A re-sale store is opening in Columbus this fall.
Columbus-Lowndes Habitat for Humanity will operate it. It will be located at 1110 Gardner Blvd. — the building Habitat for Humanity relocated to in March.
Kathy Arinder, executive director, told The Dispatch money made through the store will go toward the non-profit’s mission of building homes for people in the community. Since opening in Lowndes County in 1989, the local Habitat for Humanity has constructed approximately 45 homes. The organization exists solely on donations and mortgages its clients pay.
Arinder would like to see the re-sale store open by late September. She is accepting gently used items — appliances, lighting, construction, architectural items, etc. — to help stock the 5,000-plus square foot warehouse’s shelves. But she encouraged locals to call the Habitat for Humanity office at 662-329-2501 to find out what items are accepted and needed.
Habitat for Humanity is also in need of volunteers to help get the re-sale store off the ground.
Glen’s BBQ, Catering & Produce is open for business at 710 Alabama St. — that’s the old Wonder Bread store.
Glen Baldwin, the owner, told The Dispatch he has combined his barbecue restaurant (which was located on Tuscaloosa Road) and his produce stand (which was located on Highway 45 North) at the new spot, which can seat about 50 people.
The restaurant is open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and offers a blue plate lunch, chicken, brisket, barbecue, pies and more.
Speaking of restaurants, Cracker Barrel in Columbus will open to the public next week.
Getting to this point has been a long road.
You’ll remember that in the spring of 2013, it was announced that the Tennessee-based restaurant was opening a location here. Excitement ensued. That deal fell through, though, and things went quiet. Then, seven months ago, a Cracker Barrel spokesperson confirmed that the popular restaurant was definitely coming to Columbus, making it the 13th Cracker Barrel in Mississippi.
The 10,000 square foot building is located on 18th Avenue North — right beside Smith’s Landscaping — and can seat 180 guests. The restaurant will employ 200 people. It is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
There are 637 Cracker Barrels in the U.S.
Lastly, have you heard of Taylor Made Cake in New Hope?
The owner is Taylor Massey, a Lowndes County native who years ago took a cake decorating class at Mississippi University for Women so she could make her children the best birthday cakes possible. She enjoyed the process,and thought she would enjoy creating cakes on the side. Last October she took the plunge and opened Taylor Made Cake.
It is located at 3451 New Hope Rd. — across from the school — and it is a family-run business.
What they offer are specialty cakes that can be ordered for weddings. Or birthdays. Or any special event. Also, if you stop by the bakery there will be at least six different kinds of cupcakes for sale, some brownies, some cookies, maybe some pies. And last week they began offering “Taylor Made Cake” T-shirts.
To find out more, call 662-251-2773 or visit the bakery’s Facebook page at Taylor Made Cake.
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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