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photo by Hannah Reel
Natchez Manor, at 600 Franklin St., opened its doors to the public Friday morning for a grand opening ceremony. The downtown building has been under renovation for months, and it is now open as a bed and breakfast.
B&B opens doors in heart of downtown
Published Saturday, April 18, 2009
NATCHEZ — Legislators, county and city officials and other interested members of the public walked through the grand halls of Natchez Manor Friday morning.
The newly designated bed and breakfast had its formal ribbon cutting Friday.
Fourteen rooms come outfitted with a king or queen bed, flat-screen television, large draped windows and a bathroom.
The piano bar in the basement is cozy, with a small stage, a fireplace, deep couches and tall tables.
The first floor boasts a formal dining room and a more casual eating area.
Photo by Hannah Reel
Natchez Manor owners Barbara and Edward Blackmon give thanks to those that helped them complete the development.
The front French doors open to reveal a glass chandelier hanging over a long staircase that leads up to the split-level second floor.
A rooftop terrace has thickly padded deck chairs, and sun floods the area.
Natchez Manor first applied for its permits in 2007 and is now open at 600 Franklin St.
Barbara and Edward Blackmon of Canton own the business.
Edward Blackmon is a state representative, and Barbara Blackmon is a former Mississippi state senator.
The couple has also developed a subdivision in Jackson.
Edward Blackmon said he was asked why he wanted to develop a bed and breakfast in Natchez. He said his response was, “Why not?”
“This is one of the areas in Mississippi that you can truly say has the best of the past and is moving toward the best of the future,” Edward Blackmon said.
“You all have what I think is a great place here.”
He said he can hardly believe the transformation the formerly dilapidated building has gone through, and he credits his wife for having the vision to turn it into what it is today.
“No person more than Barbara is responsible for bringing this to life,” he said.
Barbara Blackmon said she was thankful for Friday’s turnout, which included Sen. Bob Dearing and Sen. Kelvin Butler.
Local elected and appointed officials Supervisor Darryl Grennell, Chancery Clerk Tommy O’Beirne, Tax Assessor Reynolds Atkins, Tax Collector Peter Burns, Circuit Clerk Eddie Walker, County Administrator Cathy Walker, Fire Chief Oliver Stewart, former mayor Tony Byrne and Alderman Dan Dillard were all present.
Alderwoman Joyce-Arceneaux-Mathis served as the mistress of ceremony.
Photo by Hannah Reel
Natchez residents Coretta Logan and Marcia Thompson tour one the guest rooms at the Natchez Manor, 600 Franklin St., Friday during the open house.
“I’m happy to have this open in my ward,” the Ward 1 alderwoman said. “We are just so proud of it.”
She said city officials have been pushing for downtown revitalization, and Natchez Manor serves well to that effort.
“This is a beautiful topping for the first layer in the cake of downtown revitalization,” Mathis said.
Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Hudson welcomed the business as new chamber members, and Barbara Blackmon said she hoped she’d be a good member.
“We want to be good corporate citizens of Natchez,” Barbara Blackmon said.
Comments
Posted by escapee (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 1:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok. Sounds like a great place to party and spend the night. But where is this exactly? What's across the street from it? Is it pricey, or are the rates reasonable? Whats the scoop on this place?
Posted by Southernly18 (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 2:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jeez escapee! Calm down with the questions! You act like someone's making you stay! LOL!
Posted by soldout94 (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 3:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is a delight and an honor this couple choose Natchez to invest in. I pray God's blessings on your effort to help the peple of this community rise above mundane things. I am a Natchezian and Natchez is home for me. I am currently away, but never forget to mention Natchez in prayer. This is a beautiful community and I pray it embraces the future and the people step into the future as you have done.
I could not withhold commenting on this achievement because it is an answer to my prayer and someone stepped up to the challenge.
Mississippi is a great state and should be showcased for what it trully is.The people of Mississippi are greater than the state, thank the Lord. May God be with you and may many enjoy the beauty you bring to Natchez! Persevere!
Evangelist Mary Elizabeth
Posted by SayItRight (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 5:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe Ms. Mathis will act like a grown-up now and tone down her sniping in order to make a good impression on them. But then again, she could demand that their driveway and parking lot be improved before any major thoroughfares are maintained.
Posted by jd (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 5:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
souldout94:
It's so good to read positive comments such as yours.I admit I got emotional.
I also have left Natchez, but hope to return in my retirement years. It's stories like this that draw me.
Thanks,
jd
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks and sounds more like a hotel than a B&B to me!
I hear the prices are WAYYYY pricey as in $300 and up!
Posted by karithompson83 (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The place looks awesome. I hope they do well. As far as the prices, B&B's in Natchez have been more expensive than area hotels for quite some time. People who stay in these places are willing to pay for the superb service they receive (even if I can't afford it)! LOL
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It was a great opening. I just wish the Blackmon's had not lowered their standards to have Joyce Mathis speak. She just does not represent her district or the city well.
Posted by Wisterious (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How refreshing to have an African-American business open up with the approval and support of everyone in the community. And how truly refreshing to hear African-Americans say something nice about Natchez and its environs.
I do hope others in the area will take their cue from them and start working toward a better future rather than focus on failures of the past.
I was there last night. The place is beautiful. There were both black and white people enjoying the music (which was awesome), laughing, talking, dancing, socializing and having fun together.
I wish them the best of luck. Welcome to Natchez.
Posted by 2008 (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so happy to have a beautiful new B&B in Natchez, may the owners prosper and welcome to Natchez.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome, Mr. & Mrs. Blackmon, to the beautiful City of Natchez!!!
From the comments made by those who toured the B&B and the photos, it's a beautiful and welcoming place -- can't wait to visit it! I wish the Blackmons the best of luck with it and hope all Natchezians, near and far, support them.
