March - Community Development Foundation

Transcription

March - Community Development Foundation
BusinessJournal
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF JOURNAL PUBLISHING AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
The Mall at Barnes Crossing
celebrates silver anniversary
March 2015
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THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI
T
BUSINESS JOURNAL
MARCH 2015
Retail picture changing in Tupelo
here has been a bit of retail
news in Tupelo in recent
weeks, perhaps ushering in
a new era for Northeast
Mississippi’s shopping hub.
From downtown to Midtown,
from west Tupelo to Barnes
Crossing, things are happening.
With retail sales close to $2 billion a year, Tupelo and Lee
County are a natural focal point
for developers.
In this month’s issue of the
Business Journal, you’ll note the
focus on The Mall at Barnes
Crossing.
The mall turns 25 this month,
a veritable senior citizen in the
ever-changing landscape of retailing.
The nation is littered with the
“dead malls,” defined as malls
with high vacancy rates and/or
low consumer traffic. There’s
even a website dedicated to
them.
You won’t find the The Mall at
Barnes Crossing on site, as it remains the retail anchor for the
region.
The mall recently got a new
majority owner in New Yorkbased Rouse Properties, and in a
Q&A in this
issue, the company says it has
big plans for its
newest addition. No doubt
we’ll see a renovation inside
and out in the
coming years,
DENNIS
and an effort to
SEID
bring more
high-traffic tenants.
• Speaking of tenants, V.M.
Cleveland looks to attract a few
for a strip center he’s building
next to the Tupelo Furniture
Market where a Brooks Grocery
store was to have been built.
Cleveland, the chairman of the
market and the developer of the
property at the corner of West
Jackson Extended and Coley
Road, said another grocery store
has expressed interest in locating
in the 35,000-square-foot strip
center.
“We’re going ahead with the
project, and we have six to 10
tenants interested in it,” Cleveland. “We do have another grocery store interested in it. I’m in
the process of going on without
the grocery store, but if there is
interest in it, we can put them at
the end of the center.”
Brooks owner Brooks Davis
shelved his idea in December
after word that Wal-Mart Stores
Inc. was looking to build up to
three of its smaller-format Walmart Neighborhood Markets in
the city.
Llast month, city Development Services director Shane
Hooper confirmed that WalMart had formally requested a
permit to build a 40,000-squarefoot Neighborhood Market on
South Gloster Street next to the
former Atlanta Bread Co.
• In the Barnes crossing area,
work is moving quickly on the
Academy Sports store on North
Gloster Street, where the Katy,
Texas-based company is building its fifth Mississippi location.
So why did the company pick
Tupelo?
“With how much access Tupelo residents and the surrounding communities have to
outdoor recreation and youth
sports, we’re excited to cater to
such an active community with
diverse recreation interests,” said
Ken Attaway, Academy Sports
and Outdoors’ executive vice
president and chief operating officer. “We look forward to offering family fun at our everyday
low prices for years to come.”
The 62,000-square-foot Tupelo
store will employ about 125 people, the company said.
Some out-parcel lots are available by the Academy Sports
store, which could lead to other
retailers – or restaurants – to locate near it.
• Seeing all this activity, inevitably a question is asked
about Target.
A lot of things need to happen
before we see Target in the AllAmerica City, not the least of
which is where the store would
go. Sure, there’s land available,
but the question is how much is
will that land cost, and how
much will it cost to get the site
ready?
Target recently stumbled in
Canada, where it shut down its
more than 100-store operation
there after only two years. It
also announced it was cutting
several thousand jobs at its
headquarters.
So, not everybody likes Target
it seems. To be fair, Canadian
shoppers found Target stores
there to be under-stocked, with
prices higher than Targets in the
U.S. In addition, Target was
going up against two well-established retailers. Plus Canada has
far fewer people than the U.S.,
which means there are far fewer
consumers to share the pie.
If a developer has deep
enough pockets to lure Target, it
will then lookt o quickly land
other retailers and restaurants
on the site to help pay for those
development costs. That could
mean recruiting existing ones in
the market, as well as recruiting
new ones.
But that’s putting the cart before the horse.
In the meantime, retailing will
continue to evolve in Tupelo. If
retail sales continue to grow,
then perhaps somebody will
eventually put a bull’s-eye on the
city and make a lot of shoppers
very, very happy.
Contact DENNIS SEID at (662) 6781578 or dennis.seid@journalinc.com.
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PAGE 2
PAGE 3
Celebrating silver
BY DENNIS SEID
The Mall at Barnes Crossing turns 25 years old
BUSINESS JOURNAL
TUPELO – For the first
couple of years The Mall at
Barnes Crossing was open,
it was a common sight to
see as many cattle as customers.
Built on what had once
been thriving dairy farm
land, the mall replaced
homes, barns and other
farm-related buildings.
Mall security, which
today circles the bustling
parking lot, often had to
rustle up cattle back then..
Fortunately, one of the
security guards a quartercentury ago was handy
with a rope and was able to
round up the bovines until
the neighboring farmer
could retrieve the escapees.
It’s a story that mall general manager Jeff Snyder
often tells. Today, his neighbors now mainly consist of
retailers, restaurants, banks
and other businesses.
Snyder joined the mall in
1992, and said its impact on
the area has been significant.
“As the only enclosed
mall within a 90-mile radius, The Mall at Barnes
Crossing serves a trade area
of more than 450,000 people and sees an average of
12 million shoppers annually,” he said. “The mall has
a large economic impact
on the region, providing tax
revenues for the city and
many jobs at its over 90
specialty stores.”
The Food Court at the mall at Barnes Crossing is popular spot in the 690,000-square-foot center.
When the mall opened in
1990, sales per square foot
averaged $151; today, that
figure hovers around $360,
making it one of the top
three or four performing
malls in the state.
In the late 1980s, Tupelo
had two malls – the downtown mall that is now the
BancorpSouth Arena and
the Tupelo Mall, which now
is Midtown Pointe, a medical and professional complex (it was formerly
Gloster Creek Village).
But even with those two
malls, research from the
Community Development
Foundation showed that
Tupelo was missing out
on millions of shopping
dollars because residents
were leaving town to
shop.
Harry Martin, the CDF’s
president-emeritus, was
accustomed to recruiting
manufacturers and other
industrial organizations to
Tupelo and Lee County. But
he and the CDF decided to
recruit a regional mall.
“You’d be surprised,
when we did the study, to
see how many people were
going to Birmingham and
Memphis to go to the big
malls and shop,” Martin
said in an earlier interview
with the Daily Journal. “We
wanted to capture those
sales and the tax dollars.We
had to do that to stay competitive and to grow as the
center of Northeast Mississippi.”
CDF
commissioned
studies, which recommended building a regional mall that would
draw shoppers from across
Northeast Mississippi. But
the plans didn’t specifically
call for the development in
Tupelo.
According to Snyder,
multiple towns around Tu-
The mall attracts walkers as well as shoppers.
pelo wanted the retail project.
