Aplόs second location opening at Renaissance
RIDGELAND — Aplόs is coming to the Renaissance here.
The popular Mediterranean eatery in Jackson will open a sister restaurant at the Renaissance at Colony Park, founder and CEO Alex Eaton has announced.
Eaton said they recently signed a lease for a space near the Malco and will begin construction immediately. The scheduled opening date is Father’s Day weekend. Eaton said they already have banners up showing where the location will be.
“We’ve received incredible support since we launched the original Aplόs in Highland Village four and a half years ago,” Eaton said. “In fact, we’ve exceeded our expectations and now we’re ready to take on more by improving our current restaurant and expanding our reach. It’s time to grow.”
Aplόs is a fast-fine Mediterranean restaurant whose cuisine focuses on casual eateries found throughout Italy, Greece and the Middle East.
Eaton is a native of Ridgeland and grew up just a mile away on Old Agency Road. He graduated from Jackson Prep and went on to Mississippi State University where he graduated with a business degree in 2007. After college, he attended culinary school at Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina where he flourished.
“In college and high school, I was an average, sometimes below average student, but in culinary school, I got to work with my hands and do something I love and understood,” Eaton said.
Though Eaton said his degree from MSU has paid off as he spends more time on the business side of his restaurants these days than in the kitchen.
“It's all coming full circle,” he said with a chuckle.
Eaton is excited to take on the new space operating partners Christian Rodriguez and Justin Watts. Watts is also a Madison County native from Canton who now lives in Gluckstadt.
The news of a sister location comes alongside the signing of a lease extension and expanded footprint at the restaurant’s original location in Highland Village.
This Spring the Aplόs Jackson will unveil additional seating, new bar, and new technology among other updates.
Eaton said his restaurant helped “light the match” that breathed new life into the Highland Village Courtyard. He said he hopes Aplόs can do the same for the the Renaissance.
A big part of the “formula” that makes the original restaurant so successful, in Eaton’s opinion, is the open area for families to sit and children to run around.
“We want to fill that void where you don't want fast food but you also don't want to have to get a babysitter,” Eaton said.
The Renaissance location will include seating for between 150 and 200 diners and will also include carryout and delivery options. Eaton said takeout has been a big part of the Jackson business.
He expects to hire a staff of about 50 employees and hopes to work with local schools to offer opportunities for students to work in his restaurants.
Aplόs currently partners with Jackson Academy to offer concession options at sporting events. Eaton said he would love to have a similar partnership with schools in Madison County moving forward.
Go to eataplos.com for more information.