Back in 2015, while I was a student at Mississippi State, I stumbled upon a bright-blue 1960s Schwinn Fiesta for sale outside Mawmaw’s Treasures in West Point. I had no business buying it – definitely didn’t have the money – but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to restore a vintage beach cruiser.

For years, I’ve spent hours perusing the antique shop at 25993 W. Main St., and I always ended up finding something I didn’t need but also couldn’t pass up.

The owners of Mawmaw’s treasures confirmed it’s the end of an era. After years in business, Mawmaw’s Treasures will close permanently this month.

Folks can shop and check out recent sales Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

“Our building, which we do not own, has been recalled for a different use,” the business posted on social media. “… Help us go out in style. We have some exceptional deals as we try to find a new home for each of our treasures and finds. We especially hope to see each of you to say our thanks for your friendship and support of our small business.”

There’s a four-day estate sale, Thursday through Sunday, May 22-25. Thursday everything is 20% off, Friday is 30% off, Saturday is 40% off and Sunday is 50% off.

According to the estate sale’s website, the antique mall will close its doors permanently on June 14.

Moving to Starkville, a Venezuelan restaurant is expanding once again.

Arepa’s, located in The Cotton District, continues to grow and will soon start offering coffee and snacks at Mississippi State’s Barnes and Noble on campus.

“(We) are super excited for this new project we are getting into… bringing our coffee and food (to) campus is a big opportunity,” owner Jose Elarba said. “We will work on giving the best customer service possible as we always do with good food and coffee.”

Preparing to open in June, folks can enjoy Arepa’s grab-and-go snacks such as coffees, energy drinks, juices, biscuits, bagels and more this summer.

Also in Starkville, a local businessman opened a new laundromat.

When Handyman Rentals closed a little more than a year ago, the owner’s son, Vince Hartness, started brainstorming business models, looking for his next project. Hartness, owner of the trophy shop Boardtown Engraving, decided to renovate the building and open a laundromat.

Xtreme Clean Coin and Card Laundromat, located at 402 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, opened last month, offering commercial Speed Queen washers and dryers. Hartness said the business is just opening its doors, but once clientele picks up, he plans to introduce a wash-and-fold service, allowing customers to drop off their laundry and pick it up later. The laundromat also features a mobile app that lets users load money, make payments and receive notifications when their laundry cycle is nearly complete.

“Hopefully it’s going to get up on its feet and maybe I can have something like my parents had,” Hartness said.

Xtreme Clean is open every day 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

See y’all next week.

Former Dispatch reporter Mary Pollitz writes weekly about interesting business news. Have a tip? Send it to [email protected].