TXON Commercial Real Estate, a major Deep Ellum landlord, is giving Vern’s a new lease on life — literally and figuratively.
Vern’s, the Dallas soul food institution, was forced to move when its Main Street location was sold. The new owner raised the rent by more than 50 percent and told the owners they would have to pay to make needed repairs. Jerleigh Thompson of TXON said she saw the news of Vern’s troubles, and decided the restaurant needed to remain in the Deep Ellum-Fair Park area.
"We wanted to work something out so they could stay here," she said. "It has been in the neighborhood 40 years — it doesn’t need to go anywhere else."
Vern’s will move to 2807 Elm at the beginning of next month. Thompson said that she negotiated a deal that works for both Vern’s and her company, taking into account what it would have cost Vern’s to stay on Main Street (with the additional rent and repairs) and that the new location is larger — 2,500 square feet — and more accessible to customers.
