November - Community Development Foundation

Transcription

November - Community Development Foundation
BusinessJournal
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF JOURNAL PUBLISHING AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
New name for old mall
Q&A with The Retail Coach
Americans still shopping
November 2013
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THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2013
A new identity
Midtown Pointe shakes off former name, changes focus
BY DENNIS SEID
BUSINESS JOURNAL
TUPELO – In its four decades
of existence, the former Tupelo
Mall has been renamed Gloster
Creek Village and, most recently,
Gloster Creek Professional Medical Mall.
And it now has another new
name – Midtown Pointe. Signs
will be going up soon to illustrate
the rebranding.
The change coincides with the
opening of the Midtown District,
a group of stores and restaurants
in the area which also wanted to
carve their own niche in the AllAmerica City.
Midtown Pointe now becomes
the anchor for the district.
“It’s a new day and a new identity,” said Daniel Hicks, the owner
of Fame Creative and part of the
marketing and advertising team
advising Midtown Pointe’s owners. “Nothing connects a new direction like a new brand.”
The owners – Chris Mills, Dr.
Steve MIlls, Sean Koehn and
Jason Perry – bought the center
in June 2012. Their plan all along
was to turn the struggling retail
mall – which had been home to a
handful of shops and restaurants
over the years – into a true medical mall, a home for medical-industry related tenants. Its
proximity to the North Mississippi Medical Center and a cadre
of related medical providers and
services is ideal.
Hicks and Tracey Morton of the
TSM Agency, will market and advertise the 217,000-square-foot
complex as a premier site for additional professional and medical
tenants.
Midtown Pointe already is
home to Cardiology Associates,
an orthodontist, an optometrist
and Acclaim, the third-party administrator for North Mississippi
Health Services.
Retailing, to no one’s surprise,
is no longer a priority as the old
mall has moved into a new era.
“The medical mall idea is something that’s been growing in popularity over the years, especially
with older malls,” said Chris Mills.
The restaurants – Honeybaked
Ham, Sir Antony’s, Miss Ruth’s
Express, Sweet Tomato Pizza
Kitchen – will remain. The iconic
Carmelcorn Shop isn’t going anywhere either.
Koehne said he and his fellow
owners appreciates the long-time
tenants who have stayed with
them during the center’s evolution.
Mills said Midtown Pointe has
a 70 percent occupancy rate and
expects that number to grow
soon.
“We’ve made a lot of changes
but we’ve got a lot more coming,”
Koehn said.
The facade of the complex has
been renovated with a more uniform look. The roof has been replaced. Landscaping has been
reworked. Old signs have been
replaced.
During the next few weeks, the
restaurants in the food court will
get new facades and signs. Wood
flooring will replace the tile in the
area, and new furniture will be
placed.
The restrooms are being replaced, as is plumbing throughout the facility.
Plans include opening a highend coffee shop and creating an
Internet cafe-like atmosphere.
Meeting and catering space are
available now, and long-term
plans call for the addition of 8-10
extended-stay suites for physicians, residents and others who
TURN TO MIDTOWN, 18
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PAGE 2
F
acts and figures. Data. Statistics.
For some people,
crunching numbers is a
fun exercise in trying to figure
out what it means.
Take, for example, the retail
sales for Mississippi during fiscal year 2013, which covers July
of last year to June of this year.
According to the state Department of Revenue, the state
pulled in $46.8 billion dollars in
gross retail sales, compared to
$45.2 billion for FY 2012. That’s a
3.65 percent increase.
You’re probably wondering
what Lee County – the retail
hub of Northeast Mississippi –
registered. How does $1.8 billion sound?
That, my friends, is no small
chunk of change.
But what exactly are people
like you and I buying?
Here’s a sampling of where
some of our dollars went last
year across the state. Some of it
what you find may surprise you:
• Automobiles (new): $3 billion. Mississippi is home to a
Nissan and Toyota plant.
PAGE 3
Where our money goes
• Automobiles (used):
$759 million.
And you wonder why CarMax wants to
come to Tupelo?
• Auto parts,
DENNIS
tires and accessories: $809.1
SEID
million. I’ve got
an 11-year-old
car with
300,000 miles, so I contribute. A
lot.
• Gasoline service stations:
$210.1 million. I’m betting gas
prices helped.
• Motorcycle dealers and repair: $124.2 million. Sorry, no
help here.
• Auto repair shops: $667.4
million. See comment above regarding auto parts, etc.
• Car washes: $9.1 million.
When spring rolls around, chaching!
• Farm equipment: $258.2
million. No surprise here, really.
• Grocery stores, general: $2.1
billion. Remember the tip:
Never grocery shop when you’re
hungry.
• Quick-stop grocery stores:
$1.8 billion. Who doesn’t want
some beef jerky for the road?
• Restaurants and cafes (no
alcohol served): $2.4 billion. I
contribute my fair share.
• Restaurants and cafes (alcohol available): $977 million.
Ditto above comment.
• Package liquor stores: $304.5
million. No comment.
• Furniture stores: $417.6 million. Buy early and often. You’re
keeping Northeast Mississippians employed.
• Department stores: $6.49
billion. Almost what Walmart
makes in a week.
• Shoe stores: $188.92 million.
My son and I share the same
shoe size now. I see savings
down the road.
• Fence dealers: $22.14 million. Fences do make good
neighbors sometimes.
• Neon and other signs:
$22.86 million. Check with City
Hall before you get order sign,
though.
• Monuments and tomb-
stones: $21.7 million. You’re
dead – what does it matter?
• Drug stores: $370 million.
Because we just don’t have
enough pharmacies.
• Antique and secondhand
stores: $123.69 million. Not my
cup of tea.
• Books and stationary: $246.6
million. This should be much
higher.
• Sporting goods and bicycles:
$378 million. If you have a kid
playing a sport, you know.
• Jewelry stores: $112.8 million. I’m surprised it’s this low.
• Florists: $92.36 million.
Ditto.
• TV cable service: $326.5 million. That’s nearly $223 million,
or 40 percent less than the previous fiscal year.
• Hotels, courts and motels:
$691.4 million. I wonder how
many more hotels we’ll see in
Tupelo?
• Laundry, dry cleaning: $85.8
million. Worth it if you hate to
iron.
• Shoe repair: $2.5 million. A
dying art.
• Exterminating services:
$87.3 million. We’ve got bugs.
Lots of bugs
• Soft drinks: $13.7 million.
Seems a bit low, but that’s what
the department said.
• Beer: $489.3 million. Wow.
That’s about $163 per person in
the state.
• Distilled alcoholic beverages: $313 million. That averages about $104 per
Mississippian.
• Electric power associations:
$291.7 million. Electricity – can’t
live without it.
• Motion picture shows: $65
million. Do people still call
them motion picture shows?
• Bowling, billiards and pool:
$14.7 million. I need more practice.
• Skating rinks: $4.3 million.
Skating and I do not make a
good combination.
• College athletics: $30.97 million. And none of that is going
to any student-athlete.
So now you know where some
of your money is going. Shop til
you drop.
dennis.seid@journalinc.com
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2013
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2013
Christian bookstore still strong after 25 years
|
BUSINESS JOURNAL
CORINTH – When Gary
and Donna Holley opened
New Life Christian Supply in
1988, they hadn’t followed
the usual – or recommended
– path to starting a new business.
Rather than seeking out a
void in the marketplace and
developing a solid business
plan, Gary Holley said he followed the plan God led him
to pursue.
“I come from a Christian
family and had worked for
ITT for 20 years,” he said.“In
my 15th year I began to pray
about a business to serve
God and make a living. One
day I heard God say, ‘Open a
Christian bookstore.’”
Gary Holley said he didn’t
want to argue with God, but
thought,“We’ve already got a
Christian bookstore” here.
Then he heard the response:
There are gas and grocery
stores on every corner, so
why not another Christian
bookstore?
Donna Holley was caring
|
NEW LIFE
CHRISTIAN
BY LENA MITCHELL
EST.: 1988
OWNERS: Gary and Donna Holley
EMPLOYEES: 6
PHONE: (662) 287-5885 Corinth;
(662) 538-3311 New Albany;
(662) 287-2088 H & L Monuments
ADDRESS: 2686 S. Harper
Road, Corinth, MS 38834; 126
Chrystal Plaza Drive, New Albany, MS 38652
THOMAS WELLS | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
Gary and Donna Holley opened New Life Christian Supply in 1988, and have since expanded the business.
for their two young children,
so both had long, challenging days.
But together they began to
visit stores in Memphis, writing down an inventory list of
the kinds of merchandise
they wanted to offer.
Letters sent to 30 different
suppliers drew little positive
feedback to help them get
their business off the
ground. However, they saw it
as God’s affirmation of their
intent when a major gift
company representative and
a major Bible company representative agreed to work
with them if they could
make full payment for their
first orders.
They were off and running, with money from the
sale of other assets and fi-
nancial backing from a relative.
In the 25 years since they
began – including the first
five years until the business
could pay the couple a
salary, and a financially challenging 2012 – the Holleys
have expanded.The opened
H & L Monuments to sell
burial monuments and
tombstones in 1993, and a
second store location
opened in New Albany in
1998.
They enjoy having a Christian business environment
where they can welcome
their five granddaughters.
Their daughter Carrie Loncar – who is married to Josh
Loncar and has three daughters – works in the business,
as well as their son Cory Holley, married to April Holley
and with two daughters.
The merchandise in the
stores includes Bibles and
other literature, church supplies, music, lots of gift items
for all occasions, custom
embroidery, handbags, Tshirts, jewelry and much
more.
“We’ve struggled like
many other bookstores with
single-song downloads from
the Internet, but we burn
CDs for folks and sell a tablet
with downloadable books,”
Gary Holley said. “It’s been
hard and we might have quit
if we didn’t know it was God’s
will. This is a ministry first
and a business second. It’s
not all about the money, we
want to meet people’s needs.
Our motto is ‘Our family
serving your family.’”
lena.mitchell@journalinc.com
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PAGE 4
THOMAS WELLS | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
Consumers may be a little worried about what they’re paying for holiday gifts this
year, but spending is expected to be higher than last year, most retail analysts say.
Despite worries,
Americans still will shop
BY DENNIS SEID
BUSINESS JOURNAL
The government shutdown last month put a
dent in the economy, and
it also stoked some economists’ fears that consumer
confidence would take a
dive and hurt holiday
sales.
We won’t know if that
turns out to be the case
until another couple of
months.
At least one group
agrees that American consumers are anxious. But
the concerns are about the
cost of holiday shopping.
