Calhoun County has a number of new businesses that have either recently opened or will be soon. Among the most visible is Steve Schmitz’s renovation of the old Red & White Grocery in Calhoun City.
Steve’s father Randy Schmitz purchased the building in 2013 and began renovating it last November with Benny Stewart leading the carpentry work. Steve, whose sister Deana Ferguson owns Simply Charming on the Calhoun City Square, is overseeing the transformation of the historic building.
“I think it was built in the early 1930s,” Steve said. “It’s a great part of town right across the street from the post office, Regions Bank, next door to the county prosecutor’s office and Farm Bureau.”
Steve Schmitz inside his apartment in the old Red & White Grocery building in Calhoun City. He is overseeing the project that includes four upstairs apartments and eventually a downstairs restaurant. Photo by Joel McNeece
They are renovating the four original apartments upstairs with some modern modifications. The small apartments feature a living area, kitchen, single bathroom and bedroom.
“It’s not meant for a family with kids,” Steve said. “They’re best for a single person, and they’re all accounted for already.”
Steve, 43, lives in one and he has rented the other completed apartment next door to his in the back of the building. Work is ongoing on the front two apartments, but both of those already have renters waiting for them to be finished. One of them should be completed over the next month, he said.
Steve said they’ve completely rewired the building and salvaged all the wood and windows they could. He’s restoring all the original hardwood floors and using poplar lumber on most of the walls.
“We have great views up here looking down Main Street,” Steve said looking out one of the large upstairs windows. He named the apartment complex 206 North Main – the building’s address.
The staircase leading to the upstairs apartments begins next to an 80-year old hydrangea bush at the back corner of the building.
“Everybody in town likes to come by and take clippings off of it,” Steve said.
The staircase itself is lined with Mandevilla to provide some color and large hanging ferns to provide some shade.
Once the upstairs apartments are all complete, Steve plans to renovate the downstairs store and open a sandwich shop/dairy bar.
“We have to get everything upstairs done first, because all the plumbing comes through the floor,” Steve said.
Just down the road on the south side of the Calhoun City Square, David and Cresta Clark are preparing to open 7C Outfitters in the former Cash Shoe Store location.
Clark said they plan for the store to meet all the needs for local sportsmen with hunting and fishing apparel and equipment, sporting goods for men and women, workout wear, and numerous other accessories including uniform services for local ball teams.
A Grand Opening celebration is planned for Saturday, Aug. 1.
Chuck and Karan Nestor are the new owners of Delta Drapery and Design, formerly Ruth’s Drapery on West Veterans Avenue.
The Nestors are continuing the tradition of Ruth’s in providing home accessories, furnishings, window treatments, bedding, pillows and more.
Sarah Elizabeth Gunnells is fulfilling a personal dream with her new shop – The Cottage Salon in Vardaman.
Gunnells, who also works for James Winter at Sweet Potato Specialties, opened the salon recently in the building next door to Lucille Inmon’s home on Hwy. 8 at the eastern town limits of Vardaman.
“I’ve been doing hair the past eight years,” Gunnells said. “It’s something I’ve loved ever since I was a little girl.”
Gunnells opens the shop every weekday at 2:30 p.m. right after leaving Sweet Potato Specialties. She’s there until 5 p.m. and also works by appointment.
“It’s gone really well so far,” she said. “I really enjoy what I’m doing.”
Helen Spencer is preparing to open Spencer’s Kitchen along Hwy. 8 in Vardaman this weekend. The small cafe is located next door to BancorpSouth.
Among the other relatively new businesses in the county are Uncle Cool’s BBQ in Derma and Southern Boys’ Tires and Wheels in Calhoun City.