Swoope-ing into a New Era

COLUMBUS, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

Swoope Insurance Agency over on Bluecutt has been acquired by larger firm Oakbridge Insurance Agency. “Oakbridge is a regional agency and gives us access to a lot of resources that we just did not have access to in the past,” Swoope owner Mark Hardy said. “It also helps with the standpoint of employees. I think every small business out there has had problems finding and recruiting employees, and Oakbridge has a much larger footprint, so they’re able to attract new people. And that’s something that certainly is a big benefit to us.”

The Essle Center for Perceptual Development, an applied behavioral analysis therapy business helping children with autism, will hold its grand opening on Feb. 17 at 2102 Fifth St. N., office manager Kat Grady said. Owner Andrea Morris is a pediatrician with Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle.

In food news: The Jalisco Mexican Grill, 1921 Hwy. 45 N., is becoming the Guadalajara Cantina and Grill, per company secretary Andrea Prang. They plan to carry over much of the old menu, in addition to new offerings such as classical Mexican cuisine.

Foxhole Games and Comics, which opened up shop near City Diner last Fall, has moved to bigger and better digs at 411 Main St, near the Varsity. Owner Daniel Criddle reports that they “went from about roughly around 900 square feet to 2,000 . . . We needed the space for the gaming scene in Columbus that has grown exponentially to a point where we need to go ahead and try to capitalize on it. When they come into a shop, they shouldn’t be crowded and cramped up trying to figure out how to play. . .We have D&D now three nights a week in the store. So even if the groups get too big, we can break them up into other groups and put them in separate rooms.” They also hold game nights for players of games such as Magic: the Gathering nightly and Pokemon on Saturdays.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2023-02-09/goings-on-with-grant-swoope-insurance-acquired-by-regional-oakbridge-agency/

Aberdeen to Get Second Grocery Store

ABERDEEN, Miss. – Courtesy of WTVA

Freshly’s Market will open for business this Saturday on Hwy 8 in Aberdeen. The facility will include a bakery, deli, and floral shop, along with all of the usual grocery goodness.

Please give them a try!

Please click here for the original article: https://www.wtva.com/news/new-grocery-store-opening-in-aberdeen/article_9650777e-a728-11ed-a076-57fc9c82a84a.html

Soul Food for the Soul

COLUMBUS, MS – Courtesy of WCBI

Helen’s Kitchen and Catering, located on 7th Avenue North & 15th St, is preparing to hold a grand re-opening later this year. 86-year-old Proprietess Helen Jones-Karriem shares her secret to good ol’ soul food cooking: “The love of people. . . I don’t get in there and warm up stuff and order stuff from the truck. I cook. Do you know this morning, we got up and prepared everything that had been cooked? Cook, we’ve been cooking.”

Her business was one of those affected by the tornadoes in 2019, but she hasn’t let that slow her down. She has done all she can to keep on cooking for and giving to the community.

Please click here for the original article: https://www.wcbi.com/local-soul-food-restaurant-continues-serving-community-after-35-years-2/

Long-Delayed Bridge Repair To Commence

COLUMBUS, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch

The city council recently voted to accept a $4+ million settlement in the Negligence lawsuit which was filed against both Max Marine and Cooper Marine and Timberlands, regarding a barge that collided with and damaged a bridge on the Tenn-Tomm Waterway in February 2020. The respondents offered the settlement, which is expected to cover the repair costs in full, so there should be no cost to taxpayers.

City Attorney Jeff Turnage said that “It’s pretty rare to get a settlement for the whole amount. . . I don’t think there will be any other issue there,” he went on to say. “It will be built back to look just like it does now.”

Work is anticipated to take six months to a year, he said.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2023-02-01/4-2m-court-settlement-reached-to-repair-pedestrian-bridge/

New Tractor Factory to Bring 90 Jobs to Area in 2024

LOWNDES COUNTY, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

Terberg Taylor Americas Group had a ground-breaking ceremony at the Communiversity on Tuesday, about a mile from where they will be building their new manufacturing facility. While the construction has been pushed back a few months, they are back on track to finish by mid-2024: “We had some construction delays and supply chain delays, and we’re kind of putting ourselves in a little grace period to do that,” Taylor Group President Robert Taylor said. “We hope to beat that . . . mid-2024 (estimate). . .To have a facility like this (Communiversity) less than a mile from our facility means everyday training for bringing in employment, recruiting, to be able to have meetings here while we’re building,” Taylor said. “It means everything.”

