August 2008 THEBUSINESS OFFOOD

THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF JOURNAL PUBLISHING AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION August 2008 THEBUSINESS OFFOOD

Prsrt Std US Postage PAID Tupelo,MS Permit #353 PAGE 2 BUSINESS JOURNAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 Restaurant business is ‘brutal’ Owners of local eateries warn that it takes more than a good cook to have a successful restaurant. By Carlie Kollath “It’s a nightmare that we love,” said Leeann, taking a minute to Find out more BUSINESS JOURNAL I The restaurant business isn’t sit with Rob and plan food orders Interested in more information about the busi- with one of the restaurant’s sup- ness side of owning a restaurant? The National for wimps. Restaurant Association’s Web site According to a three-year pliers. Romie’s started with lunch and (www.restaurant.org) is a good resource. study from Ohio State University, I Check out the Mississippi Hospitality and 26 percent of restaurants in a sur- Rob’s catering business, which he Restaurant Association’s site (www.msra.org) for ad- veyed area around Columbus, had before the Lesleys bought ditional tips. Ohio, failed in the first year. By the restaurant. In February 2007, the end of the third year, almost the Lesleys added dinner. In May, 60 percent of the 2,439 restau- they expanded again with an you need to mop the floor and do rants had closed. outdoor patio. And, Rob since it all.” The study matched other stud- has expanded his catering busi- It’s a reality the Lesleys said is a ies that showed about one in four ness with a 33-foot trailer to cater major culprit for failure of restau- restaurants close or change own- events for 2,500 people. rants. ership within their first year of Leeann joked that when every- “You see a lot of people go into business. thing was getting started, she business because they can cook Running a restaurant is a risky wanted the Idiot’s Guide to open- at home,” Rob said. business, but new restaurants ing a restaurant. The Lesleys said Leeann added, “The business pop up every day. The key, suc- Romie’s benefited from Rob’s ex- of the restaurant is entirely differ- cessful restaurateurs in North- perience with virtually every po- ent.” east Mississippi say, is remem- sition in a restaurant – dishwash- bering that the restaurant is a er, janitor, bartender, cook, Location, location bouncer – but he didn’t have any business. Denise Backstrom, a popular formal restaurant training. DESTE LEE After celebrating the third an- caterer in Lee County, opened Rob Lesley,owner of Romie’s,celebrated the third anniversary of his restaurant this year.He’d worked in niversary of Romie’s Grocery in “I went to the school of hard May, owners Rob and Leeann knocks,” he said smiling. “When the food business before owning one,but he said he still had his share of surprises. Lesley count themselves blessed. you are opening (a restaurant), Turn to BRUTAL on Page 22F

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I Two all beef pat- includes trips to ing, at spent about 16.6 percent of I N on-traditional food store the grocery store, $16,366, their total spending on food. sales – which include wholesale ties, special sauce, W followed by According to Forbes maga- clubs, dollar store, drug and cheese ... and lots of restaurants, roadside stands and the vending machine with transporta- zine, the top fifth of earners military stores – were about green.The food in- that 75-cent bag of M&Ms call- tion at spent about 6 percent of its $120 billion. ing your name. $8,508. budgets on groceries for the But wait, there’s more! dustry is comprised According to the U.S. Bureau So, we house, compared to 9 percent All that spending is done at of many components of Labor Statistics, which gath- spend for the middle fifth and 12 per- more than 40,000 grocery ers information on just about more than cent for the bottom fifth. stores, 146,000 convenience that you might everything you wanted to know 13 percent Dennis Again, the more you make, stores and 945,000 restaurant not have thought (and perhaps didn’t want to of our the less you spend on food. and food service locations. about before, and know), the average yearly ex- budgets on SEID We also ate about 119 pounds penditure per consumer unit – food. And Big, big business of red meat per year, per person this month’s Busi- which is similar to a household more than Here are more interesting and nearly 105 pounds of poul- ness Journal intro- – spent $6,111 on food in 2006. 40 percent of that, by the way, is numbers for you to digest (pun try per year, per person. By the We don’t know the numbers spent in restaurants. intended): way, we averaged only about duces you to some for 2007 yet. Breaking down our food I According to Plunkett Re- 16.3 pounds of fish and shellfish. of those businesses The BLS says each consumer spending further, the average search, total food sales in the So what do all these facts and in Northeast Missis- unit/household is comprised of American household spent U.S. were nearly $1.2 trillion last figures mean? It’s up to you to 2.5 persons, 1.9 vehicles and a about 7.7 percent of its income year. decide. sippi.All on a white picket fence. OK, just kid- at home, 5.6 percent eating out I The U.S. Census Bureau For me, it means I feel fortu- sesame bun. ding about that last one. and 1.1 percent on alcoholic said supermarket and store nate to live in the land of plenty. Anyway, of that $6,111 we beverages. food sales, not counting alco- Even if it is getting more ex- spent on food, about 54 percent And the less money you holic beverages, were nearly pensive every day. Photo – or $3,417 – was spent at made, the bigger chunk of your $507 billion last year. Walmart Bon appetite! home. The rest – $2,694 – was budget went toward