Cook Out, the North Carolina-based burger chain that swept into Starkville last summer, is planning to open a new restaurant in North Columbus.
Rhett Real Estate finalized the sale of the old Immanuel Baptist Church property at 503 18th Ave. N. to the restaurant chain Wednesday, Wythe Rhett confirmed to The Dispatch. Meanwhile, the city building inspector’s office received civil plans from Cook Out for the location months ago and is waiting for architectural plans for the site.
While plans have not been finalized for the church, according to Rhett the company aims to “demolish the (church) building and carve out enough of the property to put Cook Out on, then look at the possibility of adding another motel or strip (mall).”
The church was last used for services in 2015.
Cook Out eateries specialize in grilled burgers, barbecue and more than 40 kinds of milkshakes. The Starkville location employs approximately 50 and is open 10:30 a.m.-3 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10:30 a.m.-4 a.m. Friday-Saturday.
There are three Cook Out restaurants in Mississippi and more than 170 nationwide.
Corporate representatives with the chain did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
Another big change coming to Columbus involves a large steel building under construction on Highway 82 near the Vibrant Church West location. This new structure is the future home of the Volume Freight shipping company owned by Doug Estes.
The new location is being set up as a two-floor terminal with a three-vehicle bay shop to maintain Volume’s fleet of 65 trucks. Following the completion of this terminal and vehicle shop, Estes plans to add a 150,000 square-foot warehouse and approximately 35 new trucks. The new location is projected to be ready and occupied by the end of the year.
Estes has about 80 drivers, full-time and part-time, delivering to all 48 contiguous states and eight mechanics employed locally. About half of Estes’ trucks operate locally.
Established in 1998, Volume Freight has evolved from three trucks with vans operating from the Estes home in Caledonia to the current fleet including steel and aluminum dumps, flat beds, step decks and numerous other specialty freight services.
The shipping company’s office at 68 Performance One Dr. on Highway 45, is open 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Finally, in Starkville, a new transportation startup will be making its way through the Mississippi State University campus, Cotton District and Main Street next month.
James Moore and Cameron Maddox, owners of Cowbell Carts, plan to begin operating their micro-transportation service the third week of August, after classes start back at MSU. For the first two months, the two will operate a pair of six-seat vehicles, similar to large golf carts, from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, providing safe transport for late night scholars, bar patrons and party-goers.
Following these first two months of operation, Moore said that they intend to add carts and drivers.
The owners are both students at MSU. Moore is studying international business and Maddox is studying accounting.
Cowbell Carts can be reached at 662-242-1626
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