After three years and a labor of love, Castro Coleman is set to open his own restaurant, Sipp’s Place, on Railroad Street in Magnolia.
Coleman told the McComb Lions Club that he wanted to bring a venue to Pike County that’s similar to some of the venues he’s seen in New York, Chicago, New Orleans and other major cities.
He also gave the Lions Club an impromptu show of a song he wrote for his wife called “Jump the Broom.”
Coleman said while touring, he took pictures and gathered ideas to bring back of what he wanted his own club to look like.
“Three years ago, I purchased the old TWL Building in downtown Magnolia,” Coleman said. “My mother used to go there to purchase material, and one day when I was 9, I told the owner I was going to do something with that building.”
He said the owner thought the idea was far-fetched, but as life circled around, he ended up with that very building.
Coleman said the building used to be a dollar store, and it took time to turn it into his vision.
He held a soft opening of his new restaurant the weekend of Magnolia’s Mardi Gras festival.
Coleman said the club can hold up to 88 people and he wanted to have two shows, an early show and a late show that would shut down around midnight.
“I was always told nothing good happens after 12,” he said, laughing.
Coleman said he’s been working with businessman Val Deer to bring more people to Pike County and display the talent that the county possesses.
“People catch a flight into New Orleans and drive to the Delta to get that experience or it’s visa-versa they catch a flight to Jackson and drive to New Orleans, bypassing us,” he said. “I want to show what we have to offer, what the Scenic Rivers region has to offer and create tourism.”
Coleman said while working on his club, he had several international groups to come to Magnolia just to see the progress of the club.
He said he’s also had young people to stop by and ask him if he needed help.
“They’ll help me sweep up and then I’ll let them get on the keyboard, the guitar or the drums for 35 to 40 minutes,” he said.
Coleman said he wants to have something for the young performers in the area.
“No one taught me how to play the guitar. I looked and looked but no one would teach me,” he said. “Everything you hear is self-taught. I don’t do everything right. The sound is right, but the technique is all wrong.”
He said he wanted to be able to bring in local talent to showcase them and to teach them the proper way to play the guitar, keyboard and drums.
“I wish I had that, but I didn’t let it stop me. I want to create a space for them,” he said.
He said his main mission is to motivate the youth. Coleman said he wants to teach them the difference between live music and computerized beats.
Coleman said during the week, he’s going to do lunch plates and short order menu items.
“Since Star Drive Inn closed, we don’t have anywhere in Magnolia to get a burger now. So, I want to bring that back,” he said.
He said Thursday through Sunday night, he’s going to have performers, karaoke and a open mic. On every 1st and 3rd Sunday, he’s going to have gospel Sunday and bring in gospel singers.
“I want to bring in Doug and Melvin Williams of the William Brothers and Paul Porter of the Southernaires,”he said.
Johnny Sims, manager for Buddy Guy, was also in attendance. Sims said he’s never seen anything like Coleman.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said referring to the first time he saw Coleman perform.
“He really means what he says he’s going to do. He’s going to someone the future is going to love,” Sims said.
He said he wants to help Coleman raise money for the causes that are dear to his heart like veterans and children.
“We’re all in this together,” Coleman said.
