For more than 25 years, Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern has never closed for more than a two-day stretch.
That all changed when March brought COVID-19, when the Starkville bar’s owner, Dave Hood, shuttered for more than six months.
As of Wednesday night, Dave’s is officially open, at least for to-go. Though the tavern has been closed, Hood has not spent the past six months sulking. He has taken the time off to renovate the bathrooms, dining room and improve the kitchen.
“Being closed for so long has been an extremely strange experience,” Hood said. “… At first the emptiness of the place haunted me as I renovated up here alone, but after a while I started seeing this as an opportunity to make the tavern better.”
Hood plans to eventually add a patio with outdoor seating soon so he can see his customers face to face once again.
Dave’s to-go is officially open for all you pizza lovers to pick up some classic Dave dishes. It will be open Wednesday through Sunday for orders. Check out Dave’s website to see the to-go menu and give Dave a call to pick up those bar classics.
Moving to Columbus, there’s a new tropical ice shop on wheels.
Kona Ice, a national franchise that boasts 1,000 locations in 48 states, has officially expanded to Columbus, Aberdeen and West Point. Caledonia residents Jesse and Jolene Hebert opened the shaved ice truck in August, and business has been booming.
The Kona Ice business first opened in 2007 and has given back nearly $100 million to community organizations since then.
Jesse Hebert said that was the selling point when he decided he wanted to start a business.
“One of the main reasons I wanted to start this business is the giveback,” Hebert said. “With this business you can give back to anyone in need. I’m not restricted to just one thing, I can give to whoever I want and that’s just really cool to have a business that can do that.”
Once a month, Hebert said he wants to donate 20 to 50 percent of his profits to a family in need in the area.
For now, Kona Ice is completely mobile and you can track and follow Kona Ice on Facebook and you can call and even reserve the Hawaiian Ice truck for any events.
Also in Columbus, we have a new jewelry shop open downtown. Justin Wheat opened Justin’s Watch and Jewelry Repair in the old Sweet Shop at 101 Fifth St. S., Suite 4.
Wheat, who previously worked at Rae’s Jewelry that closed down this month, said for now he primarily performs watch battery replacement, jewelry repair, watch and clock repair.
“I have a little bit of jewelry right now,” Wheat said. “Due to COVID, it closed the jewelry show down for the whole year, but next year is looking good. I do have a little jewelry here, but if you want something I can order it for you.”
More than 15 years ago, Wheat went antiquing with his grandfather. In a glass case he found a mechanical pocket watch that didn’t quite work. Wheat started tinkering and figuring out the mechanics of the watch but never could get the watch working as a child.
It was then that Wheat realized he wanted to continue his fascination with the workings of jewelry and watches. He specializes with watch battery changes, and various watch, jewelry and clock repairs until he can build his jewelry inventory.
If your watch, ring, necklace or other jewelry isn’t looking up to par, missing stones or is having issues, give Wheat a call at 662-570-1593.
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