Sometimes we truly miss the things we love to do, even if we have been doing that for a long time.
With that said, I’m happy to report that the recently closed Stromboli’s, an Italian eatery located at 408 University Drive, has been sporadically opening since Mississippi State University students returned last month.
Stromboli’s closed in April after more than two decades operating the restaurant so owners Janet and Tim Turman could retire.
But it would appear that the family’s love for the business won out. Daughter Stella Turman said she and her family are actively considering bringing the restaurant back in full swing.
“There is talk of (reopening), but nothing final yet,” Turman said. “We are currently still doing catering and pop-up days.”
For those interested in trying out the food for the first time or coming back for another mouth-watering slice, customers can visit the business’s Facebook page to know which days the pop-up shop will be open.
Stromboli’s isn’t the only business shaking things up in the Golden Triangle, though.
In Columbus, the Road Side Ranch House, located at 807 Alabama St., which opened in mid-August, has already undergone a small renovation and added a few features for customers to enjoy some weekend sporting events.
Co-owner Tracy Wilson told me that to celebrate Mississippi State University’s football season, she and her team have installed four large televisions throughout the diner for patrons to enjoy the games.
“People probably get tired of just sitting at home alone during the game,” Wilson said. “Now, those people can come to the restaurant, sit down and enjoy your food while drinking and watching the game.”
Wilson said as part of the football season, she has also added some new soul food options to the restaurant, such as fried Philly cheese steak wraps and fried grilled chicken. To be honest, that sounds like some pretty killer game-time food.
Elsewhere in Columbus, Ryan Munson sold the Juva Juice located at 502 18th Ave. N. to West Point resident Stance Henderson Sept. 1.
Munson said he sold the location to focus on some of his other business, Munson and Brothers at 301 Second Ave. N., but he feels he left the store in capable hands.
“I just had a lot of things going on and it was time to be smaller,” Munson said. “It was better for him to have it than me.”
I tried to speak with Henderson about what he plans to do with the location, but I never heard back. Here is wishing him luck.
Moving back to Starkville, MSU students will soon have to travel off the main campus to buy flowers.
The University Florist, located at 100 Lee Blvd. near the Colvard Student Union, will soon move to the A.B. McKay Food Research and Enology Lab located at 205 Technology Blvd.
Shop Manager and Florist Lauren Baskin said the shop is still open at its original location but will need to move into the new shop by Oct. 1.
“We don’t know an exact date as to when we will be fully moved, but moving over there (by Oct. 1) is the plan as of now,” she said. “We were hoping to be in there starting this Monday, but the building is not ready.”
Even though the store is moving away from the center of campus, students can still order flowers delivered for free anywhere at MSU, and Baskin will keep an inventory of flowers in the MAFES Sales Store on campus.
“It’s definitely going to be an experience of adapting and overcoming and will be a great learning opportunity for us,” she said.
Finally, my friends, we travel to West Point for one last update.
Southern Dane Boutique, a women’s fashion store, opened at 26346 W. Main St. in mid-August, owner Jessi Morton said.
Morton originally opened her business in January as an online store so she could earn a little extra cash. After six months of operating, she realized her demand had grown so much that she needed a physical location. Her goods include women’s clothes, accessories and even homemade soaps.
Morton said she obtained the space in June and had been renovating until August. On opening day alone, she saw about 100 customers.
“We had so much traffic come through that we actually sold almost all of our inventory,” she said. “It just feels amazing and it was such a relief now that we are finally (open).”
Well, that’s a wrap on this edition of Goings on with Grant. Make sure to check back in next week for more goings on in business.
Dispatch reporter Grant McLaughlin writes about business openings and closings, as well as other unique business news. Send business tips to [email protected].
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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 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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