Looking ahead: Old Towne Parish

One area of Olive Branch, Mississippi, is about to get even better! This charming town in DeSoto County is expanding its entertainment district. Read along as we share what you can expect to see in 2023.

Let’s start with its history. The site of Olive Branch’s soon-to-be-happening hot spot, Old Towne Parish, was once home to a general store that was built in 1920. Around 1930, the building was bought to operate as a cotton gin after a fire destroyed the gin’s original location. For more than four decades, the cotton gin served area farmers before eventually being converted into a small shopping center. Over the years, Cotton Gin Village Mall was home to various businesses and restaurants, and has even been used as an event and wedding venue. If you ask anyone that grew up nearby, the Cotton Gin was a beloved destination. And now, it’s undergoing a rebirth that will be the district’s anchor point.

That rebirth includes a new name for the development, Old Towne Parish, as a nod to its neighborhood. The “parish” part was inspired by the Cotton Gin’s architecture reminiscent of buildings in New Orleans. In front of the Cotton Gin space at 9200 Goodman Road is a courtyard that will act as the center of the district. Local, existing favorites are staying, like Mississippi Ale House and Brew Pub, SideStreet Burgers, OB Pizza Co. and Pink’s Coffee House. The latter will transition into Pink’s After Dark when the clock strikes 5 p.m., serving up charcuterie boards, small plates and wine. Newcomers Old Towne Taco Company, The Bourbon Room, The Bourbon Basement Club and a food truck park round out the robust offerings. 

Wondering about parking? Don’t fret. The current Cotton Gin lot is expanding to include 85 parking spaces, and Olive Branch City Hall’s lot will be open to the public after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends. 

When guests enter the area at Goodman Road and Pigeon Roost Road, they’ll be greeted by a statue of Chickasaw Chief Lush-Pun-Tubby, the man who owned much of the land that makes up Olive Branch. The statue will be a guidepost to greet visitors from near and far when the renovations are complete this spring.

Olive Branch has deep roots in DeSoto County and the Old Towne Parish development ensures its story is far from over. We hope to see you at Old Towne Parish in 2023!