Terberg Board Chairman Godfried Terberg told a crowd of legislators and business leaders that “We have the opportunities here. . . If you look at the quality of the products, we believe we can conquer this part of the world in this product line.”

They plan to hire 90 employees, paying an average of over $50,000 each.

“I think it really speaks to the kind of people we have in Mississippi,” Gov. Tate Reeves told The Dispatch. “Because Terberg is a family company and Taylor company is here. This is a family-owned and operated company that treats its employees like family. And that’s what we’re going to see with the combination of these two great companies coming together, creating jobs here and really producing a product.”

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2023-01-25/heavy-vehicle-manufacturer-breaks-ground-90-jobs-to-follow

Rose Drug Closing; Work Happening on Former Ryan’s Building

GOLDEN TRIANGLE REGION, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

WEST POINT

West Point Pharmacy Rose Drug Company at 595 Commerce St., will shut its doors for good as of January 25th. CVS will be taking over the location, as well as any prescriptions still on file there as of that time. “There’s a lot of factors with insurance that is squeezing independents out,” co-owner Connie Hudson said. “You just don’t make as much as you made. It’s really tough, and so it’s a fight. It’s a battle that we didn’t feel like we could continue.”

A new Pizza Hut has opened up shop at 7003 Hwy. 45 Alt. recently.

COLUMBUS

Amar Alammari, owner of Exotic Smokerz smoke shop at 1920 Hwy. 45 N., recently opened the Cozy Camel, an Arabian soul food truck parked right out front of his other business, this past Saturday. “People actually want to experience something that is not like southern soul food,” Alammari said. “A lot of people want to change. You know, we are in 2023. Let’s see what kind of food there is.”

While they plan to eventually be open with a consistent schedule (11am to 10 pm seven days a week), they are still working out the kinks. If you pass by and the lights are on, please give them a try!

The old Ryan’s restaurant building at 1201 Hwy. 45 N. is undergoing renovation; no new occupant has been announced yet.

STARKVILLE

Venezuelan cafe Arepas is open once again at 102 Rue Du Grande Fromage, following a brief hiatus to allow the staff and owners to spend time with their families.

ALDI has officially had its Grand Opening, having held a ribbon cutting this morning, complete with gift card giveaways and free goodie bags for customers.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2023-01-12/goings-on-with-grant-century-old-rose-drug-company-closing-in-west-point/

Starkville, Columbus Sales Tax Collections Looking Bright Year-Over-Year

GOLDEN TRIANGLE REGION, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

Area sales tax projections and collections have improved since this time last year.

COLUMBUS

Columbus received ~$914K in sales tax diversions from the MS DoR, up ~$43K from December 2021. Sales tax collections are up about 10% so far this fiscal year, or about $300K. Mayor Gaskin said that “There’s a lot of interest in the city again, as far as business and retail is concerned,” Gaskin said. “I think, once you see completed works like at the Leigh Mall that the Hull Group is doing, I truly believe that our numbers are going to continue to go up.”

STARKVILLE

Starkville received ~$727 in sales tax diversions this month, compared to !$716 in December 2021. Collections are up by about 3.2%, or about $70K. Mayor Spruill commented that “The city of Starkville and all of her residents and visitors love to eat because we have great places to eat,” Spruill said. “We are fortunate that we have as many wonderful restaurants as we do, and we continue to have people who are interested in being out in the community and enjoying our local fare.”

Please click here for the nitty-gritty details at the original article: https://colinkrieger.com/2022/12/30/starkville-columbus-sales-tax-collections-looking-bright-year-over-year/

ALDI is Al Di Way Open

STARKVILLE, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

The new Aldi grocery store at 607 Hwy. 12 opened on Dec. 13 in the Triangle Crossing Shopping Center on the West end of town. They have their trademark fresh produce, imported treats, deli cheeses and meats, and more! This includes, of course, the Aisle of Shame — but they call it the ALDI Finds section, showcasing experimental items that rotate every week or so, as they see what people are looking to buy. Don’t forget a solid quarter for the shopping cart; you’ll need one.

