When I moved away from Jackson 3 years ago, I understood, all-too-well, that one of Jackson’s features is “things leaving.”
But even still, especially with my heart fully geared toward returning, I never imagined Jackson without Fenians. Pouring one out for all of y’all from Virginia.
No!!!! This is how I found out that Fenian's is closing- genuinely so sad to hear this. I have a great memory from there that happened almost 10 years ago (yikes). I was the community engagement intern at the Institute for Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) at the time, and the whole staff (me included) went to Fenian's for karaoke night. Someone wrote one of the ISJL's rabbis down to sing a Spice Girls song (which, if I remember correctly, was this rabbi's ringtone at the time). Anyway, they wrote down "Rabbi" before his full name, and the MC announced it "Robbie," as if it was part of his name. It was a really funny moment, he killed the Spice Girls song, and an older lady also killed with Gin n' Juice (she walked around and really worked the room) that same night, if my memory serves me right.
We must have overlapped some during your time in jxn! I was friends with some of the ISJL fellows when I moved here 11 years ago—Lex and Amanda, and Abby, and others. I love this story!
Solid words. Fenians was never my go-to place, and yet at the same time always felt it was there for me if I needed it. It was like a weird smelly family member in that way, I suppose.
Beautifully written. Fenian's was so much more than a pub. Thank you for memorializing that space for our city.
When I moved away from Jackson 3 years ago, I understood, all-too-well, that one of Jackson’s features is “things leaving.”
But even still, especially with my heart fully geared toward returning, I never imagined Jackson without Fenians. Pouring one out for all of y’all from Virginia.
I agree it seemed like it would be on that corner forever!
No!!!! This is how I found out that Fenian's is closing- genuinely so sad to hear this. I have a great memory from there that happened almost 10 years ago (yikes). I was the community engagement intern at the Institute for Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) at the time, and the whole staff (me included) went to Fenian's for karaoke night. Someone wrote one of the ISJL's rabbis down to sing a Spice Girls song (which, if I remember correctly, was this rabbi's ringtone at the time). Anyway, they wrote down "Rabbi" before his full name, and the MC announced it "Robbie," as if it was part of his name. It was a really funny moment, he killed the Spice Girls song, and an older lady also killed with Gin n' Juice (she walked around and really worked the room) that same night, if my memory serves me right.
We must have overlapped some during your time in jxn! I was friends with some of the ISJL fellows when I moved here 11 years ago—Lex and Amanda, and Abby, and others. I love this story!
Oh that’s so funny! We must’ve been circling each other- I remember them and am still in touch with Lex from time to time!
Solid words. Fenians was never my go-to place, and yet at the same time always felt it was there for me if I needed it. It was like a weird smelly family member in that way, I suppose.
haha--I love that description! A weird smelly family member you could count on. <3