Louisiana Shrimp Shack to Return to Columbus Soon

COLUMBUS, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch

Owner Kenneth Helmer reports that he is working on converting the old Pumpkin Patch location (6188 Hwy. 45 N.) into the new Cajun eatery. the new Columbus Shrimp Shack. He plans to serve up genuine Louisiana gulf seafood, straight from the source: “I made up my mind about the shrimping,” Helmer said. “When you commercial fish for a living, we don’t always get what we should for our seafood. I just decided I’m up in the age now, I don’t want to fight the season. I just want to find me a place up here, settle in and make a restaurant and get good help where I can watch it more than work it.”

“Get ready for a little spice,” he went on to say. “We’re going to put out good quality food. Whatever we do, we’re going to cook it from scratch. … Whatever I cook in here, in this building, it ain’t coming from a jar. . .People are excited about me coming back,” Helmer said. “The people up here, I like it. It’s a nice community, a lot of good folks.”

In other food news:

Columbus’ own Southern Snow Shack on Chubby Dr (near Mi Toro) has now reopened in anticipation of the heat to come. They serve up cold, frosty treats Mon~Sat from Noon to 6PM.

In Starkville, you can get your snowball on at Starkvegas Snowballs in the Cotton District and on MLK Drive. Open every day from 2-7 PM.

Also in the area, Two Brothers Smoked Meats is now open for business at its new location. They had outgrown their old Cotton District venue, so they now run a two-story restaurant on University Drive with more than triple the capacity. Tues~Sat from 11AM to 10PM and Sundays from 11 to 4.

Please click here for the full article: https://cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=79999

MEC Seeks to Improve State’s Reputation

COLUMBUS, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch

MEC recently held their annual luncheon at Lion Hills. At the meeting, CEO and President Scott Waller asked the many business professionals and community leaders in attendance about how they felt Mississippi is perceived by both locals and by outsiders. More than half of them had negative views on the state themselves, and the general consensus was that most people from other states feel the same way. His goal is to help to identify the most important of our issues and bring them to local and state leaders so that they may hopefully be addressed on a large scale: “When we think about what our state is, where we’re going, how do we change that image?” he said. “How do we make sure that we’re not talking about the negative, but instead figuring out a way to deal with the negative — because we can’t walk away from it — but then talk about the good things that are happening that can help change the dynamic of the conversation?”

He pointed out that the state has been improving gradually in recent years: Our graduation rate is a bit above the national average (85% as compared to 84.6%), and that our national ranking has improved, as well: “In the latest Newsweek poll on education, Mississippi ranked 46th,” he said. “Think about that for just a second: 46. Maybe that’s not a great number, but when you’ve always been either 50 or 51 (including) D.C., that’s a pretty big improvement. … There’s something happening in (education) that’s allowed us to move up. We’re 46th today. Our next goal should be 44. Then 42. That’s when you start to see the needle move, that we’re actually making real progress.”

Most attendees agreed that our universities and community colleges are doing well in their mission to prepare students for the workforce: “Particularly in a place like Columbus that has not only strong community colleges but a strong four-year university right here, and you’re fairly close to another, that you see the value of what our universities bring to the table and what our community colleges bring to the table in terms of preparing our workforce,” he said. However, their view on our K-12 educational system was not nearly as optimistic, with 2/3 of them saying that pre-college education is inadequate in the state.

Please click here for the full article: https://cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=79830

Logan’s Roadhouse in Columbus Among Several Stores Closed Nationwide.

NUTS!” ???

Columbus,MS – Courtesy of Brewbound

According to several local reports and one former staff member, the mildly popular Logan’s Roadhouse eatery on 18th Avenue in Columbus has closed. The franchise location was well-known locally for its abundant free peanuts and lackluster customer service.

Several reports of other shuttered locations in recent days include: Gonzales,LA, Corpus Christi, TX, Chester, VA, Bowling Green,KY, Ocala,FL, Opelika,AL, Tridelphia,WV, Nashville,TN.

The restaurant was part of a redevelopment of the area in 2011 that included 3 new franchise hotels and a Renasant Bank branch. Although online reviews were far below average, the closure seems to be part of a recent restructuring after Roadhouse was acquired by Craftworks Holdings in November of 2019. Logan’s previously closes 18 stores as part of a bankruptcy agreement in 2016

Brewbound.com has reported Craftworks Holdings has shuttered a number of Gordon Biersch and Rock Bottom Brewery locations as well in recent weeks:

“On Sunday, the Nashville, Tennessee-headquartered operator and franchisor closed Gordon Biersch locations in Syracuse, New York; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Rockville and Baltimore, Maryland; and the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

All of those locations have been scrubbed from the Gordon Biersch and Rock Bottom websites.

