Starkville’s newest restaurant addition is already a family favorite for my household.
Garden Babies Salad Station, located at 325 University Drive, opened this month. The pick-up build-your-own salad spot has tons of options with daily salad specials and classics such as chicken, bacon and ranch and Caesar.
Owner Vee Scott, a 2002 Starkville High graduate, has customers pouring in and even lining up out the door.
“We’ve been so busy, I’ve been running out of lettuce, fruits, everything. We even had to buy a bigger fridge,” she laughed. “But, it’s a good problem to have.”
Garden Babies is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and starting Aug. 15, she’ll be open 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Fridays and 10 p.m.-3 a.m. on Saturdays.
“I still can’t believe it. I feel like I’m working in a fairy tale land,” she said. “… I was once 317 pounds, and learning how to eat all over again is hard, especially if you’re wanting something quick on the go. So I wanted to share my blessings of learning how to eat quick, fast and healthy on the go with everybody around me.”
Like I said, my wife and I checked out the new spot already and loved it (I ate the chicken bacon ranch salad and she had the much healthier salad with all the vegetables). Everything is about balance as well, so when you check out Garden Babies, you’ll see some caramel, coconut, red velvet and other slices of cake made by Scott’s mother, Miss Mary. She’s been baking cakes for more than 50 years in the area, so grab a salad and a slice.
We are on a health roll this week. Also in Starkville, a new pilates studio is opening next month. Power Movement Pilates, 500 Russell St., Unit 5, has its sign up, pilates machines out and it is moving along toward opening day. This is the Power Movement’s second location, according to its website. Co-owner Anna Wink opened her first location earlier this year in March just outside of Oxford in Taylor.
“At our studio, we believe that Pilates is more than just movement – it’s a pathway to self-discovery and empowerment,” the website reads. “Our personalized approach ensures that each session caters to your unique needs, helping you build physical strength, enhance flexibility and foster a deep connection to your authentic self.”
Opening day is approaching, so follow Power Movement Pilates on Instagram for updates, class information and more.
Also in Starkville, the new Dollar Tree at Middleton Court is officially open. This location offers the typical products listed at $1.25, but also has pricier items up to $7. The new store, at 311 Hwy. 12, is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays.
Heading over to West Point, we have bad news for fried chicken lovers. Connie’s Chicken appears to have closed its doors permanently. Google has the business listed as “permanently closed” and Connie’s Chicken has removed the West Point location from its website, listing only Tupelo, Oxford and Starkville as its locations. The West Point location opened in December 2023 and closed after less than two years.
I’ll see y’all next week!
Former Dispatch reporter Mary Pollitz writes weekly about interesting business news. Have a tip? Send it to [email protected].
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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 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