food. Supercenters accounted for illustration by Dennis Seid is editor of the Northeast Mississippi Busi- spent away from home. For the richest 20 percent, about 20 percent of that. C. Todd Sherman Food costs were No. 3 in about 11.5 percent of its total I The National Restaurant ness Journal.Contact him at (662) 678-1578 or at den- household expenditures. Tops spending went toward food. For Association said restaurant food [email protected]. PAGE 4 BUSINESS JOURNAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 One-stop shop still going strong I Ken Jeter Equipment Co. has been “I started out in the military and went to refrigeration school and then got an in business for 37 years. engineering degree,” he said. From there, he went to work for Mal- By Dennis Seid one & Hyde Wholesale, then went into BUSINESS JOURNAL business for himself. TUPELO – If you’ve opened a restau- “When I got into the business, it was rant, convenience store or supermarket, primarily supermarket equipment,” Jeter then you’ve probably heard of Ken Jeter said. Equipment Co. Refrigeration equipment was needed Owner and president Ken Jeter and his for the fruits, vegetables, dairy products, staff have been selling and servicing meats and frozen food, and Jeter was equipment and supplies to those busi- called on early and often. nesses for nearly four decades. There were few fast food restaurants in Step into the company’s location on the early days of Jeter’s business, and Cliff Gookin Boulevard, and just about full-service convenience stores were just everything needed for a store, restaurant an idea. THOMAS WELLS or food service operation can be found, But as those businesses grew, Jeter Ken Jeter has adapted to many industry changes in the 37 years he’s been in business. including cutlery, coffee pots, pitchers, learned to adapt and grow with them. pots, pans, fryers, popcorn makers, hot The company became more than a “Wal-Mart is putting an end to inde- who buy from us, too,” he added. “We dog warmers, rice cookers, French fry place to buy equipment, it also devel- pendent supermarkets and other small have a lot of restaurant-quality pots and cutters, freezers, icemakers and silver- oped into a one-stop shop of sorts. chains,” Jeter said. “They have really pans and other equipment, and they ware. “We actually design and lay out super- changed the retail market.” come see us.” “If we don’t have it, we can get it,” Jeter markets, c-stores and restaurants,” he Jeter has worked with the giant retailer As for the future, Jeter has no immedi- said. said. “We’ll do the blue prints and han- in the past, but prefers working with ate plans to retire, only that he’d like to And businesses in Mississippi, Alaba- dle the electrical work and plumbing, smaller clients. eventually. ma and Tennessee have been calling on too. We’ll deliver, install it and service it. “I like the fast, little jobs,” he said. “When I was down here (on Cliff Jeter to fill their wish lists. From large su- “We’ve got jobs all over the country ... I Restaurants and small stores are al- Gookin) in the fall of 1978, it was mainly permarkets to small mom-and-pop never thought it would last this long,” he ways opening, no matter what the econ- agricultural, and maybe a few factories,” stores and everything in between, Jeter said with a laugh. “So far, we’ve been real omy is doing. And of course, servicing he said. “Now look at how much we’ve has dealt with all of them. blessed.” equipment keeps Jeter and his company grown, and with Toyota on the way, I But Jeter’s career, like many other en- The emergence of Wal-Mart has been a busy, too. think the next few years will be very trepreneurs’, began elsewhere. challenge of sorts for Ken Jeter Equipment. “We also have a lot of homeowners good.” FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 BUSINESS JOURNAL PAGE 5 Experience, variety key for the upsell ITastings, demonstrations and variety TO-GO VENDOR CATERS are key in specialty food stores, owners say. TO BUSY LIFESTYLE By Carlie Kollath BUSINESS JOURNAL By Carlie Kollath TUPELO – Ladles and tongs and basters. Oh BUSINESS JOURNAL my! OXFORD – Provisions owner Beth Vickers markets her store as a In the world of specialty food stores, it’s all gourmet-to-go venue. about variety. Sure,it’s a specialty food store,but she said the majority of her Jody Lehman, owner of A Cook’s Place in Tu- sales come from the fridge and freezer. pelo, has about 2,000 SKUs in her store that are Her store,which opened in the Oxford Marketplace shopping cen- made for cooking or entertaining. ter in January 2007,sells premade entrees,side dishes,breakfasts, She has shelves of olive oils and vinegars from desserts,dips and pates that are refrigerated or frozen.Items come all over the world. There’s another display with in three sizes,with the smallest made for two people.And,there are more than 10 different types of salt and pepper. cooking and reheating instructions on each container. Keep exploring and you’ll find a tomato peel- Vickers said the gourmet-to-go idea came to her during culinary school when they were discussing food trends.It also fits in with her er, ballerina cookie cutters and an egg poacher. lifestyle. Wander past the flat screen television tuned to “Me personally,it seems my schedule has gotten a lot busier,” the Food Network and you’ll find pots and pans, she said.