…

In a statement shared with Brewbound, Craftworks Holdings chief experience officer Josh Kern called the move “purely a business decision as we continue to focus on other Craftworks Holdings locations throughout the country.”

An “About Craftworks” boilerplate shared by Kern said Craftworks operates more than 390 restaurants and breweries in 40 states and Washington, D.C. In addition to Rock Bottom and Gordon Biersch, Craftworks’ operates the Logan’s Roadhouse and Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom chains, as well as speciality restaurants Chophouse, Big River Grill, AIA Ale Works, Ragtime Tavern & Seafood Grill, Seven Bridges Grill & Brewery and Sing-Sing.

…

Sunday’s closures are just a few in a string of recently shuttered Craftworks outposts, including Old Chicago locations Dallas and Cedar Hill, Texas, and Boise, Idaho; Gordon Biersch restaurants in Gilbert, Westgate and Phoenix, Arizona, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Buffalo, New York; and a Logan’s RoadHouse in Corpus Christi, Texas.”

For more from Brewbound:

https://www.brewbound.com/news/craftworks-holdings-closes-several-gordon-biersch-and-rock-bottom-locations

PRESS RELEASE = Historic Rex Theater to Be given New Life

STARKVILLE, MS – Courtesy of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Castle Properties, Masonic Lodge, and Glo to undergo 1.2 million dollar restoration & renovation for Historic Rex Theater in downtown Starkville.

Golden Triangle developer and owner of Castle Properties, Mark Castleberry, plans to redevelop the former theater into an office space for local business, Glo.

Kyle Jordan, a 6-year member of the Starkville Freemason’s Abert Lodge said, “When I became Master of the Lodge, I had high hopes of restoring our building so that we could shift our focus from maintaining our property, to philanthropic efforts, member outreach, and retention.”

Anna Barker of Glo said, “The redevelopment of the Rex Theater is an opportunity to honor the rich history of Starkville while celebrating the entrepreneurial ecosystem and tremendous economic growth in recent years.”

“We’re so excited to firmly place our roots in Starkville. What started in a 30 square foot closet as a student startup, Glo has transformed into a local business employing over 15 members of our community,” said Hagan Walker.

Walker adds, “I’m absolutely elated that we have found a place that allows us to stay in Starkville and a partnership with Mark [Castleberry] and The Masonic Lodge will help revitalize our downtown.”

Briar Jones of Thomas Shelton Jones and Associates will serve as the architect on the project and Byrum Construction, Inc. will oversee the construction of the development.

Original post: https://www.facebook.com/starkvillepartnership/posts/3111650115533886

Humble Taco to Take Over Former City Bagel Location

STARKVILLE, MS – Courtesy of the Starkville Daily News

Eat Local Starkville, a group that runs a number of Starkville restaurants, plans to introduce the Humble Taco concept to the city at the former City Bagel location on University Drive. The restaurant will place a focus upon locally-sourced ingredients wherever possible. Owner and Chef Ty Thames commented that he wants to present patrons with a blend of Mexican and Southern cuisine.

Please click here for the original article: https://www.starkvilledailynews.com/restaurant-group-hopes-to-open-humble-taco-concept-in-may/article_c31eb6c0-570e-11ea-acc7-c775ea2dc56a.html

Courtesy photo: A rendering of the new Humble Taco concept that is expected to open on University Drive in May

Comfort Food to Get a New Source in Starkville

STARKVILLE, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch

Georgia Blue will be holding its grand opening for its 5th restaurant location on March 2nd in Starkville at 207 S. Jackson Street. The Mississippi-based eatery will serve up home cookin’ day and night. The small chain has been around since 2010.

On the downside, local favorite bakery The Biscuit Shop will be closing its doors as of the end of the month, in preparation for a move to Northport, Alabama. Owner Krista Olley posted about the move on FaceBook: “We will have distributors in Starkville with our biscuits,” the post reads. “We thank you for your business from the bottom of our hearts.” She says to keep an eye on their FB page for upcoming info on where to find their products on store shelves in Starkville after the move.

