After nearly 20 years of business, The Veranda owners announced the Starkville restaurant is officially closed.
Co-owner Frank Jones confirmed the restaurant’s official closure and said the COVID-19 pandemic forced Jones and fellow owner Jay Yates to a “quick-decision close” in mid-December.
“The Veranda was a sit-down kind of place,” Jones said. “(COVID) just killed places like ours. It made everybody just sick to our stomachs, but we just ran out of money. … COVID was just the nail in the coffin. I mean, we were losing money every month. It wasn’t about making a profit; we were just trying to survive.”
Jones, who owns the building at 208 Lincoln Green, said he was thankful for the customer support over the last 17 years.
Yates said he too is grateful for the community’s support during his two decades in Starkville.
“It really was a special place,” Yates said. “I had a lot of great times. … It was a really cool time to be around in Starkville.”
Just like my parents always tell me though, when a door closes there’s always a window around the corner, folks.
You may have seen some progress and work happening just outside the former Veranda building. Jones just signed a lease with a new tenant, Craig Fant. There’s a new restaurant on the way.
“It’s unfortunate (The Veranda closed) and we are all sad about it,” Jones said. “But this guy coming in, he’s going to knock it out of the park. … Three or four people reached out to me about the building, but (Fant’s) concepts caught my attention. It’s going to be a great asset to Starkville and it’s going to be a top restaurant not just in Starkville but in our area.”
Fant did not wish to disclose any further details to The Dispatch at this time. But keep an eye out, guys. We have another local eatery coming our way.
Also in Starkville, it’s time to bombard your yard. Get Yarded Starkville has a new owner.
Last week, Christy and Dusty Jourdan purchased Get Yarded Starkville for their daughter, Hallee.
Christy said although she helped purchase the company for her daughter, who is a Starkville Academy senior, Hallee will operate the business solely while attending Mississippi State University. She also added Hallee will have to work to help pay off the loan to her parents.
Get Yarded has been in Starkville since 2018 and offers customers celebratory signs for almost any occasion including: birthdays, weddings, pastor week celebrations, business openings, baby showers, gender reveals and more.
“Everything is so serious these days and a little bleak,” Christy said. “This is just a fun way to celebrate. We even have fun setting up. It’s just a special way to add a little cheer during these times.”
You can Get Yarded for around $100, but they are running specials constantly. Typically, customers get the large signage posted in the yards around 8 p.m. for a celebration and it is taken down around 8 p.m. the following day. Those hours are flexible based on the customer’s needs. Feel free to check out the business on social media for more information.
Also in Starkville, it’s time for snowballs.
Starkvegas Snowballs officially opened both its locations on Martin Luther King and Lummus Drive today.
It’s starting to warm up and both stands will be open every day from 2-6 p.m.
Unfortunately, there is another business that closed in Starkville.
Get Out Starkville, 1085 Stark Road, has closed permanently. The escape room opened in 2016 and made its last post on social media November of last year. A representative from the company did confirm the permanent closure but did not answer further questions.
Moving over to Columbus, it’s time for seafood.
The Louisiana Shrimp Shack, 6188 Hwy. 45, opened its indoor dining. The seafood restaurant opened in the midst of the pandemic, but its doors are now open. Be sure to check out some fresh seafood, po-boys, platters, gumbo and more Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Also in Columbus, Shipp Family Dentistry has moved locations.
The dentist office moved across the street earlier this year into a larger office at 2313 Bluecutt Road.
Shipp Family Dentistry is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon.
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