford Way (662) 236-3160

The Domain at Oxford 2002 Oxford Way (662) 638-6363

Cedar Ridge Condos 588 Hathorn Rd (662) 234-5421

The Links 44 Private Rd 3151 (662) 513-4949

Cottages at Hooper Hollow 2743 S Lamar Blvd (662) 202-2490

The Retreat 2405 Anderson Rd (662) 550-2003

Edinburgh Place Condos 1500 Anderson Rd (662) 238-2930 Esplanade Ridge Located on Anderson Rd (662) 801-5170

U Club Townhomes at Oxford 100 U Club Cove (662) 233-5235 americancampus.com Uncommon Oxford 514 East Jackson Ave. (662) 368-1090 University Arbors 805 College Hill Rd. (662) 234-0170 University Trails Oxford 900 Whirlpool Dr (662) 281-1335 West 100 Jackson Ave. (662) 513-9990 Westwind Townhomes Michael Dr (662) 234-0000

Condominiums Aspen Ridge 2214 Anderson Rd (662) 513-0011

High Pointe Condos 26-30 Thacker Heights (662) 236-9611 Jackson Square Condos 119 Chestnut St (662) 236-9790 Marks Condominium Located on Old Taylor Rd (662) 234-8718 or (662) 816-7873

Turnberry Condominiums 2100 Old Taylor Rd West End Robbins Circle (662) 801-5170

Hotels/Lodging 512 Bed and Breakfast Bed & Breakfast 512 Van Buren Ave. (662) 234-8043

The Z Bed and Breakfast Bed & Breakfast 1405 Pierce Ave. (832) 259-0088 Blue Creek Cabin Bed & Breakfast 535 Hwy. 30 East (662) 238-2897 Castle Hill Resort Bed & Breakfast 120 Castlehill Dr. (662) 234-3735

Orleans Oaks 98 Rd 1084

Chancellor’s House Hotel 425 South Lamar Blvd.

(662) 371-1400

Provence Park Condos 1102 Frontage Rd (662) 801-1815

Courtyard by Marriott Oxford Hotel 305 Jackson Avenue E (662) 638-6014

Soleil Condominiums 100 Private Rd 3049 (662) 234-9364

Graduate Oxford Hotel 400 North Lamar Blvd.

(662) 234-3031

Tanglewood 112 S 17th St. (662) 513-9990 The Park 1100 Park Lane 662-816-4293

Hampton Inn Conference Center Hotel 103 Ed Perry Blvd.

(662) 234-5565

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Hampton Inn West Hotel 110 Heritage Dr. (662) 232-2442 Holiday Inn Express 112 Heritage Dr. (662) 236-2500 Home2 Suites Oxford Hotel 101 South Lamar Court (662) 238-3400 Little Q Ranch Bed & Breakfast 1018 CR 251 (662) 801-5764 Nests BnB and Events Bed & Breakfast 81 CR 231 (662) 236-7733

Oak Hill Stables Bed & Breakfast 670 CR 101 (662) 234-8848

The Barnloft at Willowdale Farm Bed & Breakfast 28 CR 225 (662) 801-8600

Ole Miss Motel 1517 University Ave. (662) 234-2424

The Burrows Bed & Breakfast 40 CR 287 (662) 292-2220

Quality Inn & Suites 1808 West Jackson Ave (662) 234-6000 Ravine Bed and Breakfast 53 CR 321 (662) 234-4555 Super 8 Motel 2201 West Jackson Ave. (662) 234-7013

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The Inn at Ole Miss 120 Alumni Drive (662) 234-2331 Towneplace Suites

by Marriott Oxford Hotel 105 Ed Perry Blvd.

(662) 238-3533 University Inn Hotel 1101 Frontage Road (662) 234-9500

Taxis There are about 10 taxi services offered in Oxford, and while prices vary, the ease and convenience is worth the price. Taxi services include Angel Taxi, Austin Taxi, Rebel Taxi, and Oxford Taxi, among a few others. Simply google “list of taxis in Oxford, MS” and a list, along with the number for the taxi service will appear. Prices may vary but are usually about $10 per person.

The City Council sets acceptable rates for the taxi services to prevent price-gouging on Ole Miss game day weekends.

Uber Uber has entered the Oxford community for the second time in the past few years. Under a new Mississippi law, Uber has been available in Oxford for a year or so now.

Apartment Shuttles There are a few apartment complexes in Oxford that provide free shuttles to and from The Square on weekends for their residents. This option is very convenient for students given the cost efficiency. Who doesn’t love a free ride?

Locations that offer this service are The Hub, Highland Square and The Retreat, just in case you’re all out of money for transportation.

Highland Square offers free shuttles on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and runs from SPORTATIO N A N 9 p.m. until an hour R T after the bars close.

Pedi Cabs

If you want a unique open-air experience, try catching a ride with one “Uber approached the of Oxford’s Pedi Cabs city of Oxford a few or The Flying Tukk. years ago wanting to These little peddling IN O ORD become a 'vehicle for cabs are positioned XF hire,' but didn’t want to along the Square and follow the guidelines that have been set are willing to take you on a cruise to on other vehicles for hire in the state," nearby locations. So, sit back and enjoy according to Oxford Mayor Robyn the night air.

Tannehill.

