Natchez Teenager Buys Iconic Bellemont Shake Shop

Margaret Jordan and partner Kelly Stevens take over the retro eatery, promising the same menu with a fresh look.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A Natchez teenager's first job at Bellemont Shake Shop has come full circle as Margaret Jordan and partner Kelly Stevens take over the retro eatery, promising the same menu with a fresh look. Jordan, the granddaughter of Jordan Carriers founder Charles Kenneth Jordan, worked at the shop a decade ago and always wanted to buy it. When previous owner Gloria Neames decided to retire, Jordan reached out and the two struck a deal.

Why it matters

Bellemont Shake Shop has been a Natchez institution for decades, attracting multiple generations of loyal customers. The transition to new ownership, especially with someone who started there as a teenager, represents the passing of the torch to a new generation committed to preserving the business's legacy.

The details

Jordan started working at Bellemont Shake Shop when she was a teenager, shortly after getting her driver's license. She decided then that she wanted to one day own the business. When previous owner Gloria Neames, who also owned the iconic Malt Shop in downtown Natchez, decided to retire, Jordan reached out and the two struck a deal. Jordan's partner Kelly Stevens, who she met while working at Jordan Carriers, also has extensive food service experience and will be co-owning and operating the shop. Their plan is to keep the same great food offerings while giving the shop a fresh visual facelift with a new logo.

  • Approximately 10 years ago, Margaret Jordan started her first job at Bellemont Shake Shop.
  • In January 2026, previous owner Gloria Neames decided to retire, leading to the transition in ownership.

The players

Margaret Jordan

A Natchez teenager who started working at Bellemont Shake Shop a decade ago and is now taking over ownership of the iconic retro eatery, along with her partner Kelly Stevens.

Kelly Stevens

Margaret Jordan's partner, who is co-owning and operating Bellemont Shake Shop with her. Stevens has extensive experience in the food service industry, having worked at Magnolia Grill at Natchez-Under-the-Hill for about 14 years.

Gloria Neames

The previous owner of Bellemont Shake Shop, who also owned the iconic Malt Shop near downtown Natchez. Neames decided to retire at the end of January 2026, leading to the transition in ownership.

Charles Kenneth Jordan

The founder of Jordan Carriers, which is located across the street from Bellemont Shake Shop. Margaret Jordan is his granddaughter.

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What they’re saying

“It was my first job after I got my driver's license. I'd decided I wanted to buy it after working here for a short period of time. I kept in touch with the owners and when they'd decided to sell it, they reached out me.”

— Margaret Jordan, New Owner (natchezdemocrat.com)

“Keep selling the same great food, and add some visual flair with a fresh logo on the building. It's going to be very similar to how it is now, but with a facelift.”

— Kelly Stevens, Co-Owner (natchezdemocrat.com)

What’s next

The new owners plan to keep the same great food offerings at Bellemont Shake Shop while giving the retro eatery a fresh visual facelift with a new logo.

The takeaway

The transition of Bellemont Shake Shop to new ownership, especially with someone like Margaret Jordan who started there as a teenager, represents the passing of the torch to a new generation committed to preserving the legacy of this Natchez institution.