RetailMeNot, which is
the nation’s largest digital
coupon site, and Ipsos
Public Affairs conducted
its eighth annual international survey of holiday
shopping behaviors. The
online survey was conducted in June, with more
than 10,000 people in 11
countries
responding.
About 1,000 interviews
were done in each of Australia, France, Germany,
Italy, the U.S., Canada,
Great Britain, India and
China, and 500 interviews
were done in Sweden and
the Netherlands.
Results were weighted
to the general adult population ages 16–64 in each
country (or in the U.S. and
Canada, 18–64).
The result showed that
about 25 percent of Americans are worried about
costs, yet more than half
(56 percent) surveyed
think they’ll spend about
the same or more than
they did last year. The survey also showed about 40
percent planned to start
shopping before October
to spread out the costs.
Only Australia (42 percent)
and India (41 percent) had
more shoppers starting
this early.
“We saw a lot of the early
shopping being in September, following a soft
back-to-school season,”
said Trae Hodge, a senior
editor with RetailMeNot.
“So a lot of consumers
found some good deals. ...
and
they’ll
continue
through the holidays.”
Back-to-school is a precursor to the lucrative
Christmas shopping season, but disappointing results forced retailers to
begin discounting and offering special deals earlier
than usual.
“The stores had to clear
space for that holiday
merchandise that was
coming in,” Bodge said.
But even with the early
start to deals, she doesn’t
think Black Friday sales
will be negatively affected.
Retailers have long lined
up electronics, apparel
|
DID YOU
KNOW?
|
• Global shoppers are spending
for the holidays. Gift-givers in
Sweden (71 percent), Germany (64 percent), and
Canada (59 percent) expect to
spend about as much or more
than last year.
• China leads online shopping.
Nearly all (99 percent) of Chinese respondents plan to do
some of their shopping online,
compared to 90 percent of
U.S. consumers. Of those
Americans, 24 percent plan to
buy their gifts online.
Source: RetailMeNot.com
and other special buys for
the day after Thanksgiving, and won’t be altering
their game plan.
Still, to ensure consumers keep shopping, retailers will continue to
offer deals now through
the holidays.
“As a consumer, you just
have to keep your eyes
peeled out for the items
on your shopping list,”
Bodge said.
BUYING PATTERNS
And that will play into
the hands of Americans
who like to shop yearround for their holiday
TURN TO SHOPPING, 18
PAGE 5
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2013
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2013
Online reviews a thorny issue for small-business owners
BY VIRGINIA BRIDGES
THE NEWS & OBSERVER
RALEIGH, N.C. – Mobley’s
Shoes’ whole business concept depends on its customer service.
Since 1950, the store has
been providing and fitting
shoes for children and
women and has depended
on its customer service to
compete against larger
stores.
That’s why the owners of
the Raleigh, N.C., shop are
concerned about the filtering of online reviews onYelp,
a website that allows customers to rate and review
businesses. The site has a
practice of filtering reviews
and showcasing ones that
have been chosen by data
processing software.
Mobley’s Yelp site shows
that the shoe store has one
review with a three-star rating from 2008. There are additional reviews, but they
have been filtered by Yelp.
The filtering system, said
Clifton Mobley, who runs the
store with his father and his
brother, is frustrating be-
cause it makes it hard for
others to see those positive
reviews.
Also, one review can end
up representing the company for years, he said.
Yelp was founded in 2004
and has an average of 108
million unique monthly visitors and more than 42 million reviews. According to a
2013 Nielsen study, about 85
percent of consumers find
local business information
online. Also, about 70 percent of consumers trust online reviews somewhat or
completely, according to a
2012 Nielsen study. Online
opinion was second only to
recommendations
from
people they know.
Mobley and others are
learning to navigateYelp and
its review and filtering
process. Here are some
things to know before using
Yelp.
WRITING FAKE REVIEWS IS ILLEGAL:Federal truth in advertising guidelines require
transparency any time there
is a product or service review,
according to Glen Gilmore,
an attorney and social media
MCT
Clifton Mobley waits on customer Ameya Marshall, 2, as she sits in a special booster
chair at his family business, Mobley Shoes, in Raleigh, N.C. Mobley is concerned
about the impact online feedback site Yelp has on his business.
expert who teaches at Rutgers University Center for
Management Development
in New Jersey.
In 2009, the Federal Trade
Commission updated its endorsement guidelines to include social media, Gilmore
wrote in an email. The
guidelines say any connections between a reviewer
and the business that’s being
reviewed need to be disclosed.This means reviewers
should disclose whether
they are an employee or a
relative, or whether they received a free or discounted
service or product, Gilmore
said.
When people sign up for a
Yelp account – either as a
consumer or as a business
claiming an account – they
agree to limit their reviews to
first-hand experiences and
to not endorse themselves or
write negative reviews about
competitors.
Many states have laws
similar to the federal regulations.
REVIEWERS CAN BE SUED:
Reviewers can be held accountable for malicious and
false reviews.
“People are entitled to express their opinion about a
meal or service online, but
they’re not entitled to lie in
what they post without exposing themselves to a lawsuit,” Gilmore wrote.
There is no protection
from being sued for defamation, the communication of
false fact that damages the
reputation of another, just
because they post it on a
third-party website, he said.
If a business has concerns
about aYelp review, it should
first reach out to the site.
Mobley contacted Yelp
after suspecting that a negative review had been posted
by a former employee; Yelp
removed the review.
If the site refuses to remove a fake review, the business can file a lawsuit that
seeks to establish the identity of the reviewer to
demonstrate a case for
defamation.
“Unfortunately, this is a
lengthy and costly process,”
Gilmore wrote.
Review sites are protected
by a federal law that essentially gives immunity to
providers of interactive online services from claims related to content posted by
third parties, he wrote.
ALGORITHM USED FOR FILTERS: Yelp representatives
said the company uses an
algorithm to highlight and
identify useful and authentic reviews, but some owners
say that the practice is used
to leverage advertising.
About 25 percent of Yelp
reviews are filtered, said
Darnell Holloway,Yelp’s senior manager of local business outreach. The system,
which sometimes allows authentic reviews to be filtered
while fake reviews get
through, isn’t perfect, but
the company’s intention is
to provide useful information to consumers, he said.
“Our software treats advertisers and non-advertisers exactly the same,”
Holloway said. “There is no
correlation
between
whether or not a business
chooses to advertise and the
activity of a review filter.”
Yelp started to recognize
fake reviews shortly after it
was founded, Holloway said.
So it created a filter to highlight authentic content. The
filtered reviews are located
on each business’ Yelp page.
To see them, however, users
must click a link and fill out
a “Captcha” code.
“Business owners thought
they could gain traction in
the online space by creating
testimonials for themselves
and leaving negative reviews
for competitors,” Holloway
said.
Some
small-business
owners complain about
Yelp’s practices.
Joey Ashley, co-owner of
theThe Organic Bedroom in
Raleigh, said he has had issues with Yelp. His company’s Yelp page has two
reviews – a one-star and a
five-star – but also has 16
five-star reviews that have
been filtered.
Last spring, Ashley expressed his concerns to a
Yelp advertising representative who had contacted him
and then suggested that the
filters wouldn’t be as strong if
Ashley bought advertising,
Ashley said. A couple of days
later, about four positive reviews were released, Ashley
said. But later, after Ashley
said he wouldn’t advertise,
those reviews went away.
“It is completely a company that holds small businesses hostage,” Ashley said.
Holloway reiterated that
advertising on Yelp has no
influence on the filtering system. Reviews may shift, he
said, if a reviewer’s activity
increases or there’s a change
to the filtering algorithm.
RESPOND TO NEGATIVE REVIEWS:Don’t obsess over negative reviews, said Angela
Connor, senior vice president and group director at
Capstrat, a full-service marketing agency in Raleigh.
Owners should have a system that will help them decide whether and how to
respond to negative reviews.
When owners do respond,
they should demonstrate
some sort of sympathy or acknowledgment and then
offer to take the conversation
offline, she said.
“You will never win if you
try to fight in a review
forum,” Connor said. “And
no one is going to look bad
but the business owner.”
If owners don’t like the
way a site has treated them,
they should claim their
brand on other sites such as
Facebook and share content
that shows the great things
their business is doing,
Gilmore said.
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PAGE 6
PAGE 7
Q&A with The Retail Coach
Kelly Cofer has worked with clients in 25 states
BY DENNIS SEID
BUSINESS JOURNAL
TUPELO – Kelly Cofer,
the CEO and president of
The Retail Coach, has
been in the retail industry
since 1985. After graduating college, he worked in
the Dallas/Fort Worth
area as a retail broker,
finding sites for retailers
and restaurants, and
worked for a developer
leasing retail space in the
metroplex. He then
moved to Tupelo to work
in the real estate division
for Hancock Fabrics for
several years, finding sites
nationwide for the company. He then opened his
own consulting practice
in 2000 in Tupelo.
The Retail Coach is a
national retail recruitment and development
firm, which has worked
for clients in 25 states
from coast to coast.
Business Journal Editor
Dennis Seid recently interviewed Cofer.
the demographic profile.
They don’t want to see
dramatic demographic
shifts. They want to see a
growing, stable community where they can proQ. FOR THOSE who aren’t
tect their investment.
quite sure what you do,
They want to minimize
describe your company.
risks. That’s why we’re
A. WE’RE BASICALLY REbusiest in certain states.
TAIL STRATEGISTS in the in- Illinois is good for us bedustry and work for
cause it’s a growing state.
municipalities, economic Texas is always a mainstay
development organizafor us because they are
tions and, a really growing the last to go in a slowpart of our business, real
down and always the first
estate developers. From
to recover.
the consulting standIf I were to say in 2013
point, I started my busiwhat retailers are looking
ness as a commercial
for, because of our conbrokerage firm in Tupelo
sumer confidence being a
and was able to land a
yo-yo. …. retailers are
number or retailers here,
looking for areas where
including Logan’s Roadthere are lower unemhouse. Then this consult- ployment rates and where
ing practice for
the housing market is
municipalities grew out of starting to recover.
my experience with marIt’s happening in many
ket analyses, site selection markets across the counand those kinds of things. try, but they’re the most
Q. IN YOUR YEARS of
dramatic in Illinois and
doing this, what are retail- Texas.
ers looking for when
Q. DURING THE DEPTHS of
they’re looking for a site?
the recession, how much
A. THERE ARE A FEW COM- activity was going on?
MON DENOMINATORS that
A. KNOCK ON WOOD, our
retailers – and I’m also in- business is somewhat recluding restaurants – are
cession-proof. During
looking for.
