Football and slippery ointment don’t mix
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There was a packed house Friday night at Nunley Stadium for the Pioneers homecoming game against Coffee County. I’ve always wanted to see so many fans in attendance that they spilled out of the stands and scattered around the grassy slope on the enclosed end of the stadium.
It was a football atmosphere, pure and simple. I can’t recall so much excitement surrounding a Pioneer football game in years.
And now for the bad news. It was a disappointing night for the Pioneers as they lost 40-0.
I realize hindsight is always 20/20, but I’ve gone over the Pioneers pre-game routine and I think I’ve discovered exactly what went wrong.
Step one: Warm up and stretch
Step two: Apply super slippery ointment to the football.
Step three: Take the field.
For the half dozen people in McMinnville who weren’t in attendance, the Pioneers fumbled three times in the opening quarter and the outcome was never in question after that. In what was billed as the Fight for 55, I thought Coffee County was going to score 55. From my perch, it looked like the football must of had some sort of electric shock the way the Pioneers refused to hold onto it.
With homecoming still fresh in my mind, I’ve decided to do a thumbs-up and thumbs-down analysis of two significant events.
Thumbs up
To the Warren County School System, which was quick to act when two letters to the editor were published in the Standard asking why the invocation had been dropped before football games. There was a prayer delivered before Friday’s game, which received a round of applause when it was complete.
Thumbs down
To the Manchester student who rubbed in the 30-0 halftime score by running past the Pioneer sideline with an enormous Coffee County flag. This may be an immature thing to say, but I desperately wanted to see someone leap from the stands and give that guy a clothesline. Coffee County officials handled the situation properly by escorting the student out of the stadium.
To change gears from homecoming to today’s offbeat tidbit, I take you to Arizona where Jenny Robertson is deeply devoted to the ancient Chinese art called Feng Shui. Without boring you with a history lesson, basic Feng Shui principles indicate a person can achieve harmony with the universe based on their alignment with their surroundings. This includes the placement of doors and windows within their home, and the placement of the house in relationship to trees, rivers, etc.
To cut to the chase, Robertson had the house she wanted to buy examined by a Feng Shui master, who scrutinized it and determined it was a perfect fit. However, the ‘master’ did not take into account that the house is located on a golf course.
When Johnson stepped outside to help achieve peace with her environment, she had to be constantly aware of errant golf shots. ‘When I go outside, it’s like dodgeball out there,’ she said.
I’ve always wondered why folks would want to live next to a golf course. One minute you’re enjoying a nice day outside with the family. The next minute you’re picking a golfball from your teeth. It doesn’t sound much different than living next to a shooting range to me.
Walgreens looks to buy local pharmacy
When I called local Super D’s owner Don Sullivan, I wanted to get the lowdown on the pharmacy’s new name. I got the lowdown on that ‘ and also the unexpected news that Don is likely going to be bought out by Walgreens in the very near future.
‘They’ve tried to buy me out three times and each time they’ve increased their offer,’ said Don. ‘It gets to the point, as I get closer to retirement, this is something I have to consider. It’s certainly a decision that comes with some emotion.’
Don said he’s reached a tentative agreement with Walgreens and he believes the deal will go through. However, he added the deal is not finalized which always leaves open the possibility it might not materialize.
The way the buyout would work is Walgreens would get all of Don’s prescription customers and Don would go out of business. Current customers would by no means be required to go to Walgreens, however their prescriptions would be transferred there automatically.
Don said if the buyout does happen to look for it ‘pretty soon.’
As for dropping the Super D franchise, that’s not such big news now. Don said he signed a 20-year franchise agreement with Super D when he first opened his pharmacy and that agreement recently expired. Since he did not renew it, he was required to take down all the Super D signs and he is currently operating under the name D&D Drugs.
But don’t get used to the new name because it doesn’t appear as if it will be around for long.
