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photo by Marcus Frazier
Fat Mama’s Meagan Wingfield and Monique Conner entertain Gail and Bill Ruggie of Clearwater, Fla. Sunday afternoon. Sunday was the restaurant’s last day in their log cabin location. They will move into their new location today and open soon.
Fat Mama’s ready to move
Published Monday, August 11, 2008
NATCHEZ — The fat mama has sung.
On Friday evening the Fat Mama’s compromise was signed and the restaurant was granted a certificate of occupancy.
David Gammill, the owner of Fat Mama’s restaurant, said he was pleased with the signing of the compromise and the issuance of the certificate.
“We are glad to be moving forward, again,” he said.
In early July, when Fat Mama’s representatives originally tried to get the certificate they were granted only a conditional certificate and asked, by the mayor, to reach a compromise with the Natchez Planning Commission.
At the time the City Planner John Lewis said the planning commission had concerns with street access, green space conversion and concrete parking buffers that are used to separate parking spots.
Gammill said in accordance with the agreement he has put up a barrier to prevent access to his business from Washington Street and will place buffers in the lot for parking.
However, Gammill said he has no intention to convert a section of his lot to green space.
“We don’t have any plans for it,” he said.
However, the area will be cleaned and landscaping could be added to the already existing trees Gammill said.
The space in question is a section of land between Washington Street and the parking lot that planning commission requested be turned to green space.
But for now the space will stay as it is and Gammill will keep moving forward on his plans to open.
“I’m ready to get back into the resturant business and out of planning and development,” he said.
Mayor Jake Middleton said he was pleased that the compromised had been signed at that the restaurant would be able to progress.
“I hope everybody is happy with it,” he said.
Neither Lewis nor the vice chair of the planning commission could be reached for comment.
Gammill said now that he has attained the certificate he plans to be open very soon.
“It could be a matter of days,” he said.
And on the brink of the new opening the last day of business for Fat Mama’s at their log cabin locale was Sunday.
By today tamales will no longer be sold from the little cabin.
Megan Wingfield has worked for Fat Mama’s for two years and said she’s ready to move to the new location.
On Sunday afternoon plates, cups and other items were already being moved from the cabin to the new location on Canal and Washington Streets.
“I’m really looking forward to having central air,” she said with the window unit humming in the background. “It’s going to be exciting.”
Comments
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 1:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Finally..If the planning whatever kept on they would have never opened. They will always keep finding something to grumble about,some code,or some sumpin. I think sometimes they just like to poke folks and aggrevate them until the move on somewhere else,course i know that,s not nice but it,s all true. It ain,t like its a big surprize or a big meteorite shower..geez
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 5:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
amen texasranger
Posted by observer (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Defiant as ever. Why can't some people just follow the rules. They are no different from the rest of us who want what's best for Natchez. Plant the grass, Gammils
Posted by Shorts (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Last time I checked, the Miss-Lou area wasn't short on "Green Space." In an ever-weakening and uncertain economy, let's put our efforts and focus on what businesses need to open and succeed…not on what we can do to delay them. Sometimes people like to stick their nose in whatever they can to make themselves feel important. I sure hope a strip of green space and some concrete bumpers has done that. God knows that I wouldn't feel safe in that parking lot without them!
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with you observer, if it was down to the wire and it came down to adding green space to open my business, I can guarantee you I would throw in some grass and a azalea. I am sure Fat Mamas would loose alot of money every weekend they aren't open, so to spend a few dollars on grass would be nothing in comparison to not being open
Posted by itsmemame (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know it seems that the planning commission is nit-picking (and I have had my own run ins with them), but, without them down town Natchez would probably look like Carter Street in Vidalia. More of our historical landmarks, like the Baker Grand (which I still haven't gotten over) would be lost. Following the rules is a given for living and doing business in downtown Natchez.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fat Mamas, Fat Mamas
Gimme a drink
Throw in a tamale
And the kitchen sink.
Fat Mamas, Fat Mamas
Gimme some food.
I'm broke and I'm hungry
And so is my brood.
Fat Mamas, Fat Mamas
Open up fast
I wanna margarita
In a location that'll last!
Posted by Shorts (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you mostly, itsmemame. I'm all for historical preservation in our area. But the part I don't agree with is what a small strip of greenspace, which apparently hasn't been there in a long time, and some concrete bumpers is going to do for the image and historical preservation? Do you, or anybody else, drive by a parking lot and find yourself concerned about the concrete bumpers in a parking lot? And nobody cared about the greenspace when whatever was there before. It's one thing to require certain facade and building restrictions that keep with historical preservation, but to go to bat on these miniscule issues is just insane to me.
Posted by stateofnatchez (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Get a life code-mongers........or at least another hobby.
Posted by Natchez3 (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is about time!!!! Good luck In the new location!
Posted by Hotmama (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so excited about the new fat mama's althought I liked the old one just fine! Can't wait to go to new one though. I just have to say, not that it matters, but I think all of the problems in the first place came from close by rich people who don't want change. That's what it boils down to. (I think). And to itsmemame, I don't see where downtown Natchez is all that great. It's cluttered and you have to park on the side of the street most of the time, if your lucky enough to find a spot!! My point is, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Carter St. in Vidalia and it's growing everyday.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad to see they are opening. Thanks Mayor for putting common sense into the mix. It is time to become more business friendly.
Now, Mayor. it is time for a state of the art recreation area. Try the lot next to Natchez High. I am sure Wal-Mart would be willing to throw a small grant into the pot since they would benefit from it greatly. It is very much needed.
Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the Planning commission is a great thing to have in place; however, (you knew a "but" was coming, didn't you?) I have to agree with above comments to the most part. Plans were submitted as all plans are; these are supposed to me people with the knowledge to interpret or they should not have been on the commission. Persons on Washington and Wall did not want the parking lot used for a business they think will be noisy during the evening hours. The commission agreed to the plans with corrections; these corrections were made and then; building almost completed and they find fault. Excuse me, -- if the commission had been doing their job all along these things would have been noticed -- but I THINK that the Wall street people began to take notice and called foul.
Friendships came into play and to heck with Fat Mamas business. Well, I think the Gammills have spent enough money to get this building in place.
I am tired of GREEN -- too much emphasis is being placed as it was when we could not eat eggs. Give me a break. A parking lot has been converted into a place of business where locals and visitors alike can enjoy a good meal. The noise levels will not begin to be like it is at Docs or other local establishments.
As a young child, we lived near the high school and the barns. We had to live with the ballgame noises way into the night; the rodeos way into the night. Loud speakers and people cheering can be very loud into the late hours of the night but it is something we had to live with. If the National Guard Armory alarm would go off, it would buzz for hours and hours and we had to endure.
It is time for everyone to get into the -- get a little, give a little attitude. I just hope that there are no hard feelings that will last and that all of these people will move on.
Fat Mamas - can't wait for my first batch of tamales and a margarita -- drive up window here I come!
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Frankly,
I'm sick of this whole situation and tired of hearing about it
I'm a long time Natchez born resident and think that Fat Mama should have more respect
I'm disapointed in their attitude about creating a little green space, like that's a big deal to do. I think they are talking about that big area that Gammil would like to see filled up with cars and visitors crammed in his place gorging on tamales and sucking down margaritas. Well, I can understand that, we all have our dreams of doing big business.
Well good luck, but I think locals that care about Natchez have been quite turned off by the defiant attitude and disrespect towards neighbors. Of course there are plenty folks that don't give a hoot and just want a party place, that's ok too.
But, to me It would have been a lot nicer of Gammill to go along and get along, Gammill will have to work and grind like the rest of us trying to survive here, he'll have good days and nights and slow days and nights - like the rest of us. But he should have respect for the good living that Natchez people will bring to him by showing a bit more gratitude. I don't think it would have been such a difficult and expensive task as Mike said above, to throw a bit of grass, bush, azalea, or a tree out there to help make the downtown area look nice. HIs building is a bit of on the PLAIN side if you ask me.
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the plants and bushes David has planted are plenty of greenspace. Lets not get into all the businesses that don't have any greenery. The building is a little plain but it is a log cabin, and probably the fewer details, the fewer hold ups with "The Bosses". Good Luck Dav! see you at the grand opening!
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a sad way to spend God's day.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Instead of all this coverage of Fat Mama's opening and this nonsense
why isn't the Democrat reporting on something important
Like how BAD OUR ROADS ARE!!!!
Sgt Prentiss, Melrose, St Catherine, Franklin, Homochitto, and on and on - our roads are full of potholes and big bumps that are beating my vehicles up, and I know I'm not the only one that notices this
Speak up People and let's get our roads fixed!!!
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Krogers
you are right the worst part of Canal St. is for surely not Fat Mamas, I would say it is that pot hole at the railroad track. If that track is not used why can't they pave that hole?
Posted by DuncanPark (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm fascinated by the support for & the coverage of the Fat Mamas saga. (BTW, shouldn't it be Fat Mama's? But what do I know.)
First, just how much coverage/publicity for Fat Mamas
by the Democrat would it actually take to be considered overkill?! (Are they investors in it?)
Second, I wonder how the people who are in favor of business locating anywhere it wishes and having the right to build without pesky code restrictions would feel if the next Fat Mamas builds in their block.
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Duncan Park
Let me go ahead and assume you live in the Duncan Park area, as do I. There is a house on my street that is so deplorable it ruins the street. I have tried for years to have some of the cities guidelines enforced upon my property neglecting neighbors but have failed. To answer your question, I would actually rather have a Fat Mama's than this house on my street.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are not the only one who notice the roads, Krogers. Although I don't live in the Natchez area, I drive on the roads to downtown to get to and from work. There have been times when I hit bumps and holes so deep, that it they cause my CD to skip. I drive a SUV. One morning I was driving down St. Catherine on my way to work. I hit a pothole so big and deep, that it broke the metal support that was holding my tail pipe. I will be glad if they do something about the roads. I will be glad when they open Fat MAMA's Tamales also.
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
drawpaintsing
I wondered how that happened to my tailpipe. I bet that is what happen to mine. Thanks City of Natchez. But don't worry about us ya'll just focus on Fat mama's. I mean they are the big issue. WHATEVER.
Posted by itsmemame (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shorts, I agree that the green space controversy is nit picking. If it bothers the city so much, they should get rid of the driveways on the Washington Street side, replace them with sidewalks and leave David alone. And for you Hotmama, I agree that Vidalia is growing daily, but, Carter Street is down right ugly and an eyesore!
Posted by jack (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
just glad its open and thanks ND for giving them all the free advertising
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Open. Open. Open.
Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't get why Fat Mama's has to provide for the green space. Hell, the space there before it was a parking lot. Why should Fat Mama's be responsible for turning the parking lot into green space?
You know, Fat Mama's would not have had to move but their place was turned over to the park service, so they had to relocate. It's not like they didn't like where they were. They're a good business and I am sure they will be a good neighbor. It's not like Canal is a residential street.
Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on August 11, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
P.S. I ran over that pot-hole there in front of Fat Mama's with my car and thought it was going to kill my car! You are on notice for that pot-hole, Natchez. If it does any damage to any car, you're responsible now.
Posted by andy (anonymous) on August 12, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm glad its open
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