A rose to Columbus city officials, business owners and residents for their collaboration and careful deliberations of the idea of establishing a “Red Cup District” in downtown. The Red Cup District designation would allow patrons at downtown restaurants and bars to carry alcohol in uniform to-go cups outside of the establishment where the drinks are purchased during specified hours. The idea was initially broached at a city council work session, followed by an ad hoc committee composed of restaurant owners, citizens, a city councilman and the Mayor. The group met Wednesday to address issues that might arise, not the least of which was public safety for a city police department that is understaffed. That’s a legitimate concern, obviously, and the discussion suggests that a lot of attention will be paid to the implications that a Red Cup District might entail. We appreciate that the discussions are going deliberately, first to determine if a Red Cup District is in the best interest of the community and second, to make sure that unintended consequences are being considered, and third to carefully consider the parameters that a Red Cup District would operate under. Taking this approach should mean the city makes a good decision – either to create a Red Cup District or pass on the idea.

A rose to small business owner Nicole Williams and a couple of other small businesses, for finding an innovative way to bring exposure to tiny startups, whose marketing and advertising budgets are small, even non-existent. The plan was put into action on July 8 when 10 small businesses opened a “pop-up shop” event at Starkville’s Fire Station Park. The businesses brought their products and services to the event, but sales was not the main priority. Instead, the greatest benefit is to bring attention to businesses that citizens might not otherwise be aware of. Small businesses are the life-blood of a community and the most difficult thing small business owners face when they are just getting started is building clientele. Pop-up shots are a great, inexpensive way to achieve that. For residents, it’s also a fun way to discover new shopping opportunities.

A rose to Hibachi Buffet, which reopened Tuesday at the site of the former Ryan’s Buffet on Highway 45 north at the Highway 82 interchange. The opening of any business is a welcomed event, but the circumstances surrounding the Hibachi/Ryan’s property stand out. First of all, at 10,819 square feet, the restaurant facility is easily the largest in Columbus. Its location in a key part of the city’s retail corridor also magnifies its status. Finally, the opening marks a five-year wait between the closing of Ryan’s in June 2018 and Hibachi’s arrival this week. It took 2 ½ years to find a buyer, which did not begin renovating the property until January. In March, Hibachi announced it was closing its current location in Leigh Mall to move to the Ryan’s site. When any of our large, familiar businesses closes, it’s a blow to the community. When those sites are re-born, it renews our optimism. That’s exactly the case with Hibachi Buffet in its new and familiar home.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.

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