When Oxford police made the announcement in 2016 that Uber would return on its Facebook page, it was met with an overwhelming reaction of 601 shares and well over 700 reactions ranging from “likes” to “love” to “wow!” You can access Uber through an app that can be downloaded on your phone. Type your pickup location into the search bar, and an Uber should be coming your way! Payments are taken via PayPal or by entering your credit card information.

The O.U.T. Bus

The Oxford’s Public Transit system (OUT bus) runs many routes around Oxford as well as Ole Miss. Fare for a single ride is $1, and students may ride for free. For a schedule of transit routes visit www.oxfordms.net.

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GENERAL MAP

E ssential Oxford Contacts City Clerk's Office oxfordms.net 662-236-1310

Fire Department oxfordms.net 662-232-2418

Human Resources oxfordms.net 662-232-2453

Oxford Public Library firstregional.org 662-234-5751

City Court oxfordms.net 662-232-2320

FNC Park fncpark.com 662-236-1012

Mayor's Office oxfordms.net 662-232-2301

Oxford Conference Center oxfordconferencecenter.com 662-232-2367

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Oxford Park Commission oxfordparkcommission.com 662-232-2380

Parking Division oxfordms.net 662-238-2793

Oxford University Transit oxfordms.net 662-234-3540

Visit Oxford visitoxfordms.com 662-232-2477

Police Department oxfordms.net 662-232-2306

Volunteer Oxford volunteeroxford.org 662-236-6662

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The Moviegoers

Attracting independent filmmakers and A-listers like James Franco, the Oxford Film Festival has become one of the town’s biggest events.

By Rick Hynum

W

hen Neil White and Elaine Abadie fi rst hit upon the idea of launching a fi lm festival in Oxford, they knew it wasn’t as far-fetched as some might have believed. “It didn’t feel like a gamble,” White said. “It felt like a slam dunk.”

“What Elaine and I discussed was that Oxford could certainly do a better job producing a fi lm festival when compared to fi lm fests that existed in Mississippi in 2003,” White recalled. “Then, when we announced its launch to the community, volunteers came out in droves. The fi rst festival committee had more than 30 members.”

Fifteen years later, the Oxford Film Festival (OFF)—which ran Feb. 7-11 at the Malco Commons theater and screened more than 200 fi lms—has become a massive, dazzling event, often attracting stars and directors like Morgan Freeman, James Franco, Tim Blake Nelson, Ray McKinnon and Jason Ritter, along with respected fi lm critics like Elvis Mitchell.

Every year OFF screens feature-length and short fi lms in both showcase and 36 | Sign up for Daily Headlines from hottytoddy.com

competition settings. It also brings together directors, producers, writers and actors for panel discussions and social events, allowing attendees to rub elbows with Hollywood A-listers, independent fi lmmakers and up-and-coming artists.

For OFF Executive Director Melanie Addington, who became involved with the festival as a screener in its third year, it’s the little moments that turn out to be unforgettable. She recalls hosting cast and crew members from the 2007 documentary, “Darius Goes West,” the true story of teenager Darius Weems, who had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and his cross-country trip to get his wheelchair customized by MTV’s “Pimp My Ride.”

“In the fi lm, Darius tastes wasabi and, for those who haven’t seen it, it is a much-needed comedic moment in a heartbreaking story of courage,” Addington said. “Michelle Emanuel, OFF’s co-director at the time, presented Darius with a gift of wasabi from the festival at their screening and cracked him up. Moments like that, more than those with celebrities, move me.”

Addington also fondly recalls a trip to Rowan Oak with Franco and Nelson, who screened the Franco-directed fi lm adaptation of William Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying” at OFF. “Watching them nerd out about Faulkner was pretty much an all-time Top 10 life moment,” Addington said.

But OFF is less about Tinseltown glitz and glamour than it is about celebrating independent fi lm. Th is year’s slate boasted 204 fi lms, including 35 features and 169 shorts. More than 60 were directed or codirected by women.

"Mississippi Madam: The Life of Nellie Jackson"

Eighteen of the fi lms were made by Mississippi artists. Addington herself wrote and directed one of the short fi lms, titled “#fi fteen. Some of the major Mississippi-made feature-length fi lms included: “Mississippi Madam: The Life of Nellie Jackson”—Directed by Timothy Givens and Mark K. Brockway, it’s the true story of an African-American woman who opened a brothel in Natchez and ran it successfully—with full knowledge of local authorities—for more than 60 years.

"The Long Shadow"

“The Long Shadow”—Frances Causey looks at two white daughters of the South who discover the troubling and hidden history of the region.

“The Process: The Way of Pablo Sierra”—Th is documentary, directed by Jeff Dennis, considers the life of a Yocona potter, baker and horseman known for mixing his hand-dug clay in a grinding mill powered by his horse.

"The Process: The Way of Pablo Sierra"

“Love Soliloquy: A Visual Album”— Astin Rocks uses avant-garde storytelling and imagery to reveal the psyche behind young women navigating their way through relationships.

