about Us
about us
Tucked behind famed sister restaurant Soby’s, The Jones Oyster Co.’s name and legendary landmark is a nod to the building’s previous tenant, The Jones Furniture Company.
Now lovingly restored, the restaurant’s comfortable ambiance features exposed brick walls, high ceilings, touches of muted blues and crisp whites which all add to a lively, neighborly vibe.
Diners are invited to gather around trays of raw or grilled oysters and a seafood-focused menu of Lobster Rolls, Peel n’ Eat Shrimp, Fried Oyster Po’Boys, New England Chowder, and fresh Smoked Fish Dip. At the bar, grab a seat to watch skilled shuckers pry open cold, pristine oysters, bright and salty. Bartenders present a thoughtfully curated list of hand-crafted cocktails, a myriad of popular brews, and a collection of interesting wines.
History
The History of Court Street’s Oldest Building*
The new home of The Jones Oyster Co. holds a storied past that dates as far back as the Civil War. As part of the oldest building on the block, the historic site first housed a dry goods business until around the turn of the century when Ellis & Pope turned it into a wholesale grocery store. It continued as a grocery store until after WW1, when the Standard Furniture Co. occupied the building for a few years before Jones Furniture Co. moved its smaller North Main store into the location in 1929.
The Jones Furniture Co. sold furniture to local citizens for 38 years up until the late 1960s when Haverty’s purchased the company. After that time, Carl and Helen Prosser moved their popular discount shoe business into the space. It was in the late 1990s when Carl Prosser sold the buildings to Carl Sobocinski and his Table 301 partners to refurbish into a new downtown restaurant called Soby’s New South Cuisine. The rest, as they say, is history.
* “A Look at Court Square’s oldest building” by John Nolan
partners
It Takes a Village…
At The Jones Oyster Co. and Table 301 Restaurant Group, we practice a collaborative spirit by building lasting relationships with local farmers, purveyors and artisanal producers. We are especially proud of our connections with regional oyster farmers and our dedication to oyster aquaculture and restoration.
Like all of Table 301 Restaurant Group companies, The Jones Oyster Co., understands the importance of partnering and participating in local and regional events and causes that do good in our community. Below is a list of organizations and groups that we support:
Rappahannock Oyster Co. is a family business located in Topping, VA, which has worked diligently over the past decade to resurrect the native Chesapeake Bay oyster and bring it back to its former glory. Thanks to a community of like-minded friends, including farmers, chefs, patrons, activists and even politicians, their mission has been a success and Jones Oyster Co. is proud to serve their very best.