Operating under the assumption the deal will be finalized, it will leave McMinnville with just two local pharmacies ‘ Stewart Pharmacy and McMinnville Drug Center. It’s sad to see the local folks go out of business and the big corporations taking over, but I guess that’s just the way the world works.
Sandwich shop reopens next to Baskin-Robbins
While Warren County residents were distracted by the allure of fair lights and attractions, Loafin’ Around quietly opened its doors. The idea was to ease into business at a time that wouldn’t be too hectic.
‘We opened during the fair on purpose,’ said owner Lynn Bullen of her new sandwich shop. ‘We didn’t want to make people mad if we took too long preparing their food.’
The slow week allowed Loafin’ Around employees to gain valuable experience and get ready for the lunch rushes that occurred this past week. When I stopped by the restaurant Friday, it was buzzing with activity.
‘A lot of our old customers have returned and we’ve already had some repeat customers,’ said Lynn. ‘I really want to thank all our customers because without them we wouldn’t be here.’
The restaurant is located in the same building as Baskin-Robbins in Northgate Shopping Center. It was formerly operated by Lynn under the franchise of Logan Farms Honey Hams. The same soup-and-sandwich philosophy has returned only without the restrictions that come with a franchise.
Loafin’ Around offers some specialty sandwiches like a reuben and club sandwich, but Lynn says the build-your-own sandwich is the most popular choice.
The build-your-own sandwich is where the customer can pick the meat, cheese and vegetable toppings they want.
Having a booming sandwich business has another reward. It makes it just a short walk to the next counter to order ice cream for dessert.
Loafin’ Around is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The phone number is 507-LOAF.
CiCi’s building may have new tenant
I suspect there’s a deal in the works for the old CiCi’s Pizza space at Cumberland Plaza. According to CiCi’s owner Bill Nelson, he was given till the end of the month to pack up his belongings and to vacate the premises.
That would lead me to believe a new business is eyeing the spot. Unfortunately, shopping center owner Greenwood Properties, based in Bowling Green, Ky., is not revealing any information.
When I called up there on Monday, I received the standard response that the company is ‘working on a couple potential leads.’
Bill says he doesn’t know what’s moving into the space either, although he has his doubts it will be a restaurant.
‘I tried to make them a good deal on some of my kitchen equipment and our walk-in freezer, but they weren’t interested,’ said Bill. ‘Obviously a walk-in freezer is something a restaurant would need.’
So it looks like we’ll have to play the waiting game to find out what goes in that spot. I find it encouraging a new business has apparently expressed interest so soon.
Delores’ Market to get new pumps
Once upon a time, there was a restaurant on the property of Delores’ Market called Delores’ Restaurant. Now the building where that restaurant used to be is also a thing of the past after if was leveled last week.
The move will make way for new gas pumps, those snazzy pay-at-the-pump type of gas pumps. And there will be more of them to meet the growing need to buy gas in that neck of the woods.
When all the restaurant rubble is cleared, the spot will eventually be paved to make more room for the pumps. The building that houses the tanning beds will also be relocated to the back of the property.
For folks who have noticed the demolition work and wondered what is going on, there’s your answer. It will probably take six months or so to get the new pumps up and running.
Standard has news to mention
I get so busy writing about other businesses, sometimes I forget to mention the great things we have taking place at the Standard.
At the top of the list is that we’re currently taking nominations for our second Women of Achievement banquet. Last year’s inaugural event was an overwhelming success, so much so that I pushed for a Men of Achievement banquet this year. However, my terrific idea was stomped out before it could generate any momentum.
Therefore, I’m pleased to announce we will be honoring 20 influential women in our community and we’re asking for your help in selecting these fine individuals.
If you know of someone who deserves such recognition, don’t be shy. Write a brief description of why you think this woman should be included among our honorees and send to Southern Standard, Attn: Women of Achievement, P.O. Box 150, McMinnville, Tenn., 37111.
That’s all folks
If you’re looking for business news, remember this is the place to get it. Give me a call if there’s business news you want me to track down. The number is 473-2191.