Two Columbus items and two Starkville items this week.
Columbus first.
There are more than 21,000 Starbucks in the world. The first one in Columbus opens Friday, according to what is written on the front window of the coffee shop.
The business is located in the 1900 block of Highway 45 North, between Replays and the C-Spire Building. Mike Rozier, a Carroll County-based developer, owns the spot.
He had a 6,000 square foot structure built there. The Starbucks will be housed on its north end, and a Kay Jewelers and another business will eventually be there, as well.
Something you may have noticed on that same stretch of road: The building at 1923 Hwy. 45 N. has been torn completely down. Now it is only rubble and a vacant lot.
Willie Menotti, who owns the two acres, is looking to sell or lease the property, where the Menotti Honda car lot once was. He told The Dispatch several weeks ago that he felt like removing the aged structure would help draw some interest from developer. It’s a growing area. We’ll see.
Moving on.
A rue21 is opening in Starkville later this year.
A spokesperson for the Pennslyvania-based discount retailer of casual apparel confirmed to The Dispatch on Wednesday that the shop is slated to open in November. It will be located at University Crossing Shopping Center. The business will employ between 15 and 20 people.
The spokesperson said people interested in management positions can apply online at rue21.com. People interested in part-time positions can apply at the rue21 Columbus location in Leigh Mall.
Where did the store’s name come from? According to the company’s corporate website: “‘Rue’ comes from the French word for ‘street,’ while ’21’ embodies the age that everyone wants to be.”
There are more than 1,000 rue21s in 47 states. The Starkville location will be the 24th in Mississippi.
Lastly, Starkville gained an eatery this month.
Aunt Marti’s Bakery opened Sept. 5. It is located in College Park Shopping Center on Russell Street.
Each morning, the eatery’s three employees — Marti Weaver, owner; Barb Yoder, manager; and an associate — show up about 3 a.m. and begin baking. By the time the doors open at 7 a.m., there are cinnamon rolls, pecan sticky buns, muffins, cookies, homemade breads and yogurt parfaits. On Fridays and Saturdays, they make donuts. For lunch everyday there are deli sandwiches made out of the homemade bread and meats and cheeses from Amish country in Ohio. Lemonade is made each day and there are jams, butter and honey available, too, according to Yoder.
Aunt Marti’s Bakery is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Browning on Business is a weekly column that runs each Thursday. We want your input. Send items and tips to [email protected] or [email protected].
William Browning was managing editor for The Dispatch until June 2016.
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