“This is one of the areas in Mississippi that you can truly say has the best of the past and is moving toward the best of the future,” Edward Blackmon said. “You all have what I think is a great place here.”
Thank you, Mr. Blackmon, for chosing Natchez when you had many, many other places you could go.
Posted by reneef (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Best Wishes to the Blackmon's and the new B&B. I had a brief view inside from the side walk last weekend when I was walking downtown. It looked very nice.
Posted by specialk (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
gottabehappy,
Thats how RUMORS get started, by people like you, with your SNEEKY and NEGATIVE comments. Please give these people a chance that they have earned. You can start NATCHEZ GOSSIP with untrue statements like, "I (hear) that it is pricey as in $300 and up." Please get the facts before you make IGNORANTTTT staments like that. This may offend you but it is the truth. All it takes is types like you to spread you poison. Have a blessed day and think. I'm sure you have followers but atleast call for facts.
Posted by oldfashion (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hope the B&B does well.. I would actually like to try and stay in one around here.. Just to see what it is like.. ;)
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WTHell is wrong with YOU specialk? THIS is what I heard and I will tell it if I so choose seeing how I think that is too much for a hotel passing itself off as a B&B. You have a blessed day too.
Posted by rt29 (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like so much fun!A Piano Bar. So, who is the pianoist? Do they sing too?
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who exactly is trying to make this a race war? Who CARES what color the owners are? I certainly don't but have no plans to send tourists there either with the high prices. You can get a much more reasonable rate elsewhere in a local B&B. Having said that I wish them nothing but luck.
Posted by maple (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
gotttabestupid
I know that the starting rate is not $300. I went to the party last night and the Blackmons have a very classy place and Natchez is very fortunate to have them here. I am sure by you not sending tourists to them will not have an impact on there business. I am sure that you have zero impact on tourism in Natchez. I am also sure that they have invested more in downtown Natchez with this one project than you have invested in Natchez in your lifetime. They are from Canton and we happy to have them here.
Posted by maple (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We are happy to have them here ..sorry!
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well gottabesappy I have more pull in Natchez with the tourists than you will ever have so get over yourself already.
get a clue
Posted by maple (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 7:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
a clue is what you dont have.. I doubt you have any pull with tourism and if you do ..well you are doing a lousy job.. tourism is down!
Posted by maple (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
oh yea I was addressing that to gottabestupid.. the blogger that does so much for tourism!
Posted by 000117 (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Some times you get what you pay for.
V.W. beetle small uncomfortable( price cheap $17,614 - $26,014 )
Rolls Royce Very Comfortable ( Price No WHERE CLOSE TO BEING CHEAP..... MSRP From $380,000 )
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sappy I think you have a problem with your computer and it seems to be somewhere between the back of your chair and the keyboard. Run look in the mirror and see if you can find it.
Posted by reneef (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it is time for people to quite throwing arrows at each other. Why don't we keep the comments on the article instead of being snippy.
Posted by scarlettohara (anonymous) on April 18, 2009 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you reneef. This is nothing but a positive for Natchez. For those who don't see it as such, well, it's just a shame.
Best of luck to the Blackmons. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the opening, but from everything I hear, it is a first class establishment. Can't wait to experience it for myself.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on April 19, 2009 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonder where the so called B&B guests will park?
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on April 19, 2009 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
With all those snide and sarcastic remarks, ((gottabehappy)) "gotta be mad" that some fierce competition has moved into town!
Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on April 20, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
isn't this more like a boutique hotel than a B&B?
it's all good,
but,
let's get the classification clear.....
I mean, do the owners live there and have 14 guest rooms,
or
is it a small hotel with 14 rooms?
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on April 20, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I attended the grand opening Friday, and it was very nice. The place is very beautiful, from the first floor to the roof deck. I've watched that building transform from what it was and what it is now. It's amazing what architects and contractors can do.
Posted by renalta_hollins (anonymous) on April 21, 2009 at 3:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do they have a web site yet? I will spend a night there when I come to town regardless of what is being said, even if neighsayers think different. Good luck and all the blessing to new business owners in Natchez.
Posted by srob (anonymous) on April 21, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, split hairs why dontcha. Doesn't matter what it is called, it is a NICE PLACE TO STAY and if you do a little research, you'd find that just because something is categorized as a "B&B" does not mean it is supposed to be cheap. B&B's are places where you stay and get breakfast, usually homecooked, amd generally have an aura of elegance or simplicity, but either way are a higher class than a hotel. Cheap hotels are those that you stay in and get what you pay for, including USUALYL a cold breakfast and possibly make-it-yourself waffles. You could also have a little granny and pop B&B that is cheap, and an expensive hotel with expensive room service.
Basically, if you send people away who come to this town to experience something different, you are totally defeating the purpose of your job in tourism. Your job is to make sure people who come to visit know of every single place there is, and how nice ALL of them are, and let the people choose their own accomodations.
Being picky and choosy and snotty about where you commandeer guests to this town to stay is one of the snobby attributes that cause me to not be able to stand the small town. Your job is to benefit the entire town, not just the few little places you prefer yourself. Please try to remember this.
And for the new B&B owners, kudos for renovating and reopening an already existing piece of beautiful architecture. I am sick and tired of seeing new places sprouting up, taking all of our natural forests and such, when there are spaces and buildings abandoned and able to be remodeled. I hope your business does well, simply because you are trying to make a difference in Natchez. Good luck in all of your ventures.
Posted by time4change (anonymous) on April 30, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If I remember correctly, from comments posted on another article, I believe it has been clarified that this business didn't have enough rooms to qualify as a hotel and that's why it's a considered a B&B.
Good luck to the owners and staff, I hope you do well.
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