"Love Soliloquy: A Visual Album"

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Things to Do The Arts

Oxford Artist's Guild Gallery Upstairs of Sugar Magnolia Antiques (1919 Univeristy Ave) Oxford Treehouse Gallery 328 Country Rd (662) 236-1667 Southside Gallery Art Exhibits & Receptions 150 Courthouse Square (662) 234-9090 Thacker Mountain Radio Live radio show every Thursday at Off Square Books The Blues Archives Largest collection of blues recordings housed in the J.D. Williams Library at the University of Mississippi The Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts Performance Facility 100 University Ave (662) 915-2787 The Lyric Oxford Performance Theater & Drinks 1006 Van Buren Ave (662) 234-5333 The Powerhouse Community Arts Center Houses Public Art Events 413 S 14th St (662) 236-6429 U of M Museum University Ave & 5th St (662) 915-7073

Bars/Nightlife

Ajax Diner Local Music Performances & Folk Art 118 Courthouse Square (662) 232-8880 The Blind Pig Pub Beer Flights, Live Music, & Trivia 132 Courthouse Square (662) 234-5119 Bouré Balcony Space & Appetizers 110 Courthouse Square (662) 234-1968

Gus’s Fried Chicken 306 S Lamar Blvd.

(662) 638-3420 The Growler 265 N Lamar Blvd Suite Y (662) 638-0600 Jinsei 713 N Lamar Blvd (662) 234-0109 Lenora’s Seated Bar Area & Specialty Drinks 309 N Lamar Blvd, Ste. C (662) 236-1144

Buffalo Wild Wings Draft Beer & Wing Specials 2315 W Jackson Ave "Allure" (662) 238-2716

The Levee Bar and Grill 1008 Jackson Ave E. (662) 513-3223

City Grocery Balcony Space & Drink Specials 152 Courthouse Square (662) 232-8080

Local’s 309 N Lamar Blvd.

(662) 234-9594

Frank & Marlee’s Outdoor Seating & Dueling Pianos 1210 Harrison Ave (662) 259-2442 Funky's Daiquiri Bar & Pizza 1012 E Jackson Ave (662) 259-2881 Green Roof Lounge Rooftop Bar 305 West Jackson Ave (662) 638-6017

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Proud Larry’s Live Music & Margaritas 211 S Lamar Blvd (662) 236-0050 Moe’s Original BBQ BBQ, Beer Specials, & Trivia 311 S Lamar Blvd (662) 236-6637 Rafter’s Music & Food Live Music, Sports Bar 1002 Jackson Ave E (662) 234-5757 Rooster’s Blues House Live Music & Pool 114 Courthouse Square (662) 236- 7970

Hotty Toddy Taxi (662) 832-8636

Round Table Outdoor Seating with 3 Bars 132 Courthouse Square (662) 513-0588 Snackbar Oysters & Specialty Drinks 721 N Lamar Blvd (662) 236-6363 Soulshine Pizza Factory Live Music & Draft Beer Pitchers 308 S Lamar Blvd (662) 533-7685 The Coop at the Graduate Rooftop Bar 400 N Lamar Blvd.

(662) 234-3031 The Corner Bar Music, Drinks & Sports 1002 E Jackson Ave The Library Sports Bar Sports Broadcasting & DJ Music 120 S 11th St (662) 234-1411 The Summit Ski Lodge Bar 1112 Van Buren Ave (662) 236-6872 The Wine Bar Global Wines, Craft Beer, & Specialty Cocktails 401 S Lamar Blvd (662) 238-3500

Family Fun

America’s Escape Game Oxford 1621 Jackson Ave. (662) 638-3411

Malco Theatre 1111 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-4962 Oxford Commons 206 Commonwealth Blvd.

(662) 638-0365 malco.com Premier Lanes Bowling, Laser Tag, & Arcade 204 Commonwealth Blvd.

(662) 234-8431

Parking

Park Oxford Assists Visitors & Citizens Parking 107 Courthouse Square (662) 232-8605 U of M Department of Parking & Transportation Campus visitors must purchase a $1 daily hangtag and park in the appropriate marked parking lots.

Lester Hall Room 120 (662) 915-7235

Taxi/Car Services Angel Taxi (662) 236-5557 (662) 715-9382

Need A Ride (662) 607-2631 Oxford Taxi (662) 701-7310 Oxford Limousine Service (662) 259-0508 Rebel Taxi (662) 832-7433 Rose’s Taxi Service (662) 638-3395 University Designated Drivers (662) 607-6387 Varsity Taxi (662) 832-2197

Wine & Spirits

Chuy’s Place 1350 N Lamar Blvd, Ste. 2 (662) 236-3768 Colonel’s Wine & Liquor 2101 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-9300

Austin Taxi (662) 832-9705

Habit’s Beer & Tobacco 2030 University Ave (662) 236-6651

Colonel’s Taxi (662) 832-7325 Daniel’s Taxi & Shuttle (662) 816-9626 Dixie Taxi (662) 550-0104

Q’s Taxi (662) 897-0975 Magnolia Taxi (662) 400-5286

Heritage Liquor & Wines 111 Heritage Dr (662) 238-6070

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High Cotton Wine & Spirits 2216 Jackson Ave W (662) 236-9463

Jackson Beer Co. 1801 Jackson Ave W. (662) 638-3642 jacksonbeerco.com Kiamie Package Store 1609 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-0610

