Nissan Café by John Tierre Hospitality now open at the Two Mississippi Museums
JANS – Nissan Café by John Tierre Hospitality, a new eatery specializing in Southern-inspired cuisine, is now open at the Two Mississippi Museums – the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.
The restaurant is a collaboration between John Tierre Hospitality, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services’ Business Enterprise Program. Representatives from those agencies, Visit Jackson, the City of Jackson and the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership celebrated the opening during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 16.
“We’re excited to welcome Tierre’s culinary vision to the Two Mississippi Museums through our collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services’ Business Enterprise Program,” said Barry White, director of MDAH, which administers the museums. “The café not only serves our museum visitors, but it also expands job opportunities and adds to the vibrant Downtown Jackson restaurant landscape.”
Tierre is a Jackson entrepreneur, promoter and restaurant owner who has built his career around business, hospitality and community involvement. Located at 222 North St., Nissan Café will offer visitors a taste of the flavors and hospitality found at Johnny T’s Bistro & Blues, Tierre’s restaurant on historic Farish Street.
Chef Bryan Myrick’s menu will feature daily plate lunch specials throughout the week, with selections that may include red beans and rice, chopped steak, barbecue ribs, baked chicken and blackened catfish.
Tierre arrived in Mississippi in 1995 on a tennis scholarship to play for Jackson State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He said opening in the Nissan Café represents another opportunity to invest in and give back to the Jackson community.
“We want to provide jobs and top-tier cuisine in an underserved area,” Tierre said. “Jackson is starting to show signs of considerable business growth for locals and visitors, and we are grateful to be a part of that growth.”
In accordance with the Randolph-Sheppard Act, state entities are required to give priority to licensed blind vendors through BEP when providing food service opportunities in their buildings.
Through its partnership with MDRS, John Tierre Hospitality operates Nissan Café as part of a food service opportunity supported by the BEP.
Tierre is the private business operator partnering with MDRS’ BEP. A licensed blind vendor is currently not assigned to the location. However, until the BEP Committee assigns a licensed blind vendor to the location, proceeds from Nissan Café will benefit the BEP Committee. Once a licensed blind vendor is assigned, the location will provide an opportunity for that vendor to operate a business through the program.
BEP is administered by the MDRS Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind (VRB), which provides individuals who are legally blind with the training, resources and support needed to become licensed vendors and successfully own and operate businesses.
“(This is) another successful entrepreneurship opportunity for legally blind Mississippians who want to be self-employed and partner with a small business in our great state,” said Dorothy Young, MDRS director, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind.
Through opportunities like these, and the well-known Micro Markets, MDRS supports employment, entrepreneurship and economic independence while strengthening partnerships with communities and government entities across Mississippi.
“Over the last 90 years, this program has really expanded to all kinds of state-owned properties,” MDRS Executive Director Billy Taylor said. “We’re glad to have a BEP location in the Two Mississippi Museums café providing food services.”
Nissan Café hours are Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
For more information, email info@mdah.ms.gov.
