| The
Edison Walthall: A state jewel |
It’s
with a special, personal pride that I call attention to
downtown Jackson’s Edison-Walthall Hotel’s 75th
anniversary. For while there are countless stories that
can be, and have been, told about this elegant and stately
Mississippi treasure, I have a selfish, unabashed love for
the hotel that goes beyond history, as impressive as the
Edison’s is.
You see, I consider the Edison-Walthall Hotel my second
home. I can’t begin to recall all the times, even
while in Jackson, when I would check in for a weekend or
weeknight, just to get away. I would write, order room service,
have a cocktail in the bar...just relax in the comfort and
beauty of what a real hotel should be, and seldom, is, anymore.
In this day and age of econo lodges and budget cardboard
inns, the Edison-Walthall proudly remains a full-service
hotel. Not only can you dine in an outstanding restaurant
(featuring one of my favorite treats so very hard to find
in Mississippi, cheese blintzes), you can also get your
hair cut and a manicure along with a shoe shine in the barber
shop or buy a bestseller or neck tie in the gift shop.
You can also visit the beautiful bar across from the restaurant
and say hello to Cotton, Mississippi’s most famous
bartender. If he’s taken your order once, he knows
your poison of choice from memory. He can spot me coming
his way and announce immediately, “Dewars on the rocks,
Jack?” knowing fully well that’s right.
Plus, on Thursday nights, you can dine with a veritable
who’s who of Mississippi business leaders and public
figures at the popular champagne dinner while listening
to pianist Dan Colbert play a great selection of standards
in the bar. It’s truly one of downtown Jackson’s
great evening events at a time when few such events exist.
I haven’t even mentioned the rooms: always clean,
always fresh, full of extras and try out the mattresses,
my friends. When you lay your body on the same kind of mattresses
used at the White House, you will not get a better night’s
sleep in your life.
Of course, any business is only as good as the staffers
in it. My friend, Earl Gaylor, who has owned the Edison-Walthall
for the past 12 years, hires only the best and the brightest.
Where else, these days do you still have attractive, young,
well-spoken people address you as “sir” or “ma’am”?
Once the staff at the Edison gets to know you—and
they will—they will want to know about your family,
your kids and if your stay if going well. Moreover, they’ll
mean it.
If this sounds like a sales pitch, so be it. I’m always
preaching service in my columns and the Edison-Walthall
provides it in spades with great amenities to boot. The
Edison may be celebrating 75 years of existence, but their
business today is not just sentimental reveling in the past;
it’s a commitment to excellence and improvement today.
Earl Gaylor and his son, Stephen, who is currently managing
the hotel, are two of the nicest, most genuine people you
will meet. Mr. Gaylor takes great pride in getting to know
his guests, staying in touch with them and making them his
friends instead of just his customers. You can usually find
him on any given day shaking hands and chatting with patrons,
all the while keeping his eye peeled for ways to improve
the hotel (if you know Earl Gaylor, you know exactly what
I mean!).
So, while the Edison-Walthall is indeed a hotel rich in
history, to me its true splendor lies in what it is now:
a full-service, beautiful facility that never disappoints.
Take it from me: do yourself a favor and stay a few nights
at the Edison-Walthall. When you do, be sure to ask to see
Mr. Gaylor and Stephen to tell them hello. You’ll
make friends for life and you’ll find your own home
away from home as I have. DBJ
Jack
Criss
DBJ Executive Editor
