JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A vote by the Jackson City Council has cleared the way for a new restaurant to come to East County Line Road.

At a zoning meeting on Monday, the council voted unanimously to approve a use permit for Randall McClanahan, who is planning to open “The Corner Pocket Restaurant” at Pear Orchard Village.

“We’re trying to bring great food and [a] good atmosphere for family, friends, and people to hang out. Something a little different,” he said.

The measure was approved on a unanimous vote. The permit must be renewed annually, and the permit will not transfer if the restaurant changes ownership.

Ward One Councilman Ashby Foote encouraged his fellow council members to approve the item, saying Pear Orchard Village is a “great shopping center in that area, and we need some more good businesses to locate in there.”

“I appreciate Mr. McClanahan for doing this and wish him the best of luck. I think he will be a great addition to that area of Ward One,” he said.

Pear Orchard Village, located at 1625 E. County Line Rd., has been struggling for years.

The shopping center was constructed in the 1980s by Maurice Joseph. However, in 1987, the Clarion-Ledger reported the 73,000-square-foot shopping center was foreclosed on after only attracting three tenants for the facility.

According to Hinds County tax records, the shopping center has been owned by the Miami-based LaFitte Investments LLC since 2010. Prior to that, it was owned by Dahlem Enterprises, which also was associated with LaFitte.

It was not known when the restaurant would open.

Want more WLBT news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it and include the headline of the story in your email.

Copyright 2025 WLBT. All rights reserved.