Lenny’s Sub Shop wants to open in the Golden Triangle.
Bob Ritter, the chain’s vice president of franchise and market development, told The Dispatch this morning that Columbus is on its list of markets it wants to enter.
Ritter explained that while many eatery chains target metropolitan areas, Lenny’s is focusing expansion efforts on smaller, mid-size communities.
The company is actively looking for a franchisee for a Columbus restaurant. The initial fee is $25,000. (For military veterans and minorities, the fee is $20,000.) The total investment is typically somewhere between $250,000 and $310,000, depending on the size of the location and other factors, according to Ritter. For more information contact Ken Kanzaki with Lenny’s at 901-259-2864.
Lenny’s is based in Memphis. It began in 1998. It specializes in sandwiches made with fresh baked breads.
There are 13 Lenny’s Sub Shops in Mississippi, including one in Tupelo.
Each location employs 14-16 people.
Moving on.
Cook Out will open in Starkville this summer.
A spokesperson with the North Carolina-based eatery chain told said Wednesday the goal is to hopefully open next month. The restaurant will be located at 122 Hwy. 12 — that’s the former Arby’s. Cook Out signs are in place at the spot.
Cook Out specializes in grilled hamburgers, barbecue, milkshakes and more.
Several weeks ago we reported that Beard’s Antiquities on Fifth is moving from downtown Columbus to a Chubby Drive location just off Highway 45 North. That will happen late next month.
The antique store’s spot at 124 Fifth St. will not remain empty.
The Edge Dance Center will move into the 3,000-square-foot location. Whitney Ferguson, who owns the dance business, said she will do some slight interior remodeling and open in the location in August.
The Edge Dance Center is currently located at 882 N. Lehmberg Rd. It will continue to operate there until the move downtown.
The business teaches all kinds of dance — tap, jazz, lyrical, competition, ballet, etc. — to children between the ages of 3 and 18.
Lastly, Bank of Commerce’s location in downtown Columbus is open.
The bank occupies the historic McGahey Building’s first floor (about 3,000 square feet) and basement (about 1,000 square feet).
Bank of Commerce has two branches in Greenwood, one in Oxford and one in Starkville. The Columbus branch — which employs four people — is the fifth in Mississippi.
Mark Crigler, the local branch’s president, said a grand opening will be held at 10 a.m. Friday.
The McGahey Building is at 105 Fifth St. N.
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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