“And I know in the back of my mind that fast food isn’t cutting boards, aprons, cutlery, teapots, upscale good for me.” dish soap, silicon oven mitts and sushi sets. She said she thinks her customers are in the same situation. “We have everything just about,” Lehman said “They want to sit down with some semblance of a family meal, as her staff counted whip cream chargers for a but they don’t want to sit down over a pizza or a burger,”she said. customer’s order. “People know what good food is supposed to taste like.We’re be- Culin-Arts in West Point is chockfull of items coming a little more sophisticated. People are more discriminating in for cooking enthusiasts as well, said owner Vale- DESTE LEE their tastes.” da Carmichael, adding that her merchandise Jody Lehman,owner of A Cook’s Place,said she has to emphasize customer interaction in her store to drive sales.She con- Her most popular items are shrimp and grits,shrimp and arti- also attracts “people who love pretty things.” stantly has tastings and samplings.She also has representatives from the manufacturers in throughout the year to talk choke,poppyseed chicken,creamy baked spaghetti,andouille about their products.In addition,she had cooking classes using products and tools from her store. sausage and chicken gumbo and old-fashioned macaroni and cheese. Turn to COOK’S on Page 21 “Oddly enough it’s the healthier ones”that don’t sell,she said.

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bancorpsouth.com BancorpSouth received the highest numerical score among retail banks in the Southeast (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV) region in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Retail Bank- ing Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on a total of 19,602 responses measuring 15 providers in the region and measures opinions of consumers with their primary banking provider. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in January 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. PAGE 6 BUSINESS JOURNAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 The Blackmon MEET the Family of MEATpeople I Mar-Dan has been in the tomers are primarily inde- pendent grocers and conven- wholesale delivery business ient stores, along with a few since 1980. restaurants and other assorted businesses. By Dennis Seid “We’re not the only compa- Dealerships ny that does this, and I don’t BUSINESS JOURNAL GUNTOWN – Nearly 30 think one company has a mo- years ago, Freddie White had a nopoly in any one area,” great idea to get into the meat White said. “You can’t depend distribution business. 100 percent on one supplier His friends and colleagues did- anyway.” Meeting the automotive needs of n’t think too much of the idea. “It was back in 1980 and in- Steady growth Northeast Mississippi with honesty and terest rates were at 23 percent,” It’s been a slow and steady integrity since 1985 White said. “They thought I rise for the company that was crazy, opening a business started as a one-man opera- •Service Department -factory trained, qualified experts togetthe job with no business and a 23 per- tion back when Ronald Rea- done rightthe first time cent interest rate. They didn’t gan was president. • Sales -large selection of new and pre-owned vehicles for every individ- think I’d survive. But I thought “It started with me, then it be- we could, and we did.” came a two-man operation – ual’s needs Indeed, the company, which which was my son and I,” White •Body Shop - state-of-the-art equipment and experienced staff whose aim was originally called FW said. “Then six month later it is nothing less thanperfection Meats, was incorporated as was a four-man operation.” •Parts -in-stock and specialorder Mar-Dan a few years later. Today, the company has 18 The name comes from a employees, who work in a fa- combination of Freddie and cility in Guntown that has ex- A DEALER YOU Mildred White’s children – panded five times since 1985. Mark, Dana, Marla and Anna. But don’t ask White how big CAN TRUST “That’s where we came up the building is. with the name,” Freddie said. “I honestly don’t know, but On the delivery trucks bear- it’s big,” he said with a laugh. ing the company’s name is the And about 80 percent of the phrase “the meat people.” But facility is refrigerated, of Mar-Dan is more than that course. 1410 S. GLOSTER • TUPELO • 842-3611 these days. The electricity bills are high, “We started delivering only White said, but nothing com- www.blackmonchevy.com meat products – fresh lines of pared to the fuel bill. beef and pork and all kinds of “But we’ve managed to han- processed meats,” White said. dle it so far,” he said. “It’s not “As time went along, we added easy.” other product lines like fish, Having been through a poultry, frozen foods and handful of recessions and eco- some dry products like pies nomic slowdowns already, and cakes. We offer a wide va- White said the company will riety.” make it through this round as 3983 North Gloster Street • Tupelo, MS Mar-Dan has customers as well. 662-844-1383 far south as Jackson, with “We’ve been blessed, that’s www.blackmonmazda.net www.blackmonhyundai.com Northeast Mississippi serving for sure,” White said. “We have as its primary market. The to give thanks to the Lord for company also reaches parts of all that’s happened.” southern Tennessee and west- “We’ve been through ups ern Alabama as well. and downs, the main thing is Mar-Dan buys in volume that our goal has always been from food processors and to service our customers to other companies at the lowest the best of our ability and to possible price, then passing give them what they want and those savings along to its cus- how they want it. This compa- 170 1 Highway 72 West • Corinth, MS tomers. ny isn’t about me – it’s about 662-287-1944 Big retail operations like all of us. No one person is www.blackmonofcorinth.com Wal-Mart and Kroger have more important than the their own distribution sys- other. Everything and every tems. So, Mar-Dan’s cus- one is equally important.” FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 BUSINESS JOURNAL PAGE 7

FLEXIBLE CUTTING MATS:“The mats are movable if I have help here. You can fold them up.They are really,really sanitary.You can put them in the dishwasher.I’m on my second or third batch.”

