Blake Tartt, owner and president of NRP-Oxford, has been known for his restoration and preservation of historic buildings in Oxford.
However, remodeling buildings isn’t all NRP-Oxford has accomplished for the town. They have developed new buildings in Oxford as well, such as the Starbucks and Mattress Firm buildings located on West Jackson Avenue.
Beginning January 2016, NRP-Oxford will bring a new shopping center to the Oxford Commons named after Dr. David Sansing, Professor Emeritus of history at Ole Miss. Within the shopping center, which will be the focus of the third article in a series about Blake Tartt’s Oxford developments, will be a new restaurant, Fuddruckers.
“Just before the opening of the Mesquite Chop House, we were all having dinner discussing what new concept needed to be in Oxford,” Tartt said. “We had a fun and spirited debate about burgers and how many great burgers existed in Oxford.”
Tartt said with the cooperation of various business partners in the area, such as Jim Losapio, owner of Mesquite Chop House, the decision to bring burgers to Oxford was easy.
“We all felt that Oxford was missing a family-oriented gourmet burger and salad operation,” Tartt said. “Considering the proximity to Oxford High School, Davidson Elementary, Senior Housing, Convention Hotels, a movie theater, a new hospital and nearby neighborhoods, it was a natural.”
Estimated at around 4,500 square feet, the new restaurant will bring fresh burgers that are grilled to order.
“Fuddruckers is a totally different offering than most of the other burger operations in Oxford,” Tartt said. “They have gourmet burgers along with things like buffalo, elk and wild boar. Another difference is the topping bar where one gets to dress his or her own burger. I feel like we will be the ‘total family experience’ and accommodate everybody from ‘strollers to rollers.’ ”
Tartt said he believes Oxford only deserves the best, and bringing Fuddruckers to town gives him just that opportunity.
“Fuddruckers gives us an opportunity to deliver quality products in a unique family environment with quality bathrooms while giving back to the community I love so much,” Tartt said. “I am totally committed to Ole Miss and Oxford with our multi-development concepts.”
Randall Haley is a social media editor and staff writer for HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at randall.haley@hottytoddy.com.