Magnolia Wine & Spirits 1453 S Lamar Blvd (662) 801-3002

Safari Wine & Spirits 407 S 11th St, Ste. A (662) 234-2679

Old Taylor Wine & Liquor 2500 Old Taylor Rd (662) 234-0607

Star Package Store 308 E Jackson Ave (662) 234-3331

Oxford Wine & Spirits 800 College Hill Rd Suite 6101 (662) 832-2040 PJ’s Wine & Liquor 2015 University Ave (662) 234-9234 Poppa’s Wine & Spirits 2305 Jackson Ave W (662) 234-9779

Tony’s Wine & Spirits 307 Thacker Loop (662) 281-1165 Twin Package 1429 Old Hwy 7 N (662) 234-5824 West Jackson Wine & Spirits 2570 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-3400

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Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice

Named after a Grateful Dead song, Sugar Magnolia keeps blooming on University Ave.

E

very antique has a story behind it, and inside Sugar Magnolia Antique Mall, there are thousands of stories.

In 2007, co-owner Molly Harwell and her sisters, Leah Christman and Jane Steelman, turned their passion for antiques into a livelihood by opening Sugar Magnolia, located at 1919 University Avenue.

Sugar Magnolia—named after one of Harwell’s favorite Grateful Dead songs— offers antiques, furniture, artwork and crafts from more than 100 vendors from Oxford and surrounding towns and as far away as New Orleans, Nashville and Florida. Items include beds, dressers, chairs, chandeliers, lamp shades, rugs, accent pieces, repurposed items, lawn décor, vases and lanterns.

For Harwell and her siblings, a love of antiques runs in the family. Their mother, Lois Swaney-Shipp, was curator of the Marshall County Historical Museum and ran an antique shop out of her home for years.

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Each Sugar Magnolia vendor has his or her own booth in the sprawling edifice, showcasing a wide variety of items. “They love to come up here,” Harwell said.

“A lot of people have second homes in Oxford, and this is their hobby. We have a lot of vendors who are good friends. They come, spruce up their booths and go hang out. One vendor lives in Jackson, and her best friend lives in Memphis, and their other best friend lives here. They were all sorority sisters at Ole Miss. It’s a lot of fun.”

Harwell wishes she could take every item home with her. “Our vendors know how to work their booths,” she said. “I walk the aisles every day and see things I didn’t see the day before. They all do a great job being in touch with what customers want to buy, and it changes season by season.”

“A lot of customers … say it’s relaxing to just stroll the aisles and take your mind off things, because you can go into each booth and it’s like a different house,” Harwell added.

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Sugar Magnolia charges rent per square foot for each booth and takes a 10 percent commission on the sales. Harwell appreciates the vendors as true artists and said she loves the eclectic items featured in their booths. “We’ve been real fortunate and blessed with really talented people that bring a lot to the table,” she said.

“They don’t work for us. They work with us. We all work together, and we all have the same passion for what we do.”

So what’s the busiest time of year for Sugar Magnolia? Harwell said it’s the late summer months as the University of Mississippi gears up for the fall semester. “Students come in, and it’s like a madhouse in August,” she said. “July and August are our biggest months, between students doing back-to-school shopping for furniture and people stocking their places for football season.”

Whether you’re looking for handmade Ole Miss team merchandise or something to spruce up your house, dorm room or apartment, you’ll find something you love at Sugar Magnolia.

(This story was compiled from previous articles by Ellen Graves and Emily Gatlin.)

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Where to Shop Antique Shops

Bea’s Antiques 1315 North Lamar Blvd. (662) 234-3376 Cotton Boll Antiques 1501 Molly Bar Rd. (662) 234-8383 Crème de la Crème Antique Furniture, New Home Accessories & Gifts 605 S Lamar Blvd (662) 234-1463 Old Taylor Antiques 447 County Rd 303 (662) 234-9797 Mustard Seed Antique Antiques, Shabby Chic Furniture & Accessories 1901 A Jackson Ave W (662) 380-5051

Home & Gardening GNC Supplements, Diet/Energy Nutrition & Health Products 2214 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-5687 Good Nutrition Health & Nutrition 1151 Frontage Rd (662) 281-8448 Hollywood Feed Natural, Holistic Pet Food 2210 W Jackson Ave (662) 638-0435 Home Depot Home Supplies 201 Home Depot Dr (662) 234-7863 Hue Oxford Paints & Supplies 2311 W Jackson Ave, Ste. 306 (662) 380-5086

Mississippi Madness Mississippi Made Products 141 Courthouse Square (662) 234-5280 Oxford Home Furnishings 1925 University Ave. (662) 638-3522 Oxford in Bloom Plants, Scrubs & Pine Straw 1446 S Lamar Blvd (662) 236-4686 Provisions 1611 University Ave (662) 638-0480 Sherwin Williams-Floor Covering Store 2617 West Oxford Lp (662) 234-4156 Sherwin Williams-Paint Store 1905 Jackson Ave (662) 234-8131 Sneed’s Ace Hardware Home & Garden Supplies 1400 University Ave (662) 234-3232

Sugar Magnolia Antique Mall Antique Collectibles 1919 University Ave (662) 234-6330 sugarmagnolias.net The Depot Antiques Mall Over 100 Booths 709 N Lamar Blvd (662) 236-1979

Johnson’s Furniture Showroom 2128 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-7711 johnsonsfurnitureonline.com Jones at Home 1005 Jackson Ave E. (662) 232-8690 Magnolia Lighting Light Fixtures & Décor 2206 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-0025

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Something Southern Home Furnishings, Décor & Accessories 1223 E Jackson Ave (662) 236-3977 Stash Name Brand Furniture & Home Décor 137 Courthouse Sq (662) 236-1120 SummerHouse 405 S. Lamar Blvd.

