The more the merrier, I always like to say, and when it comes to businesses increasing their presence in the Golden Triangle, it’s hard to say no to added options.
With that in mind, T-Mobile, a national cell service and device provider, is preparing to open its third Golden Triangle location at 5490 Hwy. 45 N. Alt. in West Point, next to the McAlister’s Deli.
West Point Building Inspector Jeremy Klutts told me building the new location started earlier this year, and the store is mostly finished now, with only inventory left to be put on shelves and staff to operate the business. It should be open in January.
T-Mobile recently finished building two other locations that opened earlier this year in the Golden Triangle. One in Columbus at 1521 Hwy. 45 N., and the other at 335 Hwy. 12W in Starkville.
T-Mobile offers 5G-Ultra cell service in Columbus, Starkville and West Point, but did not have physical locations in the area before this year.
The company has also grown its number of data users throughout the last three years, going from about 100 million nationwide at the end of 2020 to 117.9 million by the end of 2023’s third quarter, with more than 500,000 new customers joining its network this year, according to its website.
I tried to contact the company about the new location, but I never heard back. I guess we will just have to wait for more information.
Moving to Columbus, Ali Kats, a new women’s boutique located at 113 Fifth St. S. opened in early December, co-owner Ashli Gilliam said.
Gilliam said she and her partners decided to open the boutique earlier this year after finding a location downtown to house the business.
“We just kind of put our heads together, and I told Angie that it was time to do this,” Gilliam said. “We had done the store online for a bit but then we found this location, talked to the owner and he agreed to lease it to us.”
Gilliam and her partners took over the space in November and began renovating to have a soft opening on Black Friday. She opened officially a few weeks later.
“Honestly, it’s just been a dream for me to open a women’s boutique,” she said. “I love clothing and I love fashion.”
The store includes women’s fashion and accessories, such as jackets, shirts, jeans and jewelry. Boutique hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Moving down the street, AnnElyse Nichols, a Starkville resident, opened Skin Deep, a beauty service studio, at 222 Fifth St. S. on Dec. 11.
Nichols said after working as a spa specialist in the area for three years, she decided to strike out on her own and try owning her own studio.
“I was talking to my dad and he told me that it was time for me to stop working for other people, and I agreed,” Nichols said. “The day after that conversation, I found the location that I’m in, and we signed a lease for it and a week after that, we started renovations.”
Nichols said her studio provides body waxing, facials, eyebrow waxing and skincare treatments.
Those interested in booking Nichols for an appointment can visit the studio Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Finally, my friends, the project to convert the former Petty’s Classic Car Care building at 806 Hwy. 45 N. into a State Farm insurance office and Christian faith-based nonprofit, the Prayer Corner, is almost finished.
Owner Amy Shelton said her team has finished most of the exterior work on the building and plans to finish plumbing and electrical work within the next few weeks.
“They’ll start painting the building (Thursday),” Shelton said. “The project should be done by February, but as far as our moving date, we haven’t really nailed that completely down yet. I want to give my customers plenty of time to be notified that we’re moving. I’m still thinking that it’ll probably be around April.”
Well, folks, that’s all for now. 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 30 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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