However, Tupelo was
able to attract the attention
of Owensboro, Kentuckybased David Hocker and
Associates. The retail developer visited the region and
looked at multiple locations. The four locations it
scouted in Tupelo included
one on McCullough Boulevard and another on Highway 45-Alternate just north
of Verona.
Hocker and Associates,
along with joint-venture
partner R.F. Coffin Enterprises of Cleveland, Ohio,
opened the mall in March
1990.
A CRAZY IDEA
Asked why his company
chose Tupelo, in particular
the site in what was once
called Ruff’s Bottom,
named after the family that
owned the land in the area,
Hocker said the choice was
“simple.”
“We looked at several
other sites, we looked at the
trade area, and our feeling
was that Tupelo would be
the dominant retail market
in the region,” Hocker said.
“People thought we were
crazy.”
Martin also remembers
many skeptical people in
Tupelo.
“The feasibility report for
ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
a regional mall and its success was much greater than
most people in the town
thought was reasonable,”
Martin said. “In my years
with CDF, I saw a lot of projects that members of the
community
thought
wouldn’t be successful. …
It’s been highly successful.”
Snyder remembers people saying there was no way
people would drive six
miles from Crosstown to
shop.
“So many people said it
would never work,” Snyder
said.
Despite the critics and
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
MARCH 2015
BUSINESS JOURNAL
MARCH 2015
Q&A: The Mall at Barnes Crossing
The Mall at Barnes Crossing
marks its 25th anniversary this
month.
Jeff Snyder, the mall’s general
manager, joined the mall in 1992
and has seen the landscape literally and figuratively change over
the years.
The most recent change is a
new majority owner of the mall.
Last September, NewYork-based
Rouse Properties bought a 51 percent stake in the mall and now is
its managing owner.
Missy Heanue, Rouse’s vice
president of marketing, joined
Snyder in a Q&A with the Business Journal.
Q: WHAT ARE THE PLANS for The
Mall at Barnes Crossing to celebrate its silver anniversary? Anything special to mark the
occasion?
JS: ON MARCH 7TH, the official
anniversary, we will be hosting a
family friendly birthday party
with cake for Barney Bear, the
mall’s mascot.We will also be
hanging photos of the land before
the mall was built to honor a historic site that today serves as a
central gathering place in the Tupelo community.
Q:WHAT ARE SOME of the highlights of the past 25 years that
stand out most about the mall,
and the area around it?
JS: I HAVE MANY MEMORIES
throughout the years. Most of
them revolve around people. Customers, employees and those in
the community who have believed in all that has happened at
Barnes Crossing
We have had two weddings at
the mall and 150 couples have
had their vows renewed. Barnes
Crossing has played an important
role in lives of the entire community.
We also host many community
events that give back. Last year’s
tornado relief efforts come to
malls more relevant and give
shoppers and families more reasons to visit and spend time at the
mall.
Our cosmetic renovation programs involve everything from installing new and upgraded
amenities such as freeWi-Fi from
end zone to end zone, soft seating, new flooring and lighting,
fresh paint and upgraded interior
and exterior signage. Our strategic
capital programs involve targeting
certain portions of our malls
where we can reconfigure excess,
unproductive retail space to accommodate a better quality merchandise mix that may consist of
high volume restaurants, entertainment tenants and leading national larger format tenants.
While we can’t share any specific details at this time, we see
great potential in The Mall at
Barnes Crossing and are evaluating similar opportunities.
ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
Q:THERE’S THE LONG-HELD BELIEF
A shopper walks past Charlotte Russe inside The Mall at Barnes Crossing. It is one of nearly 90 ten- that the life of a mall is around 20
ants inside the mall, which turns 25 this month.
years, yet TMBC seems to only get
better with age.What makes the
mind and the mediathon that
the energy and excitement from
market trade area with limited en- mall the exception rather than the
raised over $242,000 to help those the community when the mall of- closed mall competition, which
rule?
who lost their homes.
ficially opened.
meets our criteria when evaluatMH:WE UNDERSTAND THAT the
There are many highlights, but
What inspired me was that a
ing acquisitions opportunities.
Mall at Barnes Crossing is an imhearing customers share their
developer could look at farmland
portant part of the Tupelo commemories associated with the
two years earlier and see the reQ:WHAT PLANS does Rouse have munity and we are committed to
mall is very special.
gion’s future at Barnes Crossing.
for the mall? Renovations, expan- its long term success.We have a
sions, etc. – what can shoppers
strong track record of positioning
Q:WHEN IT OPENED in 1990, there
Q:WHAT ATTRACTED Rouse to the expect, and how soon can we exour assets as the premier regional
was nothing else but a lot of farm- mall?
pect them?
retail destination in their respecland. Lots of cows. Did you ever
MH:THE MALL AT BARNES CROSSMH:WE ARE CONSTANTLY evaluat- tive market with the quality of reenvision seeing what’s happened ING features strong anchor tenants ing opportunities across our port- tail mix and environment that
today not only to the mall, but the and a diverse mix of national, refolio to add value for shoppers,
today’s consumers demand and
Barnes Crossing District itself?
gional and local retailers.We saw
retailers and the local communiexpect.
JS: IT’S BEEN AMAZING to see the
an opportunity to leverage our
ties where our malls reside.We
There is a long and growing list
transformation of the Tupelo area. proven national platform and ex- have invested in several cosmetic of prominent retail, restaurant
Initially, the mall looked out of
pertise as a regional mall operator renovations and redevelopment
and entertainment brands that
place amongst all the farmland.
to further improve the quality of
projects that have repositioned
are focusing their expansion efBut after 25 years it’s the farmland the asset, optimize its merchanand enhanced our malls to attract forts in the middle markets and
that looks out of place.
dising mix and enhance the over- better quality retailers and inwe believe the mall’s attractive poTupelo has transformed into a
all customer experience.
crease the frequency and duration sition in the Tupelo trade area
vibrant and growing trade area
In addition, The Mall at Barnes of shopper visits.
makes it an ideal location for high
and serves as a regional hub for
Crossing serves an expansive and
The capital improvements we
profile names that are looking for
retail and service.You could feel
fundamentally strong middle
make are designed to make our
quality real estate.
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Mark 16:15
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PAGE 4
BUSINESS JOURNAL
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MARCH 2015
PAGE 5
BUSINESS JOURNAL
MARCH 2015
Silver
FROM PAGE3
doubters, Hocker’s group
bought 170 acres. The
land extended to the
property that now houses
the main mall, Toys R Us,
Red Lobster, Pier 1, Waffle
House, Baskin Robbins,
Ryan’s, Old Navy and LifeWay.
Hocker said that Barnes
Crossing Road, as well as
North Gloster Street, were
both two-laned roads
when his company chose
the site for the mall.
Snyder said that Barnes
Crossing Road, the name
inspiration for the mall,
was a gravel road.
“We paid for a big part
of the road improvements
that were made,” Hocker
said, noting that it was
the first of several improvements the mall has
made through the years.