(662) 234-8100

The Barn Trading Company 2657 W Oxford Loop (662) 238-7730 The Green Door Company Distinctive Furniture 128 MS-30 (901) 647-5850 Tuesday Morning 1925 University Ave (662) 513-0795 Unique Furnishings Home & Exterior Furnishings 1612 University Ave (662) 234-0405

Florals & Gifts

Amelia Handmade Jewelry, Home Goods & Gifts 1006 Van Buren Ave (901) 355-0311

128 Courthouse Square (662) 238-2900 Material Girlz Fabric 1917 University Ave. 662-234-4466 Mimosa Flowers & Gifts Flowers, Gifts & Quality Candles 2305 W Jackson Ave, Ste. 207 (662) 234-4440 Nest Paper Studio Custom Invitations & Paper Products 265 N Lamar Blvd (662) 281-8808 Olive Juice Gifts & Mississippi Made Products 302 S Lamar Blvd (662) 259-2696

Amit’s Hallmark Creative Gifts, Cards & Candy 2305 W Jackson Ave, Ste. 205 (662) 236-4107

Oxford Floral Floral Services, Gifts & Accessories 1103 Jefferson Ave (662) 234-2515

Bette’s Flowers Order Flowers with Same Day Delivery 1798 University Ave (662) 234-6717

Treehouse Toys Toys & Gifts 1201 Merchants Dr. (662) 371-1234

Chaney’s Pharmacy Pharmacy Services & Gifts 501 Bramlett Blvd (662) 234-7221 Katherine Beck Gifts 134 Courthouse Square (662) 234-9361 Lily Pad Gifts & Accessories Sorority Gifts, Vera Bradley & Unique Jewelry

University Florists Fresh Flowers 1912 University Ave (662) 234-6044

Sewing & Monograms Knit 1 Oxford Yarns & Patterns 303 Heritage Dr. (662) 238-2829

Sit N’ Rock Quilt & Sewing Shop 1502 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-0800 Square Alterations 203 N Lamar Blvd (662) 513-0600

The Arts

Frame Solutions Art Gallery & Frames 1453 S Lamar Blvd (662) 259-2400 The Frame-Up Framing & Art 125 Courthouse Square (662) 234-6641 Off Square Books Books & Artist Events 129 Courthouse Square (662) 236-2828 Rebel Music Musical Instruments 1605 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-0999 Ron’s Music Center Musical Instruments 717 N. Lamar Blvd.

(662) 234-0051 S&J Art Gallery Gifts, Art & Framing 1010 E Jackson Ave (662) 234-8139 Southside Gallery Art Gallery 150 Courthouse Square (662) 234-9090 Square Books 160 Courthouse Square (662) 236-2262

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Square Books, Jr. Children’s Bookstore & Toys 111 Courthouse Square (662) 236-2207

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

A Look Ahead Eyewear 102 Courthouse Square (662) 236-3626 Amy Head Cosmetics Make-up & one-on-one consultation 301 S Lamar Blvd (662) 513-0711 Ann Taylor Loft 2317 Jackson Avenue Oxford Galleria (662) 234-4527 Austin’s Shoes 2202 Jackson Ave W (662) 638-3108 Belk Department Store 2319 Jackson Ave W (662) 281-1378 Belles & Beaus Children’s & Maternity 1005 Van Buren Ave (662) 236-6880

Cat Daddy’s T-Shirt Shop 304 S Lamar Blvd 662-236-2639

Cicada for Her Boutique Designer 307 S Lamar Blvd (662) 281-0541 ext. 100 DSquared 918 Jackson Ave Factory Connection Men’s & Women’s Clothing 1911 University Ave (662) 513-9941 Francesca’s 1801 Jackson Ave W (662) 234-5159 Frock Fashions Fashionable Clothing, Gifts & Accessories 201 N Lamar Blvd (662) 234-1360 Gingersnaps Jewelry 1405 E. Jackson Ave (662) 832-6676 Hemline 1106 Van Buren Ave. (662) 638-3633 Hinton & Hinton Outfitters Fashion Apparel, Men’s Suites & Designer Lines 135 Courthouse Sq (662) 234-0691 Indigo’s Women’s Clothing, Gifts & Accessories 265 N Lamar Blvd (662) 236-9707 Jos A. Bank Men’s Suits, Tailoring & Casual Menswear 1501 W Jackson Ave, Ste. 105 (662) 281-7475

