Two new business owners in Calhoun City visited with the Chamber of Commerce recently at their monthly meeting to inform the group of their goals and purposes.
Stepheny Duke with “The Journey” has opened in the former Red & White store across from the post office. She displayed examples of her new DTG machine (direct to garment) in which she can take a photograph and put it on different fabric articles.
Her new hours will be Tuesday thru Thursday from 11 a.m. till 7 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. Weekends will be reserved for fundraisers and using her mobile trailer at events.
Taylor LeeAnna Blue with “Blue South” is ready to open as soon as the health inspector can get to them. They have tried to make the decor look as much like the old Vanlandingham Hardware store as they can by redoing the floors to the bare bones, and working on the walls and adding old tin from her great grandmother’s barn.
They will serve coffee and tea along with a wide variety of bakery-style products. Her “blue plate special” will be whatever she decides to make that day. Her long-range goal is to have a large venue-style business. She is already involved in catering and plans to have special meals, such as Date Night (ticket only), Supper club style events, Theme nights, etc. The building is for rent for showers and parties.
Blue South will be open from Tuesday thru Friday, probably from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m. Beside salads and baked goods, cookies, treats, they will also offer take-out casseroles in family and single-serve sizes.
She introduced her mother Lisa Blue. Lisa will be using the office at Blue South as her Aflac Insurance home base. Lisa is the District Sales Coordinator for Aflac.
Other news from the meeting:
•Alderwoman Barbara Goodson and Chamber Secretary Rose Diamond were invited to the home of the late Ace Cannon recently to choose some of his memorabilia for display at The Ace Cannon Room at City Hall. Four pieces have been sent to Delta Drapery to be framed. Over 14 pieces were collected plus several unframed commemorative posters. The chamber thanked Sue Cannon for the generous offer.
The Mississippi House of Representatives’ resolution was on display for the members to view. The plan is to acquire a display case for the smaller items.
•SquareFest 2019 was a success for the chamber and community. President Laura Edwards stressed the festival is the largest fundraiser that the Chamber currently maintains. This year we seem to have cleared nearly $2,500 to be invested in local improvement projects.
•A ribbon cutting was held May 25 for the Blessed Family Deli. Several chamber members were on hand to assist with the welcome.
•John Harmon announced that the Pine Hills Country Club was hosting a 3-man scramble in honor of Ace Cannon.
•Judges Creation has closed the retail shop on the square but owner Bridget Fulton will continue her artwork at the building.
•Those attending included Collin Cheek, Laura Edwards, Randy Hubbard, Judy Carnaggio, John Harmon, Judy Moore, Paul Moore Jr., Neta Redwine, Jimmy Gage Dobbs, Lynn Dobbs, Stepheny Duke, Barbara Goodson, Julia Brandon, Joe Carnaggio, Gary Lee Hawkins, Rose Diamond, LeeAnna Blue, Lisa Blue, Amanda McGee and Romona Tillman.