Seemingly out of nowhere, it appears Gondolier in Starkville has closed its doors.
Just short of completing its second year in Starkville, building owner Mark Castleberry confirmed the Italian eatery’s closure at 110 Mill St.
With the decor still hanging and tables and chairs still stacked, the 3,900 square-foot building has officially been listed for lease by Farmer’s Commercial Properties.
Gondolier owner Scott Fream did not return calls or messages from The Dispatch by press time today.
As recently as the first week of this month, the Italian restaurant was advertising to-go orders and specials on its Facebook page. The Starkville Gondolier Facebook page has since been deleted.
Though losing a restaurant is always sad for a community, its departure leaves a marketable property near Mississippi State and The Cotton District that will hopefully draw another business to the area.
There is some good news in Starkville, with Starkvegas Snowballs reopening. After opening in late February for prime snowball season, the snowball stand closed down shortly after due to COVID-19.
With the heat rolling in, Starkvegas Snowballs has put a few rules in place and is opening its Highway 182 location at 113 Martin Luther King Dr. W.
Before you head out for your summer snack, be sure to follow some new guidelines: stay six feet from each other, bring a credit or debit card (no cash will be accepted) and once you get your snowball from the shack, hit the road jack. We’ve all got to do our part social distancing, so be sure not to loiter and socialize while you try and beat the heat. Starkvegas Snowballs is open 2-7 p.m. every day.
Moving over to Columbus, we have another local favorite that’s reopened. Three Sisters Pie Company, 422 Main St., has reopened for to-go orders and curbside service. The pie shop closed in late March but has reopened with its full drink menu and select pies available. Be sure to check out its social media page and call ahead to get a slice and a hot cup of joe Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Give a heads up call for your order at 662-798-0872 and be sure to bring a credit or debit card. No cash allowed at this time.
In other business news, Columbus Starbucks has reopened and will maintain drive-thru hours from 6 a.m.-noon every day. Likewise, Applebee’s is up and running again in Columbus, offering curbside pick-up 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
If you’re looking for a way to support local businesses in Columbus and you don’t know how? Look no further, friends. The Main Street Columbus Downtown Relief Fund is raising money with t-shirt sales to help support local businesses. Each shirt is $20 and comes in six different colors. For every shirt purchased, $10 goes toward Columbus Main Street’s “Downtown Relief Fund.” You can also purchase decals online with #ColumbusStrong for $5 and all proceeds will go to support your favorite downtown businesses.
Check out the t-shirts online and be sure to make your order before noon on Mondays for curbside pick up each Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 107 Fifth St. N. Order your shirt today at support local at www.supportlocalcol.com. Remember, take what you need, give when you can and as always, stay safe.
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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 40 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
