Vendor of the Week: David Hollis & The Capital Club

The Capital Club began in 1947 and has excelled as a place of social and cultural prominence. The Capital Club is Jackson’s only downtown private club and resides on the 19th floor of the Capital Towers and is divided into two sides with beautiful views of the surrounding city.

The South End overlooks the art museums, fountains and antebellum city hall and is attached to a beautiful library seating area. It can accommodate anywhere from 20 – 200 guests depending on function needs and set-up options. The Main Dining Room overlooks the Capitol and Governor’s Mansion and can accommodate roughly 20 – 100 guests depending on function needs and set-up options. The Governor’s Room can accommodate up to 20 guests for private meetings and intimate gatherings. The Card Room can accommodate up to 8 guests. The entire floor can host up to 350 comfortably utilizing all the space the club has to offer.

With a main dining area, multiple rooms for private meetings, and a bar and grille area, The Capital Club can accommodate groups – both small and large.  From the exquisite dining menu to the grille, to the amazing staff, The Capital Club has always set itself apart with class and elegance.

David Hollis, General Manager of The Capital Club, provides invaluable insights and information into the services offered by The Capital Club.

How long has The Capital Club been in business?

The Capital Club has been around since 1947. The Capital Club was once called the Petroleum Club from 1947 to 1994. It began with a group of oilmen getting together and starting a private club with different locations downtown. Capital Towers building was built in 1972 and we moved to our current locations now on the 19th floor.

 

David, how long have you been with The Capital Club?

I have been here since 2001. I serve as the General Manager for The Capital Club. I had previously been in the grocery business for 16 years. I was the Director of deli, bakery, and food services with Jitney Jungle stores and when they went out of business, I was hired by Mississippi Management Incorporated to manage The Capital Club.

What do you like most about what you do?

I like interacting with our members, because it is a great group of people. I enjoy when we have large events and there is real satisfaction when people are very pleased with the outcome of what has happened.

 

Tell us about The Capital Club: what do you offer, what are your special services that would interest a bride and groom?

We offer rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, and bridal showers. The Capital Club is on two sides with the elevator lobby in the middle.  We have had wedding ceremonies up here as well.

A member does not pay a rental fee, but a non-member pays a room charge. We provide the food and beverage, linens, dance floor, and wait staff. We have an extensive menu with a regular buffet menu, a banquet menu for plated dinner, and a hors d’oeuvre menu.

How far in advance of a wedding should a bride and groom book for your space and services?

It depends on the time of the year, because certain times of the year are peak times. I would say that at least 6 months ahead of time is a good time to book our services.

 

If you could give a bride one bit of advice what would that be?

I think that they main thing for the bride is not to be so upset on things that don’t just go perfect. I’ve told many couples that if everything goes perfectly, then you will not have anything to talk about later. When you have small mishaps and things don’t go exactly right, that gives you something later on that you can laugh and talk about. Don’t take everything so seriously.

Do you have any funny stories that you would like to share?

We had one wedding where the fire alarm went off. It was a false alarm, but the firemen arrived. Instead of the bride being upset, she took it in stride and had her pictures taken with all of the firemen. If she had not been a bride that handled that situation well, it could have been a real downer. It was a great wedding and that just added to the festivities.

What advice would you offer for the bride and groom as they embark upon marriage?

Many times they are so consumed with the planning for the wedding for such a long time that when they come back from their honeymoon, a lot of couples have a problem dealing with real life.

All the things that are part of day to day life are there now. Couples need to realize that their wedding should be looked upon as a fun event, but that’s just what it is. You can’t have unreal expectations going forward.

 

The Capital Club is located at 125 South Congress Street, Jackson, MS 39215. For more information please contact Amanda Prejean to schedule an appointment to tour the Capital Club at 601-969-7101 extension 103 or by email: [email protected]

 

Blog written by: Jenny Cox Holman

Email: [email protected]