Business Pulse: Fair boasted a refreshing new look
While I was scarfing down some apple cobbler at the fair Friday night, the guy next to me hollers over to one of his buddies.
“Hey, did you hear the Warren County football score?” he asked.
His friend yells back, “It was 50 to nothing with about 10 minutes left. That’s the last I heard.”
Then the first guy shakes his head and predicts, “It’s going to be a long year for the Pioneers.”
What I found interesting from the whole conversation, other than the fact there was proper subject-verb agreement, is it was never revealed which team had scored 50 points. I guess after all these years it’s almost understood when the score is 50-0, Warren County is losing.
As for more pleasant thoughts, how about that Warren County fair! What a week-long extravaganza. I’m still trying to wipe the smile off my face and get the taste of corndog out of my mouth.
First and foremost, I really want to thank fair organizers and everyone involved with Cumberland Valley Shows for the special tribute they paid to Business Pulse this week. I don’t know if any of you noticed, but the kiddie roller coaster had a different look to it this year.
Gone was the traditional dragon with his tongue sticking out. In its place was the familiar Business Pulse face we have all grown to love. OK, so maybe love is a strong word. I guess I should say the Business Pulse face we have all grown to tolerate.
My personal fair highlights: (1) I scored 220 points at skee ball to win a big stuffed dog, and (2) I ate four corndogs at one sitting (which I am calling an unofficial fair record).
My personal fair regrets: (1) I couldn’t get up the nerve to be hypnotized, and (2) I paid $2 and once again failed to climb the ladder and honk the horn at the top for a prize. Over the years, I’ve done my part to put the ladder guy’s kid through college and have never once been successful.
But so much for the land of cotton candy and Ferris wheels. Another year of the fair has come and gone. That means I better get to work and bring you this week’s column.
Box company locates elsewhere
I thought I’d start this week’s report with news from the industrial development front. Unfortunately, it’s not the best of news.
The corrugated box company, which had long considered McMinnville as a place to locate, has decided to open its new facility in Murfreesboro. The decision reportedly had nothing to do with the incentive package offered by members of the Industrial Development Board. Box company officials admitted Warren County had offered the best incentives, but they couldn’t get past the fact we’re an hour and a half from Nashville.
Our proximity to Nashville is something local officials were unable to change. Truth be told, I wouldn’t mind it myself if we were about 30 minutes closer to Music City.
So the box company and its 100 or so jobs has decided to set up shop in Murfreesboro. Like they really need the jobs.
If my last trip to Murfreesboro is any indication, that town would be better off if a bunch of its people left.
Cumberland Plaza to lose one more store
Remember the days when Cumberland Plaza was bustling with excitement? It seems like so many years ago in a galaxy far, far away.
The news isn’t getting any better as I have just discovered Subway is abandoning its Cumberland Plaza store in favor of greener pastures on Chancery Street. When I stopped by Subway on Friday, the store owner was busy at the Subway in Manchester. But one of the friendly Subway employees told me the move would take place in the next couple months, although he didn’t have an exact date.
Subway’s new location will be in the tan building which is currently under renovation. The building is roughly located between Village Amoco and Ace Hardware. Its exact neighbors are Images Hair Salon and Citi Financial.
So if you see workers fixing up that tan building and wonder, “What’s going to move in there?” just remember it will be Subway. As for what will replace Subway in Cumberland Plaza, that shopping center is in dire need of a new anchor. I admire stores like Buck’s Pizza for being able to survive over there.
Dimitri’s moves out of town
Folks riding down the strip have probably noticed Dimitri’s has closed its doors. The accurate way to phrase it would be to say Dimitri’s has closed its doors in McMinnville.
The restaurant has moved to the South Pittsburgh area, which is on the way to Chattanooga if you take I-24. For staunch Dimitri’s fans, you can now get to the restaurant by taking exit 152 off the interstate.
“There aren’t many restaurants in that area and we have a great location right off the interstate,” said owner Jimmy Zavogiannis. “I think it will really do well there.”
For folks wanting to enjoy the great taste of Dimitri’s – without the drive to South Pittsburg – don’t worry. Jimmy has moved all his crowd favorites from the Dimitri’s menu and he will continue to offer those items at his other local restaurant, Gondola.
“We are modifying the menu at Gondola to offer some of the more popular items we used to offer at Dimitri’s,” said Jimmy’s wife, Lisa. “That way it’s like having the best of both restaurants in one place.”
Popular items from the Dimitri’s menu which are now available at Gondola include Greek steak, New York strip, prime rib, mahi-mahi and salmon, to name a few. Gondola will also continue to offer the great-tasting Italian food which has made the restaurant a McMinnville mainstay. And Gondola will continue to have the all-you-can-eat pizza buffet during lunch for $3.95.
“We want our customers to understand what we’re doing,” said Jimmy. “If they enjoyed eating at Dimitri’s, they can now get that same food at Gondola.”
New Ben Lomand facility about to get a dial tone
Ben Lomand’s sparkling new $2.9 million Plant Operations Facility is beginning to spring to life. About 12 to 15 employees moved into the building last week with all service personnel and engineers scheduled to relocate there this week.
For those who have yet to see the facility, located on the edge of town as you’re heading out Smithville Highway, it is impressive. I should say it looks impressive from the outside because I’ve yet to check out the interior design.
That will likely change this Friday, Sept. 20, when the Chamber will conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. That’s when I hope to sneak a peek at the inside of this Taj Mahal-type building.
Thinking back, I believe this is the nicest facility constructed in Warren County since River Park Hospital was complete some six or seven years ago. It certainly makes McMinnville look big and important as you’re driving into town from Smithville.
Fred’s donates profits to firemen, policemen
If you’re looking for a way to support local fire and police departments, then shop at Fred’s Pharmacy this Tuesday, Sept. 17. In a chain-wide show of support, Fred’s will donate all its operating profits Tuesday to local firefighters and police officers. This is taking place at more than 400 Fred’s stores nationwide.
It’s the view of Fred’s officials that freedom is never to be taken for granted or forgotten. Fred’s is making these generous contributions in memory of the Sept. 11 victims. So if you stop by Fred’s Tuesday, any money the store makes from your purchases will go to a good cause.
That’s all folks
Just like the fair, another Business Pulse column has come and gone. But unlike the candy apples and carnival rides, I will be back next week.
So give me a call with your business news at 473-2191 or send me an e-mail at [email protected].