I think I might scroll on the internet too much. But if I didn’t do that, I wouldn’t have discovered the pool hall Southern Billiards, located at 103 S. Washington St. in Starkville is reopening Friday night for the first time in 2 1/2 years.
The 32-year-old business closed in December 2019 to renovate but halted on the idea when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the early months of 2020, owner Sam Gilmer said.
Gilmer is excited to reopen and start offering a few new games for customers to play. He told me the pool hall will now offer darts, pinball and even beer for customers to drink.
“There’s a lot of our regulars that have asked me over the years when I was going to get back open,” Gilmer said. “So I expect to see a lot of them Friday and over the weekend and next couple of weeks.”
If shooting pool doesn’t quite suit your fancy, perhaps buying locally produced art will! The Starkville Area Arts Council is inviting six artists in the Oktibbeha county area to sell their work in its new space at 122 E. Main St. Program Coordinator Juliette Reid told me this is the council’s first project since moving in and hopes to start featuring artists by Sept. 1, just in time for the first Mississippi State University home game on Sept. 3.
“Hopefully with all the wonderful new people who are maybe coming to town for the first time, or they’re just going down Main Street before they go off to the game, we can get our name out there, get the artists’ information out there and sell some art,” Reid said.
So far, 11 applications have been submitted to the council which will review them on the basis of originality. According to Reid, artists will have booths for either six months or a year and take 60 percent commission of the work sold in the gallery.
“We’re just looking for unique products that you can’t that really show the talent of the people here in Starkville,” Reid said.
Applications opened on Aug. 15 on the SAAC website and will remain so until all six spots are filled.
Speaking of works of art, I found a beautifully delicious business right in the heart of the Starkville online community. Morgan Clarice Ales is the proud owner of Ales Amazing Graze, an online seasonal charcuterie board business that sells specialty decorated food boards and boxes to customers.
The catering business had a soft opening on July 2. While Ales was unable to comment on the new business’s progress, the response from customers on her Facebook page and website tell a success story as I’ve ever seen one.
Moving to the restful shores of the Tombigbee River, Columbus’ home building materials and home store, Marvins, is hosting a Hunters Night Out on Sept 1. in front of the store at 939 Alabama St.
In a Facebook post made on Aug. 15, Assistant Manager Everette Cribb told folks the store will offer a 15-percent discount on hunting gear from 4-7 p.m. and a cookout from 5-6:30. It will also host a number of Golden triangle taxidermists, game wardens and meat processors to educate the community about their professions and hopefully grow their businesses.
“Don’t forget to come join us in a couple of weeks for a fun night of good fun, good deals, giveaways, and a chance to meet and greet numerous local taxidermists, game wardens, meat processors and more,” the post reads.
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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