In mid-February The Dispatch announced that Bargain Hunt would be opening in Columbus in the former Southern Family Market location next to K-Mart.
At that time, contractors had reported the renovations on the new location at 2312 Hwy. 45 N. would be complete by the end of March. The store is now preparing for a grand opening to be held on March 17.
Bargain Hunt offers customers brand name merchandise from 30-50-percent below normal retail pricing, alongside a constantly changing selection of unique products. The Columbus store will contain these sales in a 32,000 square-foot sales space.
This opening, along with the previous opening in Starkville, are part of an ambitious expansion plan for Bargain Hunt. The Columbus location is the fifth store to be opened this year, bringing the total number of stores in the nation to 65. The company plans to open a total of 25 or more new locations in 2017.
The store’s hours will be 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays. It will bring 25 new jobs to the area.
Highway 45 gained another new attraction in the form of Vapezy, a premium e-liquid and supply store located at 1909-B Hwy. 45 N.
Billy and Andrea Ezell opened Vapezy in September of last year, but following some difficulty attracting business, relocated to their new spot at the Walmart intersection.
The couple are originally from Webster County, where they became friends through the medium of vaping, that is, the enjoyment of vapor-producing electronic cigarettes. Previously, Billy worked for Nu Way Vape. In Andrea’s previous employment, she was asked to seek potential locations for a new vape shop in Starkville, but when the business turned down the possibility of expanding, the Ezells turned their research into their own new business and opened Starkvegas Vapors in April 2015. They sold Starkvegas Vapors to Joseph Enfinger in 2016 before moving to Columbus.
“We want to present a greater sense of community than other shops,” Ezell said regarding the store’s future. “That’s what the vape scene is really about.”
While currently operating out of the store’s front section, there are plans to add a lounge into the 1,800 square-foot building. The store carries eight different lines of e-liquid and plans to expand to carry numerous vaping devices, from starter to advanced level, alongside additional e-liquids.
Vapezy is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Additionally, the Louisiana Shrimp Shack quietly closed its doors on Feb. 21.
The Shrimp Shack originally opened Sept. 8, 2016, with Kenny Whitey, a fisherman from New Orleans, as owner. It was located at 1909-A Hwy. 45 N. and enjoyed much praise from locals for its fresh from the gulf seafood and “straight-outta-the-bayou” home-cooking.
Whitey said the travel to and from the shack was too much for the family to maintain.
The Sherman Business Report is a weekly column that runs each Thursday. We want your input. Send items and tips to [email protected] or [email protected]
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.