Well, folks, I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again. Nothing beats a fresh cup of coffee and a shop to drink it in.
Though, if you visit this upcoming business, you’ll learn just how the beans are roasted while you sip from the fruits of their labor.
Umble Coffee Co., named after the way your grandmother might have said, “He’s so humble,” is opening at 216 Industrial Park Road, near the Oktibbeha County Safe Room, hopefully on June 2, owner Kenneth Thomas said.
Thomas told me he started Umble Coffee Co. in 2017 as an online business with a roasting facility for top-notch coffee beans. Now, he wants to expand those operations while bringing in area residents to enjoy the coffee and even learn how it’s made at every step.
“We have doubled our production volume every year since 2017. It just keeps going up,” Thomas said. “We wanted to have a coffee shop front to be able to showcase our coffee. But also it’s really important for us to be a place where the community can gather, because for Umble, we’re not here if we’re not people focused.”
Thomas said in 2022, the business outgrew its former facilities on Highway 389. So he decided to move to an industrially zoned property and open up a coffee shop option to go along with the new location.
Once all is said and done, Thomas plans to add on weekend tours of the roasting operations and tasting, as well as add a walking trail to the area just behind the building for patrons to enjoy and relax.
“People who come to the coffee shop will be able to see the inner workings of the actual coffee production itself,” he said. “Probably not right out of the gate, but eventually, we’ll probably set up for what I call eco tours, which are like Saturday mornings where we run you through this. Just like if you went to Nashville and went to a microbrewery or distillery, and they walk you through the process.”
In other news, it’s sad to say, but every door that opens must eventually close, especially when it means opportunities elsewhere.
OMG Grillhouse, located at 106 Avenue of Patriots, held its last dinner service Saturday evening.
The restaurant, which opened in 2020, took to Facebook Friday to announce the closing, but also to say the business is packing up and moving to my home state of Texas.
I couldn’t get in touch with owner T.A. Amos, but I wish him and his team luck on their next adventure. I hope they like Texas as much as I did, or maybe just a little more. I did leave after all.
Moving to Columbus, The Hibachi Buffet, originally located in Leigh Mall, is heading toward reopening at its new location, the former Ryan’s buildings at 1201 Hwy. 45 S.
Owner Angela Hu originally said the restaurant was slated to reopen this month. Now, she hopes to open by July after experiencing delays in acquiring kitchen equipment and furniture for the restaurant.
She also said her team has finished much of the renovation work, including redoing the floors, repainting the walls and making a few touch-ups to the interior.
“We are still in the remodel, and when we open we will put it out with a post on Facebook,” she said.
Hu also said the business would be updating the signage out front soon. I, for one, can’t wait for a new name on a building that definitely deserves a little bit of love.
Finally, my very good friends, it would appear that Mike Rooker is finally closing Rook’s Wine Cellar, located at 2118 Hwy. 45 N.
Rooker said the business’ last day will be Saturday and that he is offering a 25% to 30% sale on all items in the store. I might have to pick up something and pour one out for the soon-to-be shuttered business.
“I’m 65 and we had a good run,” Rooker said. “I appreciate all the customers, but it’s just time to do something else.”
Well, folks, it’s like they say in Hollywood, “That’s a wrap!” Make sure to check back in next week for more goings 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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