New restaurant where Veranda was

[jeremyrbrown]

https://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=86721

Article says a guy named Craig Fant is putting a restaurant in there. A quick google search show he might have had some less than successful ventures in Biloxi and in the Jackson area. Anyone have any insight?

 

[johnson86-1]

https://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=86721

Article says a guy named Craig Fant is putting a restaurant in there. A quick google search show he might have had some less than successful ventures in Biloxi and in the Jackson area. Anyone have any insight?

Looks like he ran Nicks for a little while in Jackson? Had some cupcake places on the coast and a catering business that maybe went belly up because of him picking up some gambling debt in vegas. Or maybe he went to vegas and ran up gambling debts in a last ditch effort to save his businesses that were already doing poorly. WHo knows.
https://www.wlox.com/story/15118809/catering-business-closes-leaving-brides-in-a-panic/

 

[RotorHead]

Loved the Veranda during my time there. Reading the two articles concerning the incoming restaurant and the owner makes me cautious though. First article didn't really state anything other than there's plan in the works for a new spot and the second article sure leaves a sour impression as to the purported owner.

**Edit**
After some google-ing.
1) It appears the cupcake business on the coast was a husband/wife venture. Cupcake/catering business that capitalized on the gourmet cupcake craze. No reason given for going tits-up, but there were some articles on how numerous wedding parties in the area were left out to dry with no return contact and apparently no refund on deposits
2) Seems ole boy was given some new metal bracelets one evening in 2012 for writing a bad check in Vegas. To the tune of $205,000.
Don't get the warm and fuzzy that this restaurant replacing the Veranda is going to become a Starkville staple. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[tcdog70]

the 2 chefs-that made the Veranda great are now at Kings.

 

[57stratdawg]

Speaking of - i hope that place makes it. Seems like half of their social media posts are them closing for various reasons.

That space is pretty cool. I'd love to see that entire complex developed.

 

[The Peeper]

Kings was locked up and closed last Friday night at 8:00

 

[Go Budaw]

https://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=86721

Article says a guy named Craig Fant is putting a restaurant in there. A quick google search show he might have had some less than successful ventures in Biloxi and in the Jackson area. Anyone have any insight?

Seems like the perfect logical next step in the metamorphosis for it to eventually turn into a car wash. Those roll-up windows on the side can be converted to garage doors in no time!

 

[57stratdawg]

I saw. "Due to Personal Matter" per their IG page.

Hopefully they get it on track.

 

[DAWG61]

Jay made the Veranda great.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

https://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=86721

Article says a guy named Craig Fant is putting a restaurant in there. A quick google search show he might have had some less than successful ventures in Biloxi and in the Jackson area. Anyone have any insight?

If this space was open in Rankin County it would be either a Dollar General, Mexican Restaurant, Bumpers, weave/nail shop, check cashing place or Church.

 

[aTotal360]

Starkville deserves an Olive Garden...

 

[atomic dawg]

I saw. "Due to Personal Matter" per their IG page.

Hopefully they get it on track.

Ive been several times in the last few months and they’ve always had a decent sized crowd, but it wasn’t always what you would call busy. COVID restrictions definitely put a strain on things. Now they can have full capacity so hopefully they are out of the woods.

 

[atomic dawg]

I was told the Fants own the Jersey Mikes in Starkville.

 

[Maroon90]

Re: Kings Craft Butcher. Last fall my wife and I tried to eat at King's before the two football games we were able to attend (Arkansas and Auburn). They said they would be closed so their employees could go to the football game...OK then. Seems like a strange way to do business in an SEC town.

 

[InTheIttaBenaHotSun]

Do the Fants have ties to the CIA?*

 

[basedawg]

Fant has a terrible reputation. I wouldn't do business with him but I hope things have changed for him. Kinda like a Fox in the chicken house.

 

[paindonthurt_]

Originally yes, but it’s been a hot minute since Jay deserved even half the credit.

 

[The Peeper]

I guess I missed that era, I've lived in Starkville since 2014 and it hasn't even really been consistently good during that time, much less great.