‘QUEEN OF KITCHEN GADGETS’ DECORATING TIPS:“These I Who: Denise Backstrom are usually used for cake deco- I Occupation: Owner of Denise B Catering rating but I don’t make cakes. I Where: South of Tupelo in Lee County I normally use a plastic bag or a pastry bag and the tips and Denise Backstrom is the self-proclaimed Queen of Kitchen Gadgets.She take pesto cream cheese and has five drawers of gadgets in her kitchen,where she operates her business. fill tomatoes.And you can do And,she adds,that count doesn’t include her measuring equipment or the deviled eggs with the tips and other miscellaneous gadgets,such as potato ricers,stored elsewhere. it looks pretty.” “I’m a low-tech person,”she said.“My gadgets are not necessarily high tech.To me in catering,it’s whatever gets the job done.Some make MUSHROOM SLICER: “You can it look pretty,like the mushroom slicer,and others will get the job done in use the mushroom slicer for any- a hurry,like the lemon squeezer ...When you find a good one,it’s really thing you need to cut into uniform invaluable because it’s really helpful.” slices.I use it for strawberries.It The gadgets are important to Backstrom’s business,she said,because processes strawberries much,much quicker than by hand.” when she is preparing a lot of food for sale,“the time and the visual con- C.TODD SHERMAN sistency are important.” Denise Backstrom,a caterer,relies on her gadgets to help her save time and en- She’s constantly on the prowl for gadgets that will make her life easier,but she has high standards. sure consistency. LEMON SQUEEZER: “Because I cook a lot and cater a lot,my equipment gets beat up so I Wish list “This will squeeze a don’t go for cutesy stuff.I need my stuff to have some heft to it.” I lot of lemon juice in SALAD SPINNER: “I was all greens.I “A good automatic knife sharpener that’s reliable.” a hurry.There’s a And,she said she always finds something new to buy. I “A dishwasher that I could pull out the drawers and it would convert into a don’t care if it says it’s prewashed.A separate lime salad spinner is one of those things “Whoever is out there inventing things is pretty good.You just never ware washer.”A ware washer is a commercial-style dishwasher that cuts down on squeezer,but you know you needed it before they market it and you go,“Oh my god.I need labor and time. that does what it says it’s going to I can put limes in the do - it washes and dries it.I hate that.” “A double convection oven with a warming drawer” lemon squeezer.” - Carlie Kollath, Business Journal I A salamander - “It’s just a really cool thing.It’ll brown a plate really fast.” wet greens.” PAGE 8 BUSINESS JOURNAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 NeMiss Prius to supplement rising demand

I Toyota Mississippi’s Blue Mississippi spokeswoman TMMMS could build vowed to make hybrids avail- be made in Princeton instead Lacy Luckett. “It’s Toyota’s 120,000-150,000 Prius ini- able to the company’s entire of Blue Springs. Springs plant will help supply philosophy to build in the tially. lineup of vehicles by 2020. Production of the Tundra the North American market. markets in which it sells.” Last year, Toyota sold “Hybrid technology is ver- will be suspended from Aug. And Toyota spokesman about 180,000 Prius in North satile and can be applied to 8 to early November, which By Dennis Seid Mike Goss confirmed that America. all those powertrains,” he also means Toyota’s engine BUSINESS JOURNAL Prius production here won’t The company said in said. plant in Huntsville will have In January, Toyota will roll replace production in Japan. March it was boosting pro- In the meantime, Toyota is to suspend operations. out the next-generation Rather, it will complement duction by a third, to busy revamping its plans in The change for the Blue Prius, the same vehicle that it. Last year, Toyota pro- 450,000 by late next year. North America, where auto- Springs plant also could af- will be made in Mississippi duced 280,000 Prius. Given that gas prices are mobile sales have sagged for fect suppliers. Six companies in the fall of the following “There’s plenty of world- hovering around $4 and almost every manufacturer. have said they were going to year. wide demand for them, as more, demand for fuel-effi- Bowing to economic pres- supply TMMMS with parts But production of the you know,” he said. cient vehicles like hybrids is sures that have seen sales of for the Highlander, but it’s world’s most popular hybrid Since hitting the market in steadily growing. trucks