State Commissioner Honors John’s Place

Commissioner Stuart McWhorter visited Cookeville’s John’s Place Thursday to recognize black-owned businesses that significantly impact their employees, the community, and the state.

John’s Place opened in 1949 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011 for its contributions to race relations. McWhorter spoke with the McClellan family who still owns the business today.

“You’ve seen the ups and downs,” McWhorter said. “Y’all have seen it all. You’ve lived through depressions, recessions, pandemics, tornadoes, and all the things and you’re still here and it’s an iconic brand and iconic establishment right here in Cookeville.”

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner made his stop in Cookeville as part of a nine region stop that will honor a black-owned business in each region. August is National Black Owned Business Month.

Cookeville Mayor Laurin Wheaton and Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter were in attendance and both recalled the first time they had the famous John Dog. Family Member Sherry McClellan said what made John’s Place so special was no matter what you looked like people could always count on a hello as they come through the door.

“Everyone was always welcomed here,” McClellan said. “And there may have been other issues in the community but we never had an issue here. Everybody came in for a good time and the fellowship and just the feeling of being welcomed.”

McWhorter said Tennessee has 2,200 black-owned businesses and 87,000 black-owned sole proprietors which represents three percent of all businesses in the state. McWhorter said it is important for the state of Tennessee to provide opportunities for all business owners.

“There’s good things there we always feel like there is more opportunity,” McWhorter said. “And to go back to what I said earlier the governor is set on making sure that Tennessee remains a place that is friendly for business. Whether that’s from a tax perspective or whether it is from a regulatory perspective.”

McWhorter said one of the main struggles of businesses is the access to capital. McWhorter said he is using the trip to not only honor black-owned businesses but to also learn how the state can help.

“This gives us an opportunity to really focus on that segment of the business sector,” McWhorter said. “You know, we are listening. We want to hear all the things that are working and all the things that are not working so we can do our jobs better for them and so they can be successful.”

Ed Mclellan started the restaurant and passed the business on to his brother John Lee McClellan. John Lee McClellan’s son John McClellan said he was thankful for the recognition.

“Well we are just glad that y’all came and everybody showed up,” McClellan said. “We sure appreciate it and we want y’all to start coming back.”