Business Moves with Mary: BankFirst continues expansions into Alabama

Wednesday afternoon, BankFirst President and CEO Moak Griffin saw six out-of-town BankFirst employees eating at Harvey’s.

Business Moves with Mary: Oby’s restaurant under new ownership

Don O’Bannon, better known as Oby, sat down in the restaurant he started 43 years ago laughing and sharing stories with the new Oby’s owner on Tuesday.

Business Moves with Mary: Restaurant and bar opens in Columbus

Debra Thompson never strayed far from her mother and grandmother in the kitchen.

By keeping a close eye, Thompson said that’s where she learned the basics of the food industry and helped her open own restaurant, Baby Dude’s Bar and Grill, in Columbus earlier this month.

Business Moves with Mary: Goody’s to Gordman’s in Starkville

Goody’s in Starkville is now advertising its “store-closing” sale with up to 60 percent of its inventory.

Business Moves with Mary: Lofts at Lee available to rent; restaurant, event space there near completion

The redevelopment of the former Lee Middle School property at Military Road and Highway 82 is starting to show tangible results.

Business Moves with Mary: Cafe on Main has new owner

After a little more than a month advertising the cafe’s sale, The Dismuke family sold Cafe on Main this month.

Business Moves with Mary: New Jersey sub shop comes to Starkville

Jersey Mike’s is branching to Starkville, y’all.

Business Moves with Mary: Better Brands purchased by Mitchell Distributing and Clark Beverages

Better Brands, a food and beverage distribution company in West Point, is changing owners.

Business Moves with Mary: Military Hardware owners announced

When the Perkerson family celebrated Military Hardware’s 60th year in business, a new family stepped in the spotlight ready to take the reins in January.

Business Moves with Mary: Military Hardware celebrates 60 years, prepares for new owner

For 60 years the Perkerson family have owned and operated Military Hardware at 1002 13th St N. in Columbus, but a new family will take the helm “in the near future.”

Business moves with Mary: Black Friday shopping starts early again this year

Like myself after Thanksgiving lunch, this paper is stuffed.

Though I’ll be stuffed with turkey, dressing and about four different kinds of desserts, this paper is stuffed with deals and plans to spend your Thanksgiving evening and Black Friday preparing for the holidays.

Business Moves with Mary: Smith Landscaping to become Walton’s Greenhouse

As the new year approaches, things may be looking a little different at Smith Landscaping and the Greenhouse.

Business Moves with Mary: Cafe on Main listed for sale

Cafe on Main, 101 Fifth St. S. in Columbus, is listed for sale.

Business Moves with Mary: Fashion Barn slated to close after nearly 30 years

For 27 years, Homer Beaty and his wife Joanne have flown around the country searching for the latest fashions and trends for their downtown store Fashion Barn at 100 Fifth St. S.

Business Moves with Mary: Piano bar coming to Columbus

For years myths have circulated of the origin of piano burning.

Business Moves with Mary: Steel Forest Furniture Store in downtown slated to close

After three years in downtown, Steel Forest Furniture Store is closing its doors.

Analysis: City spending less on J5, Neel-Schaffer

Even as scrutiny for the city’s budgeting and spending continues, records indicate Columbus has invested significantly less in project management and engineering over the past two fiscal years.

‘Our Hero’: Late Aberdeen officer Johnny B’s bench dedicated at Leadership Plaza

Johnny Buster’s memory and story will live on next to his late son’s in downtown Columbus.

In early January, Buster passed away at 72 leaving a legacy of dedication to the military, his family and the citizens he protected.

Six candidates qualify for Ward 1

Six candidates have qualified so far for the Ward 1 city council vacancy.

Gibbs-Gray, Beard head to runoff in Ward 4 special election

Kegdra Gibbs-Gray and Pierre D. Beard Sr. are headed to a runoff in the special election for the Ward 4 Columbus City Council vacancy.