Plein Air Continues to Expand Through Residential and Commercial Growth

Just four miles south of Oxford resides the quaint town of Taylor, but Plein Air developer Campbell McCool says that quietness is about to change. 
McCool has brought continuous growth to the small town with residential housing developments, restaurants and event venues. Grit, a nationally-acclaimed restaurant, The Mill, a special events venue, and annual Conference on the Front Porch all draw many out-of-towners to Taylor. 
As Oxford continues to grow economically and commercially, McCool believes that growth will filter into Taylor. He is expanding the commercial area by building Lost Dog Coffee Shop and a psychologist office, with plans to add a small hotel, wellness center and more restaurants later on.
“I think Taylor is on the verge of absolutely exploding,” McCool said. “Taylor is so well-positioned to capitalize on the growth of Oxford.”
General Manager of Grit Taariq David said the restaurant doesn’t get a lot of coincidental foot traffic, so he’s excited to see the area grow.
“We have done a great job with word-of-mouth advertising over the years, but there are still a lot of people that don’t know we are here,” he said. “More businesses would give people more reasons to come to Taylor.”
Taylor can support the growth, according to McCool, with substantial points of infrastructure like high speed fiber internet, natural gas from CenterPoint Energy and a proposed power substation by North East Mississippi Electric Power Association.
In addition, Taylor has its own member-owned water system.
“Taylor has a mayor, board of aldermen, planning commission, and implemented zoning years before the rest of Lafayette County,” he said. “Therefore Taylor is ready and prepared for the growth.”
McCool said the residential area had its best year last year. However, the development sold more houses in the first five months of 2018 than in 2017 total.
“It quickly placed us with no inventory,” McCool said. “So, we moved rapidly to put in phase VI—which is underway right now.”
Evidence of the expansion of Taylor came when outside developers began purchasing land in the community.
“A Texas developer recently purchased 1,000 acres between Oxford and Taylor that fronts on both Old Taylor Rd. and S. Lamar,” McCool said. “Lots of other investors recognize this trend and are purchasing up available parcels in and around Taylor.”

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By Talbert Toole, lifestyles editor of HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com.