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Jackson’s Soul Food Redefined location, 4519 W. Center St. Photo taken in February 2023 by Sophie Bolich.
Just a year after opening in Milwaukee’s Uptown neighborhood, Jackson’s Soul Food Redefined is looking to expand by opening a second location.
The restaurant, which opened in February 2023, is housed in a bright red building at 4519 W. Center St. It’s certainly a standout along the busy road, but it’s also proven popular among patrons, who rave about the fried catfish, turkey legs, and mother-in-one pork chops.
In fact, business is so good that owner Jacquelyn Jackson is looking to open a second location to keep up with demand.
The restaurateur and self-described developer is working to purchase three adjacent city-owned parcels at 6137-6147 W. Fond du Lac Ave. and plans to open a second restaurant in an existing 900-square-foot building at 6143 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
The new store will be called “Jackson’s Soul Food Redefined Express,” according to a city report.
Jackson said the new store aims to offer quicker service and drive-thru options, filling a need that the flagship store can’t fulfill.
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“We have a lot of customers who can’t come to our current locations for a variety of reasons, including disabilities,” she said in an interview. “I wanted to give people a way to access the food they want to eat, an easier way to come to the restaurant.”
In addition to improving accessibility, the new restaurant will focus on a grab-and-go menu to cater to those who need a meal in a hurry.
“We’ll have the same types of food ready to go for people who don’t have time to wait,” Jackson said, noting the new location will have an expanded menu.
For customers who don’t mind waiting, made-to-order items will also be available. Once open, the new restaurant will offer both indoor and outdoor dining, with a drive-thru window located at the rear of the building.
Jackson hopes to buy the site, the former headquarters of Smith Car Wash, by the end of this month, and also plans to buy the parcels on either side of the building.
The City of Milwaukee acquired a total of 19,200 square feet of the property through property tax foreclosure between 2021 and 2023.
Though there’s still a lot of work to be done, Jackson says he hopes to have the new restaurant open by the end of the year, while he chips away at a checklist of city permits and inspections and plans major renovations to the building itself.
City Council’s Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee is scheduled to consider the sale next week. The proposed price is $32,000.
The project will include a commercial kitchen expansion, drive-thru lanes, on-site parking, outdoor seating, new landscaping and interior and exterior renovations. The renovations are expected to cost about $149,200.
Jackson brings a wealth of relevant experience to her latest venture. She currently owns eight buildings, most of which she said have been remodeled and renovated under her watch. She is also the licensee of Jackson’s Family Childcare Center, located at 8575 W. Appleton Ave.
Jackson said she hopes to continue sharing meals and interacting with local residents. “It’s going really well and we’ve had a lot of support,” she said.
Future updates about the new location will be posted on the Jackson’s Soul Food Redefined Facebook page.
At this time, the restaurant’s existing locations are open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30am to 7pm, and Friday through Sunday from 11:30am to 9pm.
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Related Law: File 240164