and SUVs plummet, not clear if all will be able to vehicle also will continue in 1997, more than 1 million Toyota, like its other automo- do so for the Prius. Japan. The Japanese au- Prius have been sold. Offering more hybrids tive brethren, said it was re- At least one company, Toy- tomaker announced last But Toyota is struggling to Toyota, which last year was vamping its production to ota Boshoku, said it doesn’t month a first-ever major re- meet demand for the gas- on the verge of toppling GM meet shifting demand. anticipate any problems structuring of its manufac- electric hybrid because sup- as the world’s largest auto- The move affects four of its since it already supplies seats turing operations in North pliers are unable to supply mobile company, hopes to facilities in North America. for the Prius in Japan. America. enough of the batteries and increase its market share by Toyota’s plant in Princeton, Mississippi Gov. Haley Bar- As part of that restructur- motors. expanding its hybrid offer- Ind., will next spring shift its bour said he doesn’t think ing, the Mississippi plant When the Blue Springs ings. production of the Tundra there will be a problem. will produce the Prius rather plant does open in late 2010, At the North American In- pickup to San Antonio, which “All of the companies that than the Highlander, as orig- it will be the first plant out- ternational Auto Show in De- was opened in 2006 to build have come here but one are inally planned. side of Japan or China to troit in January, Toyota Presi- the Tundra exclusively. part of the Toyota family of “The plant in Blue Springs produce the Prius. dent Katsuaki Watanabe said Princeton also produces the companies,” he said, “and we will build Prius for the North While production figures the company hoped to sell 1 Sequoia SUV and Sienna believe all of them will be in American market,” said Toy- haven’t been finalized, some million hybrids a year by the minivan. business to supply the Blue end of the decade. He also ota Motor Manufacturing industry analysts say The Highlander SUV will Springs plant.” Noting that high gas prices have dampened demand for larger trucks and SUVs, he said building the Prius instead of the Highlander was a “home run.” “As a crossover SUV, I didn’t see the Highlander as partic- ularly vulnerable in the market – it’s a great product,” Barbour said. “On the other hand, the Prius is a grand slam home run.” “We got picked for the most sought-after economic development project last year because it involved the premier automaker in the world,” he continued. “Now, we’re getting the premier vehicle of the premier automaker ... that can’t help but be a positive influence.” The state’s mission hasn’t changed in its pursuit of suppliers, Barbour added, al- though the type of suppliers obviously is different. “The effect is small, but real,” he said. “We’re going to have to have suppliers who would not have been recruit- ed before – batteries, drive- trains, engines – all of which are made for the Prius in Japan right now.” FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 BUSINESS JOURNAL PAGE 9 BRIEFING percent increase.The Capital Bancorp merged be stored in a depleted underground gas reservoir name to achieve this accreditation in the world. LEE COUNTY added nearly $615 million in assets, $516 million MONROE COUNTY in Monroe County and piped to customers. All 69 Air Evac Lifeteam bases opened prior to General Atomics starts in loans and $490 million in deposits that were not Walgreens closing in A barbecue and groundbreaking ceremonies May of 2008 are now accredited. reflected in the second quarter 2007 financial were held last month in Amory for Monroe Gas power train testing statements. on new location Storage Co. LLC, a company that was formed PONTOTOC COUNTY I TUPELO – General Atomics has begun long-term While net interest income grew to $27.5 mil- I AMORY – A new,full-size Walgreens pharmacy through the partnership of Foothills Energy Ven- reliability testing of the full-scale power train of lion from $21.5 million, net interest margin could be coming to Amory soon. tures LLC, a Colorado-based company begun in Derrington named the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, or dropped to 3.43 percent from 3.66 percent. The store would be at the intersection of High- 2006, and High Sierra Energy LP,also of Denver. Chamber leader EMALS, in its new 5,000-square-foot high-cycle Noninterest income increased 7.2 percent to way 278 and Earl Frye Boulevard, where