The last major project,
completed six years ago,
was a $13 million renovation and expansion plan
that’s added national retailers like Dick’s Sporting
Goods, Barnes & Noble
Booksellers, Coldwater
ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
The last major renovation at The Mall at Barnes Crossing was a $13 million project that brought several new retailers, including Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Dick's Sporting Goods.
Creek, JoS. A. Bank and the company’s bankUlta.
ruptcy.
Coldwater Creek has
The mall opened in
since closed, a victim of 1990 with Sears, Belk,
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Kmart, McRae’s and
JCPenney as the anchor
stores. Reed’s also was
one of the original specialty stores, becoming
the first merchant from
Uptown – which is now
downtown Tupelo – to
open a store in the Barnes
Crossing area.
According to Daily Journal coverage of the mall at
the time, the mall had 43
specialty retailers signed
to join the anchors at its
opening on March 7,
1990.
Food court tenants included Corn Dog 7,
Chick-fil-A, Sbarro and
Elrod’s Hamburgers.
The mall mix changed
over the years, with Snyder saying it was able to
attract more national retailers as it proved it could
draw shoppers. Chains
such as Gap and Bath &
Body Works came.
“Retail is constantly
evolving, changing, and
we’ve changed over the
years, too,” Hocker said.
“But I think we’ve been
very successful. We’ve
served the trade area exceptionally well. The mall
has been very positive for
our company.”
Last September, the
mall got a new owner.
One of the largest mall
owners in the country
bought a 51 percent con-
trolling interest in The
Mall at Barnes Crossing
and the nearby Market
Center shopping center.
Rouse Properties, a New
York-based real estate investment trust, entered a
joint venture with David
Hocker and Associates.
With the deal, Rouse
took over as the managing
owner of the properties.
The deal, valued at
nearly $99 million, includes a one-year, $67
million
non-recourse
loan, which is a loan secured by collateral.
Rouse purchased the
ownership share of R.F.
Coffin Enterprises.
“The acquisition represents Rouse’s 36th mall
and 23rd state and is consistent with the company’s goal to continue to
upgrade and diversify its
asset base across the
country,” said Andrew Silberfein, president and
CEO of Rouse Properties,
when the deal was announced.
Rouse’s addition of The
Mall at Barnes Crossing
gives the company some
25 million square feet of
retail space across the
country.
“The combination of
Rouse’s national platform
and Hocker’s experience
and proven track record
will enable us to drive revenue and sales productivity and optimize the
merchandising mix at the
properties,”
Silberfein
said.
David E. Hocker, chairman of David Hocker and
Associates, said his company has been “highly focused on the Tupelo
market for more than 25
years and are pleased and
honored by the opportunity to partner and work
with the outstanding
team at Rouse. The energy
and vision that Rouse
brings to our partnership
offers great promise for
the future of The Mall at
Barnes Crossing and Market Center.”
Rouse will make some
significant enhancements
to the mall, but the details
aren’t quite ready to be
announced, said Missy
Heanue, Rouse’s vice president of marketing.
“We are constantly evaluating
opportunities
across our portfolio to add
value for shoppers, retailers and the local communities where our malls
reside,” she said “We have
invested in several cosmetic renovations and redevelopment
projects
that have repositioned
and enhanced our malls
to attract better quality retailers and increase the
frequency and duration of
shopper visits. The capital
improvements we make
are designed to make our
malls more relevant and
give shoppers and families more reasons to visit
and spend time at the
mall.”
Henue said Rouse’s renovation programs at its
other properties include
installing new and upgraded amenities such as
free Wi-Fi, soft seating, new
flooring and lighting, fresh
paint and upgraded interior and exterior signage.
“Our strategic capital
programs involve targeting certain portions of
our malls where we can
reconfigure excess, unproductive retail space to
accommodate a better
quality merchandise mix
that may consist of high
volume restaurants, entertainment tenants and
leading national larger
format tenants,” she said.
“While we can’t share any
specific details at this
time, we see great potential in The Mall at Barnes
Crossing and are evaluating similar opportunities.”
dennis.seid@journalinc.com
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PAGE 6
ChamberConnection
A publication of Journal Publishing and the CDF Chamber Division – March 2015
You’re open for business
A division of CDF, the Chamber of Commerce provides you and your business
with programs and services to assist in your success while working to sustain
a strong and vibrant community. As an engaged Chamber member, you’ll
provide business leadership for the entire community. You’ll also benefit from
discounts, services and opportunities designed to help ensure your success.
Investing in a CDF membership helps create jobs, improve education, and
continue efforts in improving the quality of life in Tupelo/Lee County.
DID YOU KNOW?
OUR TEAM
CDF was named to Site
Seleciton Magazine’s 2014
list of the country’s Top Ten
Economic Development
Groups.
CDF is made up of three
divisions: the Chamber
of Commerce,
Economic Development
and Planning and
Property Management.
…now what?
Join our more than 1,200 members in this meaningful
work. Become a partner. You can make a difference in
making this great community even better.
To find out how CDF can help your business, we invite you
to download a free membership brochure at cdfms.org or
call (662) 842-4521.
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A CDF
CHAMBER CONNECTION
Calendar of Events
Woodmen of the World Ribbon
Cutting
Monday, March 16
1:30 p.m.
386 Mobile St., Saltillo
The Creative Touch Day Spa
& Salon Ribbon Cutting
Wednesday, March 25
1 p.m.
2613 Traceland Dr.
Business Roundtable
Wednesday, March 25
4 p.m.
CDF Boardroom
North East Orthopaedics P.A.
Ribbon Cutting
Friday, March 27
2:30 p.m.
499 Gloster Creek Vlg., Ste. G-1
New Member Networking
Tuesday, March 31
4 p.m.
CDF Boardroom
Southern Hospitality Education
Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, April 2
3 p.m.
398 E Main St.
Renasant Center for IDEAs Lobby
Business Boxed Lunch & Learn
Wednesday, April 8
11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Who’s In Your Flock?
How to identify various personality
types in your workplace
Presented by: KC Grist Consulting
Wake Up! Tupelo/Lee County
Friday, April 10
7 – 8:30 a.m.
Elvis Presley Birthplace
Event Center
Business After Hours
Thursday, April 16
5 – 6:30 p.m.
Hosted by: Hilton Garden Inn
363 E Main St.
CDF Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 7
CDF Center
Business Roundtable
Wednesday, May 27
4 p.m.
CDF Boardroom
2014-2015 Ambassadors Club
Jesse Bandre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exceed Technologies
Rashni Barath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trustmark National Bank
Betty Baxter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bishop's BBQ Grill
Stephanie Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . Hampton Inn & Suites Tupelo
Becki Duffie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly Services
Cheryl Foster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wingate by Wyndham
Romanda Hampton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hilton Garden Inn
Dianne Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summit Group Companies, LLC
Toby Hedges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shelter Insurance
Jim Jolly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Denise Kennedy-Brown . . . . . . . . . Special Occasions by Denise
Justin Kirk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Lawns of Northeast Mississippi
Charlise Latour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sprint Print
Molly Lovorn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Spire
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
Kelsey Norrett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Renasant Bank
Allen Pegues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Premium Productions
Fred Pitts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safestore of Tupelo, Inc.
