Starbucks Opens Jackson Avenue Location, Satisfies Coffee Lovers

After spending more than a year working as a reporter in small-town southwest Mississippi, I made my triumphant return to Oxford about a week ago. As an Ole Miss alum, nothing is more thrilling than returning to God’s Country on the brink of what should be a stellar football season, with students milling about and locals remembering how to cope with traffic.
However, my first day on the job, I discovered a familiar green face in an unfamiliar place, and my excitement level nearly tripled.

It’s official, boys and girls: Starbucks has come to Jackson Avenue, and I’ve been almost every day for the past week. That may sound obsessive, but I doubt I’m the only one.
In fact, I know I’m not alone after waiting though the long but surprisingly expedient drive-thru line during the morning rush for caffeine and sugar.
Though the student union bookstore sells Starbucks products and a small Starbucks moved into J.D. Williams library, this is the first freestanding, off-campus café in the area since the Batesville location closed.
Since leaving Oxford in 2011, a number of changes have come to Jackson Avenue, including C Spire relocating to the former bowling alley lot and a Panera Bread Co. opening two doors down from Starbucks. Cups Espresso Café, another coffee shop based out of Jackson, also moved into the Jackson Place shopping center next to Jos. A. Bank.
With the student population steadily increasing every year, Oxford residents should expect many more chains – and maybe even a Target – to move into town.
Amelia Camurati is associate editor for HottyToddy.com and can be reached at amelia.camurati@hottytoddy.com.