John Currence‘s world renowned City Grocery iscelebrating it’s 30th anniversary in 2022, but the building and the name are far older in Oxford, Mississippi. Collection and information courtesy of John Cofield, Jacque Fudge, and Jeff Fudge.
Housed in a 19th century livery stable on The Square, the hardwood floors and exposed brick walls of John Currence’s City Grocery was the site of a different City Grocery started in the 1920s, owned by Levi “Bud” Fudge (second from right), and his son, Earl Fudge (right), a WWI veteran. The Fudge family came to Lafayette County from Edgefield County, South Carolina, and settled in the local area known today as Fudgetown. They later sold their City Grocery to the Mize family and opened Fudge Grocery at 305 South Lamar in 1948. That store closed 30 years later. Photograph and information courtesy John Cofield, Jeff Fudge, and Jacque Fudge.The City Grocery on the Square. Year unknown. Photograph from John Cofield and Jeff Fudge.Bank of Oxford’s Robert Hickey inside City Grocery. Year unknown. – Photograph from John Cofield and Mike Jones.City Grocery circa 1950. Photograph by CityGroceryOnline.com. City Grocery in the 1960s.October 1, 1962 on the Oxford Square. Federal troops occupy the Courthouse Square during the James Meredith integration riots at Ole Miss. The City Grocery sign is visible in the upper right hand corner. Photograph from John Cofield’s book, “Oxford, Mississippi: The Cofield Collection” available at Square Books.Today, John Currence’s City Grocery is the renowned Oxford restaurant that draws in locals and tourists alike. Writers, musicians, artists, and regular folk from all over the world love to visit City Grocery. John Currence’s balcony is the Local Favorite on The Square.
Much appreciated, the photos and historic information are wonderful. I found this article searching for something relating to Faulkner, and will share it with the WF Book Club on FB.
Great article about everyone’s favorite place to visit in Oxford!! Congratulations CITY GROCERY!!
Much appreciated, the photos and historic information are wonderful. I found this article searching for something relating to Faulkner, and will share it with the WF Book Club on FB.