Ashley Hardy Prince . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . local MOBILE
Jacob Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Spire
Mary Sue Tudor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lamar Advertising
Lisa Wadley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sylvan Learning Center
Mary Werner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robinson & Associates
Stephanie West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Best Western Plus
Grady Wigginton . . Legal Shield – Grady Wigginton & Associates
June Wigginton . . . Legal Shield – Grady Wigginton & Associates
MARCH 2015
New CDF Members
Broadcast Media Group, Inc.
Mr. Robbie Coblentz
1012 N Jackson St.
Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 324-2489
www.getbmg.com
Advertising
Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Mr. Craig Murphy
551 Daybrite Dr.
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 842-2237
www.enterprise.com
Automotive
Rasberry Financial Services
Mr. Tracy Davis
499 Gloster Creek Vlg., Ste. BC-7
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 419-4319
www.rasberryfinancial.com
Financial
Mark Prince – Tommy
Morgan Inc., Realtors
Mr. Mark Prince
108 Brookside Ct.
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 871-1971
Real Estate, Appraisers,
& Property Development
Century Construction
& Realty – Civil Construction
Mr. David Horton
705 Robert E. Lee Dr.
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 844-3331 ext. 240
www.centurycr.com
Contractors, Construction
Companies, & Building Materials
Cryocorrect
Dr. Erik Goodwin
105 Plant Rd.
Tupelo, MS 38804
(662) 401-3499
www.cryocorrect.com
Health Care
Premier Radiology, PA
Mr. Lee Frans
620 Crossover Rd.
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 620-7100
www.premier-radiology.com
Physicians & Surgeons
Manpower
Mr. Andrew Bateman
398 E Main St., Ste. 111
Tupelo, MS 38804
(662) 372-3708
www.manpower.com
Employment Agencies
Century Construction & Realty
– Commercial Real Estate
Mr. Duke Loden
705 Robert E. Lee Dr.
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 842-4076 ext. 214
www.centurycr.com
Real Estate, Appraisers,
& Property Development
Century Construction
& Realty – Trucking
Mr. Steve Burroughs
705 Robert E. Lee Dr.
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 844-3331 ext. 248
www.centurycr.com
Transportation
NLB Janitorial Service
Ms. Etta Depriest
3143 Beasley Dr.
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 401-0916
Janitorial
Tellos Creative
Mr. Robbie Coblentz
1012 N Jackson St.
Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 765-3980
www.telloscreative.com
Advertising
Mike Smith Cattle Co. Inc.
Mr. Mike Smith
339 Euclatubba Rd.
Guntown, MS 38849
(662) 401-2697
Farming & Ranching
Mississippi Title Loans
Ms. Phyllis Bell
2233 W Main St.
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 842-3230
www.communityloansofamerica.com
Financial
Mississippi Title Loans
Ms. Stephanie McGlaun
506 N Gloster St.
Tupelo, MS 38804
(662) 680-5668
www.communityloansofamerica.com
Financial
Total Comm
Mr. Don Snead
105 McRee Dr.
Clinton, MS 39056
(601) 613-2863
Telecommunications
Woodmen of the World
Mr. Scottie Clark
386 Mobile St.
Saltillo, MS 38866
(662) 869-7062
www.woodmen.org
Insurance
Community Development Foundation’s
2014-2015 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.
2014-2015 Executive Committee
Mr. Chauncey Godwin, Jr., Chairman
Ms. Lisa Hawkins, First Vice Chairman
Mr. Barry Smith, Second Vice Chairman
Mr. David Rumbarger, President/Secretary
Mr. David Copenhaver, Immediate Past Chairman
Mr. Tillmon Calvert
Mr. B.J. Canup
Mr. Scott Cochran
Mr. Clay Foster
Ms. Julianne Goodwin
Mr. Bryan Hawkins
Mr. Jerry Maxcy
Mr. Guy Mitchell, III
Dr. Dick White
Mr. Tollie White
2014-2015 Board of Directors
Mike Armour
Roger Bland
David Brevard
Mike Bryan
Mark Burleson
Bo Calhoun
Tillmon Calvert
B.J. Canup
Gary Carnathan
Grace Clark
Mike Clayborne
V.M. Cleveland
Scott Cochran
Fred Cook
David Copenhaver
Beverly Crossen
Jay Dey
Mike Eaton
Joe Estess
Clay Foster
Chauncey Godwin, Jr.
Julianne Goodwin
Bryan Hawkins
Lisa Hawkins
Skipper Holliman
Blair Hughes
David Irwin
Tommie Lee Ivy
Wesley Jones
Jamie Kennedy
Bob Kerley
Gearl Loden
Jimmy Long
Zell Long
Derek Markley
Jerry Maxcy
Robin McGraw
Larry Michael
Guy Mitchell
Ted Moll
Mabel Murphree
Mary Pace
Aubrey Patterson
Harry Rayburn
Jack Reed, Jr.
Scott Reed
Eddie Richey
Drew Robertson
Ty Robinson
David Rumbarger
Jason Shelton
Barry Smith
Jane Spain
Gary Sparkman
Buddy Stubbs
Sean Suggs
Aaron Washington
Jimmy Weeks
Dick White
Tollie White
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PAGE 8
Ever thought of starting
your own business?
Changing course from working as an employee to an entrepreneur is a very big
step, but if done correctly, business ownership can be a very rewarding life choice. To
ensure a successful transition into becoming your own boss, the Renasant Center for
IDEAs, the Tupelo/Lee County Regional Business Incubator, can help!
The Renasant Center for IDEAs is ready to help your small business grow into a
global competitor in today’s economy. Powered by a suite of productive services and
resources, we help design, develop and eventually distribute your business goals into
the community and global economy.
Since its opening in 2006, the Renasant Center for IDEAs has graduated a diverse
list of clients into the community including Mabus Agency, Homestretch Furniture,
Snyder and Company, Hyperion Technology Group and songShine, among others.
As a small business owner, you will have to wear many hats to solve problems and
take advantage of opportunities to grow. That’s why we offer the following services:
Help with the fundamentals of starting a business:
✓ One-on-one business counseling
✓ Business plan reviews to help you stay on track
✓ Choosing qualified employees
✓ Networking with other business owners
Welcome to the
Renasant Center
for IDEAs!
MANPOWER
Administrative Services
✓ Basic clerical assistance
✓ Mail and package handling
✓ Desk-top publishing
✓ Access to common office equipment such as a printer, scanner, copier and a fax
machine.
Technical Services
✓ Connections to legal assistance
✓ Market research
✓ Connections to business financing
To schedule a tour of the Renasant Center for IDEAs and learn more about how the
business development program can help you create a new future, contact Judd Wilson at (662) 842-4521.
Interested in starting a business? Let the Renasant Center for IDEAs
and the MS Small Business Development Center help you get started.
‘Starting a Business
– First Steps’
March 10
‘Business Issues
– Disaster Recovery’
March 13
‘How to Develop a
Business Plan’
March 24
All events are from 1-2:30 p.m.
