Cody Ashworth spent years working his way through the restaurant industry. But something always called him back to the Starkville Shipley Do-Nuts on Highway 12.
It all started in the early 2000s. Ashworth would start slinging donuts at 3 a.m. before attending classes at Mississippi State University.
He ended up leaving the donut shop and spent time in Oxford working for Abner’s and Pita Pit before eventually moving back to Starkville. While managing the Starkville Pita Pit, he even worked part-time at Shipley. Eventually, he started back at Shipley’s full-time and served as the shop manager.
When he heard the previous owners, Melanie and Hardy Mitchell, were contemplating selling, he knew his next steps. Ashworth and his wife Jennifer bought it.
“I felt like Shipley’s was my baby store, and everything had to be perfect,” Ashworth said. “… (The Mitchells) made it possible for my dream to come true. I cannot thank them enough.”
With new owners, we can all look forward to some new things, including a bullseye donut and a limited-time pop-tastic donut with freeze-dried Skittles.
“We are listening to the feedback we are receiving on our Facebook page,” Ashworth said. “Down the road, (there) will be new items we are excited about that we want to bring in.”
The Ashworths celebrated the grand reopening earlier this week. Check out the new owners and stop by for some fresh donuts!
Moving from donuts to new food trucks, Mando’s Food Truck is now serving Starkville. It first opened in 2022 in Carthage. Owner, Armando Reynoso, decided to branch out and hit the Starkville area where his brother lives.
He intends to be in Starkville once or twice a week where he’ll serve tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and aguas frescas. Mando’s will be in Starkville on Wednesdays and Saturdays on Hospital Road. You can keep up with Mando’s food truck on social media for times, dates, and locations.
We have more food truck news for Starkville! Taqueria La Paisanita just opened for business on Saturday. Owner Arnoldo Camarena said they offer various Mexican food dishes, including Tortas, tacos, burritos, and more. La Paisanita will be set up at 900 Hwy. 12 at the Chevron gas station Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more updates.
In other business news, Trae Vaughan, a partner with Oakbridge Insurance, took ownership of Prographics in Starkville and Columbus on Jan. 1. He, along with silent investors, decided to purchase both locations to keep the business locally owned and operated.
“It was a great opportunity,” Vaughan said. “It’s a great business with a great reputation. …We just want to build upon what the previous owners have built, continue to serve the local community, do business locally, and employ people locally.”
Business will run as usual, he said. There are no plans to make any changes and all staff will remain the same. Vaughan is working with the previous owner, Mike Burks, to ensure a smooth transition. Be sure to check out Prographics for all your printing needs, whether it’s quick copies, promotional products, or t-shirts, they have you covered.
The Columbus location, 1112 Main St, and the Starkville location, 124 Hwy. 12., are both open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. See y’all next week!
Former Dispatch reporter Mary Pollitz writes weekly about interesting business news. Have a tip, send it to her at [email protected].
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