I smelled a rumor that Slim Chickens, a fried chicken eatery, will soon be making its way to Columbus. I was delighted to read confirmation of the new business from a press release issued by Pinpoint Commercial Real Estate.
Company president Sam Cox handled the sale and said that the business will be located on Highway 45, just north of Walmart. It is unclear at this time when the new business will open.
“We are grateful to help be a part of this transaction helping provide another quality eatery in the city of Columbus,” Cox said in the release.
Slims could be located at the old Menotti Honda dealership at 1923 Highway 45 N. Southern Partners LLC, which is opening Slims chickens across Mississippi, acquired a building permit to build at the location two weeks ago and a construction crew was seen tearing up the concrete slab left behind when the original building was demolished.
Unfortunately, another local Columbus business is temporarily closed due to a lack of hired help. Glenn’s BBQ, at 710 Alabama St., posted a sign on the front window two weeks ago apologizing to customers for the closure and asking anyone interested in working at the store to call a number listed on the sign.
Well, I called that number and was told by one of owner Glenn Baldwin’s employees that the restaurant will reopen after renovations are made to the kitchen and more employees are hired. An exact date hasn’t been determined.
Moving on once more to the land of dark red paint and loud cowbells. Starkville residents are now seeing signs go up at the business located at the Triangle Shopping Center where the old Garan Manufacturing plant once stood.
Project Developer Mark Castleberry said that the Five Below located in the project will be the first business to open on Sept. 2. The other businesses: Marshalls, Sports Clips, the Aldi Grocery store, Ulta Beauty, Rack Room Shoes, Rodeo Mexican restaurant and Aspen Dental are expected to start opening in October and November. Some may take longer.
“All of them should be opened up in time for some good Christmas shopping,” Castleberry said.
Castleberry is enthusiastic about the progress of the project despite the circumstances of higher material costs.
“We feel tremendous,” he said. “With the material shortages and labor issues that we are opening on time is amazing in today’s world.”
Finally, I scream for ice cream. Always have. I swear I could almost hear the sirens of frozen treat trucks when I discovered that Ice Cream Island opened in West Point on July 23.
The new business, located on 616 Commerce St. in the old Kellogg Hardware store, started renovating the building in March. Now that the store is up and running, co-owner Danesia Shelton said business has steadily picked up since the grand opening last week. Ice Cream Island also serves breakfast and lunch.
“It seems to be picking up a little bit every day,” Shelton said. “People are finding out that we serve more than just ice cream and they’re coming in for lunch and breakfast items. So it’s good.”
Well, folks, that’s all for now. Check back in next week for more Goings on in business!
Dispatch reporter Grant McLaughlin writes about business openings and closings, as well as other unique business news. Send business tips to [email protected].
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