a Cadence According to Kevin Legg of Foothills Energy I test facility at its Tupelo assembly plant.The pur- Bank branch is currently located. PONTOTOC – Pontotoc native Cecilia B. Der- $13.8 million. Ventures, the gas field being developed in Monroe rington has been named executive director of the pose of this work is to more thoroughly test the At a recent meeting of the mayor and board of County is located at the former Four Mile Creek EMALS system intended for installation on the next aldermen, Shelby Murray, a civil project engineer Pontotoc County Chamber of Commerce. She will BancorpSouth nets 2Q Field, located off Phillips Schoolhouse Road begin her new post on Aug. 4. generation of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, designat- with Pickering Inc., appeared before the board on northeast of the Amory city limits.The project will ed CVN-78. behalf of Walgreens. He asked the city to apply Since 2006, Derrington has been manager of income of $40.1 million be about a $170 million investment, including industrial and community relations at Peavey Elec- I TUPELO – BancorpSouth Inc. said that its sec- for permits with the Mississippi Department of pipeline, facilities and pad gas. ond-quarter net earnings grew nearly 12 percent Transportation for the store to have an entry on tronics Corp. in Meridian, where she was involved Renasant posts 2Q Seven to 10 jobs will be created when the with economic development, marketing, public re- to $40.1 million, propelled by loan growth and Highway 278. company is in full operation around April 2009 earnings of $7.9M noninterest revenue. Murray said the retailer will have a three- lations, project management and consulting. with a total payroll of about $550,000 annually, Before joining Peavey, Derrington was tourism ITUPELO – Renasant Corp. said that its second- The financial holding company reported basic laned entrance and exit and the alleyway behind excluding benefits. quarter net earnings rose 12.7 percent to more earnings per share of 49 cents for the period, com- the site will be widened to the east and paved at director for Meridian/Lauderdale County. Her re- than $7.9 million, thanks to higher net interest in- pared to $35.9 million, or 44 cents for the second Walgreens’ expense.The city would maintain use ALCORN COUNTY sponsibilities there included coordination of mar- come and noninterest income. quarter of 2007. of the alleyway once the store is open. keting programs, advertising and promotion of The bank posted basic earnings per share of 38 Noninterest revenue grew 22 percent to $73.3 The city approved Murray’s request and appli- Air Evac Lifeteam gets tourism venues for the city and count. cents for the period, compared to 42 cents for the million cations will be made for the entry permits on the Derrington grew up in Pontotoc and was an second quarter of 2007.The drop was partially at- CAMTS accreditation honor graduate of Pontotoc High School. She Net interest revenue rose 3 percent to $109.8 state highway. I tributed to the shares of Renasant common stock million. Walgreens owns and operates a small drug CORINTH – Air Evac Lifeteam, which operates earned a bachelor’s degree and a Master in Busi- issued in connection with the Capital Bancorp ac- Net interest margin for the second quarter re- store on Earl Frye Boulevard that had operated as a base in Corinth, has received accreditation by ness Administration from Mississippi College. quisition, which was completed o. July 1, 2007, mained unchanged from the first quarter, at 3.79 Family Meds. the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Trans- Daily Journal, Monroe Journal, wire reports and the related equity offering during the second percent. For the second quarter of 2007, net inter- port Services. The accreditation represents the highest stan- quarter last year. est margin was 3.69 percent. Gas storage facility Total assets as of June 30, 2008, were $3.78 Total assets rose 1.4 percent to $13.4 billion. dard for medical transport services.As part of the billion, a 35.5 percent increase from the same pe- Total deposits fell 6 percent to $9.8 billion. Loans set for Monroe accreditation process,Air Evac Lifeteam voluntari- riod a year ago. and leases, net of unearned income, increased 5.7 I AMORY – A portion of the natural gas that ly undertook the largest scale inspection and ac- Total deposits were nearly $2.47 billion, an 11 percent to $9.5 billion. fuels the nation’s homes and businesses soon will creditation process in CAMTS’history and is now the largest medical transport program under one

