Ruby Tuesday in Starkville has closed permanently.
Though a sign poised in the window announced its “temporary” closure, the restaurant has vacated from the Ruby Tuesday website. During the month of May, scattered news organizations have reported Ruby Tuesday closures in New Jersey, North Carolina, Alabama and now, Mississippi.
Corporate restaurant officials did not return multiple messages to The Dispatch by press time. However, when I contacted customer service, a Ruby Tuesday representative confirmed the Starkville restaurant closed on April 29.
STAGgerIN Sports Grill will no longer operate at 106 Maxwell St. Robert Camp of Dan Camp Family Real Estate LLC, who owns the building, said STAGgerIN’s lease expired March 31. The sports bar first opened in 2011.
“Both (STAGgerIN owner) Jason Roden and our family mutually agreed months prior, that we all needed fresh starts with our location and his business,” Camp said. “We are in talks with prospective new tenants for our 106 Maxwell St. location, and will publicly announce when things finalize.”
It is unclear if STAGerIN is closed permanently or plans to relocate elsewhere in Starkville. Roden did not return messages to The Dispatch by press time.
There is good news in Starkville, though! Area artisans, Josh and Brandi Herrington have opened Dunkington, a unique art-gift shop at 109 S. Lafayette St. Check out the shop Tuesday through Thursday from 4-6 p.m., Friday from 1-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
If you’re in the store, you might recognize their signature poured-paint art pieces. Though the shop opened May 23, the couple founded Dunkington in 2016, offering customers one-of-a-kind products. I know I’ve seen them at several art fairs and shopping events downtown.
A new product, the Dunkington Art Box, provides everything a bored person needs to create a poured paint 4-by-4 canvas. Once COVID-19 restrictions ease, you can even join a pouring paint technique class.
“We just debuted Dunkington Art Boxes a few months back to help people who are stuck in quarantine and bored,” Josh said. “They’ve been a great seller and customers have produced amazing art pieces for their homes. … We’re so thankful to all of our customers who have helped make this possible. We can’t wait to see you in the store and show you around.”
Also in downtown, a local favorite is closing temporarily. After remaining open during troubling business times, The Pop Porium downtown has decided to close shop from June 6 to Aug. 11. Until its June closure, The Pop Porium is having BOGO cheesy large popcorns so be sure to “pop” on in for a summer treat.
In south Starkville, a new Dollar General is near completion. Expect the Dollar General at 1818 S. Montgomery to open soon. DG officials said the new location is in “final store preparations” but did not have a soft opening date.
Moving to Columbus, all signs, or lack thereof, point toward Books-A-Million’s permanent closure. The store’s signage at Leigh Mall has been taken down, inventory is being boxed up and a simple hand written note hangs in the window, “Sorry, we are now closed @ this location.”
Books-A-Million emailed Columbus customers indicating the store was closed at least temporarily earlier this month. Now, the Columbus store is no longer listed on its website. Company officials have yet to respond to numerous calls and messages from The Dispatch by press time today.
Books-A-Million is only the latest retailer to close at Leigh Mall. Original anchors Sears and JCPenney have already departed, and the mall has also been steadily losing smaller tenants including RadioShack, Reed’s Jewelry, Payless ShoeSource, The Cookie Store and Kirkland’s, all of which have permanently closed, since 2017. Hobby Lobby, Planet Fitness and a few other tenants remain.
Moving on, Swoope Insurance, previously located on Highway 12, has opened at its new location at 3501 Bluecutt Road.
Have no fear, Captain D’s in east Columbus is still here. Though it appears closed, Captain D’s officials confirmed that closure is only temporary. Officials did not indicate when the fast food restaurant would reopen.
Nationally, large chains have started declaring bankruptcy in the wake of COVID-19. After the across the board closure of Pier 1 Imports, the chain Tuesday Morning is the next retailer on the chopping block. Tuesday Morning plans to close 230 out of 687 locations and released a list of its first 132 stores expected to close. The retailer announced its filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Wednesday morning in a press release.
As of Thursday, neither Starkville and Columbus locations were listed on the first wave of closures. The press release stated an additional 100 stores will close after renegotiations of a “significant number of leases.”
“The prolonged and unexpected closures of our stores in response to COVID-19 has had severe consequences on our business,” Steve Becker, CEO of Tuesday Morning said in a press release.
