Faith and Family
Oxford locals have watched for months as the old Abner’s location has been transformed into a new sports bar, The Velvet Ditch Daiquiri N’ Sports Bar. Boasting a gated outdoor space and 35 televisions tuned to various sports, the interior is adorned with velvet animal print, gold-tone fixtures, and sequin accents, infusing a Gulf Coast-inspired ambiance.
Opening just in time for spring and Double Decker, The Velvet Ditch is Jared Foster’s second restaurant venture—and it’s unlikely to be his last. His first, The Landshark, located near Chick-fil-A on Jackson Avenue, was born after several successful years of selling his famously addictive boiled crawfish from food trucks and in retail.
Jared shared his story with us—how he came to Oxford to play football, lost his scholarship, and struggled to navigate the identity crisis that followed at just 19 years old. His life began to spiral, ultimately leading to a prison sentence for drug trafficking in 2013. But rather than regret it, Jared calls it the best thing that ever happened to him. He says he wouldn’t trade it for a rewritten fairy tale, because it brought him to faith in Jesus Christ—and that faith became the foundation for launching both The Landshark and The Velvet Ditch.
“Jesus Christ gave me a new life,” Foster proudly shares his testimony. “I know I went to prison, but in hindsight, that was just the doorway to everything I was meant to become. That was where I found purpose.”
He hopes that The Velvet Ditch will inspire others to have community and experience a similar abundance, which his faith has given him.
Jared credits his older brother, Landon, and their parents for laying the groundwork that gave him such a strong start in Oxford. Landon and their father, Lantz Foster, own MCRPools, a thriving pool company known for top-tier craftsmanship across Mississippi. They’ve built pools for notable locals like Lane Kiffin, Todd Wade, Terry Warren, and many others.
“My family never gave up on me,” Jared says. “They gave me a path forward when I couldn’t see one myself. What we’ve built in Oxford is rooted in what they taught me: show up, work hard, love people.”
Jared also gives credit to another family venture: The Zebra Tent in the Grove. Started more than 15 years ago, the Zebra Tent has become a legendary part of Oxford tailgating. “Hospitality is in our blood—that’s the heart of Oxford, and it’s exactly what we’ve built our business around,” Jared says.
One of the most meaningful aspects of The Velvet Ditch for Jared is having his mother’s handwriting featured on the building. But even more fulfilling, he says, is knowing that years of hard work and family effort have allowed her to retire and enjoy the success she helped build.
“To see her rest, to see her smile knowing this place gave her that freedom—it means everything to me,” he says.
For both Jared and Landon, what some call “work” has become a blessing—an opportunity to give back to the parents who gave them so much.
“We don’t take any of this for granted,” Landon says. “Working to make our small local businesses thrive is our way of honoring our parents and the sacrifices they made.”
Today, Landon continues to carry on the MCRP legacy with their father, while also staying closely connected to The Velvet Ditch—you might catch him DJing on the weekends or embracing friends in the crowd.
History
Ten years ago, when Jared got his fresh start, he bought a large stockpot and a crawfish costume on Amazon to do the one thing he knew he was great at—selling boiled crawfish.
“I thought, ‘If I can get one person to try it, they’ll be back,’” he says. “And they were. They just kept coming.”
What started as a small operation quickly took off. Today, Jared owns seven food trucks and two restaurants in Oxford. He and his mother also launched The Landshark in Hattiesburg, which has become a major success. Now the largest fresh crawfish brand in North Mississippi, The Landshark is proudly connected to 17,000 acres of family-owned farms in South Louisiana.
Expanding further, Jared founded a seafood distribution company called The Cajun Cartel, which supplies 19 restaurants with fresh seafood—reaching as far as Denver, Colorado. Today, they move more crawfish than any other brand in the state of Mississippi.
“It’s about quality and consistency,” he says. “We don’t cut corners, and I think people can taste that.”
Food
I would be lying if I didn’t say that I have thought about that fried catfish numerous times since I’ve had it and will be back to try it again. The nachos were unique with their wonton chips, and my Cape Cod-born husband approved of the Cajun take on a Maine-style Lobster Roll. On our next trip, I plan to try the chargrilled oysters and either the pasta, mac and cheese, or grits entrée options. Jared mentioned that they sell more chargrilled oysters than anything else on their menu and must constantly stay on top of their crawfish to keep up with the demand. Rumor has it, the filet mignon is something special.
But what’s with the name? – this is a lively sports bar with delicious food, more than it is a restaurant with a bar. It is a truly unique addition to the Historic Oxford Square, and our town is lucky to have a unique fixture for locals and visitors, akin to venues you’d find in New Orleans, Tuscaloosa, and Nashville.
The Name
But what’s with the name? Well, ‘The Velvet Ditch’ is a colloquial term used by many locals to describe Oxford: So easy to fall into and become comfortable in, yet so hard to crawl out of or leave. They wanted a name that would resonate with locals as much as or more than attract students.
“Me, my brother, and the other investors want the locals to know we are investing in their lives by giving them a bar that wasn’t built for just college kids standing shoulder to shoulder,” said Foster. “It’s a place for all ages to make a new memory that will represent what The Velvet Ditch really means.”
He continues, “The Velvet Ditch became a multi-family venture once it all came together. Our investors—White Sun Properties, the Merrill family from the Coast, and my mother, Sandra Foster—all trusted in the vision. We prayed on it and pushed forward.”
“I wake up daily and look around at our staff and just thank God for each person that’s helped us build this corner into what it has become,” Jared adds. “This was a mission that many doubted, and yet our team has made it possible. Without each one of them, we wouldn’t be here. I’m forever grateful for everyone God has aligned in this mission.”
I’ve lived in Oxford since 2006, and I have to say this is one of the most unique dining and bar locations in Oxford that we’ve had to date. The end of Abner’s was bittersweet for many, but its replacement brings on something new we didn’t know we needed. It’s hard to describe, but if you enjoy Cajun and seafood options, high energy and funky spaces, and insist on solid service, this may just become your new favorite spot.
