The Burning Piano is open for business, at long last.
In October, Ben Sala, along with his sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Stephen Sims, started renovating the former Catfish and Chords building at 2222 Military Road into a “different kind of bar.”
They hoped to bring a mature atmosphere with live music and quality food, but the opening of the piano bar in Columbus was pushed back due to COVID-19.
But it’s here, folks. The Burning Piano will host nightly entertainment, high-end food and cocktails in a fully renovated space.
Be on the lookout for weekday happy hour from 4-6 p.m. If you’re interested in checking out the new space, head over to The Burning Piano Monday through Thursday from 4-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4 p.m.-1 a.m. and Sundays from 4-10 p.m.
There’s bad news moving toward downtown with a local fixture closing soon.
After more than 50 years in Columbus, Rae’s Jewelry, 110 Fifth St. S., will officially close.
In 2000, Pete Creekmore purchased Rae’s but according to a press release he is finally ready to retire. Though plans to close the store have been in motion for the past six months, Creekmore said he’ll miss the customers and friends he’s worked with for nearly two decades.
“I’ll miss the people I talk to every day,” Creekmore said in a press release. “We have multiple generations of customers shopping. We know our customers, their children and their grandchildren. …We hold fond memories. This has been a happy business, and we’ve enjoyed being a part of celebrating all those happy occasions.”
The going-out-of-business sale will start June 23, with up to 70 percent off merchandise and will continue until all inventory is gone.
Those shopping for something special for a special someone can visit Rae’s Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
As COVID-19 restrictions ease, more and more companies are beginning to reopen in the Golden Triangle.
Skate Odyssey in Starkville and Columbus are both open after more than two months of closure.
Both skating rinks are taking precautions, but for the skaters it may seem business as usual.
The skating rinks will operate at 50-percent capacity, only allow groups of 10 or fewer and encourage others to wear masks. The staff will also sanitize highly frequented areas on a regular basis and close various arcade games to avoid passing germs.
These two skating rinks have been in the Golden Triangle for more than 30 years and are family owned and operated.
Check out the skate rink Tuesday 1-5 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m, Friday from 7-11 p.m., Saturday 2-10 p.m. and Sunday 2-5 p.m. On Tuesdays, from 7-9:30 p.m., it’s all you can eat pizza and skate rental for just $10.
And the business news continues in Columbus! The Competitive Edge, 2322 Hwy. 45 N., is officially open. TCE is a training facility designed to help people train not only what they see, but how quickly they process it through a series of brain training activities.
Owner, Angie Huskison said this idea has been a number of years in the making. Though geared toward athletes and sport training, Huskison said anyone can benefit from TCE.
To celebrate its grand opening, customers can secure 20-percent off training packages if you sign up before June 22. You can even tour the training facility through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m.
Summer business hours will be Monday through Thursday noon to 6 p.m. and by appointment only after summer ends.
Moving to Starkville, a department store will soon close.
Stage Stores Inc. announced in January Starkville’s Goody’s on Highway 12 would transition to Gordman’s, an off-price department store. Gordman’s officially opened in March just a few months ago. Now, like many other stores, Starkville’s Gordman’s has posted store closing signs and will shutter in the near future.
Customers can save 10- to 40-percent off all merchandise with the store closing sale.
Stage Stores Inc. CEO Michael Glazer, the parent company for Gordman’s, announced the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to COVID-19.
The MAFES cheese store on Mississippi State University’s campus is back open! The beloved cheese store, which sells ice cream, milk, cheese and more, closed in mid-March due to COVID-19 but is now open and ready for customers.
We saw it last week in Columbus and we very well may see this becoming a trend.
Rick’s, Starkville bar on Martin Luther King, will be closed until further notice. The business announced on Facebook an employee tested positive for COVID-19 on June 13.
Stay up to date with Rick’s social media to keep up with businesses changes and updates.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 52 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.