Tyler Davis
McEwen’s looking to begin strong this fall of 2011
OXFORD, Miss. A new restaurant seems to pop up in this town every week. Locals joke that when one restaurant closes, three open up in its place. The restaurant business is a big part of this town and our local economy. McEwen’s is the newest place open to diners in Oxford. It opened its doors July 25th. Situated on the historic downtown square amidst all the well known “big dogs” when it comes to dining out, McEwen’s is in good company and competition and will have to prove itself in the months to come.
City Grocery, 208, Lenora’s, and soon enough the new Bouré are all fierce competitors to gain ground against in the battle for customers. Many of these establishments have reputations and have been around for years. But there is a new player in the game with McEwen’s. Head Chef Jeff Robinson of Oxford hopes to attract customers with a different style of cuisine than anywhere else.
“Our food style is different, with creole-asian style dishes with tons of flavor and we use all fresh ingredients,” says Robinson.
They hope to rely on great reactions and people sharing their experience and wanting to return to drive their business to success. This is an extension of a McEwen’s on Monroe. A well known fine dining in establishment in Memphis, our big destination city to the north. It has a great reputation and dedicated staff and this drove the owners of the business to bring their name to Oxford, a very profitable restaurant town if it’s done right.
Lee Cauthen, longtime manager of the former Downtown Grill, was thrilled when they contacted him with the offer of operating partner. He knows the town, the people and the ins and outs of operating a business in this ever growing college town. Longtime favorite Downtown Grill closed in April, and Cauthen had been the manager for some 12 odd years.
“After ‘The Grill’ closed, I was going to be the GM at 208, but these guys contacted me and asked if I wanted to be a business partner,” said Cauthen enthusiastically.
A lot of workers from ‘The Grill’ followed Cauthen after it closed in late April. Obviously if you have staff following you when you make a job change, your doing something right. Cauthen is excited about this new opportunity and the challenges that await through out these next few short months during football season. He mentioned four things that will attract customers to this new location.
“Firstly, the reputation of the location in Memphis which obviously does pert well. Second, the following that we had at ‘The Grill’ knows we have moved and will support us in our new endeavor. Third, every one is interested to investigate the ‘new kid on the block’, especially in Oxford. Lastly, the word-of-mouth trail of information is a considerable factor in the restaurant business.”
True, that can help a new place, but also can hurt it, especially in this day and age of connectivity and ease of communication between people. Opening more than a month before football season was definitely an advantage for McEwen’s.
“We were able to prepare and get all the kinks out before things really got crazy,” said Cauthen.
For those who don’t know, football season for any business is what they dream of, the goldmine. It’s the opportunity to make triple the profits of any regular weekend. Also, it’s definitely a love/hate relationship when it comes to working football weekends. Stress, long hours, working when everyone else is having fun are just a short list of the reasons some dread football season.
“Friday night is what you wait for, it’s the beginning of the weekend and everybody wants to hit the Square,” Cauthen said.
“We offer a different menu and great atmosphere to shake up the competition and break the norm of the traditional dining in downtown Oxford.”
McEwen’s wouldn’t be complete or even have a chance on the Square without a fully stocked bar. Keeping in mind those who might enjoy a cocktail, with or without dinner. Trey Nichols worked the bar at ‘The Grill’ for many years and shares a great work relationship with Lee Cauthen.
“Bar patrons as I like to call them knew we moved from ‘The Grill’ so now they come to McEwen’s for our drink specials, friendly staff, and overall good atmosphere,” said Nichols.
Nichols hopes to make a killing this coming homegame Friday night. He works Fridays, knowing it will be hectic but it’s all worth it to cash in like he will.
“I sacrifice Friday nights with friends so I’ll be able to go spend some of that money I made Saturday,” joked Nichols.
Dining at McEwen’s will be an experience for many to share in the next couple of months. Finding a customer in the cluster of a weekend was tough, but managing to find one, a Mrs. Cathey Russell, was a grand choice on someone to talk to.
“I just love the new restaurant. It’s not as conservative as Downtown Grill was, or as traditional,” said Russell. “It’s nice to have a new atmosphere that is so eclectic and different from what we’re used to.”
She implored that I try the lobster risotto and insisted on the chilean seabass entré. With a growling stomach and mouth watering descriptive details the conclusion comes out with a hankering for all things hot and fresh. All signs point that McEwen’s will be a sure contender in the booming business around the Square. Only time will prove success or the opposite, failure which is not uncommon in a fast paced business savvy town like Oxford. Wish them the best of luck, and stop in for some lobster risotto or a cheesecake.
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