The former Fred’s in Starkville is vacant no more.
The Starkville Fred’s location closed in 2019 after Fred’s Inc. attempted to maintain operations by cutting under-performing stores. Starkville’s Fred’s was in the company’s second wave of closures before Fred’s decided to cease operations entirely.
After seeing the more than 16,000 square-foot building vacant so close to downtown, Rick Underwood, owner of Rick’s Furniture, knew he wanted to move there.
So Fred’s became Rick’s. He moved his furniture store from Stark Road and reopened Rick’s Furniture Market at 605 Jackson St. this month.
“We moved because we love downtown Starkville and we want to support downtown,” Underwood said. “We are committed to developing the best furniture store in Mississippi and being downtown is a part of that vision.”
Underwood hopes to redevelop the parking lot and outdoor area of his new location.
“We will replace a lot of the asphalt in the parking areas with native plant materials,” Underwood said. “We will create an environment for wildlife and people. We will add outdoor living to our selection and blur the difference between indoor and outdoor. We’ll soften our building exterior with color, texture and more plant material. We want to be an example of what can be done.”
Be sure to check out the new space and inventory Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more than two decades, Robin Jones has made lifetime friends at Sun Struck Tanning in Columbus.
Jones said she would do it for 20 more years if she could, but health conditions have caused her to close shop.
By the end of March, the tanning salon located at 1928 Hwy. 45 will officially close.
“My customers all became my friends,” Jones said. “You build relationships and I’m really going to miss them.”
Jones said she has everything listed for sale: including 23 tanning beds, jewelry, light fixtures, chairs and more.
If you’re interested in some last-minute sales, deals and more, you can see Jones Monday through Friday 1-6 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon.
Also in Columbus, Yo’ Bar has officially opened at its new location. The bar formerly located on Highway 45 has re-opened shop at 3500 Bluecutt Road.
Owners Ledrico and Mignon Isaac said the bar closed mid-December and reopened Feb. 5 to a hefty crowd.
“We’re excited about opening,” Mignon said. “The people came out on Friday and Saturday and we got lots of great feedback from people. We’re happy to be open.”
Mignon said the new space is about triple the previous location allowing Yo’ Bar to expand its VIP section.
“The space itself allows for easy social distancing,” Mignon said.
Check out Yo’ Bar’s new location Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Fridays 11 a.m.-1 a.m. and Saturdays 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
I’m a little late to the game, but Columbus has a not-so-new clothing shop in town.
Midtown Outfitters, which closed its Starkville brick-and-mortar location last year, has reopened as a clothing shop in Columbus at 2102 Main St.
Typically known for selling Mississippi state apparel, store manager Bess Hall said Midtown is switching gears. The store is now focusing on graphic t-shirts and non-licensed products.
Customers can also purchase custom products including embroidery, laser engraving, decals and more.
Check out the new store in Columbus Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or peruse through its online inventory at midtownoutfitter.com.
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