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Kaleidoscope Boutique Women’s Clothing, Designer Shoes & Gifts 2305 Jackson Ave W, Ste 201 (662) 234-6722 Kinnucan’s Outdoor Apparel, Shoes & Accessories 2317 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-9930 Lammon’s Jewelry Engagement Rings, Earrings, Pendants & Men’s Jewelry 1126 N Lamar Blvd (662) 234-2777 Landry’s Menswear Traditional Apparel for Southern Gentlemen 302 S Lamar Blvd (662) 281-0846 LuLu’s Shoes & Accessories 265 N Lamar Blvd, Ste. J (662) 234-4111 Maison Weiss 2 130 Courthouse Sq (662) 236-5477 Marshall’s 500 Merchants Dr. (662) 236-2856 Material Girls 403 S Lamar Blvd (662) 513-0888 Melody’s Beauty & Fashions Women’s Clothing & Beauty Products 1927 University Ave (662) 234-2273 Merle Norman 2305 W Jackson Ave, Ste. 205 (662) 236-4107

Miss Behavin’ Make Rules, Break Rules, Fashion Rules 107 N Lamar Blvd (662) 513-4177 shopmissbehavin.com My Favorite Shoes 138 Courthouse Sq (662) 234-0059 Neilson’s Department Store The Oldest Store in the South 119 Courthouse Sq (662) 234-1161

Nella’s Women’s Clothing 103 Courthouse Sq (662) 281-8711

Peas & Carrots High Quality Children’s Clothing 1906 University Ave (662) 236-5566

New York Fashion Men & Women Clothing 1710 University Ave (662) 234-3182

Pink and Proper Clothing and Accessories 265 N Lamar Blvd (662) 281-1111

Oxford Bridal Wedding, Bridesmaid & Prom Dresses 1550 University Ave (662) 234-5811

Popfizz 400 S Lamar Blvd.

(662) 380-5170

Oxford Printwear 1722 University Ave (662) 234-5051 Oxford T-Shirt Company 1453 S Lamar Blvd.

662-234-0345

Private Gallery 306 South Lamar Blvd.

662-236-4022 Rack Room Shoes 2305 W Jackson Ave, Ste. 212 (662) 236-3412 Ross 400 Merchants Dr (662) 281-5751

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Sally Beauty Supply Beauty Products & Supplies 2580 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-6986

Vincent’s Boot & Shoe Working Boots & Shoes 2008 University Ave (662) 234-1876

Shoe Carnival 800 Merchants Dr. (662) 236-6670

Zoe Cosmetics, Fragrances & Bath Accessories 265 N Lamar Blvd (662) 281-8989

The Brooks Collection Jewelers 127 Courthouse Square 662-259-2887

Sporting Goods

The Shoe Dept Brand Name Footwear 2550 W Jackson Ave, Ste. 9 (662) 281-8508

Campus Book Mart Ole Miss Apparel, University Books & School Supplies 2128 Jackson Ave (662) 234-5993

Therapy 136 Courthouse Square 662-234-9907

Dick’s Sporting Goods 300 Merchants Dr. 662-281-5814

Thomas Brothers Formalwear 1504 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-2642

Hibbett Sports Sporting Footwear, Equipment & Apparel 2317 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-2844

Tres Belle 126 Courthouse Square 662-238-6226 Tummies Maternity Maternity Accessories 1003 Van Buren Ave (662) 234-1001 Turkoyz Jewelry & Accessories 1105 Van Buren Ave (662) 234-3427 Van Atkins Jewelers 124 Courthouse Square (662) 236-5012 Village Taylor Women’s Boutique 145 Courthouse Square (662) 234-8217

Rebel Locker Room by LIDS 1801 Jackson Ave 662-915-8400 Rebel Rags Ole Miss Gear & Apparel 2302 W Jackson Ave (662) 234-7247 The Trophy Shop Custom Plaques, Awards & Trophies 1533 University Ave (662) 236-3726 University Sporting Goods 105 Courthouse Square (662) 234-1736

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CRAZY ABOUT SWAYZE Coach Mike Bianco talks about renovations to Ole Miss’ beloved Swayze Field

By Adam Brown Photograph by Joshua McCoy

T

he 2018 season is right around the corner as the Ole Miss baseball team prepares for another run that will hopefully end in Omaha. The Rebels will start paving their road to the College World Series on Feb. 16 as they play host to Winthrop in a three-game series tilt.

Last season, the Rebels finished with a record of 32-25 and a 5-4 loss to Auburn in the SEC Tournament that prevented them from making it to Omaha. After the last home series with the Auburn Tigers, Oxford University Stadium at Swayze Field went through some renovations that fans will surely enjoy.

Swayze Field has always brought the pageantry of college baseball to life, from the beer showers after a home run to the picnicking fans out in left field. We caught up with Ole Miss Head Coach Mike Bianco and asked him about how all

the changes to the stadium will factor into the Rebels’ success this season.

HottyToddy.com: What all has been added as part of the expansion?

Bianco: There’s the new 42,000-squarefoot baseball performance center, including a new locker room, equipment room, hitting/pitching tunnels, weight room, lounge, nutrition center and fi lm room; a 3,200-foot dugout club, which will add 330 seats behind home plate with a suite-like area below the seats; and a new rooftop plaza, which will be on top of the performance center, will add 170plus seats, primarily consisting of letter winners, when it’s completed.

HottyToddy.com: What will Swayze Field’s capacity be?

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Photographs by Steven Gagliano

Bianco: 10,715.

HottyToddy.com: How do you think the expansion will affect the atmosphere?

Bianco: We already have a great atmosphere, one that we consider one of the best in the country. I’m not really sure.