2008-2009, when things
They want a stable
were so bad, communicommunity, and by that I ties then, as they do now,
mean in terms of growth, were looking to expand
ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
their tax base. We’re finding traditional economic
development doesn’t
trickle down in this day
and age. The days are behind us where economic
developers are waiting for
a major project to land in
their lap. They have to be
proactive.
The definition of economic development has
changed to include retail
as a component. I don’t
think it’s the driving force
behind economic development, but it’s definitely
a part of it.
Q. THERE ARE ONLY so
many manufacturing jobs
available.
A. THAT’S RIGHT, and we
can talk about a lot of our
businesses going offshore
that’s gone on in the past
10-20 years. Retail is a
quick fix to some of that.
And it’s a quality of life
issue. One place in Illinois
we’re talking to, the plant
manager is concerned
that his wife has to drive
miles to do their shopping.
So again, retailing is a
part of economic development.
Keeping those retail
dollars in your community is important. … and
depending on your community determined your
potential for retails.
Q. YOUR OUTREACH is nationwide and you’re based
in Tupelo. How would you
describe Tupelo and
Northeast Mississippi,
and how would you market the area?
A. TUPELO HAS A COUPLE
OF ADVANTAGES. One, it’s
where it’s located geographically. It’s the hub to
many satellite communities. Geography has been
key for Tupelo, set between Memphis and
Birmingham, with arterials coming through that
really put it on the map.
Tupelo is ground zero for
a large trade area.
And it’s employment
base is absolutely key to
that as well.
But I don’t use Tupelo as
an example or case study
in my work a lot because its
somewhat of an anomaly.
For a community of
35,000 people to have a
few million square feet of
retail development, is absolutely unheard of. It’s
almost a perfect storm
that we’re in a rural state,
people are willing to drive
long distances to shop
and Tupelo was able to
recognize this years ago. It
developed the mall area
and the rest is history.
Very unusual to see that
in a community this size.
Q. AND THERE ARE STORES
AND RESTAURANTS in Tupelo that normally wouldn’t be here.
A. OH, absolutely.
Q. THERE’S ALWAYS TALK
of additional big-name
retailers and restaurants
looking at Tupelo. We
have to bring up Target, of
course. What are your
thoughts?
A. IT’S INTERESTING ABOUT
TARGET. Incentives have
been such a big part of
the retail game. Historically, they’ve been a part
of the industrial economic development
game, and now incentives
are part of the retail economic development
game.
Target is accustomed to
be given 14-15 acres in
order to enter a market.
They’re getting it all
across the country. Until
Tupelo, a developer, a
property owner is willing
to pony up 14-15 acres,
they (Target) are going to
be patient because they’re
getting it elsewhere across
the country.
They’re not going to do
anything different for Tupelo than they are anywhere else in the country.
TURN TO COFER, 18
WE’VE MOVED!
Come See Our New Superstore
402 South Gloster, Tupelo
Fall Line of
Come See Our New
Fashion Apparel!
le
Fast & Affordab
In-House
EMBROIDERY!
~ ALEGRIA SHOES FOR FALL ~
Scrubs • Shoes • Workwear • Embroidery
Medical Supplies • Ladies Apparel
842-4011
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2013
O
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2013
Why are you ‘whelming’ the public?
ur vocabulary includes “overwhelmed” and
“underwhelmed,”
so why not “whelmed?”
I would like to think it is
an indicator of how low an
impact it makes on us
when our expectations are
met. We will brag when
we’re overwhelmed with a
good experience. We will
certainly complain when
our expectations are not
met.
The negative impact of
being underwhelmed
begets a high degree of attention. We have enough
books to fill several libraries on the subject of
not disappointing customers. Even more books
are titled and subtitled
“meeting customer expectations.”
Too many times organi-
zations
are concentrating
so diligently to
not disappoint a
customer
and wind
up only
Marketing
meeting
their exMatters
pectations.
JOSH
Most
MABUS
business
owners
would call
an experience in which a
customer’s expectations
were met a success.
I call it “whelming” the
customer.
The role of all marketing
and advertising is to facilitate word of mouth. It tells
people to talk and it in-
For one reason, we’ve been lied to. Over and over marketers tell
us that people are much more likely to talk about a bad experience
than a good experience. Because risk is weighted heavily toward a
bad experience, we put our efforts toward preventing them. This fits
logic, but in the end, we’ve used up all our time and resources trying
to prevent the bad. We should’ve been creating the great.
forms them on what to
say. Customer experience
is a key part of marketing.
You need to know that
customers do not talk
about expectactions simply being met.
So why do we govern for
the lowest common denominator – to not disappoint the customer?
Well, for one reason,
we’ve been lied to. Over
and over marketers tell us
that people are much
more likely to talk about a
bad experience than a
good experience. Because
risk is weighted heavily toward a bad experience, we
put our efforts toward preventing them. This fits
logic, but in the end, we’ve
used up all our time and
resources trying to prevent
the bad. We should’ve
been creating the great.
A recent study by Keller
Fay Group and MediaVest
proved that positive is
more powerful than negative. According to their
study, positive experiences
(75 percent) are more
likely to generate word of
mouth than negative experiences (25 percent).
The study also pointed to
the customer experience
being an important motivator in creating word of
mouth (20 percent).
In basic math, the study
says a customer is three
times more likely to share a
good experience than a bad
one. That tells me you
should devote three times
the resources toward creating a wonderful experience
for your customer.
Begin to make the shift
from the old paradigm of
avoiding negative reviews
and create overwhelmingly positive experiences
for customers.
You will not be able to
make every area of your
business overwhelming,
but make sure you are not
simply “whelming.”
JOSH MABUS is the owner
of The Mabus Agency,
a marketing and advertising
company in Tupelo.
Contact him at (662) 823-2100
or josh@mabusagency.com.
A division of BBQ by Jim
office lunches • onsite breakfast meetings
annual staff events • charity fundraisers • reunions
wedding receptions • rehearsal dinners
662-840-8800 • bbqbyjim.com
Tupelo, Mississippi
Close the deal
at Park Heights.
A business meeting like no other! Private rooms available
335 East Main Street
Fairpark District | Historic Downtown Tupelo
Lunch: M-F 11am-2pm | Dinner: M-S 5:30-10pm
662-842-5665
www.parkheightsrestaurant.com
Give Your Community a Lift
SHOP LOCAL
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PAGE 8
ChamberConnection
A publication of Journal Publishing and the CDF Chamber Division – November 2013
That’s the Ticket
HAVE YOU PURCHASED YOUR TICKET?
CDF Chamber of Commerce Staff
After years of organizing the Taste of Tupelo and evaluating the return on investment for all participants, we decided it was time for an upgrade. Not only has
the event had a complete overhaul by combining two events, the Taste of Tupelo and Business to Business Expo into one much larger event, we've decided
to increase the event's professional value by requiring the purchase of a ticket.
Whether through referrals or the expansion of your professional network, your
return on investment will be well worth it. Change is good- see for yourself at the
new Taste of Tupelo!
Taste of Tupelo
Tuesday, November 5
The 2013 Taste of Tupelo Premier Busi- event. Exhibitors and attendees are enness Expo will be held Tuesday, Novem- couraged to find new vendors, strategic
ber 5 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the partners, and clients, all while expandBancorpSouth Arena. The Taste is a high- ing their visibility within Tupelo/Lee
energy, high-traffic event offering area County’s business community. Exbusinesses an opportunity to grow their hibitors will offer product demonstraprofessional networks and meet new tions, complimentary samples, and
leads and customers, all while giving the first-hand information about their goods
Northeast MS business community a and services.
“taste” of the latest and greatest services
Kathy Cofer, The Imaging Center Ditheir businesses have to offer.
rector of Marketing said, “The Imaging
The annual business
Center has participated
expo, formerly an invias an exhibitor since the
tation only event for
first year the business
Community Developexpo was held. In addiment
Foundation
tion to the valuable net(CDF) members, has
working opportunities
extended its hours and
the Taste of Tupelo prois now open to the
vides, it has also been
public. The event is
an invaluable asset in
held specifically for the
growing our business.
promotion of local
One year we offered $99
businesses,
restaucardiac scoring screens
rants, and caterers, ofexclusively to the expo
fering more than 90
attendees. In the three
businesses the oppormonths following, we
tunity to showcase
performed over 400
their products and
screenings all as a direct
services to hundreds of
result of our booth at the
attendees. Last year,
Taste of Tupelo.”
more than 1,300 attenThe Taste of Tupelo is
dees enjoyed sampling
the largest exhibition of
delicious drinks and
its kind in Northeast Mistastes while networksissippi and provides an
ing with exhibitor
opportunity to meet with
booths. In addition to
a variety of companies
local
restaurants,
doing business in the recaterers, and bakeries,
gion. Whether in search
Kathy Cofer
the Taste of Tupelo will
of a contractor, advertisfeature exhibitors from
ing agency, caterer, or inThe Imaging Center
various industries interior decorator – the
cluding health-related,
Taste of Tupelo is a onebanking, manufacturstop-shop for discoverers, retailers, educational institutions, ing numerous local businesses.
and more.
Throughout the evening, attendees
“The Taste of Tupelo is beneficial to all will register for door prizes offered by exbusinesses big or small,” said Karen Ged- hibitors.
die, VP of the Chamber. “It provides the
Doors to the Taste are open to the pubperfect opportunity for exhibitors to lic from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tickets are availshowcase their products and services to able for adults ages 21 or older and may
a large group of people at one time.”
be purchased for $5.
Produced by CDF, the event is in it’s
For more information about the 2013
eigth year of providing a business-to- Taste of Tupelo or to purchase a ticket,
business and business-to-consumer call
(662)
842-4521
or
visit
one-day power sale and networking www.cdfms.org/events.
‘One year we
offered $99
cardiac scoring
screens exclusively
to the expo attendees.
In the three months
following, we
performed over 400
screenings all as a
direct result of our
booth at the Taste of
Tupelo.’
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A CDF
CHAMBER CONNECTION
Chamber Focus
“It’s not what you
know, but who knows
you!”
events, like the Business
Roundtable, and large
events, like the upcoming
Taste of Tupelo Business
Expo. Our Tupelo Young
recent article
Professionals’ Lunch with
on Reuters.com
Leaders targets a particuabout the
lar group, while Business
power of business Geddie
After Hours is open to
networking included a
members and non-memcomment from a reader that
bers of all ages.
added the twist above to the old
The most successful business
adage “It’s not what you know,
network is a two-way street,
but who you know.” Of course it’s where value is added to both parmore complicated than that, but ties. Networking with other busiit makes a valid point about why ness leaders can provide
Chambers of Commerce provide opportunities to do joint vena variety of networking events.
tures with other local businesses.
