Going (Beans &) Bananas
Emily Pote brings nourishment to the neighborhood
as owner of Pote Management, and her latest concept, Beans & Bananas, where sustainability and accessibility are two key factors in fostering her Jackson community.
![](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-Emily-Pote.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0e5c9db98f9bbb89c5a9ec48949f2bdb 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-Emily-Pote.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=c4c436653604c6be30cd17baba1c1f45 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-Emily-Pote.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=9701237e18c7e9e8721db83ca520165e 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-Emily-Pote.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=49e7ccaddf48f6320337a6dc1eb5c6df 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-Emily-Pote.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=a69e6230cf9417782e6a3c18a1ab6a7a 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-Emily-Pote.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=b8888e3d250d73feee1c7b54a1d9bd8e 1440w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-Emily-Pote.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=2c0e010b580f08fa1ee38bbe8abc37f3 1920w)
"I live two blocks away from here [in Belhaven]," Emily said. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, I became aware of how much trash we were producing, especially since we were having to get so many things delivered. I wanted to make sure that we were being thoughtful with what we brought into our home and try to recycle and reuse as much as possible, and also purchase products that fit in line with that. Which got my wheels turning - wouldn't it be amazing if someone in-town had all of this, right here in Jackson?"
Armed with her new vision, Emily started a test-run pop-up shop at Ecoshed (now The Plant) during the summer of 2021, aptly named Collective Good. As the meeting and events space continued to evolve, so did Emily's concept. "I had to decide if this was something I was still interested in and passionate about. And I was," she said.
The team at Belhaven Town Center was excited to welcome the prospect of a neighborhood grab-n-go market, nestled seamlessly among other community gathering spots like Elvie's, Fertile Ground Beer Co., The Terrace, and Pulito Osteria. That enthusiasm spurned Emily to lay the groundwork for Beans & Bananas, the intentionally curated, sustainable grocery market, home goods, and counter service shop, officially opened in early January 2023.
![Beans and Bananas store interior](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5dd1eb317ab7b6ec4e385af49f6ce6f7 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=43ca00f0a7dc03d2b7c4e7a23117e757 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=09c4f4de7902e78a0f9c8abe7959b79e 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=05d8bb97ac935dc1178efb1fec6bd174 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d02d2ec981e515107fed923b9bd48707 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=acda1626275d4ed0702e14426e1edf13 1440w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=5d6a55498fa09247efa09add902e1eee 1920w)
"That's always been my foundation for opening a business. I can't do anything unless people are excited [about it]," Emily said. "The idea may have originated with me, but this happened because so many other people wanted to see it through. Ideas are great, but the work behind it - from the design team to the construction crew, to the landlords and local makers who will sell products here - that's how it's come to life. All of these people care as much as I do about this neighborhood and Jackson. You can teach anyone to do just about anything, but you can't make them care."
From Montessori-style toys to eco-conscious gift items and specialty produce, meat, dairy, and shelf products, customers can look forward to plenty of thoughtful sundries offered at all price points. Beans & Bananas also houses its own small bites and sandwich counter, where shoppers can pop in and grab a snack for themselves or their kids as they shop, dine, and drink in BTC. "It's been rewarding to see the community get behind it [at our December soft opening] and be encouraged by what we're bringing in," Emily said. "We want people to tell us what they would like to see here because this space is for them."
![Beans and Bananas plush toys](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-plush.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=ef63107203e4cbc57216c8b0ed1f0427 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-plush.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=b0c73e92f2d6ab1ff5dffa43770cefe7 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-plush.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=3a660503e78a1f62c4e7656888f50743 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-plush.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=bf1c83c4633605f2c050beed28bb3ff6 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-plush.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=9269dde628d82f5f6d83202525512095 1200w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-plush.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=0c59aae586747d7ff3e3cd49a55ec3c5 1440w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/Beans-and-Bananas-plush.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=80261aff016b8c59a45d91e1b36437aa 1920w)
Emily makes it clear that they still want shoppers to support local staples like Corner Market and think of Beans & Bananas as the spot to come when you need something special to elevate the ‘everyday’ for yourself, a loved one, or a little one. "We want it to be where you can come in multiple times a week and feel like you don't have to spend a ton of money for a great, lasting product," she said. "Maybe you stop in and get a birthday present one day, and then the next, you buy peanut butter or a local jam because you’ve run out at home."
Right down to the name, it's the working mother of three’s focus on attainable placemaking for both her’s and others' households that makes Beans & Bananas more than the sum of its parts.
"We worked on names for months, and nothing was really sticking," Emily said. "My husband and I would go through these brainstorming sessions out in the front yard. One day I just said, 'How about 'Beans and Bananas?'' My son's name is Hillis, and I call him 'Hilly Bean.' My daughter's name is Hannah, so we call her "Hannah Banana.' People joke that I have three children," she laughs. "Our youngest is Lindsey - we nicknamed him 'Lindy Cakes' - so maybe one day we'll add something to honor that, too.”
"This is the kind of place I want to exist for them," Emily said. "I want there to be places like this in the world. So here we are. It's playful. It ties back to food. And it ties back to family."
To stay up-to-date on Beans & Bananas, visit their storefront in the Belhaven Town Center, shop their website and follow their social media.
Related Content:
800 Manship Street, Ste. 102
Jackson, Mississippi 39202
(601) 259-1799
Website
Beans & Bananas800 Manship Street, Ste. 102
Jackson, Mississippi 39202
“Downtown Belhaven” Dining + Retail + Events
1121 North Jefferson Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39202
(601) 398-9839
Website
Belhaven Town Center1121 North Jefferson Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39202