Weidmann's gets local management

By By Penny Randall / staff writer
September 28, 2004
One of the key investors in Weidmann's Square in downtown Meridian said he believes a management change at the historic restaurant will give it more local flavor.
Fred Wile, one of 58 business people who invested in Weidmann's Square, said Monday that noted Jackson restaurateur Nick Apostle is no longer associated with the business.
The restaurant now is being operated by head chef Willie McGehee and the group of investors known as Weidmann's Square LLC.
The longtime, popular Meridian fixture was owned and managed by descendants of the Weidmann family from the day it opened in 1870 until the day it was sold to the group of local investors.
The investors each put up about $20,000 to renovate the 22nd Avenue building. Lauderdale County native and Emmy Award-winning actress Sela Ward was one of the people who spearheaded the renovation efforts.
Weidmann's closed in October 2001. After months of work on the interior, the downstairs dining room was reopened in January 2003 followed by the second floor lounge a short time later.
The restaurant offers fine dinning. It is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and for dinner Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Weidmann's also does catering and hosts special events like the upcoming "Cork and Fork" during the Threefoot Art Festival set for Oct. 9 in Dumont Plaza.