Our History
The Faulkner was originally built in 1904 by well-known Jackson photographer Elias Von Suetter and his son Carl Von Suetter. The building first housed Carl J. Von Seutter’s Jewelry Emporium and a Clarion Ledger ad from 1906 even promotes gold on sale starting at $6.00. The building later became Church Savings and Loan and was the headquarters of the Mississippi Republican Party before Buddy Faulkner purchased the building almost thirty years ago. Many Jacksonians remember when downtown pizza restaurant Miller Grocery was housed on the first floor or know friends and neighbors who had offices in the building through the years.
A Father Daughter Duo from Jackson
Buddy and Sarah Faulkner, a father-daughter team, opened the venue in 2019 to much ado. Sarah was born in Jackson and was raised in Mississippi, like her father, Buddy, and many generations before. Sarah as an experienced wedding planner and Buddy as an Architect, made the perfect team to convert this family building into an event space after identifying a great need in the Jackson market.
A Family Affair
Buddy works as an architect in both Mississippi and Tennessee and has always had a love for old buildings. Sarah has been planning and designing luxury weddings in Colorado and beyond. Together they used that experience to help create a space that is both beautiful and functional for all types of events! Each design decision was carefully considered and executed for the best guest experience. Talented Interior Designer, dear friend, and fellow Mississippian, Al Lawson of The Lawson Studio exclusively designed each space at The Faulkner. His vision and creativity were integral throughout the entire building and business design.
Buddy and his wife of more than 39 years, Sally, have four children, Sarah, John, Jack, and Will.
The Family Name
In 1839, at age fourteen, Colonel W. C. Faulkner walked from St. Genevieve, Missouri, to Ripley, Mississippi, and the Faulkners have been here since. Buddy is the sixth generation and Sarah the seventh generation of Faulkners in Mississippi. Author Willam Faulkner is Buddy’s great uncle and was brothers with his grandfather, author and painter John Falkner. Buddy has owned the building now known as The Faulkner for almost thirty years so using the family name seemed only fitting. We are proud to continue the tradition of our family name in Mississippi.
With history and beauty around every corner, The Faulkner has remained faithful to the grand style and ambiance enjoyed by its first hosts over a century ago. The historic, six-story building offers sweeping views of The Old Capitol, the Pearl River basin, and the signature buildings of our city skyline we all know and love. We truly hope you enjoy your time here.
