In February 2022, Morgan Freeman reopened Biloxi’s historic Kress building as Ground Zero Blues Club, a 20,000‑square‑foot venue that now stages up to 400 live acts each year. The club’s opening has become a cornerstone of the city’s downtown revival, drawing crowds from across the Gulf Coast.
Built in the 1920s for the S.H. Kress department store, the brick‑laden structure survived a 1942 fire and later housed the Kress Live music venue until its 2016 closure. Ground Zero’s redesign preserved the façade’s ornate detailing while installing state‑of‑the‑art acoustics for blues and soul performances.
Freeman teamed with New Orleans entrepreneur Eric Meier and brothers Lee and Jeff Young, who also spearheaded the District on Howard redevelopment, to bring the club to life. The collaboration drew on Freeman’s own 2001 Clarksdale club, giving the Biloxi venue a legacy of authentic blues heritage.
Local guitarist Maya Harris says the club offers a “second stage” for Mississippi’s rising talent, while regular patron Jamal Carter swears the ambience feels like a living museum. The club’s menu—Southern comfort food and Gulf Coast seafood—caters to both music lovers and foodies, broadening its appeal beyond the stage.
The club plans to add a rooftop bar in late summer 2026, and its upcoming 2027 Blues & Heritage Festival will showcase 30 artists, according to club director Mick Steele.