Mimi’s Frozen Custard has opened in Vernon.
Such an interesting story there. The owners are Ray and Judy Merchant, who operated Mimi’s Ice Cream in Caledonia from 2006 until 2013, when they sold it. Ray is a Vernon native. He told The Dispatch the plan in 2013 was to retire. He tried it. It didn’t last.
“I’m one of those guys who needs something to do,” he said.
So earlier this year he bought a 100-plus-year-old home in Vernon, painted it blue and yellow and four weeks ago opened Mimi’s Frozen Custard. It features seven flavors.
Why custard?
Ray and his wife lived in St. Louis for years. They developed a taste for custard up there. After moving back south, they found themselves driving to Tuscaloosa for good custard. To fix that problem they opened up shop and began serving it themselves.
The address is 44925 Highway 17 in Vernon. The hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday. They offer smoothies, milkshakes and Sno-cones, too. There is a drive-thru.
Moving on.
Early next year, Smith’s Landscaping will change locations. It’s not going far, though.
The longtime Columbus business is currently located at 604 18th Ave. N. The new location will be 625 18th Ave. N. — that’s where the old Barnhill’s Buffet was. The city has issued permits to Smith’s Landscaping for some demolition and renovation work to be on the old restaurant building in preparation for the move.
Smith’s Landscaping began in 1977 in Amory. In 1989, it came to Columbus. In 1991, it opened along 18th Avenue North. The move up the avenue, according to owner Allen Smith, will correspond with the company’s 25th anniversary on 18th Avenue.
The business employs about 14 people.
Lastly, an upscale, chef-driven restaurant specializing in gourmet burgers is slated to open in Starkville in January.
Bulldog Burger Company will be located at 702 University Drive, which is the current location of Sweet Peppers Deli.
The deli has served sandwiches, soups, salads and other items for decades. It is owned by the Eat With Us Group. Shannon Barkley, the group’s director of sales and marketing, said University Drive’s demographics and traffic patterns have changed significantly in the past few years.
“We think this new concept will be a unique addition to the area by filling a niche in the market,” Barkley said.
Bulldog Burger Company, in addition to burgers, will have salads, appetizers, specialty milkshakes and other items. It will have a bar, too. That bar will have 16 craft brews available, in addition to other beers.
Sweet Peppers Deli will close Dec. 12 for renovations. When the doors open again six weeks later, it will have transformed into Bulldog Burger Company. It will seat 100 inside and about 50 on a patio.
It will employ about 50 people.
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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