To register for a workshop or for more information, contact Dana Cawthon
at 1-800-725-7232 or economicdevelopment@olemiss.edu.
PAGE 9
Each month, we sit down with a tenant of the Renasant Center for IDEAs and talk
ideas, opportunities and business. This month, we caught up with Brian Jenkins of
Jenkins Appraisal Services. Jenkins Appraisal Services is located at 398 E. Main
St., Ste. 117 and can be contacted at (662) 419-9115.
Tenant Spotlight
Jenkins Appraisal Services
Each month, we sit down
with a Renasant Center for
IDEAs tenant and talk
ideas, opportunities and
business. This month, we
caught up with Certified
Appraiser Brian Jenkins of
Jenkins Appraisal Services.
to other similar homes that
have sold in the last twelve
months in the neighborhood or broader market
area. Appraisers are not
home inspectors, but we
do look for obvious signs of
structural, plumbing, electrical or other maintenance
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT for issues that may need to be
someone to get an ap- addressed.
praisal?
YEAR AFTER YEAR, there
WHAT IMPROVEMENTS add
are thousands of transac- the most value to my
tions in Mississippi involv- home?
ing the purchase, sale or
ALTHOUGH
EVALUATED
refinance of a residential CASE-BY-CASE, improvehome. Appraisals can help ment costs are not usually
a home seller make an edu- recovered in our market
cated decision when deter- when determining apmining the selling price of praisal valuation versus
his or her home, whether cost. However, improving a
listing independently or home’s
marketability
with the assistance of a real should be considered
estate agent. A certified ap- when making improvepraiser follows state and ments as this could signififederal laws and regula- cantly shorten selling time.
tions that govern the pro- Adding square footage may
fessional valuation of real be a seller’s best option in
estate and provides reliable adding home value, but adhome values required by ditions should be easily
lending institutions. Ap- completed, for instance, by
praisals are also beneficial finishing an attic. A homeor necessary for private owner should be careful
mortgage insurance re- not to overbuild their Gross
moval, tax assessments, di- Living Area in comparison
vorce settlements, estate to other homes in the
planning, employee reloca- neighborhood, but should
tions and more.
add functional living space
at a low build out costs in
WHAT DOES an appraiser order to maximize return.
look for?
Any tips for those
OUR JOB as an appraiser preparing for a home apis to take on the role of a praisal?
knowledgeable buyer. We
Finish any minor retypically compare a home touching you may have
About the
Renasant Center
for IDEAs
Operated by the Community Development Foundation, the Renasant Center for
IDEAs (RCFI) serves as Tupelo/Lee County’s business
incubator by lowering startup
costs for new businesses
and entrepreneurs. In addition to an affordable office
space, services are available
to tenants including assistance with business basics,
management and financial
training, technical, accounting and research. Since its
construction in 2006, 16
businesses have graduated
from the Center, creating 374
jobs in Lee County. Currently,
27 RCFI tenants employ 126
workers.
started. Make your home
look as finished and as nice
as possible; don’t leave any
unfinished painting or renovation jobs in limbo. Get
those done and you’ll do
your appraisal a favor. Appraisers do not consider
how clean your house is,
but taking care of maintenance items, yard work,
etc. allows the appraiser to
view your home in the
most accurate possible
way.
For more information
about Jenkins Appraisal
Services, call (662) 4199115.
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
MARCH 2015
CHAMBER CONNECTION
Gain Business Exposure at
CDF Roundtable Events
WHAT IS a business
roundtable?
THE CHAMBER’S FREE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE offers an
important educational,
promotional, and networking opportunity to businesses of all sizes. The
event agenda features brief,
informative reports given
by 10 CDF Chamber member businesses to over 40
members at each meeting.
HOW CAN business roundtable events help my professional network grow?
BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
meetings offer a variety of
discussions encouraging
active engagement between CDF Chamber
members representing a
wide range of occupations
from contractors, medical
professionals, non-profits,
retail, restaurants, and
more. By joining these
roundtable discussions,
CDF members facilitate the
growth of our business
community and local economy, as well as gain exposure while making effective
connections throughout
the Chamber network.
“As the advertising di-
Join us for CDF
Business Roundtable
Wednesday, March 25
4:00 p.m.
CDF Boardroom
398 E Main St., CDF Center
Free for CDF members.
For more information, contact Emily Addison
at (662) 842-4521 or eaddison@cdfms.org.
rector for the Daily Journal, attending CDF’s Business Roundtable is
important in order to find
out about new or expanding businesses in our area.
I also have time to network with area business
owners, including existing
and prospective clients,
before and after the meetings. The meetings are
casual and fun. Come join
us.”
RICHARD CRENSHAW
CDF Business Roundtable Chairman
Support Mississippi’s workforce
by responding to HB 911
and SB 2457 at msmec.com
The recent findings of
Blueprint
Mississippi’s
competitiveness study reveal Mississippi’s approach
to workforce training requires streamlining in
order to compete in a recovery economy.
The Mississippi Economic
Development
Council stated, “Mississippi must cut through the
red tape of committing targeted workforce project
dollars and increase our
pool of available dollars –
or continue losing out to
other
states
–
like
Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina,
who have already set up
streamlined systems.”
The Mississippi Legislature has advanced bills
aimed at improving our
state's workforce training
system.
Mississippi's
Strategic Workforce Program – Mississippi Works
Fund outlined by Governor
Bryant and currently being
worked on in the legislature (HB 911 and SB 2457) will do just that.
The Mississippi Works
Fund improves our current
system by:
• Reallocating $50 million over two years of surplus
unemployment
compensation fund dollars
to make a meaningful difference.
• Providing a streamlined
system for targeting these
funds for strategic workforce development.
This proposal is good
news for our business
community, but because
the bills differ in approach
- there is still a lot of
ground to cover over the
next few weeks as the Legislature further considers
this issue.
Show your support behind workforce training at
msmec.com. Your online
response to these proposals gives you an opportunity to have a meaningful
voice without leaving your
desk.
Thank you for your continued partnership in the
economic development of
our community, region
and state. Together, we can
make Mississippi a better
place for all its citizens and
businesses.
MARCH 2015
Five reasons a current
membership listing
is important
for your business
1
CONSUMERS SEARCH FOR YOUR
BUSINESS THROUGH CDFMS.ORG
CDF’s 1,200 members received
a combined total of over
463,000 referrals and searches
last year. Referrals and search
statistics are made up of member page
hits, search results, url clicks, map
clicks and ChamberAdvantage participants. With this many referrals given,
correct membership information is
imperative for maximum consumer
reach!
2
3
is correct.
REFERRALS
The chamber receives one
thousand phone referral requests each year. CDF only
refers chamber members so
make sure your information
CONSUMERS ARE MORE LIKELY
TO SHOP WITH CHAMBER MEMBERS
Recent research by The
Shapiro Group has shown
that by just being a member
of a Chamber of Commerce, consumers
are 73% more likely to be aware of a
business, 68% more likely to think positively of its local reputation, and are
80% more likely to continue to do busi-
ness there. Show your Chamber support
by maintaining an up-to-date membership listing.
