In Highland Village, there's a restaurant that has become part of how Jackson marks the moments that matter. Anniversaries. Graduations. Sunday brunches that stretch into the afternoon. Twenty-five years in, Char Restaurant isn't just a steakhouse — it's a tradition. And owner David Conn has been part of the story from nearly the beginning.

A Steakhouse With Southern Charm

Char calls itself a steakhouse with southern charm, and Conn is quick to explain what that phrase actually covers. The dinner service delivers what you'd expect — high-end steaks, an extensive wine list, elevated table service. But the lunch menu is a different animal: a vegetable plate with two special meats daily, salads, and a varied spread designed to draw a broader crowd. On weekends, there's a jazz brunch.

He left the group after Latham and Roberts sold, spent time running a fish restaurant franchise and working in credit card processing, then returned in 2011 as one of four founding partners of 4 Top Hospitality, alongside Doug Hogrefe, Paul Schramkowski, and Ben Brock. The group had five restaurants at the time. Today, 4 Top has seventeen.

Built on People

Ask Conn what's kept Char going for 25 years and the answer is consistent: take care of your customers, take care of your employees, and things will work out. Some staff members have been with Char for more than twenty years. That loyalty runs deep enough that when 4 Top planned for its future, they built it directly into the business structure — transitioning to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan three years ago, selling 49 percent of their stock to employees, with a goal of becoming 100 percent employee-owned.

"We wanted to take all these long-term employees and give them something," Conn said.

Jackson's Kind of Restaurant

Conn is quick to point out that Char doesn't succeed in a vacuum. Jackson, he'll tell you, is a serious food city — one that regularly surprises visitors who arrive expecting something smaller. The accolades back him up: two Michelin-recognized restaurants, James Beard nominations, and a James Beard American Classic in Bully's. Conn sees it all as momentum.

"Jackson has so much potential and I'm seeing the change already," he said. "You gotta start in little pockets and just keep moving."

For twenty-five years, Char has been one of those pockets. When that front door opens and someone says good evening and means it, the city gets a little better for it.