By definition, networking is
We have also witnessed relationbuilding connections between
ships that provide mentoring for
individuals, and networking is
other member businesses, which
important for business for a
is also a primary focus for our
number of reasons. Whether
Ambassadors.
you're seeking out contacts that
A healthy business network is
could help grow your business or an asset that provides a wealth of
reliable sources for different serv- benefits. Your Chamber team is
ices and products, there's no bet- working to provide the ideal netter way to achieve your overall
working opportunities for you.
goal than networking.
Join us.
As a member of the CDF
Chamber, we try to offer a variety Karen Geddie
of networking opportunities for
Vice President
our members. There are small
Chamber of Commerce
A
New CDF Members
BNI United
Professionals
Ms. Teresa Baker
1018 N Gloster St., Ste. C
Tupelo, MS 38804
(662) 322-8207
www.bni.com
Organizations
ChopStick
Mr. Yueling Zheng
150 S Industrial Rd.
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 842-1688
Restaurants & Catering
Golden Crown Textile
Mr. Brian Leathers
398 E Main St., Ste. 209
Tupelo, MS 38804
(662) 213-8197
Fabrics
H & H Fabrication
Mr. Kenny Hutcheson
1022 CR 222
Blue Springs, MS 38828
(662) 534-6960
Manufacturers/
Distributors
Community Development Foundation’s
2013-2014 Board of Directors
CDF’s goals and objectives are accomplished through the efforts of members appointed to committees operating under one of CDF’s three divisions: Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development,
and Planning and Property Management.
2013-2014 Executive Committee
Mr. Chauncey Godwin, Jr., Chairman
Mr. Shane Hooper, First Vice Chairman
Ms. Lisa Hawkins, Second Vice Chairman
Mr. David Rumbarger, President/Secretary
Mr. David Copenhaver, Immediate Past Chairman
Mr. Tillmon Calvert
Mr. Scott Cochran
Mr. Clay Foster
Mr. Bryan Hawkins
Ms. Blair Hughes
Mr. Guy Mitchell III
Mr. Barry Smith
Ms. Jane Spain
Mr. Buddy Stubbs
Dr. Dick White
2013-2014 Board of Directors
Mike Armour
Bernard Bean
Jim Beane
Roger Bland
David Brevard
Mark Burleson
Bo Calhoun
Tillmon Calvert
Gary Carnathan
Grace Clark
Mike Clayborne
V.M. Cleveland
Scott Cochran
David Copenhaver
Nettie Davis
Mike Eaton
Doug Formby
Clay Foster
Chauncey Godwin, Jr.
Julianne Goodwin
Bryan Hawkins
Lisa Hawkins
Reed Hillen
Frank Hodges
Shane Hooper
Blair Hughes
Trentice Imbler
David Irwin
Jamie Kennedy
Bob Kerley
Jeff King
Gearl Loden
Neal McCoy
Robin McGraw
Larry Michael
Guy Mitchell
Ted Moll
Mabel Murphree
Mary Pace
Jim Pate
Aubrey Patterson
Jason Shelton
Darrell Rankin
Harry Rayburn
Jack Reed, Jr.
NOVEMBER 2013
Scott Reed
Eddie Richey
Drew Robertson
Ty Robinson
Chris Rogers
David Rumbarger
Barry Smith
Bobby Smith
Jane Spain
Gary Sparkman
Buddy Stubbs
Kiyoshi Tsuchiya
Jimmy Weeks
Dick White
Tollie White
Hutcheson Electric
Mr. Kenny Hutcheson
1022 CR 222
Blue Springs, MS 38828
(662) 534-6960
Electrical
JP’s
Ms. Janet Patterson
205 N Gloster St.
Tupelo, MS 38804
(662) 842-7205
Restaurants & Catering
Krispy Krunchy
Chicken
Ms. Ruth Erar
1001 Barnes Crossing Rd.
Tupelo, MS 38804
(662) 419-9933
Restaurants & Catering
Magnolia Health Plan
Ms. Sharon McAlister
272 Tishtontee Rd.
Mantachie, MS 38855
(662) 321-3842
McDonald Law
Firm, PLLC
Mr. Ned McDonald, III
111-D Town Creek Dr.
Saltillo, MS 38866
(662) 869-0011
www.mcdonaldfirm.com
Attorneys
Steele’s Restaurant,
Inc.
Mr. Jason Steele
4187 W Main St.
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 205-4345
www.steelesdive.com
Restaurants & Catering
Sallye Stewart
Event Planning
Ms. Sallye Stewart
P.O. Box 978
Tupelo, MS 38802
(662) 823-7737
Event Planning
TROVE
Ms. Rebecca Lawrence
1725 McCullough Blvd.
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 269-3197
Retail & Specialty Shops
Simply Southern
Sisters
Ms. Vickie Ramirez
1336 CR 180
Blue Springs, MS 38828
(662) 316-2656
Restaurants & Catering
Tupelo Cab
Mr. Malcomb Driskill
813 Varsity Dr., Ste. 9
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 871-5039
Transportation
www.magnoliahealthplan.com
Insurance
2013-2014 Ambassadors Club
Don Arthur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mutual of Omaha
Jesse Bandre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exceed Technologies
Betty Baxter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bishop's BBQ Grill
Belinda Brooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heartland Payment Systems N MS
Stephanie Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hampton Inn & Suites Tupelo/Barnes Crossing
Cindy Childs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mall at Barnes Crossing
Matt Conway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gum Tree Mortgage
Shirley Curry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crye-Leike, Realtors
Sheila Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PPI, Inc.
Barbara Doles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trustmark National Bank
Demetria Donelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hannahouse ADC
Becki Duffie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly Services
Romanda Fears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hampton Inn & Suites Tupelo/Barnes Crossing
M. O. Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Water Depot of Tupelo
Toby Hedges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shelter Insurance
Jim Jolly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Dana Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crye-Leike, Realtors
Bea Luckett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRI, Inc. Realtors
Brad McCully. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sportsman Lawn & Landscape
Katie McMillan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Key Staff Source
Holley Meriweather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Bank
Leigh Monroe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Main Street Family Dentistry
Carolyn Moss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quality Inn
Ricky Orr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Renasant Bank
Allen Pegues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Premium Productions
Mendy Ramey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Renasant Bank
Torrie Robertson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scruggs Lawn Care
Connie Snell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Beginnings
Mary Sue Tudor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lamar Advertising
Lisa Wadley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sylvan Learning Center
Ross Weems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BancorpSouth
Stephanie West. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Best Western Plus
Grady Wigginton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Legal Shield - Grady Wigginton & Associates
June Wigginton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Legal Shield - Grady Wigginton & Associates
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PAGE 10
PAGE 11
Local Students Participate in BEST Robotics Competition
Twenty-four
high
school student teams presented their robot creations October 18-19
during the 2013 Mississippi Boosting Engineering,
Science,
and
Technology
Robotics
(BEST) competition in
Starkville, Miss.
Mississippi BEST is designed to inspire creativity
in high school and middle
school students who have
an interest in the engineering, science, and
technology.
This year’s “Gatekeeper”
theme focused on the fabrication of a central processing unit (CPU), with
students competing to
create the newest and
fastest option.
Teams were given six
weeks to design and build
a remote-controlled robot
from the raw materials
provided. The final product must complete a specific task. During the
competition each team
Saltillo High School
Tupelo High School
Tupelo and Saltillo High School students competed in the 2013 Mississippi Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology Robotics (BEST)
competition held October 18-19 in Starkville. It was both schools first year to enter the competition each advancing to the semi-finals. Tupelo
High was awarded 3rd place in the overall BEST competition.
was judged on a marketing presentation, a vendor/sales booth, spirit,
sportsmanship, engineering skills, a technical
notebook, and robot per-
formance.
The contest is free for
students and schools to
enter. A non-profit organization operated by volunteer groups, BEST is
designed to motivate students to think critically
and compete at the highest level by introducing
real situations encouraging them to work together
DEEP SOUTH CHARM – SCHOOL OF ETIQUETTE
In celebration of its grand opening, Deep South Charm – School of Etiquette held a ribbon cutting. Deep South Charm provides classes to inform children, adults, and businesses how good manners lead to success. Deep South Charm can be contacted at
(662) 587-7500.
Wake Up! Tupelo/Lee County
Friday, December 6
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
BancorpSouth Conference Center
$12 Pre-registration
$15 at the door
Register at www.cdfms.org/events
to deliver the best solutions.
The winning teams
from the Mississippi BEST
competition will travel to
Auburn University to
compete in the South regional competition December 7-8.
For more regarding the
competition, visit
www.msbest.msstate.edu.
ESTES GARAGE
Estes Garage recently held a ribbon cutting in celebration of its annual Customer
Appreciation Day. Estes Garage is a family owned business delivering honest
and professional auto repair and maintenance services to customers of the Tupelo and surrounding areas. Located at 5315 Purnell Rd. in Belden, Estes Garage
also held a cookout and door-prize giveaways. They can be contacted at
(662) 842–2696 or on the web at www.estesgarage.net.
AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH
Ross Weems, Commercial Loan Officer
at BancorpSouth,
was named Ambassador of the Month
for September. Ross
attended 13 events,
mentored three CDF
members, and volunteered at Down on
Main. Congratulations, Ross!
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2013
CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2013
KRISPY KRUNCHY CHICKEN
LOLLIPOP BOUTIQUE
Krispy Krunchy Chicken at the Mall at Barnes Crossing held a ribbon cutting to celebrate its grand opening. Krispy Krunchy Chicken features Cajun-style signature
dishes of tenders, jambalaya, catfish, and honey butter biscuits, as well as freshly
prepared Mediterranean cuisine. They can be contacted at (662) 419-9933 and are located at 1001 Barnes Crossing Rd. in Tupelo inside the food court at the Mall at
Barnes Crossing.
In celebration of its grand opening, Lollipop Boutique held a ribbon cutting. Lollipop
Boutique is a children’s consignment shop carrying name brand, boutique, and trunk
show children's clothes and shoes. They are located at 2301 W Main St., Ste. F in
Tupelo and can be contacted at (662) 350-3238 or online at
www.lollipoptupelo.com.
CDF WOMEN’S EVENT
The Community Development
Foundation recently held its
annual Women’s Event. Designed to offer networking
and educational opportunities
for female project managers
in the region, this year’s event
included a tour of the Toyota
Motor Manufacturing plant as
well as a seminar on Japanese business etiquette.
Does your business have
exciting news to share?
Contact Mallory Rutledge
at mrutledge@cdfms.org
or (662) 842-4521
to have it published in CDF’s
monthly e-newsletter,
Chamber Connection 2.0.