4
CHAMBER MEMBERS CONDUCT BUSINESS WITH EACH
OTHER
We’re all in this together!
One of the main goals of
any Chamber of Commerce is its member-to-member support. By providing adequate contact
information for your business, a chamber member is more likely to solicit
your services.
5
HIGH NEWCOMER TRAFFIC
A great resource for those relocating to our area, CDF’s
membership directory sees
high traffic from newcomers
in search of a variety of services including moving companies, real
estate agents, health care providers and
more. Help our area’s new residents feel
welcome by updating your information
and being available to offer your services!
View your membership listing at
cdfms.org. To update your contact information, call Zandra Hereford at
(662) 842-4521 or zhereford@cdfms.org.
Have you checked your online membership listing lately? Please visit our online directory at www.tupelochamber.com, and check your membership lising for accuracy.
Contact us at (662) 842-4521 or zhereford@cdfms.org to update your information.
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PAGE 10
PAGE 11
CDF Ambassadors vital
to Tupelo/Lee County business community
A vital role in the Chamber’s membership outreach
and retention program,
CDF Ambassadors serve
the Tupelo/Lee County
business community by
enhancing communication
between the CDF Board of
Directors, staff and the general CDF membership.
The Ambassador Program consists of volunteers
from the Chamber membership who assist the
Chamber in various activities. This year’s club represents such business sectors
as technology, communications, banking, real estate,
non-profits,
insurance, hotel and hospitality management, restaurants
and
telecommunications,
among others. Participation in the club gives participants
a
unique
opportunity to share their
business with the community and other Ambassadors, while serving as
goodwill emissaries of
CDF’s Chamber of Commerce division.
“Our Ambassadors are
vital in helping our staff
meet the needs of our 1,200
members,” said Karen Geddie, vice president of the
Chamber of Commerce for
CDF. “They generate excitement and enthusiasm
within our membership
and business community
through their participation
in ribbon cuttings, grand
openings and other Chamber events.”
The CDF Ambassador Program consists of volunteers from the CDF membership who assist the Chamber in various activities. This year’s club represents such business sectors as technology, communications, banking, real
estate, non-profits, insurance, hotel and hospitality management, restaurants and telecommunications, among others. Participation in the club gives participants a unique opportunity to share their business with the community
and other Ambassadors, while serving as goodwill emissaries of CDF’s Chamber of Commerce division.
By attending events, CDF
Ambassadors not only facilitate CDF’s connection
to its members but also develop relationships for
their own businesses. A
perfect committee for
those in sales, it often offers the opportunity to
meet the newly opened
businesses that join the
CDF. They also make sure
the needs of our current
members are being met
through visits, calls and
email. In addition to attending CDF events, Ambassadors make crucial
visits and phone calls to
member businesses ensuring all the needs of our
businesses are met.
AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH
June Wigginton, independent associate with
Legal Shield - Grady
Wigginton & Associates, is January’s Ambassador of the Month.
June attended ten CDF
events and ribbon cuttings and contacted 19
CDF members through
the member mentor
program. Congratulations, June!
Robinson and Associates
President and COO Ty
Robinson said, "CDF
shows that it puts its 'better foot forward' with the
Ambassador program. It
says a lot to our community and our prospects that
we have a dedicated group
of volunteers – some business owners and some em-
ployees – who take time
out of their working day to
give support to the businesses and industries
within our community in a
variety of different ways.
Not only does CDF 'talk the
talk,' the Ambassadors
show that CDF 'walks the
walk.'"
Ambassadors serve a
term of one calendar year,
beginning in May of each
year. Ambassadors receive
credits for attending and
volunteering at Chamber
events, assisting in bringing in new members and
helping with member retention. An Ambassador of
the Month is recognized
each month, with an Ambassador of the Year recognized at the CDF Annual
Meeting each spring.
"Milton Burle said, ‘If opportunity doesn't knock,
then build a door.’ This is
how I view CDF. It supports
local business with free advertisements, free usage of
meeting space, and a CDF
ChamberAdvantage Program for discounts that
you may use and also become a part of at no cost,”
said Cheryl Foster of Tupelo Wingate by Windham.
“CDF is a door that is built
for you to have success in
your business-- now just
‘knock’ and the door will
be opened. The leadership
and Ambassadors are here
to mentor you as you walk
in this opportunity for success and growth.”
Nominations for the
2015-2016 CDF Ambassador program year are
now being accepted.
For more information
about the CDF Ambassadors Club or to submit a
nomination for the CDF
Ambassador’s Club, please
contact Emily Addison at
(662) 842-4521 or eaddison@cdfms.org.
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
MARCH 2015
CHAMBER CONNECTION
MARCH 2015
Event sponsorships provide unique opportunities
If you are seeking non-traditional
opportunities to drive visibility of your
company, the Community Development
Foundation offers a powerful marketing
strategy developed to increase your market
reach through Chamber event sponsorships.
Here are a few reasons why sponsoring an
event is a brilliant way to promote your
business:
Create, Develop & Enhance Credibility
Brand Awareness & Recognition
Businesses in general have few opportunities to build
trust and establish rapport with clients and prospects. Getting involved with an event and being seen as dependable
and supportive will accelerate the process. Attending an
event is important but standing out in the crowd by being
a sponsor will highlight you and your business with a captive audience.
Logo placement in a variety of places such as signs, websites, and email marketing campaigns, as well as radio and
television promotions, will increase your brand awareness.
Being recognized as a sponsor communicates value and
support with the audience.
Community Involvement & Giving Back
Highly Targeted Marketing
Corporations that get involved with local events send a
message to the attendees that they are genuinely interCDF is responsible for bringing an audience who will ested in the community’s well being. Companies that show
benefit from its program, so the majority of people who generosity for a cause spark more human interest and apattend an event will most likely know others with similar peal to the audience than those who do not.
interests. Remember, not only will you be in front of them,
but you have a chance to be recommended to their connections as well.
Save the date
2015 CDF Chamber Events
For more
information, visit
cdfms.org/events.
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PAGE 12
PAGE 13
CRYE-LEIKE REALTORS
RASBERRY FINANCIAL SERVICES
Crye-Leike Realtors celebrated their grand re-opening with a ribbon cutting after
being displaced for eight months from the April 28, 2014 tornado. The sixth largest
independent real estate company in the United States, Crye-Leike Realtors has operated in Tupelo since 2001, with 36 agents currently on staff. Crye-Leike Realtors
is located at 1289 N Gloster St., Ste. A, and can be contacted at (662) 680-9355 or
online at crye-leike.com.
A ribbon cutting was held at Rasberry Financial Services to celebrate their grand
opening at 499 Gloster Creek Vlg., Ste. BC-7 at Midtown Pointe. Offering personalized financial planning services, Rasberry Financial Services can help you address
your needs of today and planning for tomorrow, and also has the distinction of offering services to professional athletes playing football, baseball, basketball, tennis,
and golf. For more information or to contact Rasberry Financial Services, call (662)
419-4319 or online at rasberryfinancial.com.