Local contemporary women’s boutique Dsquared has completed its move to their new location at 807 University Drive. They will be holding a grand opening celebration Friday at 4PM.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=79483

4-County’s Foundation Has Donated Over $1 Million To Date

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch

4-County Electric Power Association Foundation recently announced that they have donated more than $1 Million in grants to schools, charitable organizations, and others over the years. The primary source of that funding is an optional program whereby their customers can round their power bills up to the next dollar – and an impressive 93% of their customers have chosen to do just that.

4-County CEO Brian Clark called the awards a “monumental achievement. . . It’s hard to truly measure the impact the 4-County Foundation has had for organizations involved in our service area,” he went on to say. “Thanks to 4-County members, the Foundation board, the 4-County board and its employees, we’ve been able to enhance the quality of life for our members. … One million dollars given away is special.”

Please click here for the full article:
https://cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=79434

BankFirst Expanding; Shops New and Old in the News

GOLDEN TRIANGLE REGION, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch

COLUMBUS

BankFirst President and CEO Moak Griffin recently announced their acquisition of Traders and Farmers, an Alabama bank with nine branches, Griffin said the GTR will benefit Columbus in a big way: “With our headquarters being (in Columbus), it’s a big difference,” Griffin said. “We will definitely be adding more jobs to Columbus, but I would hate to put a number on it,” he continued. “We will be hiring people in Starkville, Columbus, and Macon to help us with this acquisition…As we buy banks in other parts of Mississippi and Alabama, it is just going to benefit Columbus because we continue to hire people as we grow.”

Brunini Grantham Grower Hewes Law Firm will be moving from Main St to Brickerton at the beginning of March. Gordon Flowers, attorney with Brunini Law, said that “We just have excess space and have had for quite some time,” Flowers said. “We are just relocating to (Brickerton). …We will continue to operate as a firm and to our Columbus clients, just as we always have.”

The Columbus Palmer Home Thrift Store on S. Main St. is being temporarily shut down for maintenance. They expect to reopen in 4~6 weeks. Their Starkville location at 422 Hwy 12 will remain open.

WEST POINT

Consignment shop Secret Hidden Treasures, has opened for busines at 26046 W. Main St. For the time being, on days when they are open, you can shop from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., or you can shop by appointment by giving Gibbs a call at 662-524-0804. “We don’t have very many consignment shops here,” owner Christiann Gibbs said. “I think it’s a very nice place for people to get great deals and it’s a good thing for the community.” The West Point Main Street Growth Alliance will hold a ribbon cutting Friday at 11 a.m.

STARKVILLE

We previously mentioned sub shop Jersey Mike’s; they are now serving up sammiches at 831 Hwy. 12 W. Suite D. Jersey Mike’s is open every day from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=79330

Lowndes Solar Energy Plant Approved by TVA

LOWNDES COUNTY, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch

We recently reported on a proposal before the TVA to obtain funding to allow Origis Energy to construct and operate a 350MW solar energy plant in the county; a smaller proposal, for a 200MW facility, was approved, though indications are that something more ambitious might be possible at some point in the future. The accepted version of the project will also be able to store 50MW worth of backup power in order to account for issues such as inclement weather.

Johan Vanhee, chief commercial and procurement officer for the renewable energy company Origis Energy, “I don’t think they were comfortable with going with the 350MW at this point, but we’re optimistic that we may be able to pursue that at some point in the future,” Vanhee said.

According to Origis, the 200MW facility will include 650,000 solar panels, and will be capable of providing power to 45,920 homes.

Vanhee went on to say that the EPA must first conduct an environmental study of the site, which is likely to take up to a year to complete. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2021, with temporary jobs available for “hundreds of workers” (mostly unskilled), and permanent ones for a handful once the facility is up and running.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=79319

Starkville’s Carry Out: 34 Years and Still Going Strong

STARKVILLE, MS – Courtesy of the Starkville Daily News

Billy Petty, owner of Carry Out since opening it in 1986, has been serving up good eats to locals and tourists alike for over three decades, and he hopes to keep doing so for many more.

“My wife used work at a place they called Mr.Cook on campus,” Petty said. “So, we lived in a trailer park, and I had saved up a little money and said, ‘We could do this ourselves so let’s just put our money in our own restaurant.’”

Supporting our local entrepreneurs helps to keep local business thriving and local people working, and THAT’S Good for Business!

Please click here for the original article: https://www.starkvilledailynews.com/petty-s-carry-out-continues-to-serve-starkville-after-years/article_6b3d7f74-4da7-11ea-bc84-4bf07f24a3d7.html