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PAGE 12
PAGE 13
HUT NO. 8
Hut no. 8 held a ribbon cutting to celebrate its grand opening in the Barnes Crossing Shopping Center. Hut no. 8 buys and sells brand name clothes, shoes, and accessories for teens and young adults. They are located at 4376 Mall Dr. in Tupelo and
can be contacted at (662) 350-3437 or on the web at www.hutno8.com.
THOMAS STREET COFFEE CO.
AVAILABLE
To celebrate its grand opening, Thomas Street Coffee Co. held a ribbon cutting. A division of the American Family Association, Thomas Street Coffee Co. roasts premium
coffee blends from around the world whose sales contribute to numerous evangelistic efforts. They are located at 161 S Coley Rd. in Tupelo and can be contacted at
(662) 401-5797 or on the web at www.thomasstreetcoffee.com.
FLOWERDALE MARKETPLACE
103 TRIANGLE STREET
TUPELO, MS 38804
ELOW
S ARE B UES
E
C
I
R
P
G
AL
OFFERIN RD MARKET V
A
STAND
• 188,835 SQUARE FEET
• INDUSTRIAL BUILDING
• LOT SIZE: 6 ACRES
Inquiries can come by:
• www.huntergroupms.com
• Call (662) 841-1557
• MLS# 13-2780
• www.Loopnet.com
ID 18377164 For Sale Information
• www.Loopnet.com
ID 18377182 For Lease Information
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
• 78,000 square feet +
Manufacturing facility for sale
• 635,000 Warehouse / Manufacturing /
Office Space on Harper Road, Corinth, Miss,
266 Meadowbrook Drive, Hickory Flat, Miss
AVAILABLE FOR SALE OR LEASE!
• 1.5+/- Acre CORNER LOT at Old Belden
• 29 ACRE PRIME located at
McCullough Blvd and I-22. Will build to suit!
Circle and McCullough Blvd., Tupelo, MS
JAMES R. HUNTER 662-841-1557
A ribbon cutting was held to celebrate the grand opening of Flowerdale MarketPlace.
Specializing in unique antiques, home furnishings, gifts, original art, and vintage silver, Flowerdale is located at 146 S Industrial Rd. in Tupelo and can be contacted at
(662) 840-8842 or at www.flowerdalemarketplaceandcafe.com.
www.huntergroupms.com
1547 MCCULLOUGH BLVD • TUPELO, MS 38804
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2013
CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2013
BAR-B-Q BY JIM
CHASE COMPUTER SERVICES
Bar-B-Q by Jim Smokehouse & Grill held a ribbon cutting to celebrate 20 years in
business and the launch of their new dinner menu. Offering a variety of Bar-B-Q
menu items, their new dinner menu also features pork and beef ribeyes and catfish,
among other items. Bar-B-Q by Jim is located at 203 Commerce St., and can be
contacted at (662) 840-8800.
In celebration of its first year in the Renasant Center for IDEAs, Chase Computer Services held a ribbon cutting. Chase Computer Services is a full service web and software development company. Located in the Renasant Center for IDEAs at 398 E
Main St., Ste. 217, Chase Computer Services can be contacted at (662) 655-2019 or
on the web at www.chasecomputerservices.com.
SWIRLZ
A ribbon cutting was held at Swirlz in Downtown Tupelo to celebrate five years in
business and its new location. Swirlz, an invitation printing business that also offers gifts and monograming services, is now open at its new location at 130 W
Main St. in Tupelo. Contact Swirlz at (662) 791-7822 or at www.swirlzonline.com
Join us for Business After Hours
featuring the Budweiser
Clydesdales!
Thursday, December 12 || 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Mitchell Distributing Warehouse
545 Commerce Street || Tupelo
Free for CDF members || $5 for non-members
Register online at www.cdfms.org/events
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PAGE 14
PAGE 15
LOCAL MOBILE
FISH LIPS WINE & SPIRITS
To celebrate its grand opening, local MOBILE held a ribbon cutting. Tupelo's first
food truck, local MOBILE serves sliders, po’boys, and a truck cooked special, all
made with fresh, local ingredients. Follow local MOBILE on twitter or “like” them on
Facebook for their daily location. They can be contacted at (615) 337-2660 and are
available for catering.
Fish Lips Wine & Spirits held a ribbon cutting to celebrate its grand opening. Explore new wine and spirits in a friendly atmosphere at Fish Lips, located at 119A
City Market Dr. in Saltillo. They can be contacted at (662) 869-3646.
UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS
Join us in support of our Chamber members!
BNI United
Professionals
Wednesday, November 6
9:45 a.m.
Renasant Center
for IDEAs Lobby
398 E Main St.
Dharma Wellness
Wednesday, November 6
3:00 p.m.
Renasant Center
for IDEAs Lobby
398 E Main St.
TROVE
Thursday, November 7
2:00 p.m.
1725 McCullough Blvd.
Crye-Leike Realtors
Thursday, November 7
4:00 p.m.
1289 N Gloster St., Ste. A
Vista Ridge Apartments
Friday, November 8
10:00 a.m.
699 Nation Hills Dr.
JP’s
Friday, November 8
3:00 p.m.
205 N Gloster St.
Tupelo Cab
Monday, November 11
4:00 p.m.
813 Varsity Dr., Ste. 9
ChopStick
Tuesday, November 12
10:45 a.m.
150 S Industrial Rd.
Scruggs Lawn Care
Wednesday, November 13
4:00 p.m.
CDF Parking Lot
398 E Main St.
Hampton Inn
Thursday, November 14
4:00 p.m.
1516 McCullough Blvd.
Charlie’s Catfish
Friday, November 15
11:00 a.m.
2299 Hwy 145
Saltillo
Caron Gallery
Thursday, November 21
4:30 p.m.
128 W Main St.
Bishop’s BBQ
Friday, November 22
10:00 a.m.
3018 McCullough Blvd.
The Byrne CPA Firm
Thursday, January 9
3:00 p.m.
343 E Main St., Ste. B1
McDonald Law Firm
Tuesday, November 19
9:00 a.m.
111-D Town Creek Dr.
Saltillo
Are you interested in promoting your business with a ribbon cutting?
Contact Emily Addison at (662) 842-4521
or eaddison@cdfms.org.
Business
Roundtable
Wednesday, November 20
4:00 p.m.
398 E Main St.
CDF Center
CDF Boardroom
For more information or to appear on the agenda,
contact Karen Geddie at (662) 842-4521
or kgeddie@cdfms.org.
Business
Boxed
Lunch
& Learn
“Tax Avalanche in 2014”
Sponsored by
Watkins Uiberall, PLLC
Tuesday, November 19
11:45 – 1:00 p.m.
CDF Boardroom
This event is free to attend.
Lunch provided by Watkins Uiberall, PLLC.
Register online at www.cdfms.org/events
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2013
CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2013
Chamber Member Sponsors Local Business’
Chamber of Commerce Membership
Through the Community Development Foundation’s (CDF)
new “Pay it Forward” initiative,
community members are supporting Tupelo/Lee County’s
business community by sponsoring a one-year membership to
CDF’s Chamber of Commerce for
local businesses. Sponsors hope
to assist the business’ growth
through the benefits provided by
being a Chamber member.
For Lisa Hawkins, the latest
Pay it Forward contributor, sponsoring a one-year membership
for Dustin Parker, owner of AdHouse Agency, was a no-brainer:
“The Chamber of Commerce is
an excellent resource for all businesses whether new in town, established, small, or large. The
Chamber provides multiple
channels for brand awareness,
networking opportunities, and
helpful educational seminars.
Being a member of the Chamber
myself has really made a difference in helping expand my business visibility, growth, and
development in the area and I
know it will do the same for AdHouse Agency.”
With a Chamber membership,
Dustin Parker is able to take advantage of numerous benefits
provided to its members such as
valuable professional development seminars, networking opportunities, and promotional
tools and resources.
"When I first opened AdHouse,
I was looking for ways to market
my business and expand my professional network. When Lisa
Hawkins sponsored my CDF
membership, I was given the
chance to do both. Having the
support of another business
owner is encouraging and reminds me of why I have chosen
Tupelo as the town in which I do
business.”
“In the three months we have
offered this program, we’ve already had great response. It’s always exciting to see our business
community support one another.
We are all working for the same
cause – the betterment of Tupelo
and Lee County,” said Emily Addison, Director of Membership
Development for CDF.
With nearly 1,200 members,
the CDF Chamber of Commerce
works diligently to help local
businesses grow by working as an
additional business partner and
serving as an additional voice in
the economic growth of
Tupelo/Lee County. As a division
of CDF, the Chamber provides
business development seminars,
networking opportunities, community leadership classes, publicity for your business, and
much more.
For more information about
AdHouse Agency, call (662)
315–8709 or visit
www.adhouseagency.com.
To support your favorite small
business and give back to your
community with the valuable gift
of a one-year CDF membership,
contact Emily Addison
at eaddison@cdfms.org
or call (662) 842 – 4521.
Dustin Parker, owner of AdHouse Agency in Tupelo, discusses the
benefits provided through the Community Development Foundation’s (CDF) new “Pay it Forward” initiative, in which community
members support Tupelo/Lee County’s business community by
sponsoring a one-year membership to CDF’s Chamber of Commerce for another local business. Sponsors hope to assist the business’ growth through the benefits provided by being a Chamber
member.
JIM INGRAM CLI CLASS OF 2015
Lunch with Leaders
Thursday, November 14
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
398 E Main St. || CDF Center || CDF Boardroom
This event is free to attend. Lunch is provided. Space is limited.
Register online at www.cdfms.org/events.
Interested in starting a business? Let the Renasant Center for IDEAs
and the MS Small Business Development Center help you get started.
The Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute (CLI) class of 2015 held its opening
dinner at the Elvis Presley Birthplace September 24. Created by the Community Development and CREATE Foundations, CLI is a two-year leadership program that enhances the development of community leadership, in addition to increasing personal
and professional growth. The program entails one year of instruction and training and
one year of community leadership re-investment. Pictured from L-R: (seated) Rhonda
Chrestman, Amanda Angle, Rhonda Goss, Anita Knowles, Reta Doughty, Tammy
Rodgers, Melony Armstrong, Mary Ann Plansencia, (standing) Jay Richer, Charlie
White, Jimmy Weeks, Louis Marascalco, Greg Thames, Ben Beavers, Wesley Webb,
Allie West, Robby Parham, Lane McClellan, Steven Blaylock, Jesse Bandre, Shelly
McKee, and Gerald Patterson. Not pictured: Tommy Abney.
