After about a three-month drought, Starkville’s movie theater will reopen June 19.
UEC Theatre’s general manager Seth Parsley confirmed the theater’s reopening and said showtimes and movie lists will be available “as soon as possible.”
The movie realm will not be business as usual, though. Each auditorium will operate at half capacity. Staff will also encourage moviegoers to socially distance from other guests. With half capacity this should be an easily achieved feat and one I honestly prefer abiding by regardless of a global pandemic.
Like most area businesses, guests cannot enter if they are running a fever or showing any signs of COVID-19. UEC also will stagger showtimes and encourage guests to wear face masks while in the lobby. Highly frequented areas will be sanitized regularly.
Once open, UEC will air “older” movies until newer movies start premiering again around mid-July. Until those new movies are released, the Starkville theater will have $5 movies, all day, every day.
If you’re getting tired of binge watching the same TV shows you’ve seen innumerable times online, check out the UEC Starkville site to see which movies are playing and when you can kick back and relax with some buttery popcorn.
Both the Columbus Malco and Starkville UEC theaters closed temporarily on March 18 due to COVID-19.
For Columbus, the Malco Theatre will remain closed for the time being. Karen Melton, vice president and director of Malco marketing, said a press release will be out soon with additional information regarding theater opening dates.
“Theatres are still closed and we are working behind the scenes to ensure a safe movie-going experience,” Melton emailed.
Other news in Starkville, more recreational facilities are opening to the public.
Kampgrounds of America announced both its Mississippi locations are now open, including Starkville’s location at 2661 County Lake Road.
According to the KOA website, the campgrounds office hours are limited from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for now. If you’re interested in camping out with KOA, be sure to continue practicing social distancing while you’re getting some much-needed fresh air.
Speaking of the outdoors, that’s exactly where all bugs, insects and unwanted pests should stay.
Insects bugging you out? Jimmy Redd’s Feel Good Pest Solutions will open in Starkville next week. Redd studied entomology and advanced pest control at the University of Purdue and decided to start his own pest control business when his friend talked him into it.
“I love studying bugs,” Redd said. “I find them fascinating, but they are a problem when they get in our living areas. … I think a lot of folks feel helpless against their bug problem. I want to make them feel good about the solutions to those problems.”
Redd said he works 24/7, so just give him a call at 662-416-0302 and he’ll even meet you at your convenience and give you a free estimate.
Moving over to Columbus, a new restaurant is open.
Super Crown Wings, 512 Alabama St., is serving 30 flavors of wings, shrimp burgers, Philly steak sandwiches, fried chicken, fried fish and more. Super Crown Wings is open for dine-in and carry-out so be sure to stop by the new eatery Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sundays from 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
After closing for COVID-19, the frozen yogurt shop Smackers at 2017 Hwy. 45 reopened Monday.
Stop by Smackers and get the froyo you’ve been waiting for. Though the topping bar will still be there, Smackers employees will top off your frozen dessert with all the sprinkles, chocolate and whip cream you need.
When there’s good news, it always seems like there’s bad news as well.
CJ’s Pizza, 507-2 18th Ave. N., closed Wednesday for one week. The owners, Brent and Courtney Teague, announced on Facebook an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
“Unlike big stores that only take a day or 2 off for this situation, we don’t feel safe doing that at this time,” the owners posted on Facebook. “We have way less employees than they do and can’t rotate shifts the same way. We apologize for this inconvenience but we promise you that it’s just as hard on us, if not harder.”
The Teagues added CJ employees will get tested, stay safe and relax during this “crazy time.” CJ’s should open in a week, but keep up to date on its Facebook page for more pizza news.
Over in New Hope, a tea nutrition store is now under new ownership.
The Vault, 58 Center Road, first opened in December by Ethan Walley. Ken and Lisa Oglesbee became the new owners less than a month ago and reopened The Vault last Friday. The new owners added decorations, more tea flavors and extended the nutrition tea shop’s hours.
Check out The Vault Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
