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Owen Brennan’s owner hands reins to his children

By , Daily Memphian Updated: February 18, 2025 5:53 AM CT | Published: February 16, 2025 4:00 AM CT

Owen Brennan’s starts a new chapter this year with the next generation taking the reins of the 35-year-old Creole and Cajun restaurant.

Longtime owner Jim Baker is passing control of the 440-seat restaurant to his three children: Austin Baker, Lawson Bae and Becky Baker Crucifixio.

“As a family, my siblings and I are thrilled to carry forward the incredible legacy of our restaurant,” said Crucifixio, who serves as the restaurant’s general manager. “For decades, we’ve spent countless nights inside brainstorming ideas and envisioning the future of this place. With our 35th anniversary upon us, we’re finally starting to see those dreams come true.”

The story of Owen Brennan’s begins in 1990.

Burt Wolf, the restaurant’s original general partner, approached Jim Baker, an investment banker, to raise funds from local investors to open Owen Brennan’s, Bae said. The name was licensed from Clark and Blake Brennan, grandsons of the original Owen Brennan, founder of Brennan’s on Royal Street in New Orleans.

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Owen Brennan's Subscriber Only Restaurants

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Jennifer Chandler

Jennifer Chandler

Jennifer Chandler has been a restaurateur, a cookbook author, a food stylist, a writer and a TV and radio personality.


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