Big Dawgs in Starkville will close by the end of this year.

The barbecue and service station at 804 Old West Point Road will be open Thursday through Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with all food products half off.

I’ve already purchased a gallon of some of the best barbecue sauce I’ve ever had, and I suggest y’all hop to it as well.

Owner Yulanda Haddix said the decision to close was not easy. Her husband, former Mississippi State and NFL running back Michael, recently had brain surgery, leaving her to a “series of difficult conversations.”

“I can’t run (the store) full time with him because if he needs more intense therapy, we need to travel,” Haddix said. “… In the community, restaurants and businesses are shutting down. … Neither of us wants to see the store disappear.”

She added she is working and hoping for a business to replace Big Dawgs with a similar storefront.

As of now, Big Dawgs will close Dec. 31., but Haddix said that is subject to change.

We’ve taken a lot of blows this year and losing good barbecue is almost too painful to bear.

Luckily, Haddix does not intend to leave us high and dry. For weeks, she has received an outpour from customers begging for her not to close. By March, Haddix plans to open a food truck, traveling throughout the Golden Triangle and beyond.

“We’re going to serve all the food Big Dawgs offers,” Haddix said. “I’ll also be doing live cooking shows. We’re going to go from place to place, Starkville one day, Columbus and maybe West Point. The idea is to travel all over the place one day.”

Collaborating barbecue and Haddix’s Facebook Live cooking channel, hopefully 2021 will bring forth the Big Dawgs and Country Kitchen DJ food truck.

“We’ll be coming to the neighborhoods too,” Haddix said. “It’s going to be fun stuff. We like the personal feel, one on one. … I’ve wanted a food truck forever. I love the idea and love being in the community and being able to travel.”

As for Michael and his recovery, she said, “he’s strong.”

We have added another restaurant in Starkville, this time near Clayton Village.

Pluk’D The Wing Joint, located at 1685 Sixteenth Section Road, opened Nov. 30.

Owner Scherell Quinn said she wants to reach a community that may not have a lot of food options.

“I decided to open on Sixteenth Section Road because that area is basically a community of its own on the outskirts of Starkville,” she said. “(Now), residents won’t have to drive all the way into town to get wings.”

Be sure to check out the new wing joint and taste wings, fries, chicken and waffles and a variety of sauces.

The dine-in or carry out restaurant is open Monday through Friday 2-8 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Moving to Columbus, Tuesday Morning has officially closed its doors.

Earlier this year, Tuesday Morning announced it would slash its store locations due to COVID-19.

The big-box retailer in Columbus will shutter, while the Starkville location remains open.

Over in Starkville, two big-box retailers have also permanently closed their doors. Gordmans, which opened earlier this year, has officially shuttered as well as JCPenney.

Since the pandemic began, various stores have closed, and to my surprise others have opened up. The resiliency and dedication of some of our local businesses to remain open has been nothing short of miraculous. Throughout this holiday season, when you’re spending time with your family, be sure to spread some love to those locally.

Merry Christmas, wear your mask and be safe.