AROUND TOWN

’BORO BUSINESS BUZZ

THE TASTY TABLE recently announced that it has plans to open at the Reeves-Sain Pharmacy under the name of The Soda Shoppe by Tasty Table. The previous location on North Church Street will serve as a private event space and kitchen for catering, but will not continue operating as a restaurant. THE SODA SHOPPE BY TASTY TABLE will offer desserts and shakes at REEVESSAIN, 1801 Memorial Blvd. For more information or to get a catering quote, call 615-482-0543 or visit tastytable.net decision to grow our associate family and serve even more customers in Nashville and the surrounding areas. For many years, we’ve heard requests from our customers in Tennessee to consider opening locations near them, further east than we’ve ever been,” said In-N-Out owner and president Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, the only grandchild of Harry and Esther Snyder, who founded In-N-Out in 1948.

CAMINO REAL off Cason Lane recently closed for renovations, but the restaurant does plan to reopen soon.

THE CLASSY CACTUS recently released its options for Murfreesboro’s first succulent bar, which provides a fun and unique option for parties. Those interested can get together at the greenhouse, located at 1527 Rutledge Way behind the Tennessee Tool Works building, to create an arrangement of succulents. Small succulent arrangements of four to six plants cost $40 per person, while large arrangements for seven to 10 plants cost $55 per person. Succulent soil, containers, decorative elements and plant signs are included. For more information, visit classycactusfarm.com or call 615-637-7035.

Lindsay Schultz has opened a new and used indie bookstore called THE SPINE in the Trellis and Vine building at 27 S. Lowry St. in Smyrna. The bookstore is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and dedicates Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. to its children’s reading time, which takes place every week.

The location also hosts book clubs, author of the month events, author spotlights, reading challenges and various workshops. For more information, visit facebook.com/thespinebookshop.

TASTE OF THAI on South Church Street recently changed ownership due to the retirement of the founders after 14 years in business. According to a social media post, the new business owners plan to keep the restaurant the same in every aspect including name, menu items and usual business hours from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and closed on Sunday. For more information, visit facebook.com/tasteofthaimurfreesboro.

Privately owned Australian defense company NIOA recently purchased Murfreesboro-based BARRETT FIREARMS MANUFACTURING INC. Management and staff at Barrett’s Murfreesboro manufacturing facility will continue production as usual.

Middle Tennessee State University recently broke ground for its three-story, 85,000-square-foot STUDENT ATHLETE PERFORMANCE CENTER, which will provide all MTSU students with new facilities for weight training, nutrition and sports medicine. It will also provide a new home for Blue Raider football operations. The $66-million performance center will be located near the north end zone of Floyd Stadium, and is expected to be complete before the start of the 2024 Blue Raider football season.

“It’s reassuring to know Barrett will be in good hands with a family-owned company that is focused on manufacturing and delivering world-class firearms and munitions to a global network,” said Murfreesboro entrepreneur Ronnie Barrett.

Barrett President Sam Shallenberger was promoted to chief executive officer,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 31 while Barrett Chief Operating Officer Bryan James was promoted to president as part of the acquisition.

Main Street Murfreesboro

recently awarded $10,000 in property enhancement grants to two downtown business owners ($5,000 apiece)—Keith and Shannon Beckman of BECKMAN’S PRESCRIPTION SHOP, and Rhonda Hingst, Kim Reynolds and the late Pat Patterson of VEDA’S FLOWERS AND GIFTS. In 2021, Main Street’s Board of Directors voted to approve funding for 2022 that would benefit improvements made to historical buildings in the downtown district.

“The grant application process focused on how the improvements being proposed would have a significant impact on the Main Street district, engage the public with the streetscape, thus improving the pedestrian experience within the downtown and adding value to the historic landscape,” said Main Street Executive Director Sarah Callender.

With the funds, the Beckman’s improved their business’ front steps and upgraded its handicapped-accessible ramp. Also upgraded was Beckman’s trademark mortar and pestle sign with new materials and logo, while maintaining its nostalgic design.

Veda’s improvement project included exposing previously covered windows and replacing them with commercial-grade glass.

The new ASCENSION SAINT THOMAS RUTHERFORD WESTLAWN hospital is expected to open in March of this year, and will provide 24/7 emergency care, lab testing and imaging services to the Rutherford County area as well as surrounding areas. The new building will be located on Veterans Parkway just off I-840. Some of the care offered at Westlawn will include treatment for bites and stings, chest pain, confusion and difficulty speaking, fatigue and fainting, head injury and other trauma, seizures, open fractures, severe bleeding, shortness of breath, sprains and broken bones, sudden numbness and weakness, sudden stomach pain and more. Westlawn will also offer lab testing and imaging services. Doctors and care teams will be available at all times and if more advanced care is deemed necessary, quick transfer to the Ascension Saint Thomas hospital will be available.

