Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Russell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
This year I will have been in business for 11 years. Being probably the only single African-American female in the state to have run this type of business, think I may have set a record? Also, is blessed to be turning the Big 50 in the month of September.
Jacqueline Russell is the founder and owner of Ms. Jack’s Place, located 6707 Maddox Rd Morrow, Ga. Ms. Jack’s Place doors opened Black Friday (one of Americans biggest shopping holidays, for those that don’t know when that day is it is the day after Thanksgiving) November 2006. The concept started out with a Chicago Flare, Blues, Jazz, and R&B, in to which catered to a more mature audience. We have been blessed to have been in business for 7 wonderful years. Also partnering with other businesses and professions, such as Morrow Middle School and Morrow High School, Mt Zion High School, many surrounding churches where we may have participated in yearly fund raiser for their organizations. Mt Zion High School was our first customers when we opened on Black Friday, Ms. Liz Bryant and Madalyn Wallace reserved the place for a teacher’s 60th birthday party, over the years to come they had retirement parties, baby showers and other events that helped us in the beginning of our business, believe me it wasn’t easy. Much praise and love to the support that everyone has given us.
Ms. Jack’s Place is more of a modern take of “Cheers Bar” this is a place where you meet all walks of life different nationalities and personalities. Part of our model included “May there be no strangers among us, introduce yourself.” The staff at Ms. Jack’s Place is always courteous, personable, and friendly, focusing on quality customer service. Ms. Jack’s Place suffered a great loss with the passing of Mario Laurent, Ms. Jack’s youngest son. He worked in the business for 3 ½ years as a “young chef.” He took pride in his job and the family business. Jeremy, Ms. Jack’s oldest son also worked in the business for several years before returning back to his home town of Chicago to take care of his great grandmother.
The menu has changed many many times throughout the years to accommodate favorites, and replace items that may have been just decorations on the menu. Our menu started out with basic American food, that included Chicago style Polish, always fresh cut zucchini fries and onion rings, in house breaded wings and chicken tenders, Ms. Jack’s famous Cajun Shrimp Pasta in which we sold more of it than hot wings at times, and lastly Ms. Jack’s Big Black Angus Burger. Today, our menu reflects love and good eats. Thanks to all of the love and support from our community throughout the state of Georgia (in which includes but not limited to Griffin, Macon, McDonough, Jonesboro, Riverdale, College Peak, Rex, Locust Groove, Hapeville, Kennesaw, Marietta, and of course all of Atlanta and its metro surrounding suburbs.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has definitely been challenging. From opening the doors on “Black Friday” in November of 2006, hosting a party for a high school teacher, not having a liquor license, with just selling food and allowing customer to bring their own beverages.
Overcoming the obstacle of having more staff than customers on the weekend. Seeing my bank account in a negative balance many times was very frustrating and a bit depressing.
Hiring family definitely brought along many unforeseen challenges, from work schedules to work behavior.
The ultimate challenge was losing my youngest son, Mario. He also worked in the business as a “Chef.”
Many customers knew him and loved him, getting a call on a Thursday on the business phone from the police was a life changing event, that no one could have ever prepared me for. The overwhelming love for him and me, kept the business from closing that week. We all cried and stayed as long as your heart could handle it. The passing of my son, hurt not only me but everyone that had every met him, this year it has been 5 years, and I still find it difficult to get up and be motivated some days. But I am truly blessed to still have my oldest son, Jeremy, and a beautiful Grandson, Jelani.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Ms. Jack’s Place story. Tell us more about the business.
Ms. Jack’s Place is a bar/restaurant, we offer Dine-In and Carry-Out Services.
We are known for 1st, our wonderful and warm customer service, 2nd our great menu, everyone raves about our chicken. “Ms. Jack’s has the best wings, best fish salad, best Cajun pasta.” Lastly, we take pride in the fact that we hand bread all of our meats (chicken, chicken tenders, shrimp, and fish).
I am so proud to say that as a company, we have built relationships with our customers, knowing them by first name. The whole “Bar Family” as I call it. has expressed a love for humanity, welcoming all, not meeting any strangers. Mainly proud of the love given and received from our military families, (retired, active and non-active duties). We have been known to be called a like version of a “VFW club,” where all branches of the military meet and share life experience and information that is helpful in the civilian life.
Ms. Jack’s Place has fed the Veterans twice a year (Memorials Day and Veterans Day) for 5 consecutive years. Ms. Jack’s Place has contributed to partnering with “Stephon’s House,” a non-profit that help house homeless military. We have fed them Christmas, New Year’s, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and many other holidays for the past 3 years, since they were first established.
Also proud to be able to employ people so that can provide for their families, most of my employees work part-time, it helps supplement shortages in paying monthly bills. One cook stated, that “I was the only one that gave him a job, when he had applied at many larger more established businesses (RIP Alton Brown).
Also proud of Brandon, he is a 34-year-old male whom is hearing impaired, he helps me every day doing many minor, light duties. Brandon came along when I needed someone to help do things like mopping, sweeping the parking lot, just overall daily help. I do wish that I could do more for him, many have expressed to me that I had made a great difference in his life. I try to teach him as much as I can, seeing that he is an adult male that needs to have a positive place in this whole. Teaching him light cooking, plumbing, and how to fix things, he learns very well. I do a great deal of mentoring to everyone, sharing many of my life experiences and knowledge. Constantly encouraging education and self-growth, and eliminating fear.
What set us apart from others is our love and dedication of giving the best quality of customer service and quality prepared foods to every customer, without bias. 11 years of proven great support.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I vision actual growth, with all the new trending ways that people enjoy leisure time, we look to keep up with it, whether it is food or just the way we hang out in social environments.
Contact Info:
- Address: 6707 Maddox Rd., Morrow, GA 30260
- Website: Msjacksplace.com
- Phone: 678.422.1331
- Email: msjack654@gmail.com
- Facebook: jackierussell
- Other: mjpmenu.com
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