Commercial • Industrial • Residential Electrical Services
New customers
are searching for
you online!
Are you being
found?
http://thrive.ms
4875 Cliff Gookin Blvd. • Tupelo, MS
Mike Timmons, Owner
Phone: 662-844-4053
Cell: 662-790-5922
www.timmonselectricms.com • miketimmons@comcast.net
A SIGN OF OUR SUCCESS
Century 21 has 12 fantastic agents who are willing to
help you find exactly what you are looking for. Visit our
website or download our app to see properties for sale or
receive alerts on the place you’re interested in.
We also offer First-Time Home Buyer information,
comparable market analyses, and much more.
We promise to help you make the impossible, possible.
There is a difference when choosing
Century 21..
1720 McCULLOUGH BLVD. TUPELO, MS
662.842.7878 or TOLL FREE 800.810.7777
suegardnerrealty@century21.com
SueGardnerRealty.com
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CHAMBER CONNECTION
MARCH 2015
CHAMBER CONNECTION
MARCH 2015
Join us for
New Member
Networking
New CDF members and new employees
of current CDF members are invited.
Tuesday, March 31
4:00 p.m.
398 E Main St.,
CDF Center, CDF Boardroom
Bring your business cards
and co-workers, and
come network with other
new CDF members.
This event is free for
CDF members.
Registration
required at
www.cdfms.org.
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 14
PAGE 15
Facebook is not a marketing
plan – but be social
I
f there is one piece of social media
technology Northeast Mississippians
– residents and businesses alike –are
obsessed with it’s Facebook.
It is an inevitability in today’s business
climate because everyone appears to be
using it. But that’s not completely true.
Mississippi business owners often look
at national Facebook statistics and read
about Facebook marketing and then get
frustrated when their target market doesn’t
bite.
Facebook has 1.9 billion mobile active
users, which is impressive.
But the more specific we get, the faster
the number dwindles. Only 890 million
people use the social media site each day.
These numbers are impressive, even when
drilled down, but to say everyone is on
Facebook is an overstatement.
Approximately 37 percent of Mississippi
residents use Facebook, with only around
50 percent of those logging in daily. Therefore, less than 19 percent of the population
has access to your messaging on any given
day.
That 19 percent isn’t always the demographic you want. It’s 18-34 year olds, but
18-34 year olds who make less than $30,000
each year on average. And those who connect with you are only the ones who like
your page.
The upside is this: If you can pull together meaningful content that will point
your target market to a website or your
business, Facebook has a low cost of entry.
Think about Facebook like a party. If
you show up and start promoting yourself and handing out coupons before
making introductions and learning about
the other partygoers, you won’t be invited
back. Facebook isn’t a billboard, it’s a
conversation. Facebook isn’t marketing,
it’s a social platform.
Facebook also isn’t insulated locally like other
social and marketing
media. Facebook is an
unforgiving environment. Not only will people notice a gaffe, it’s
shareable. That’s
Marketing easily
why you have to make
sure the content you post
Matters
is high quality. Don’t
share a poorly lit photoJOSH
graph of your products or
MABUS
a misspelled quote.
Just be social.
I recently took a large
group of colleagues from around the state
to lunch at a local Tupelo restaurant. The
next day I got a message on my Facebook
account from the restaurant owner thanking me for the business and exposure. That
is how to use Facebook – to engage customers in a personal space. Facebook is a
place for thank you notes, shout outs and
sharing.
Facebook is not your website, but it can
point to your website. Facebook is not a reliable place to host your video messaging,
but it’s a wonderful place to share your
messaging, or better yet, your outtakes.
Whatever you do, don’t invite people to like
a business page you aren’t updating and
engaging with regularly.
It is important to remember Facebook is
not a marketing plan. Facebook is a social
medium. Now go out there and make
some friends.
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 MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY
25 years ago The Mall at Barnes Crossing opened with
only one locally-owned store to compete among the
almost 100 new national stores.
Today, having grown to more than double our original
size, thanks to you our loyal customers, Reed’s has not
only survived, but prevailed.
Our Historic Downtown Tupelo Store, thanks to you,
remains strong as well.
Today we renew our reasons for doing business here:
“To deliver self-confidence, pride, and joy to every person
we meet, every opportunity we have, every day; in an
atmosphere of trust, appreciation, and mutual respect; and
to provide us pride, joy, and self-confidence in ourselves;
income for ourselves and our families; and the satisfaction
of being part of a team of generous supporters of
community needs and celebrations.”
Since 1990 Reed’s and our employees have donated well
over $2 million and thousands of volunteer hours to our
communities’ schools, charities, and community projects.
With your continued support, we look forward to being
able to contribute even more of our energy and financial
support to making Tupelo and Northeast Mississippi the
best place in the world to call home.
Jack Reed, Jr.
President, Reed’s
Retail pay hikes: What you need to know
TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced last month that it
was raising the minimum
hourly pay for its workers
to $9 an hour in April, and
to $10 an hour in 2016 for
those who are currently
employed by the company. The world’s largest
retailer was facing pressure from labor activists
who were pushing for
higher wages, but it is just
one of several companies
that have recently moved
to boost pay for its employees.
Gap Inc., the parent
company of Gap, Old Navy
and Banana Republic,
raised its minimum hourly
rate for U.S. workers to $9
last year, and then to $10
in 2015. The San Francisco
retailer said the pay hike
will raise the wages of
65,000 of its 90,000 U.S.
employees.
Then in mid-February,
Wal-Mart announced a
wage boost along with
major changes to the
company’s
training,
scheduling and compensation policies.
Last week, TJX Cos., the
parent company of discounters T.J. Maxx and
Marshalls, also said it was
boosting the minimum
hourly pay to $9 in June.
Those who have worked at
least six months will get an
additional bump to $10 an
hour in 2016.
The pay raises come as
the nationwide fight for
higher minimum wage
laws has gained steam.
Some observers say that
retailers are also preemptively boosting pay to
head off efforts by lawmakers to pass federal legislation mandating a
higher minimum wage.
Many companies are also
raising pay in order to
hold on to employees who
increasingly have more
options in the job market
as the economy improves.
What it means to consumers depends on the
company. Giant corporations such as Wal-Mart
can swallow some costs
and save money by slashing their training and recruiting expenses. Smaller
retailers who move to hike
pay may be forced to pass
expenses onto consumers.
Historic Downtown Tupelo | 842-6453 • Mall at Barnes Crossing | 842-5287
www.reedsms.com
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
MARCH 2015
BUSINESS JOURNAL
MARCH 2015
Business Directory
Apartments
Bank
Automotive Commercial Vehicles
Apartment Homes
1, 2, & 3 Bedrooms
Move-In Special *FREE RENT
Call Robin Barnett today!
Ask about our Military & Law Enforcement Discount
Whether you’re hauling or delivering...Call
Call 662-891-5000
for your commercial vehicle needs!
DWAYNE BLACKMON CHEVROLET
3260 Hwy 145 N. • Tupelo, MS 38804
1410 SOUTH GLOSTER / TUPELO / 842-3611
Check Out
Bath Remodeling
APARTMENTS
Journal, Inc.