‘How to Develop a
Business Plan’
November 5
1:00pm – 2:30pm
‘Starting a Business –
First Steps’
November 14
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
‘Business Issues –
Disaster Recovery’
November 12
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
November 21
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
To register for a workshop or for more information, contact Charles Killebrew
at 1-800-725-7232 or umsbdc3@olemiss.edu.
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PAGE 16
CHAMBER CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2013
Chamber Member Sponsors Local Business’
Chamber of Commerce Membership
Through the Community Development Foundation’s (CDF)
new “Pay it Forward” initiative,
community members are supporting Tupelo/Lee County’s
business community by sponsoring a one-year membership to
CDF’s Chamber of Commerce for
local businesses. Sponsors hope
to assist the business’ growth
through the benefits provided by
being a Chamber member.
For Lisa Hawkins, the latest
Pay it Forward contributor, sponsoring a one-year membership
for Dustin Parker, owner of AdHouse Agency, was a no-brainer:
“The Chamber of Commerce is
an excellent resource for all businesses whether new in town, established, small, or large. The
Chamber provides multiple
channels for brand awareness,
networking opportunities, and
helpful educational seminars.
Being a member of the Chamber
myself has really made a difference in helping expand my business visibility, growth, and
development in the area and I
know it will do the same for AdHouse Agency.”
With a Chamber membership,
Dustin Parker is able to take advantage of numerous benefits
provided to its members such as
valuable professional development seminars, networking opportunities, and promotional
tools and resources.
"When I first opened AdHouse,
I was looking for ways to market
my business and expand my professional network. When Lisa
Hawkins sponsored my CDF
membership, I was given the
chance to do both. Having the
support of another business
owner is encouraging and reminds me of why I have chosen
Tupelo as the town in which I do
business.”
“In the three months we have
offered this program, we’ve already had great response. It’s always exciting to see our business
community support one another.
We are all working for the same
cause – the betterment of Tupelo
and Lee County,” said Emily Addison, Director of Membership
Development for CDF.
With nearly 1,200 members,
the CDF Chamber of Commerce
works diligently to help local
businesses grow by working as an
additional business partner and
serving as an additional voice in
the economic growth of
Tupelo/Lee County. As a division
of CDF, the Chamber provides
business development seminars,
networking opportunities, community leadership classes, publicity for your business, and
much more.
For more information about
AdHouse Agency, call (662)
315–8709 or visit
www.adhouseagency.com.
To support your favorite small
business and give back to your
community with the valuable gift
of a one-year CDF membership,
contact Emily Addison
at eaddison@cdfms.org
or call (662) 842 – 4521.
Dustin Parker, owner of AdHouse Agency in Tupelo, discusses the
benefits provided through the Community Development Foundation’s (CDF) new “Pay it Forward” initiative, in which community
members support Tupelo/Lee County’s business community by
sponsoring a one-year membership to CDF’s Chamber of Commerce for another local business. Sponsors hope to assist the business’ growth through the benefits provided by being a Chamber
member.
JIM INGRAM CLI CLASS OF 2015
Lunch with Leaders
Thursday, November 14
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
398 E Main St. || CDF Center || CDF Boardroom
This event is free to attend. Lunch is provided. Space is limited.
Register online at www.cdfms.org/events.
Interested in starting a business? Let the Renasant Center for IDEAs
and the MS Small Business Development Center help you get started.
The Jim Ingram Community Leadership Institute (CLI) class of 2015 held its opening
dinner at the Elvis Presley Birthplace September 24. Created by the Community Development and CREATE Foundations, CLI is a two-year leadership program that enhances the development of community leadership, in addition to increasing personal
and professional growth. The program entails one year of instruction and training and
one year of community leadership re-investment. Pictured from L-R: (seated) Rhonda
Chrestman, Amanda Angle, Rhonda Goss, Anita Knowles, Reta Doughty, Tammy
Rodgers, Melony Armstrong, Mary Ann Plansencia, (standing) Jay Richer, Charlie
White, Jimmy Weeks, Louis Marascalco, Greg Thames, Ben Beavers, Wesley Webb,
Allie West, Robby Parham, Lane McClellan, Steven Blaylock, Jesse Bandre, Shelly
McKee, and Gerald Patterson. Not pictured: Tommy Abney.
‘How to Develop a
Business Plan’
November 5
1:00pm – 2:30pm
‘Starting a Business –
First Steps’
November 14
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
‘Business Issues –
Disaster Recovery’
November 12
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
November 21
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
To register for a workshop or for more information, contact Charles Killebrew
at 1-800-725-7232 or umsbdc3@olemiss.edu.
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PAGE 16
PAGE 17
Right niche key to successful downtowns
BY ALAN J. HEAVENS
MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
It’s the “Main Street” approach to revitalizing older
towns and city neighborhoods. “Main Street,” as in
Manayunk, Penn., where a
postindustrial resurgence in
the 1990s created a vibrant
dining, club, and retail scene
that’s still a draw today.
Pick a walkable community and it has traveled a
similar road back from the
commercial abyss into
which shopping malls
drove many a downtown
district. Restaurants, special events, festivals, and
resurrected movie palaces
lure visitors, who often become residents, attracted
by relatively affordable
homes and easy access to
public transit.
But it’s the third side of
this revitalization triangle –
retail – that often proves the
toughest to build, local real
estate and community-development observers say.
What works in one town
doesn’t necessarily work in
another. And what used to
work doesn’t necessarily
work now.
What does offer promise
time and again, these observers say, is finding the
right retail niche to fill.
On East Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia,
a
restaurant
renaissance has “changed
the dynamics” of neighborhood retail, resulting in a
commercial vacancy rate of
just about 4 percent, said
Sam Sherman, executive
director of the Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corp.
“The older retail shops
catered to the day trade,
but the new shops are focusing on the ‘working couple demo’ ” who come
either for dinner or drinks
when they leave work,
Sherman said. The new retailers stay open in the
evenings, to capture the
growing after-dark crowd.
The retail spaces there are
not big, he said – 1,000
square feet or less – but they
draw “high-quality shops.”
“They don’t need much
MCT
East Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia has found the stores to complement its
restaurant boom.
because they aren’t going
up against chains, and they
know how to do social
media, so the Internet is as
important as a physical
presence,” he said.
Investment-grade retail
is driven by traffic counts
“Serving North Mississippi Since 1949”
Residential • Commercial • Industrial
B&B CONCRETE
CO., INC.
email@bbconcrete.com
© JPC - 2013
130 N. Industrial Rd. • Tupelo, MS 38802
842-6312 • Dispatch: 842-6313 • Fax: 842-6327
and household incomes,
said Spencer Yablon, regional manager and vice
president for real estate investment services firm
Marcus & Millichap in
Philadelphia. The big
names locate where park-
ing is plentiful and free,
where square footage is unlimited, and where other
retailers already have succeeded, Yablon said.
“The national retailers
can’t step outside this box,”
he said.
It’s often difficult for
those responsible for nurturing business districts
to figure out what else
consumers might be looking for, said Danielle Redden, executive director of
Lansdowne Future, the
borough’s economic-development arm.
To find out, her organization surveyed some of the
thousands of area residents
who frequent Lansdowne’s
downtown farmers’ market
each Saturday.
A possibility the survey
revealed: “some arts and
crafts-based” businesses,
Redden said. “The crafters
who have booths at the
farmers’ market do really
well, so that kind of retailer
might work well.”
To encourage niche retail, it has to be easy for
such businesses to set up
shop, and for rents to be affordable. The “niche” part
of the equation is the products or services these retailers offer, and each store
typically depends on the
others to generate traffic.
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2013
BUSINESS JOURNAL
Cofer
peripheral development
take place. So it’s a project
for additional retail development. But again, for a
FROM PAGE 7
smaller community, it’s reQ. SO ARE INCENTIVES
ally hard to go to your
GOOD OR BAD in the retail
local retailers, your momindustry?
and-pops, your independA. I’M NOT A FAN. It’s hard ent retailers and say, “we’re
to offer incentives to a
going to incentivize Lowe’s
company to come in when or Home Depot or
you’re going to compete
whomever to compete
with local businesses that
with you.”
have been there for 10, 15,
Q. RETAIL HAS CHANGED
20 years that you haven’t
DRAMATICALLY over the
incentivized.
past few years, particularly
I’m not a fan, but I’ve
with the online experilearned to accept it’s part
ence. How does that affect
of the game.
what you do in recruiting
I can agree with incenretailers and getting bricktives if they’re part of a cat- and-mortar locations
alyst project, in a
built?
community where you can
A.INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH,
bring in a retailer, incenit really provides us more
tivize them, then take a
opportunities for our
step back and watch the
client communities.
What’s happening is that
the online effect is causing
retailers to shrink their
brick-and-mortar footprints, and when you do
that, you shrink your investment dollars to go into
markets. So now, that
opens up opportunities to
go into markets they
would not have considered before.
The online pressure is
incredible on retailers Best
Buy, Staples, Office Max,
Office Depot. … all of
them are shrinking their
footprints and only carrying what flies off the
shelves. And they’re directing them in-store to online
purchasing. They’ll say
we’ll get that to your home
or business the next day,
trying to make it as painless as possible. Amazon
NOVEMBER 2013
has totally changed the
game, no doubt about it.
Q. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE
for communities and economic development organizations seeking to
land retailers?
A. WE REALLY SAY the
foundational tool a community needs is they need
to realize who they are.
They need to know what
their retail trade area is.
That’s simply the boundary lines of how far shoppers are driving in to shop
in your community. It’s not
a circle, it’s not a
drive=time. It’s always an
irregularly shaped polygon
based on road systems as
well as competition from
other communities.
A lot of communities
make the mistake of selling themselves as a popu-
lation and asking “are you
interested in our community?”
I can tell you, if someone isn’t familiar with Tupelo, the problem is, No. 1,
you’re in Mississippi with a
population of 35,000.
That’s not large enough.
Well, the story to be told
is the retail trade area is
200,000 or 300,000 or
whatever. Then you have
something to sell. So determine what your trade
area population is and sell
yourself that way and not
just as a population. If not,
you’re limiting yourself.
Q. AND THAT GOES FOR ANY
COMMUNITY no matter the
size.
A. ABSOLUTELY. We’ve
worked with communities
with 2,500 people with
trade areas of up to 40,000
|
Midtown
FROM PAGE 2
have ties with tenants of
Midtown Pointe.
EARLY CHALLENGE
While the business partners’ originally planned to
renovate the entire complex
over the next five years or so,
their plans were scrambled
not long after they bought it
in June of last year.
Less than a month later,
a severe storm dumped
several inches of rain in the
area.