Right next door to them, El Rodeo, a Mexican restaurant, will also be coming to the shopping center. No word yet on a date.

Meanwhile, Stages Solutions, a waste management company, is offering discounts to people who are working on fixing up their homes and businesses after the recent extended freeze. They have deals on dumpster rentals, cleaning services, gravel and dirt hauling and other hauling services for commercial and residential work: “We understand how frustrating busted pipes can be because we are dealing with it too,” owner Brittany Jade Stage says. “Let us make it a little easier for you.” Please contact them via their FB page: Stage’s Solutions LLC

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2022-12-29/goings-on-with-grant-aldi-now-open-in-starkville/

Mi Hacienda Owner Set to Open New Concept Eatery at old Logan’s Roadhouse Building

GOLDEN TRIANGLE REGION, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch and Grant McLaughlin

COLUMBUS

The old Logan’s Roadhouse building at 589 18th Ave. N. is well on its way to becoming Sol Y Luna (lit, “Sun and Moon”), which will serve authentic Mexican cuisine. Mi Hacienda owner Felipe Hernandez stated, “I think people from the Columbus community are going to love this place . . . Columbus needs a Mexican place but more authentic, more next level.” they plan to offer meals such as seafood, steaks, and chicken, and they hope to be open by Valentine’s Day.

The Green Magnolia Dispensary at 7432 Hwy. 45 N. near CAFB is in the final stages of preparing to open up shop. They are just waiting on final government inspections and plan to be ready to roll by late January.

Yard Party owner Devan Boatner recently increased their online presence with a Facebook page to supplement their brick & mortar shop: “I feel like we will reach more people and basically evolve,” she said. The business makes custom signage for parties for events such as birthday parties and more. she is also offering a deal that is valid through Christmas: all $75 signs are reduced to $50.

STARKVILLE

Gianni Therapeutic Massage is slated to open its doors Jan. 10 at 500 Russell St., just south of the Bulldog Burger Company. Owner Jaclyn Johnson said, “I worked under great people and I learned a lot from them. I just wanted to do something on my own. I’ve always wanted to own my own business.”

WEST POINT

Yard Party owner Devan Boatner recently increased their online presence with a Facebook page top supplement their brick & mortar shop: “I feel like we will reach more people and basically evolve,” she said. The business makes custom signage for parties for events such as birthday parties and more. she is also offering a deal that is valid through Christmas: all $75 signs are reduced to $50.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2022-12-22/goings-on-with-grant-sol-y-luna-to-open-in-old-logans-roadhouse-location/

All the News That’s Fit to Eat

GOLDEN TRIANGLE REGION, MS – Courtesy of the Dispatch, Grant McLaughlin, and the CAFB

STARKVILLE

Michele Fant, owner of Taste Italian Kitchen in Starkville, will soon open a new venue offering Greek style cuisine where Humble Taco used to be at 511 University Drive. Bluto’s Greek Tavern, is slated to open up shop on January 16th. “We wanted to bring some different options to this town than it already has,” Fant said. “So it’s a great opportunity to bring some Greek in a college town and do something fun and young and hip for the kids and adults.”

The Guadalajara Bar and Grill is looking to open in late January or early February at 211 Hwy. 12 in the former Pizza Hut building.

Project Manager Fernando Gomez said, “We’re always aiming for new opportunities and we saw a great one here.”

WEST POINT

Meanwhile, a new Pizza Hut is under construction at 7003 Hwy 45. Alt. N. It should be open next month.

COLUMBUS

Slim Chickens is nearing completion at 1923 Hwy 45 in between Jalisco and Mike’s Liquor. They are on track to finish construction in late January, and then all they’ll need is a City inspection, and they’ll be ready to go. The chain offers chicken tenders and other dishes in a manner similar to Raising Cane’s or Zaxby’s.

Also in Columbus, the Air Force Base has increased itsGreek-style focus on providing more food options on base. Hunt Brothers Pizza now has a section open in the Express.

Please click here for the original article: https://cdispatch.com/news/2022-12-15/goings-on-with-grant-new-greek-restaurant-to-open-at-university-drive-in-starkville/