Jordan Hubbard, a fifth-generation Nashville native, is on a mission to honor his family’s legacy while creating something new for his community.
His great-great-grandparents, William H. Dixon and Mary Pitt Dixon, founded Dixon’s Grocery in the early 1900s, a Black-owned business that served as a lifeline for the North Nashville community during a time when segregation and systemic racism limited access to essential resources for African Americans. Today, Hubbard is carrying that legacy forward in a different way with his brand, Maison Dixon, which hosts events centered around community and a seemingly simple yet powerful meal: fish and spaghetti.
The Origins of Dixon’s Grocery
Dixon’s Grocery began between 1903 and 1913, nestled in North Nashville off 25th Avenue and Booker, close to where Tennessee State University stands today. The store later expanded with a location at 32nd Avenue North and Clifton, operating out of side buildings attached to family homes. For decades, grocery stores were a pillar of the community, running through the 1980s and 90s.
The Dixon family didn’t just sell groceries; they created a space where the Black community could come together, support one another, and thrive despite the systemic barriers they faced.
“There were things they had to overcome—not having the access to the same resources but having to do the same work,” Jordan shared. “My great-great-grandfather was a self-made man. He slept on kitchen floors in between trying to make a living. He was educated and built himself up.”
The family’s dedication to their community extended far beyond their grocery stores. Jordan’s great-great grandparents offered opportunities for widows to work at the shop when women had few chances to earn an income. They also took in children and adults in need, taught them life skills, and were involved in real estate, all with the goal of uplifting those around them.
“It didn’t matter if you were blood-related or not; if you lived in the neighborhood, you might as well be family,” Hubbard said.
A Legacy Reborn: Maison Dixon
Fast forward to 2024, and Jordan Hubbard is continuing his family’s tradition of community service, in a modern and culinary-focused way. Maison Dixon, a name that pays homage to both his family’s legacy and the symbolic Mason-Dixon Line that separated free from enslaved states, is more than just a brand—it’s a movement. The addition of the French word “maison,” meaning home, reflects Hubbard’s vision of creating a space where everyone feels welcome, just like in his grandparents’ home.
“Fish and spaghetti was something that brought my family together,” Hubbard explained, recalling how the simple meal was a staple at family gatherings.
Maison Dixon’s events revolve around this dish, and holds deep significance for Hubbard and many in the Nashville community. “Fish and spaghetti is simple but powerful and brings people together, especially in Nashville, and is very rooted in who we are,” he said.
Community at the Core
At its heart, Maison Dixon is about more than just food. It’s about connection, heritage, and creating spaces where people can come together and break down barriers. “How do we hold space for each other, and how do we challenge each other to increase our connectivity and decrease our differences? Food is the universal connector,” Jordan emphasized.
Hubbard’s journey with Maison Dixon is as much about personal discovery as it is about community building. Reflecting on his family’s history, he realized that this entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to service were always within him. Reflecting on learning about the work of his great-great-grandparents and their grocery store, Jordan explains: “When you discover things about who you are and the people that came before you and compare it to who you are; things start to make sense. This was in me the whole time.”
Yet, Maison Dixon is also a way for Jordan to preserve the Dixon name, which is at risk of not continuing on. While he carries his father’s last name, Hubbard, his mother’s family name is Dixon, and this venture is his way of keeping that legacy alive. “How can I honor my family and keep the name alive in the way that I know how to?” he asked himself, and Maison Dixon became the answer.
The Future of Maison Dixon
As Hubbard continues to host events and bring people together through Maison Dixon, he’s doing more than just serving a meal—he’s creating a lasting impact. His events are a tribute to the resilience and ingenuity of his ancestors, who built something out of necessity and love for their community. And now, Jordan is building on that foundation, using the universal language of food to connect people in ways that transcend generations and cultural divides.
In a world that often feels disconnected, Maison Dixon offers a reminder of the power of coming together, sharing a meal, and recognizing the common humanity that binds us all.
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