Ideally, Ashley Beard would love to see families playing cornhole on a shady afternoon before ordering a snowcone from her counter.
Since opening Southern Snow Shack last week on Chubby Drive, Beard said her dream for a summer spot is coming to fruition. She opened her business in partnership with her mother, Sharon Owen.
With patio chairs, tables and yard games, Beard said she hopes to expand her business by hosting food trucks, swing sets and more for families to enjoy during the hot months. Beard offers snowcones, drinks, pickles and a snowcone creation special at Southern Snow Shack.
“The Snow Shack Cadillac,” Beard said. “It’s the works. It comes with soft serve ice cream at the bottom, shaved ice, flavoring, soft serve ice cream on top, cream and the topping of your choice. It’s just a little bit of everything.”
Southern Snow Shack offers 32 flavors and is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Heading down Highway 45, you might have noticed Mike’s Package Store temporarily closed at its original location at 2322 Hwy. 45 N. Owner James Ervin shuttered the old spot early last week to begin the store’s move to 1925 Hwy. 45 N., the former Aaron’s building. Hoping to open by next week, Ervin said after moving nearly 3,000 bottles of inventory, the move was successful considering he only lost two bottles.
“My wife broke the first one,” Ervin said. “It was some moonshine.”
Once Mike’s Package Store reopens, you can find your wine and spirits Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Downtown, The Steel Forest Furniture Company has closed shop temporarily. Heather Rivera, store manager, said the building’s roof caved during a rainstorm and it damaged some merchandise.
“We happened to be there,” Rivera said. “We lost some signs but we were able to move out a lot of the tables.”
While the actual store is closed now at 124 Fifth St. S., Rivera said Steel Forest is still taking customized orders over the phone. Customers can call the 662-570-4745 to place any orders.
Rivera added, for now, everything is up in the air as to when Steel Forest will reopen.
You also may have noticed another Columbus business is currently closed for the moment.
Popeyes, 1535 Hwy 45 N., has construction workers remodeling the inside and outside of the fried chicken fast food restaurant. The restaurant’s sign says it’s closed for remodeling but will open soon. Popeyes corporate office did not return messages from The Dispatch by press time.
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