And that’s when the new
owners discovered they
needed to accelerate their
renovation plans.
95
“There wasn’t a single
tenant that didn’t have a
leak of some kind,” said
Chris MIlls.
A roofing company was
already at work replacing
the most critical areas of
the 18-year-old roof.
“Then the rain came and
we had to redo the whole
roof at one time, instead of
spreading out the work as
we had planned,” Mills.
“We’re very blessed to be
where we are,” he added.
“When the rain hit our roof,
we weren’t sure it we’d still
be around.”
After that rough start, the
owners were able to resume giving makeovers to
the exterior of the building
and the landscaping.
To date, not including
% Shopping
of smart phone
users search for
local info on
their mobile
phones.
Is your
website
mobilefriendly?
http://thrive.ms
FROM PAGE 5
gifts. The RetailMeNot/
Ipsos survey revealed that
more than one-fifth (22
percent) of holiday shoppers in the U.S. tend to
buy products all yearround to spread out the
cost.
And while Black Friday
is big in the states, it isn’t
so elsewhere. For example, 47 percent of shoppers in Sweden and 40
percent in the Netherlands are more likely than
others to wait until December–
but
before
Christmas – to start their
shopping. And nearly 1 in
5 (18 percent) shoppers in
Italy are planning to shop
in December immediately
the purchase of the building, they’ve spent more
than $2 million on the improvements.
With
more
work
planned, that figure will
grow. But it is an investment that will pay dividends down the road.
“A large part of the vision
we had is creating a community that all the tenants
can be part of,” Koehn said.
Said Hicks, “We’ve got
CPAs, IT staff, billing,
shredding services, ad
agencies all at your fingertips under one roof . ... and
it should be noted that this
is all being done by local
entrepreneurs, not some
outside group.”
dennis.seid@journalinc.com
after the holidays. That
compares to the average
of 5 percent for all countries surveyed.
Among all countries
surveyed, 84 percent of
holiday shoppers plan to
do at least some of their
holiday shopping online,
with 21 percent planningto do the majority of
their shopping online.
Online shopping is particularly prevalent in China
(99 percent), Great Britain
(95 percent), Germany (94
percent) and India (93
percent). But on the flip
side, those in the Netherlands (69 percent), Italy
(71 percent) and Canada
(73 percent) are among
the least likely to shop online at all this holiday season.
dennis.seid@journalinc.com
Ashley Furniture adds
Ripley support facility
RIPLEY – Ashley Furniture Industries, which employs about 3,000 people
in Northeast Mississippi, is
buying an expandable
260,000-square-foot building in Ripley to supplement its existing
manufacturing operations.
The building is the former Albany Industries
plant. Terms of the deal
were not disclosed.
The company= has
manufacturing plants in
Ecru and Ripley and
bought a 275,000-squarefoot building in Verona
earlier this year.
Ashley said the latest
move is part of its $116
million reinvestment plan
for 2013. Ashley said in the
past six weeks, it has
added 749 new employees,
and has additional opportunities available at its facilities.
people. The key is having
an accurate trade area.
One of the biggest
things we have to deal
with managing the expectations of our clients.
Everybody wants a Target,
Kohl’s, a Chili’s. But you really have to educate them
up front. We determine
what your potential is.
Then we fit the retailers to
your market. You can’t determine the retailers you
want and then go after
them. You can have a wish
list, but you have to qualify
that with our analysis of
who you are, what your
demographic profile is,
what your income threshold is, how much disposable income you have,
then we can match that
with the retailers who can
come to your community.
BUSINESS REWIND
is creating 38 new jobs.
American Land and
Timber began operating in
Prentiss County in 1984.
The company produces
hardwood and pine lumber for domestic and foreign markets, as well as
pallet materials and
crossties.
Franklin named to
furniture hall of fame
HOUSTON – Hassell H.
Franklin, the founder,
chairman and CEO of
Franklin Corp., was among
three industry leaders inducted into the American
Furniture Hall of Fame.
Franklin was inducted
along with John D. Bassett
III, chairman of VaughanBassett Furniture; and Eugene Rosenberg, a founder
of Bob’s Discount Furniture and Planned Furniture Promotion.
The trio joined 91 other
Hall of Fame members
during the American FurMaple Land and Timber niture Hall of Fame Foun25th anniversary
expanding, adding jobs dation’s
banquet last month in
BALDWYN – Maple
High Point, N.C.
Land and Timber has anFranklin launched his
nounced the company is
Houston-based small,
expanding its operation lo- family-owned business in
cated near Baldwyn.
1970. It is among the
The plant, which operlargest privately owned
ates as American Land and U.S. furniture manufacturTimber, will produce lum- ers with more than 1,300
ber for export to overseas
employees.
markets. The expansion
includes the addition of a
Pizza Doctor gets
new sawmill and the connew owner, name
struction of a 20,000square-foot facility. The
TUPELO – Pizza Doctor
project is a $1.95 million
is officially no more, but
corporate investment and the original recipes, plus
|
some new ones, are available in the same location
in the Food Court at
Gloster Creek Professional
Medical Mall.
The restaurant is now
called Sweet Tomato Pizza
Kitchen, and the owner is
Ben Burt. He bought Pizza
Doctor in early October.
Burt said the employees
are still the same, but the
menu is being tweaked,
with pasta and other pizzas being added. Delivery
also is available.
The restaurant opens at
10:30 a.m. The phone
number is (662) 844-2600.
Cooper Tire celebrates
325 millionth tire
TUPELO – Employees at
Cooper Tire and Rubber
Co.’s plant on South Green
Street recently produced
its 325 millionth tire.
But the premium touring tire that rolled off the
line won’t be sold and
placed on somebody’s car.
Instead, it now sits in the
plant training room.
The plant produced its
first tire on Dec. 1, 1984.
It once was a production plant for the now-defunct Pennsylvania Tire
Co., but had been vacant
for five years before
Cooper acquired the facility three decades ago.
When the plant opened,
it covered 600,000 square
feet. It has nearly tripled in
size.
The Tupelo plant produced its 250 millionth tire
during its 20th anniversary celebration in 2004.
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PAGE 18
PAGE 19
Business Directory
Antiques/Auctions
Bank
Automotive Commercial Vehicles
Your 5-Star,
A Rated Bank
by Bauer Financial and Weiss Ratings
Whether you’re hauling or delivering...Call
We take care of your money.
DWAYNE BLACKMON CHEVROLET
We take care of you.
for your commercial vehicle needs!
1410 SOUTH GLOSTER / TUPELO / 842-3611
Apartments Homes
Bank
Automotive Commercial Vehicles
Barley Court Apartments
1608 S. GLOSTER
TUPELO
Accepting applications for
1, 2, 3, & 4 bedroom
Call Robin Barnett today!
Affordable Housing
662-841-8743
rbarnett@trustmark.com
840 Barley Court • Tupelo, MS 38801
662-566-2553
M-F 9am - 12pm • 1 pm - 5 pm
Office Manager: Melissa Phelps
Apartments Homes
Affordable Luxury
Apartment Homes
1, 2 & 3 Bedroom
111 Grand Ole Oaks Drive
Belden, MS 38826
Carey Wilson Manager
office: 662.823.1470 • fax: 662.823.1474 • cell:662.231.7508
THE FAST LANE FOR SMALL BUSINESS
CALL JIM BROWN 662.231.2392
Ratliff Body
and Glass
365-8245
431 W Main
Suite 201
Jamie Osbirn
Ron Roper
Leslie Stacy
www.GrandOleOaks.com
Apartments Homes
Automotive Services
Now Accepting Applicants
for 1,2,3,4 bedroom apartments.
RICK’S CHASSIS WORKS
Foreign - Domestic
• Insurance Claims Welcome
• Free Estimates
• Body & Paint Repair
These units are subsidized through
HUD and are based on income.
320 Monument #106 • Tupelo, MS
Office Hours: M-F 9am-5pm
842-4267 or TTY711
or 1-800-582-2233 for the hearing impaired
“We Specialize
in Frame Work”
1875 Nelle St. Tupelo, MS
844-0260
DILLARD RICHARDSON
Realty & Appraisals
State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser ~ MS License #RA-830
“Appraising Properties Since 1997”
fanb.net
Member
FDIC
Bank Of Okolona
Okolona
Houston Banking Center
P.O. Box 306
321 W. Madison St.
Okolona, Mississippi 38860
Houston, Mississippi
(662) 447-5403
(662) 456-3347
Equal Housing
LENDER
Blinds
Budget
Blinds
a style for every point of view
Budget Blinds of Tupelo
FREE
In-Home
Consultation
Shutters, Wood Blinds,
Draperies and more!
Tupelo: 662.823.6455
Oxford: 662.281.0586
cell: 662.380.0958
fax: 662.281.0585
rlloomis@budgetblinds.com
www.budgetblinds.com
An Independently Owned and Operated Franchise
Rex & Diannah Coggins,
Owners
1359 CR 811 Saltillo, MS 38866
email rdillardrealty@bellsouth.net
Veterans Blvd. just north of Highway 78
www.dillardrichardson.com
662.844.3419
Building Supplies
Bank
Appraisals & Realty
Bus. (662) 842-6531 Cell (662) 231-2784
Fax (662) 841-1104
Tupelo Lending Office
Body Repair • Auto Glass •Insurance Claims
“You pay the premiums, you choose the shop.”
www.ratliffbodyandglass.com
HILLDALE APARTMENTS
Bank
Automotive Services
Bank of Mantee
54 1st Street
Mantee, Mississippi
(662) 456-5341
www.bankofokolona.com
Ph: (662) 365-7021
N H A R Fax: (662) 365-8902
Y
DW
&
DW
AR
L
SUPPLY, INC.
E
BA
• Full Service
• Hardware
• Building Supplies
• Plumbing
• Hydraulic Hoses
• Electrical
• Glass
• Valspar Paints
• Welding Supplies
• Portable Carports
1187 North 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS 38824
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2013
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2013
Business Directory
Building Supplies
Computer Sales & Services
Lumbe
ville
e
n
o
o
r
B
Company
Full Line of Lumber, Hardware,
Plumbing and Electrical Supplies
2300 E. Chambers Dr. • Booneville • 728-0094
Booneville Hardware & Supply
403 Church St. • Booneville • 728-0032
"For all your hardware needs"
CONTRACT
COMPUTER
SERVICES
• Custom Built Systems w/ 3 Year Warranty
• Printer Sales & Service • Custom Software Packages
System • POS System
We take care of all types of back injuries
including Work & Car Accidents!