Newspaper • Magazine • Interactive • Commerical Print
Blinds
Bath Remodeling
Shower Remodeling
Tub-To-Shower
Conversion
Bathroom Accessories
Handicap Accessible
For Rent in
Daily Journal
Classifieds!
www.bathfitter.com
Give Us One Day…
We’ll Give You A Beautiful New Bathroom!
FREE
IN HOME
ESTIMATE
Licensed And Insured
662-205-8548
2015 McCullough Blvd. • Tupelo, MS 38801
Apartments
Building Supplies
Bank
Affordable Luxury
Apartment Homes
Rex & Diannah Coggins,
Owners
• Full Service
• Hardware
• Building Supplies
• Plumbing
• Hydraulic Hoses
111 Grand Ole Oaks Drive
Belden, MS 38826
Carey Wilson Manager
office: 662.823.1470 • fax: 662.823.1474 • cell:662.231.7508
www.GrandOleOaks.com
Collision Repair
Bank
Bank Of Okolona
“The Sign of Service”
(662) 447-5403
(662) 456-3347
Bank of Mantee
54 1st Street
Mantee, Mississippi
(662) 456-5341
www.bankofokolona.com
• Electrical
• Glass
• Valspar Paints
• Welding Supplies
• Portable Carports
1187 North 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS 38824
Bank
Houston Banking Center
321 W. Madison St.
Houston, Mississippi
Ph: (662) 365-7021
N H A R Fax: (662) 365-8902
Y
DW
&
DW
AR
L
E
SUPPLY, INC.
BA
1, 2 & 3 Bedroom
Okolona
P.O. Box 306
Okolona, Mississippi 38860
662-841-8743
rbarnett@trustmark.com
Coming Soon Corinth
Baldwyn • Booneville • Marietta
Mantachie • Mooreville • Tupelo
Your Financial Cornerstone.
www.fmbms.com
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
Advertise in the
Call 662.842.2622
JOURNAL
Journal, Inc.
BUSINESS
classifieds@journalinc.com
Newspaper • Magazine • Interactive • Commerical Print
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PAGE 16
PAGE 17
Business Directory
Building Supplies
Commercial Cleaning Services
Commercial Plumbing
Lumbe
ville
e
n
o
o
r
B
Company
RH PLUMBING, INC.
Full Line of Lumber, Hardware,
Plumbing and Electrical Supplies
2300 E. Chambers Dr. • Booneville • 728-0094
Booneville Hardware & Supply
224 Starlyn Ave. New Albany, MS 38652
"For all your hardware needs"
662-534-4448
Concrete
Employment Opportunities
403 Church St. • Booneville • 728-0032
589 N. Coley Rd.
Tupelo, MS
401 Elizabeth St. • Tupelo
662-842-7305
www.newcorp.com/careers
Great Employment Opportunities
Furniture
Furniture
30,000 SQUARE
FT. WAREHOUSE
QUALITY PREOWNED
OFFICE FURNITURE
We’ve got all your
Glass & Overhead Doors
Serving Tupelo for
3 Generations
24 Hour
Emergency Service
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
277 Community Dr. • Tupelo • 662.871.0568
www.whittingtonofficefurniture.com
Advertise in the
BUSINESS JOURNAL
903 Varsity Dr.
Tupelo, MS
Mon.-Fri.
9am - 5pm
Fine Furniture, Fabric, & Flooring
Gifts
Okolona
Drug Co.
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
Healthcare
Serving Lee, Chickasaw, Monroe, Pontotoc, Union,
Calhoun, Itawamba, & Lafayette Counties.
classifieds@journalinc.com
Journal, Inc.
Newspaper • Magazine • Interactive • Commerical Print
Insurance
INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
662-844-1306
Fine Furniture, Fabric, & Flooring
Call 662.842.2622
Hancock Insurance Agency
3166 West Jackson, Tupelo, MS
Thank you for choosing RH Plumbing. We appreciate your business
•
•
•
•
•
Insulation
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
P.O. BOX 417
Okolona, MS 38860
We Accept All Medicare Part D Plans
at affordable prices.
662-489-1176
RICHARD HANLON
(662) 447-3213
Complete Prescription Service
home furnishings
7540 Veterans Hwy. West • Pontotoc, MS 38863
Commercial Plumbing, Gas & Industrial Piping
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
Call 601-427-5973 Between 8am - 1pm
Kennels
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
MARCH 2015
BUSINESS JOURNAL
MARCH 2015
Business Directory
Paint
Moving
Furniture
30,000 SQUARE
FT. WAREHOUSE
QUALITY PREOWNED
OFFICE FURNITURE
Call for a Free Estimate
Bronzie Morgan
Relocation Specialist
662-842-1120
277 Community Dr. • Tupelo • 662.871.0568
www.whittingtonofficefurniture.com
“The Morgan Family has been moving
families like yours for over 50 years”
Printing
Restaurant
Restaurant
Party Trays
for all Occasions!
arber Printing, Inc.
PRINTING • GRAPHIC DESIGN • SIGNS
BANNERS • BLACK & WHITE/COLOR COPIES
811 A Varsity Dr. • Tupelo, MS • 662.841.1584
8am - 4:30pm • goodimpressions@barberprinting.com
Real Estate
• Pizza Spaghetti
• Salad Bar • Sandwich
• Pasta Special Every Thursday
365-7059
Mon.-Thurs. 11-10 • Fri.-Sat. 11-11 • Sun. 12-10
Call Us Today
662-489-2848
Restaurant
Roofing
Restaurant
Thinking of Selling
Your Home or
Property?
We Have Six
Full-Time Agents
Pontotoc Ridge Realty, Ltd.
Who Call
MOSSY OAK PROPERTIES OFFICE
Pontotoc Home. ISEACH
INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
1101 W. Main • Tupelo
842-3774
709 S 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS
at
W
• Max 2 FREE Kids with Adult Entree
• 12 Years and Under
• Drink Not Included
• Kid's Menu Only
HE
EL
ER
RO
INC.
OF
ING
“A Family Business Since 1946”
• Residential • Commercial • Industrial
FREE Estimates
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
411 CLARK ST. TUPELO 844-4481
Technology
Uniforms
LICENSED & INSURED
Achieve greater network per for mance with less.
It's time to get more performance from your
network with far less. As in less bandwidth
utilization, fewer resources, and less cost.
499 Gloster Creek Village,
Tupelo, MS 38801
Phone: (662) 844-4888
Fax: (662) 844-3006
ADVANCED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FACILITY
1150 SOUTH GREEN ST • BUILDING 1, SUITE E • TUPELO,MS
662-821-2500 • www.circadence.com
Advertise in the
BUSINESS
JOURNAL
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
Call 662.842.2622
classifieds@journalinc.com
Journal, Inc.
Newspaper • Magazine • Interactive • Commerical Print
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
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MARCH 2015
PAGE 19
BUSINESS JOURNAL
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MARCH 2015