Busy week.
First, a gift shop that has been in downtown Columbus for nearly two decades is moving out to a spot just off Highway 45 North.
The Purple Elephant will relocate to Littlewoods Shopping Center on Wilkins Wise Road in early August. Sarah Barefield, the manager, said the popular gift store has enjoyed success at its 422 Main St. location, but an opportunity came to move into a bigger space. The new spot will be beside Deep South Pout, a women’s fashion store which also moved from its Main Street location to Littlewoods Shopping Center in April.
The Purple Elephant employs eight people and has been downtown for 19 years.
Moving on.
Columbus may be getting another restaurant and bar, and it is a name you will recognize.
Sey’s Sports Bar & Grill is looking to open up at 2118 Hwy. 45 N. — in the shopping center where Rook’s Wine Cellar is located. The business is in the process of asking the state Department of Revenue for a liquor permit.
Sey’s Sports Bar & Grill was located in Leigh Mall in Columbus from 2006 until last summer, when it closed its doors. We reached out to the business to talk about the plans for reopening, but did not receive a response.
Fun fact: If the permit is granted to Sey’s, it will be the 46th liquor permit in operation in Lowndes County. There are 47 in Oktibbeha County and 10 in Clay County. Statewide, there are 2,128, according to the state Department of Revenue.
Over in Starkville, the Grateful Garden closed for good Tuesday. The juice and smoothie bar, located on University Drive, made the announcement via social media. The owner wrote: “I’m closing the shop because it is not what I want to be doing at this point in my life.”
The new Dollar Tree in Starkville will open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
Chelle Davis, a spokesperson for the Virginia-based chain, said normal store hours at the 803 Hwy. 12 West location will be 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. The business employs 12 to 15 people.
Lastly, did you know there is a full-service gas station across from the Magnolia Bowl in Columbus?
It is called Magnolia Full Service and it opened at 501 Hwy. 45 N. last fall.
It is owned by Donald Barksdale Jr., who has operated Champion’s Towing & Recovery for seven years. Just like in the old days, you can pull up beside a gas pump at Magnolia Full Service and an attendant will come out to fill your vehicle with gasoline or diesel. They will also check fluids and tire pressure — at no charge, while you sit the driver’s seat.
The shop has three bays where mechanics can do most any work on engines, transmissions or air conditioning systems. They can also rotate tires.
Magnolia Full Service employs five people.
It is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The number is 662-630-5178.
Browning on Business is a weekly column that runs each Thursday. We want your input. Send items and tips to [email protected] or [email protected].
William Browning was managing editor for The Dispatch until June 2016.
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