Nickle Smith grew up in Tupelo, often enjoying Connie’s Chicken and its famous blueberry donuts.

The original restaurant was founded in 1978 by Constantine “Connie” Aster and his oldest son, Mike.

“I probably went there two or three times a week,” Smith said. “It was always a dream of mine to own it and get to help it grow.”

When the restaurant became available for purchase after Mike’s death in December 2020, Smith and business partners Tres Brasell and Chad Blalack would soon become the new owners of the Tupelo location.

Smith, who has lived in Oxford since 2005, and his partners have since expanded Connie’s Chicken in West Point recently and in just a few months, the first Oxford location will open its doors on West Jackson Avenue.

“We’re hoping to open in June,” Smith said.

Smith said he believes Connie’s will be a great addition to Oxford.

“From our breakfast — which we are famous for blueberry donuts — our chicken and biscuits, and there is a lack of bone-in chicken places in Oxford,” he said. “We’re excited to bring our offering to Oxford.”

Fans of the original Connie’s will find the same, favorite foods made from the traditional recipes and maybe a couple of new additions.

“We brought back the spicy tenders, spicy bone-in and spicy chicken sandwich,” Smith said. “We are adding a little more seasoning to the original chicken recipe. But we’re not adjusting the recipes for any of the chicken and biscuit, donuts or any of the breakfast items.”

The three owners purchased the Oxford property about a year and a half ago. They also own an acre-size lot that is up for sale directly behind Connie’s Chicken, which is listed with Michael Oswalt, Small Town Properties.