The Capital Club with Jennifer and Derek Emerson {Insider Inspiration}

Hey y'all! 
We don't know if y'all knew, but the owners of Walker's Drive In, Local 463, Caet, and Parlor Market have taken over the management of the Capital Club in Downtown Jackson. We got the chance to chat with Jennifer Emerson about how they came into managing this iconic Jackson venue. Keep reading for more! 

        Jennifer and Derek Emerson are the force behind many of the Jackson-metro area’s top restaurants. The husband and wife team expertly combine their skills to bring their customers an unforgettable dining experience night after night. The Emersons purchased the iconic Walker’s Drive In with the hope of transforming it into something that was uniquely their own.  “We are both veterans of the restaurant industry and always knew that we wanted to own and operate a place of our own one day. When Walker’s became available for purchase, it was the perfect opportunity to turn that dream into a reality,” says Jennifer. Already a staple in the Jackson area, Chef Derek Emerson’s ability to create delicious dishes from the finest fresh, local ingredients took Walker’s to the next level. Over time, the food and atmosphere led to the development of a loyal customer base that encouraged Derek and Jennifer to open a restaurant in Madison. They opened their second restaurant, Local 463 in Madison in 2010. Local 463 was one of the first locally owned fine dining restaurants in Madison when it opened. It did not take long for Local 463 to garner the same loyal customer base as Walker’s. ​

         Jennifer and Derek went onto open their wine bar, Caet, named after their youngest daughter Finley Caet Emerson. “Derek always wanted to do something in the space where Caet is now. Initially we thought Caet would somewhat be an extension of Walker’s. There wasn’t room in Walker’s for a full bar, but we wanted to give our customers that space. Our vision was to have customers grab a starter at Caet and a glass of wine before walking over to Walker’s for dinner,” says Jennifer. Soon after opening, it became apparent that Caet was a dining destination in and of itself; in response, the menu was expanded to include full plates.  
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       The Emersons have several long time employees that they were eager to partner with on their next project. When Parlor Market, an italian eatery in downtown Jackson became available for purchase, Jennifer and Derek knew this was a perfect opportunity to involve their partners Effie Hubanks, Lauren and Robert Rushton, and Michael Greenhill .“I absolutely loved the space of Parlor Market. I was always jealous of the unique interior of that space and we knew we wanted to keep that the same,” smiles Jennifer.  The Emersons along with their partners updated the Parlor Market menu, making it the first restaurant in the area to use fresh, homemade pastas in all their dishes.

      In addition to owning and operating the four restaurants, Jennifer and Derek along with their partners have taken over the management and operation of the Capital Club in downtown Jackson. With stunning views of the downtown skyline, the Capital Club is a versatile venue perfect for private events and wedding receptions. Under their management, both the daily menu and catering options have been updated to reflect Chef Derek Emerson’s unique and delicious style. “We’ve never been ones to sit still,  we’re happiest when we have a challenge or a new project,” smiles Jennifer. Needless to say, the Emersons will continue to provide the metro-area with amazing food and wonderful experiences for years to come.

For more information on the Capital Club, please visit the website. 
All photography by James Patterson.