Look out Starkville, there’s a new grill master in town.
Bobby Tate has taken the reins of Big Dawgs Station 26 at 804 Old West Point Road, near the Parker-McGill Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram.
Tate told me he partnered with Michael and Yulanda Haddix, who closed the business in December, to help breathe new life into the space and get back to some classic barbeque and soul food cooking.
“Well, it’s going pretty good,” Tate said. “I’m hoping it picks up but it’s fairly well right now. Once I can get more inventory stocked and a new menu out, hopefully, everything will pick up.”
Tate reopened the business on May 1 and has been working on Coca Cola drink contracts and putting some name-brand snacks in the store.
Right now, the menu of the reopened barbeque joint only has the classics such as barbeque ribs, pork and sausages, just to name a few.
Tate said he plans to come out with a brand new menu next week but didn’t want to spoil all the delicious options just yet.
I, for one, can’t wait.
But Tate isn’t the only new boss in the Golden Triangle.
Hope Durst, a professor of education at Mississippi University for Women, is taking up the mantle at a local cheerleading business, GameTime Athletics, located at 246 Chubby Drive.
Durst said she took over the business earlier this month after former owner Stevan Black was looking to leave the trade.
Durst said she sees cheerleading classes as a way for kids to learn some extracurricular skills and express themselves.
“I have a passion for seeing young children set goals and have confidence, and I just thought this was the perfect business to get into,” Durst said.
Durst also hopes to add some classes for young boys and girls between 18 months and 3 years old. Other classes include tumbling courses for ages 3-18 and competition teams for girls and boys.
“I just want to be a haven for anyone who wants to come and learn any new skills,” she said.
Moving closer to downtown, Dana Eaton opened her women’s fashion boutique, Southern Lux, Friday at 425 Main St. during the Market Street Festival.
Eaton said she waited several years to find the right time and space. She obtained a lease with the building in April and decided Market Street was the perfect day to open, and it seems to have been a smashing success, as more than 100 people showed up on opening day alone.
The SouthernLux business hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
You know, we all need to replace our major household appliances from time to time, but sometimes that’s very expensive. Well, this new Columbus business plans to make it a little more affordable.
Used Appliances will open Monday in the old Quick Loans building at 2211 Hwy. 45 N., manager Naerim Abarca.
Abarca said she and the business owners are expanding their store from its original location in Northport, Alabama, and thought Columbus was just the right fit for the new location.
“We were looking to expand to a college town,” she said. “There is a lot of foot traffic, especially with apartments and college people. They’re not wanting to spend a lot of money and buying something new.”
The appliance store will offer reduced prices on everyday household appliances such as washers, dryers, stoves and refrigerators.
Finally, my friends, a Tennessee-based convenience store chain is putting the former Exxon at 1225 Main St. back into shape and open under a new name: Union Stop.
Rami Abusaada started renovating the building in February and is now just a few days away from opening a brand new store and small cafe area inside the former gas station.
Abusaada said he expects to open early next week, hopefully by Monday. Before then, he needs to finish the kitchen area and stock the shelves. Here is wishing him and his team luck.
Well, as Porky the Pig likes to say, “That’s all folks!” Make sure to 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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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 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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