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A CDF Chamber Connection A publication of Journal Publishing and the CDF Chamber Division – August 1, 2008 Martin Honored as MEDC Lifetime Member

Mr. Harry A. Martin, Communi- ty Development Foundation Pres- ident Emeritus, was recognized as an honorary lifetime member of the Mississippi Economic Devel- opment Council (MEDC) at their summer conference in Biloxi. “It is a true honor to be recognized in such a way by my peers in the economic development community. Our entire family is very grateful for the recognition,” said Martin. Martin served as President and CEO of the Community Develop- ment Foundation from 1956 to 2001. Under Martin's 44 years of leadership, more than 100 industrial plants located or expanded in Tupelo/Lee County, and five industrial parks were developed. Site Selection Handbook and the Industrial Development Research Council of Atlanta named CDF as one of the top 10 development agencies in the nation in 1987, 1993, and 1997, during Martin’s tenure. Also, the Tupelo Lee In- dustrial Park South was listed as Pictured at the award ceremony are David Rum- on of the top 10 industrial parks barger,CDF; Supervisor Bobby Smith; Harry A. in the nation for new space - the Martin; and Barbara Smith,CDF. only one in the Mid-South - in At left,Harry A.Martin,recipient of the Lifetime 1991. Member honor by MEDC is pictured with MEDC “This is a very deserving honor Executive Director Carol Hardwick and MEDC for the man that helped grow and mold the Community Develop- President George Freeland. ment Foundation for over 43 years into what it is today,” said David Rumbarger, CDF President/CEO and Martin’s successor. “Tupelo/Lee County is one of the top manufacturing areas in the state in large part because of Mr. Martin’s work and leadership and we honor him for that.” The Mississippi Economic De- velopment Council serves as the voice for Mississippi's economic/community development and chamber of commerce professionals and their constituencies. Through collaboration with other local, state, and national entities, MEDC establishes and advocates Mississippi's economic and community development agenda. PAGE 12 CHAMBER CONNECTION FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008

Chamber focus New CDF MEMBERS ADVANCESTAFF,INC. LISA BROWNING PHOTOGRAPHY Dear Friends: events planned. Ms.Karla Strickland Ms.Lisa Browning CDF is proud to be a P.O.Box 336 1009 President Ave. Congratulations again to Harry member of the Japan Saltillo,MS 38866 Tupelo,MS 38801 Martin for his distinct honor last America Society of Mis- (662) 869-3515 (662) 680-9199 week of receiving an Honorary Life sissippi. The mission of Employment Agencies Photography and Framing Membership in Mississippi Economic the Society is to provide a Development Council. forum for the free ex- AIG-AMERICAN GENERAL During his 44 years of service to change of ideas and in- OLD VENICE PIZZA COMPANY Mr.Butch Palmer Mr.Josh Smith CDF, he received numerous citations formation between the P.O.Box 1728 for his exceptional achievements in SMITH people of Japan and Mis- 3117 McCullough Blvd. Tupelo,MS 38802 Belden,MS 38826 economic and community develop- sissippi businesses, gov- (662) 315-2970 ment. This is a most deserving honor ernment, schools and communities. Insurance (662) 840-6872 for Mr. Martin and CDF congratulates Several events are being planned for Restaurants and Catering him on this signal honor. our area and will be announced later ALUMNI PROPERTIES,LLC CDF is turning 60 this year. We in the year. In the meantime, if you Ms.Heather Spaeth RED BUD SUPPLY,INC. were chartered in September 1948 would like to be a member of the 100 Grove Hill Dr. Mr.David Chumbley and have several events and activi- Japan America Society of Mississippi, Oxford,MS 38655 P.O.Box 533 ties planned for our year-long “60 or for more information, visit (662) 801-4094 Belmont,MS 38827 Years of Service”Celebration. One www.jasmis-us.com Real Estate/Appraisers/Property Development (662) 454-3057 activity we are working on now is After a summer hiatus, the First Fri- Manufacturers/Distributors building a home for a special day programs are back on schedule. family with Habitat for Humani- Look forward to seeing you at First CRITERIUM-PITTMAN ENGINEERS SIMON ROOFING AND SHEET METAL CORP. ty. The new home will be dedi- Friday on September 5. Mr.Gerald Pittman Mr.Robert Fusco cated in September as a part of 304 S Spring St.,Ste.C 70 Karago Ave. our year-long events. If you are Tupelo,MS 38804-4853 Youngstown,OH 44512 interested in donating your time (662) 841-5700 (901) 301-4008 and talent in building this home, Engineering Contractors/Construction/Building Materials please contact Jennie Bradford Curlee at 662.842.4521 or e-mail [email protected]. Watch for news from CDF on the other Vice President of Chamber Services