Main Street Murfreesboro plans to hold a second round of property enhancement grant applications later this year for downtown businesses.

Closed

SWEET CECE’S at The Avenue recently closed its doors after around a decade at the location. The self-serve frozen yogurt location announced that it had lost its lease. Some customers suggested that the reason for the sudden closure is related to neighboring Bar Louie’s plans to expand. as well.

A few local enthusiasts recommended the frozen yogurt setup at area RaceTrac locations, which offers similar cup and topping options.

After just a couple months in business, SOUTHERN CRAVINGS on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard has closed and the space is available for lease. Restaurant owner Teresa Waters announced that she plans to offer her Southern soul food at MTSU and may continue catering around the Nashville area.

Shortly after opening its second location on Broad Street, CLAY PIT INDIAN CUISINE announced that it will close its original restaurant on Memorial Boulevard. Clay Pit will continue using the Memorial Boulevard location as a kitchen for catering orders, but directs all dine-in business and individual pick-up orders to 1312 NW Broad St., which will open seven days a week, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. with the buffet running until 3 p.m. each day.

RIDENOUR REHEARSAL STUDIOS, the concert, rehearsal and event space at 1203 Park Ave., has closed permanently, according to business owner Keith Ridenour.

FOR INFORMATION , including routes and fares, visit www.murfreesborotn.gov and click on the Public Transit button, or call 615.217.6837.

Rover Transit buses can Avenue and Stones River SportsCom, grocery stores, along the 7 ROUTES that adults and kids under 6 are For additional information, www.murfreesborotn.gov

615-21ROVER (615-217-6837).

SCAMMERS ACROSS THE WORLD are preparing to tap into your accounts, get your information, and steal your money and peace of mind.

Here, the Better Business Bureau provides a few tips to help consumers avoid some of the common recent scams. Weight loss scams, employment scams, phishing scams and puppy scams can all be avoided with vigilance.

“This is the time of year when we encourage consumers to have a plan in place to avoid being scammed,” said Robyn Householder, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. “The one thing we want consumers to remember is never to make a buying decision under pressure. Adhering to this tip can save you hundreds of dollars.”

Weight Loss Scams

If weight loss is your goal in the new year, beware of products or free trials that promise fast results. Anytime you see miracle claims for weight loss products, be skeptical. If a product promises you will lose 10 or 20 pounds a week, that is a red flag. Also, beware of free trials for weight loss supplements. How long is the free trial? How much will you pay after the trial is over?

Employment Scams

If you are looking for a new job in 2023, beware of employment scams in which jobs turn out to be fake. If there is a job opportunity that requires money from you upfront for job supplies, training fees and applications, it may be a scam. Additionally, be wary of big money for small jobs. If an employer is promising outrageously good wages for what seems like simple tasks such as reshipping packages, stuffing envelopes or answering phones, this is a red flag. These too-good-to-be-true offers are an attempt to steal your personal information from a fake job application and can cause problems for you that can persist for a long time.

Puppy For Sale Scams

Purchasing a puppy is at an all-time high in popularity and can be an emotionally charged experience. Consumers are scammed by an online seller who requests money before seeing the pet in person. The puppy is never shipped or available for pickup after a payment is made to the seller. To avoid being scammed, visit and inspect the pet by arranging to meet with the prospective seller in person. Most legitimate breeders welcome the visit.

Additionally, never send money via wire transfer to people or companies you don’t know and trust. Thirdly, visit bbb.org and find out if there is a listing of the business or the breeder on the website. Finally, shop locally. Consider visiting the local animal shelter. Many shelters are looking for fosters to help relieve animal stress and reduce overcrowding at their facilities.

Phishing Scams

Avoid “phishing” scams and fraudulent messages designed to grab your attention and get your personal information. Text messages saying you must click a link to verify your account, emails or calls claiming your computer has been infected may all be scams. To verify if additional information is needed for your account, contact the business directly to confirm.

Before doing business with a company, visit bbb.org to learn about their reputation. Always report suspected fraud to the BBB by filing a complaint using bbb.org/scamtracker. Consumers may also file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling 877-FTC-Help.