Restaurateur Fredericka Jones celebrates grand opening of The Tavern @ Campbellton

Fredericka Jones

Fredericka Jones opens two restaurants in 2014

The entrepreneurial seeds were sown early for entrepreneur Fredericka Jones. Having honed her customer skills in the restaurant business as a teenager, she always knew her next step would be restaurateur.


“In my early 30s, I realized I really wanted to own my own restaurant,” shares Jones during the four-day grand opening celebration of The Tavern @ Campbellton.


“I worked for Ronnie Cotton, my mentor, for seven years before I opened my own restaurant. I wanted to know the ins and outs of the back of the house before I made the leap,” she says.

“From humble beginnings working in fast food as a teenager, I understand the importance of community and the citizens that live in it. Our staff looks forward to providing a great food experience to Atlanta metro residents and connecting with local business owners and the residents of our neighborhood,” she says in a statement to press.


Jones has learned working for someone else and operating a business are worlds apart. “It is challenging. Finding great people to work is a goal. We are not on the bus line, so public transportation is not an option,” she shares.

But she isn’t discouraged. “One of the biggest highlights is being able to help people by providing employment.”

As Jones explains, the patrons who visit The Tavern @ Campbellton, which opened seven months ago in March 2014, and its sister location, The Tavern @ Express, have different expectations.

“This location is for the age 30 and up, a mature crowd. They understand the value of tipping and good food. It’s located here in the neighborhood in walking distance to many residents and they appreciate. The patrons are grown and sexy, laid-back — they’re not too rah-rah and turnt-up,” she says of the restaurant in the upscale, suburban South Fulton County community, which is home to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest passenger airport.

“In terms of The Tavern @ Express, the residents asked that we open on time, because past businesses didn’t always open as scheduled. It’s an express restaurant, a lot smaller than this location. We have the same menu, with the exception of seafood options; there are wings and sandwiches. On Dec. 1, 2014, we’re adding breakfast to the menu,” enlightens the Atlanta native.

While Jones hasn’t had much free time, she says she has such a supportive staff who’ve displayed so much leadership, they demand she takes a break.

“Since I opened the business, I don’t get much personal time but I am starting to take one day a week, at home, watching TV and playing catch up. I like to catch up on all the reality shows, ratchet ones included,” she laughs. “I am a reality TV show junkie. My favorites are ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ and ‘Love and Hip Hop Atlanta.’ I especially love NeNe [Leakes] and Mimi [Faust]; I am all for strong women.”

Jones’ next step is to go bigger and move north, possibly to Buckhead.

She offers words of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. “Be patient. Find a mentor in your industry. And, be dedicated.”

For good for and great service, visit The Tavern @ Campbellton located at 5819 Campbellton Road and The Tavern @ Express located at 3840 Stonewall Tell Rd.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for Rolling Out news straight to your inbox.

Read more about:
Also read