New Patients Welcome
Most Insurances Accepted
2087 Cliff Gookin Blvd. • Tupelo, MS
Dr. Ron Herndon
842-8413
589 N. Coley Rd.
Tupelo, MS
www.contractcomputer.com
109 Desert Cove • Saltillo, MS
662-869-3250
Great Employment Opportunities
Concrete
Foundation Repair & Problem Flooring
Chiropractic
IN PAIN?
HERNDON
CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC
Employment Opportunities
Castillo Concrete
Construction, LLC
• Driveways • Sidewalks
• Concrete Walls • House
Slabs
15 Years Experience
Call for FREE Estimate
662-586-8409
Collision Repair
All
types of floor and slab footing problems.
• Concrete Bell Bottom Pier System
• Helical Steel Pier System
• Conventional Flooring Leveling
• Sill, Joist and Beam Repairs
• Totally Rebuild Floor Foundation
• Wood Floor Deterioration mold, mildew, fungi, dry rot, brown rot - wet rot
• Specializing in Bathroom Repair
• Moisture Proofing
Airvents - improper ventilation
& additional foundation vents
Force Air Blower fans, (increase circulation)
Roger Rakestraw
1-877-288-7395
662-534-6698
Furniture
Concrete
We’ve got all your
home furnishings
24 Hour Wrecker Service
◆ Junior Burns - Cell 662-728-0524
◆ David Denson - Cell 662-416-5591
100 W. Veterans Drive • Booneville, MS 38829
Phone 662-728-4459 • Fax (662) 728-4150
at affordable prices.
401 Elizabeth St. • Tupelo
662-842-7305
7540 Veterans Hwy. West • Pontotoc, MS 38863
Contractors
Gifts
Commercial Cleaning Services
SS & G Contractors
Saltillo, MS • 869-0052
224 Starlyn Ave. New Albany, MS 38652
662-534-4448
Commercial Plumbing
RH PLUMBING, INC.
Commercial Plumbing, Gas & Industrial Piping
RICHARD HANLON
(662) 447-3213
P.O. BOX 417
Okolona, MS 38860
Thank you for choosing RH Plumbing. We appreciate your business
• Driveways &
Gravel
• Metal Carports
• Dozer & Bobcat
• Treatment Plants
• Storm Shelters
(Licensed and
Fema Approved)
•
•
•
•
Septic Tanks
Excavating
Lot Clearing
Mobile Home
Pad
Call for Estimates
Licensed & Bonded
Dentist
662-489-1176
Okolona
Drug Co.
Complete Prescription Service
We Accept All Medicare Part D Plans
•
•
•
•
•
Gifts & Fenton Glass
Tyler Candles
Aromatique
Arthur Court
Lenox & Gorham China
• Adora Dolls &
Lee Middleton Dolls
• Ole Miss & Miss. State
Collegiate Items
• NEW Casseroles to Go!
210 West Main Street
Okolona, MS (662) 447-5471
Giftware & More
2494 US Hwy 43
Winfield, AL 35594
Across From Wal-Mart Supercenter
205-487-8910
Mon. - Sat 9 am - 5 pm
GIFTWARE, ANTIQUES & MORE
Be sure to like us on Facebook • New Shipments Arriving Every Day!
Over 20,000 sq. ft. of shopping pleasure
Visit Our Website: www.abbynicoles.com
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PAGE 20
PAGE 21
Business Directory
Glass & Overhead Doors
Kennels
Medical
, PA
Serving Tupelo for
3 Generations
24 Hour
Emergency Service
Comprehensive Medical Care
For Your Family or Business
Store Fronts • Mirrors
Shower Doors • Garage Doors
Commercial Doors
Hollow Metal Doors
662-844-4540
“Serving Tupelo for
3 Generations”
711 ROBERT E. LEE DR. • TUPELO, MS
“Experience Is
The Difference”
FAX:662-620-7754
Appointments & Walk-Ins Welcome
Mon-Fri. 8 - 6:30
Sat. 9 - 6
Sun. 1 - 6
Healthcare
Serving Lee, Chickasaw, Monroe, Pontotoc, Union,
Calhoun, Itawamba, & Lafayette Counties.
LAWN
CARE
LANDSCAPING
IRRIGATION
FREE ESTIMATES
REASONABLE RATES
Call 601-427-5973 Between 8am - 1pm
397-6486
Home Improvement
E
R IC
T THE BEST P
Owner, Ron Herndon
(662) 963-2825
rafcomhs@gmail.com
Windows, Doors, Tubs,
Skirting, Fixtures, and More!!
Installation available!!!
Insulation
David W. Bell, MD
Leigh Ann Weatherly, CFNP
FRIENDSHIP MEDICAL
CLINIC, LLC.
Walk-Ins Welcome
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 - 5:00 pm
5482 Hwy 15 N. • Ecru, MS 38841
662-488-8799
Livestock
WE
GE
840-8010
Lee Wallace, CFNP
Medical
Landscaping
SCRUGGS
1154 Cross Creek Dr.
(Next to Home Depot)
PONTOTOC
STOCKYARD
SATURDAYS
Motorsports
1-888-452-3530
We Want To Connect With YOU!!
FOR ALL LIVESTOCK NEEDS
568 RockyFord Rd. • Hwy 76 West, Pontotoc
489-4385 or 213-7080
Goats, Hogs, and Horses at 11:00 am, Cattle at 1:00 pm
Locksmith
Like us on FACEBOOK
Facebook.com/MotorSportsSuperStore
GOOGLE search
Motorsports SuperStore
Follow us on TWITTER
Twitter.com/MSSuperStore
YOUTUBE
YouTube.com/MotorSportsSuperStore
Moving
MILLER’S SAFE & LOCK SERVICE, INC.
NEW & USED SAFES
Member of the QCN Network. Saving You Money And Making
You More Comfortable For Over 38 Years
Residential & Commercial Insulation, Installation
Blown-In Attic Insulation - Blown-in Wall Insulation - Batting
www.nsul8or@att.net www.nsul8or.com
662-844-1306
3166 West Jackson, Tupelo, MS
Insurance
Hancock Insurance Agency
INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
ATV • Life • Health
Annuities • RV • Automobile
Motorcycle • Home
Mobile Home
Medicare Supplements
Scott Hancock
Allen Hancock
Monthly Rates Available
662-534-2661
720 W . Bankhead St.
New Albany
• Safes Serviced & Installed
• Locks Installed • Locksets
• Combinations Changed
• Locks Rekeyed
• Lost Keys Replaced
• Master Key Systems
• High Security Keys
AUTO RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL
(662) 842-7720
1219 1⁄2 NELLE STREET • TUPELO
Medical
Call for a Free Estimate
Bronzie Morgan
Relocation Specialist
662-842-1120
“The Morgan Family has been moving
families like yours for over 50 years”
Paint
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2013
BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2013
Business Directory
Real Estate
Technology
Restaurant
Thinking of Selling
Your Home or
Property?
Achieve greater network per for mance with less.
We Have Six
Full-Time Agents
Pontotoc Ridge Realty, Ltd.
Who Call
MOSSY OAK PROPERTIES OFFICE
Pontotoc Home. ISEACH
INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Call Us Today
662-489-2848
It's time to get more performance from your
network with far less. As in less bandwidth
utilization, fewer resources, and less cost.
at
• Max 2 FREE Kids with Adult Entree
• 12 Years and Under
• Drink Not Included
• Kid's Menu Only
Tupelo • Tuesdays 3 - 9 pm • 495 S. Gloster • 680-3354
New Albany • Thursdays 5 - 9 pm • 534-2700
Corinth • Tuesdays 4 - 9 pm • 286-9007
ADVANCED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FACILITY
Restaurant
Tobacco & Beer
Real Estate
1150 SOUTH GREEN ST • BUILDING 1, SUITE E • TUPELO,MS
662-821-2500 • www.circadence.com
2 LOCATIONS
Residential Rentals
Monday-Saturday 7 am -10 pm • Sunday 10 am -6 pm
• Pizza Spaghetti
• Salad Bar • Sandwich
365-7059
renttupelo.com
Call 662.844.2772 • Hoyet & Helen Pitts
709 S 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS
Mon.-Thurs. 11-10 • Fri.-Sat. 11-11 • Sun. 12-10
NOBODY WILL BEAT OUR PRICE ON THE RV OF
YOUR CHOICE! PLENTY TO CHOOSE FROM!
Motor homes by: Winnebago
Travel trailers by: Forrest River and Crossroads
8971 Highway 45 North • 1-800-569-9847
www.johnnybishoprv.com
Johnson Tree Service
FREE ESTIMATES
“ We Offer High Quality Work
At An Affordable Price”
• Asphalt Shingle Roofs
• Metal Roofs
• Natural Slate Roofs
• Rubber Roof
• Certified GAF
Timberline
Owner
Joe C.
Schrock
662-436-8472 • 662-319-8890
Roofing
W
HE
EL
ER
RO
INC.
Daniel Johnson
Owner
Free Estimates Insured & Bonded
dpjohnson012@yahoo.com
662-401-9370
Uniforms
OF
ING
“A Family Business Since 1946”
• Residential • Commercial • Industrial
FREE Estimates
LICENSED & INSURED
411 CLARK ST. ❖ TUPELO ❖ 844-4481
Scrap Metal
P&R
Scrap Metal Recycling
WE BUY JUNK CARS $ SCRAP METAL
11174 HWY 45 NORTH. ❖ COLUMBUS
499 Gloster Creek Village,
Tupelo, MS 38801
Phone: (662) 844-4888
Fax: (662) 844-3006
662-534-4500
JCS ROOFING SERVICE
Party Trays
for all Occasions!
Restaurant
204 Starlyn Avenue • New Albany, MS
Tree Service
Restaurant
1101 W. Main • Tupelo
842-3774
Monday-Saturday 7 am -10 pm • Sunday 1 pm -8 pm
Roofing
Recreational Vehicles
COLUMBUS, MS
Your One-Stop
Recreational
Vehicle
Headquarters!
Town Creek Center
2546 Hwy 145 #A Saltillo • 662-869-0086
Located at the old Ellis Construction Gravel Pit
Scale House 662-434-0007 • Cell 662.549.9988
Keeping Professional People Looking Professional
795 S. Gloster, Tupelo • (662) 844-4272
2316 Hwy. 45 N. Columbus • (662) 328-7777
1151 D. Frontage Rd. Oxford • (662) 513-0341
www.scrubsandco.com
Advertising
Please Contact
Teresa Harris
at 678-1530
If you are interested in
Advertising in
The Business Journal
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PAGE 22
BUSINESS JOURNAL
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PAGE 23
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NOVEMBER 2013
BUSINESS JOURNAL
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NOVEMBER 2013