If anything, it’s going to go up, but I think that’s hard to gauge. The neat thing is that you have fans that are going to be closer to the action behind home plate. I think that dugout club is going to be a special area. That rooftop terrace is going to be certainly unique in college baseball—it kind of gives you that Wrigley Field feel.

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There’s some premium seats that are going to be special, but we already have a special atmosphere to begin with.

HottyToddy.com: What will be the effect of changing dugouts this season?

Bianco: Nothing. No effect whatsoever.

We’ve been in that dugout for intra-squad games, regionals and super regionals, and probably the only effect that I can foresee is to make sure the catchers are used to getting the signals from that side. As a coach at LSU and McNeese, I was always in the first-base dugout, so it won’t be too hard to go back.”

HottyToddy.com: Ole Miss fans have been drawn to this field in capacity crowds. How do you see the additions impacting the visiting team?

Bianco: I just think the look, the feel, is only going to improve the atmosphere.

HottyToddy.com: How do you feel the expansion will affect recruiting?

Bianco: We didn’t do this expansion for that reason, but certainly that’s going to be one of the fallouts from the expansion. We did this because the original expansion in 2009 was just to put more bodies in the seats, but with that expansion, not much was done for the players and the locker room/ training room. We didn’t really have a player’s lounge, and we thought this was a necessity to keep up with the times.

The locker room that we’re in now is basically the same one that they used in 1989. It’s the same locker room that

Keith Kessinger got dressed in. It’s been almost 30 years, so the locker room and player amenities needed a face lift. Doing that, I think there will be an effect on recruiting—there’s no doubt they’re going to be impressed.

HottyToddy: With a preseason ranking at No. 11 and having Ryan Rolison named to preseason First Team All-America, what does that do for your team going into the season?

Bianco: It’s nice to be recognized. It’s nice to have the expectations that you’re going to have a good season. I don’t want to give the proverbial "The polls don’t mean anything," but it’s nice. It’s nice for the fans and the players to be recognized, but it usually ends there. You have to perform on the field at the end of the day, and I think the players are excited, because they think they’re good. We have a chance to have a special year, and I think that’s the most important thing.

Photograph by Joshua McCoy/Ole Miss Athletics

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Liz Grant: The Dating Game Gets a New Head Coach in Oxford

M

att Luke isn’t the only new head coach in Oxford. With Tinder, Bumble and other dating sites expanding, Heart À La Carte, a dating service and life consulting fi rm that helps women and men learn how to date and make better life choices, opened its doors recently in the heart of Oxford (so to speak).

“It has always been my dream to pursue becoming a dating coach,” said Liz Grant, founder of Heart À La Carte. “After all, I was born on Valentine’s Day.” “My goal is to help women and men, especially college-aged and young professionals, learn how to date and discern who may be the right choice from the beginning so that they can avoid the consequences that result from being in the wrong relationship,” Grant added.

A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Grant is a graduate of Florida State University and resides in Oxford. She is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), a certified Parent Coordinator, and is working on her professional certification with the Coaching Training Institute (CTI).

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Her services include private coaching in person, over the phone, or by video chat. She also offers image makeovers and supper clubs for single women, sorority members, and women that are divorced or widowed, where issues of dating and relationships are shared and discussed.

Grant even meets clients in their home to evaluate if the home is “date-ready.”

“I think this business is exactly what Oxford needs,” said Ole Miss student Sophie Durham. “Not only does Liz help with your dating life, but she also helps you shape a healthy lifestyle.”

Grant will be available to speak to groups and share her dating strategies while bringing humorous, relatable and straightto-the-point advice.

To learn more about Heart À La Carte, contact Grant at 662-336-2220 or liz@ heartalacarte.com, or visit the website at www.heartalacarte.com.

Working with buyers and sellers of Oxford’s premium properties is my expertise.

Getting results routinely is my experience in exceeding expectations!

Steve Vassallo, REALTORÂŽ The Neighborhood Watch Dog

985-852-7745

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Photo by jim Hendrix

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Photo by Oxford Park Commission

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EXPERIENCE OXFORD FAMILY

Coyote Blues

Mugshots

Gus’s Fried Chicken

Newk’s Downtown

Flatts at South Campus

306 S Lamar Blvd (662) 638-3420

(662) 205-0283

Greenline

Newk’s W. Jackson

Jackson Beer Co.

South Depot Taco Shop

La Perla Tapatia

Insurance Alfa InsuranceFreddie Pinion

Apartments/ Rentals Archive Oxford 1000 Archive Circle (662) 234-7460

900 Whirlpool Dr.

Hermitage Gardens Assisted Living 1488 Belk Blvd (662) 234-8244

U Club Townhomes

400 S Lamar Blvd Suite C (662) 550-4329 1103 Jackson Ave W (662) 233-5235

Banks/ Investments Raymond James & Associates Investments 1013 E Jackson Ave (662) 234-3414

Food/Dining Chick Fil A

Student Union Dr. 2307 Jackson Ave W (662) 232-8787

Fresh Mexican Grill 2535 Jackson Ave W (662) 638-3680

Salads 1002 Van Buren (662) 234.7829

Craft Beer Store 1801 Jackson Ave W (662) 638-3642

Authentic Mexican 1912 University Ave #8 (662) 638-3873

Lexington Coffee Co. 212 Court Square Lexington, MS 39095 (662) 834-3917

McEwen's

1110 Van Buren Ave (662) 234-7003

Moe's Original BBQ

311 S Lamar Blvd (662) 236-6637

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Galleria II 1400 Merchants Dr. (662) 380-5054

