Columbus is about to get a little cooler.
Five Below is expected to open a location soon at 1444 Old Aberdeen Road. According to Building Official Kenny Wiegel, Five Below’s building plans have been approved and store owners have applied for a building permit at the old Cowboy Maloney’s building at Leigh Mall.
Five Below is a chain discount store with most products costing $5 or less. It carries various products including sports equipment, games, candy, stationery, books, school supplies, bath products, apparel and more.
Founders Tom Vellios and David Schlessinger first opened Five Below in 2002 in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Since its opening, Five Below has expanded to 40 states and now has more than 1,200 stores.
In addition to the future Columbus location, Starkville will also have a Five Below as a part of the Triangle Crossing shopping center at the former Garan Manufacturing site.
Moving on, there’s a new bar in town.
Inferno, 2118 Hwy. 45, opened last week. The sports bar is open Tuesday through Sunday 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Patrons must be 25 or older to enter.
“Our goal at Inferno is to make you feel like you’ve found a place that you can call your own,” the website reads. “We intend to eradicate the saying, ‘there’s nothing to do in Columbus,’ and help you remember what life is supposed to feel like. That’s why we have a great selection of beers, wines, and cocktails.’”
We’ve got a business change in the area as well.
Biddy Saw Works, 1218 Hwy. 69 S., is officially under new ownership. Buff and Kathy Doty owned Biddy Saw Works since 1992 but have decided it’s time to retire. As of June 1, Blake Bradford is now the new owner.
“Biddy Saw Works has always done an exceptional job at going above and beyond for their customers,” Bradford said. “We look forward to continuing to operate the way we always have. We won’t be making any changes to the daily operation of our business. Thank you to all of you who have supported us and we look forward to serving all of our customers, old and new.”
Biddy Saw Works is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
Moving to Starkville, there’s a new gift shop in town.
Old Main Mercantile Shop, 201 Academy Road, Suite 5, is officially open. The shop is under joint ownership between three couples: Will and Mandi Sanders, Seth and Anna O’Nan and Aubrey and Charlotte Corley. Old Main Mercantile Shop is the sister store to Hair of the Dawg Wine and Spirits.
“We wanted a sister store to sell items that would compliment anyone with their home bar and for entertaining,” Mandi Sanders said. “The idea for the store grew from there inspired by our love for food and fun.”
The shop sells craft beers, seltzers, premixed cocktails, charcuterie boards, artisanal meats and cheeses, glass ware, teas, coffee, candles, gifts and more.
You can check out the new shop Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Moving on for the last time, y’all. All good things unfortunately come to an end.
I’m officially hanging up my hat with The Dispatch. This is my final column, and I’m so thankful for all the faithful readers who have followed me over the years. I’ve created great relationships throughout the Golden Triangle community and will be forever grateful.
Thank you to all my readers for embracing the business world with me. I hope you semi-laughed at my painful puns and I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading my columns as much as I enjoyed writing them for you. Cheers!
Former Dispatch reporter Mary Pollitz writes about business openings and closings, as well as other unique business news. Send tips to biz@cdispatch.com.
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