1309 University Ave (662) 513-5303

2305 W Jackson Ave Galleria Mall (662) 238-2727

1004 Van Buren Ave (662) 234-7886

1614 University Avenue (662) 268-4401

Tom Davis- State Farm Insurance 1015 University Ave (662) 236-2281

Real Estate Grace Realty Sharon Grace 507 Heritage Dr (662) 816-2999 Kay Hightower 507 Heritage Dr (662) 801-6692

112 Mulberry Lane (662) 236-0060

Oxford Properties

428 N Lamar Blvd #105 (662) 832-3987

Premier Properties of Oxford

Steve Vassallo (985) 852-7745 sovassallo@gmail.com

RE/MAX

Blake Cannon 1923 University Ave Office:(662) 234-5621

Services Bella Mia Salon

1112 N Lamar Blvd (662) 380-5097

Blo/Dry Bar

Beauty Salon 1801 Jackson Ave (662) 638-3310

C-Spire

Wireless Services 1608 Jackson Ave (855) 277-4735

Northwest Mississippi Community College

Oxford Conference Center Meetings and Events 102 Ed Perry Blvd (662) 232-2367

Pack Move Solutions

Packing/Moving/Cleaning 1739 University Ave #104 (662) 321-1682

Sitters, LLC

Adult Care, Child Care, & Cleaning Services 4500 Interstate 55 North Frontage Rd #210, Jackson, MS 39211 (601) 981-3661

Truvy's Beauty Spot

Beauty & Salon 2704 West Oxford Loop Suite 113 (662) 236-1884

Shopping Barnes and Noble/ Ole Miss Bookstore 1111 W. Jackson Ave. (662) 915-5894

Hollywood Feed

Pet Supplies 2210 W Jackson Ave (662) 638-0435

Johnson's Furniture

Furniture and Showroom 2128 Jackson Ave W (662) 234-7711

Malco

Movie Theatre/Bowling 206 Commonwealth Blvd (662) 638-0365

Miss Behavin’

Women’s Apparrel 107 N Lamar Blvd.

(662) 513-4177

Oxford Home Furnishings 1925 University Ave (662) 638-3522

Sugar Magnolia Antique Mall Antique Collectibles 1919 University Ave (662) 234-6330

Cat Daddy’s/Ink Spot Ole Miss Apparel 1301 N Lamar (662) 236-2639

1310 Belk Dr (662) 236-2023

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107 Courthouse Square (662) 236-1310

Lafayette County Detention Center 711 E Jackson Ave (662) 234-6421

Oxford City Hall Visitor Information Available inside City Hall 107 Courthouse Square (662) 236-1310

Oxford Fire Department Fire Chief, Cary Sallis 658 N Lamar Blvd (662) 232-2418 (662) 232-2412 (662) 232-2413

Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce

Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society 413 McElroy Dr (662) 236-7631 (662) 236-7633

Yoknapatawpha Arts Council Lafayette County & Oxford’s Arts Agency 413 S 14th St (662) 236-6429 www.oxfordarts.com

U of M Museum

Kinard Hall Wing C, Floors 2 & 3 (662) 915-7234

Malco Theatre Oxford Studio Cinema 1111 W Jackson Ave (662) 236-4962

First Baptist Church of Oxford

Day & Night Walk-In Care 1487 Belk Blvd (662) 234-1090

U.S. Postal Service

University Police Department

440 N Lamar Blvd (662) 236-4265

Urgent Care Clinic of Oxford

Oxford Police Department

Plastic, Cans, Newspaper and Mixed Paper 719 Molly Barr Rd (662) 232-2745

United Way of Lafayette/Oxford/ University

Malco Theatre

The UPS Store

Recycling Drop Off

2535 W Jackson Ave (662) 238-2606

Exhibits Art & Historical Artifacts University Ave & 5th St (662) 915-7073

Businesses & Visitor Info 299 W Jackson Ave P.O. Box 147 (662) 234-4651 info@oxfordms.com

Chief of Police, Joey East 715 Molly Barr Rd (662) 232-2400

Office Depot

Mailing, Packaging & Delivery Services 1739 E University Ave (662) 236-3800

Stamps, Boxes, Mailing Services & Pick-Up 401 McElroy Dr (662) 234-5615 1 Student Union Dr (662) 234-1316 505 Jackson Ave (662) 281-8329

Baptist Memorial Hospital Emergency Services 24/7 1100 Belk Blvd.

(662) 232-8100

Oxford Commons 206 Commonwealth Blvd (662) 638-0365

800 Van Buren Ave (662) 234-3515

North Oxford Baptist Church 304 County Road 101 (662) 234-1101

Oxford-University United Methodist Church 424 South 10th St (662) 234-5278

First Presbyterian Church 924 Van Buren Ave (662) 234-1757

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 403 University Ave (662) 234-6073

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 113 S Ninth St (662) 234-1269

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OXFORD RESOURCES

City of Oxford

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