Community Development Foundation’s Board of Directors for 2008-2009 CDF is governed by a 61-member Board of Directors. The Executive Committee is composed of the CDF Officers and eleven additional members of the Board. CDF’s goals and objectives are accomplished through the efforts of members appointed to committees operating under one of CDF’s three divisions: Chamber Division, Economic Development Division, and Plan- ning and Property Management Division. AMBASSADORS QUARTERLY MEETING Thursday,August 7 2008-2009 Executive Committee 4:00 p.m. CDF Boardroom Mitch Waycaster, Chairman Tillmon Calvert David Irwin Jim Fitzgerald, First Vice Chairman Billy Crews Guy Mitchell, III Chris Rogers, Second Vice Chairman FIRST STEPS WORKSHOP Chauncey Godwin Mary Pace T uesday,August 12 David Rumbarger, President/Secretary Lisa Hawkins Tom Robinson Jack Reed, Jr., Past Chairman 6:30 p.m. Shane Hooper Jeff Snyder Renasant Center for IDEAs 2008-2009 Board of Directors “INVENTOR’S GUIDE: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR IDEA” From IDEA to Invention to Patent Mike Armour David Henson Greg Pirkle Thursday,August 14 David Brevard Dick Hill Scott Reed 12:00 noon Mark Burleson Tommie Lee Ivy Eddie Richey CDF Boardroom Gary Carnathan Terry Judy Cathy Robertson (Deadline to register is Wednesday,August 13 at 12:00 noon.Call 1(800) 725-7532) Mike Clayborne Zell Long Mike Scott FIRST STEPS WORKSHOP V.M. Cleveland John Lovorn Bobby Smith Scott Cochran Randy McCoy T uesday,August 26 Terry Smith 1:00 p.m. David Cole Robin McGraw Jane Spain Renasant Center for IDEAs David Copenhaver Hughes Milam Kyle Steward Ormella Cummings Buzzy Mize FIRST FRIDAY Byron Fellows Chuck Moffatt Lee Tucker Patty Tucker Friday,September 5 Tom Foy Mabel Murphree 7:00 a.m. Lloyd Gray Ed Neelly Mary Werner Mall at Barnes Crossing Food Court Rubye Del Harden Alan Nunnelee Tim Weston John Heer Larry Otis Markel Whittington FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 CHAMBER CONNECTION PAGE 13

SNAP FITNESS OF TUPELO DECO DIRECT

A ribbon cutting was held to celebrate the grand opening of Snap Fitness in Tupelo.Pictured on the front row are: Paul Mize,Ban- corpSouth; Jane Myers,Wiggles & Wags Pet Sitting; Emily Addison,CDF; Bea Luckett,J.Guyton Group Realty; Beverly Bedford,City of A ribbon cutting was held at Deco Direct in Tupelo.Pictured on the front row are: Benjamin Hill,Renasant Bank; Richard Carleton, Saltillo; Thomas Cain,Snap Fitness-Tupelo; Councilman Mike Bryan; Kelly Anderson,Snap Fitness; Margie Anderson,Snap Fitness; Tina Mall at Barnes Crossing; Emily Addison,CDF; Waurene Heflin,Crye-Leike Realtors; Beverly Bedford,City of Saltillo; Councilman Mike Anderson,Snap Fitness; Waurene Heflin,Crye-Leike Realtors.Pictured on the back row are: Tina Powell,BancorpSouth; Marsha Bryan; Councilman Dick Hill; Anne Cannon,Deco Direct; Marscia Mahoney,Deco Direct; Ellen Kennedy,CDF; and Connie Snell,My El- Williams,Williams Transfer & Storage; Sue Golmon,Coldwell Banker Tommy Morgan,Inc.; Lauren Barber,Northeast Mississippi Daily egant Clutter.Pictured on the back row are: Tina Powell,BancorpSouth; Michael Addison,Go Box; Paul Mize,BancorpSouth; Jim Leep- Journal; Michelle Crowe,Regions Bank; Carey Snyder,WTVA/WLOV/WKDH; Jean Mooneyhan,Mississippi Radio Group; Amanda er,Southern Diversified Industries; Mike Maynard,Weatherall’s,Inc.; Toby Hedges,Shelter Insurance; Carey Snyder, Phillips,Key Staff Source; Les Perry,North Mississippi Medical Center; Ann Brazil,Snelling Staffing; Jim Leeper,Southern Diversified WTVA/WLOV/WKDH; Carolyn Moss,Comfort Inn; Jan Pannell,Sprint Print; Les Perry,North Mississippi Medical Center; Ann Brazil, Industries; Jan Pannell,Sprint Print; Toby Hedges,Shelter Insurance; Benjamin Hill,Renasant Bank; Michael Addison,Go Box; and Snelling Staffing; Amanda Phillips,Key Staff Source; and Bert Sparks,WTVA/WLOV/WKDH.Deco Direct is located at 2725-B Old Brandon Holloway,M&F Bank.Snap Fitness-Tupelo is located at 549 Coley Road in Tupelo and can be reached at 662.844.7627. Belden Circle in Tupelo and can be reached at 662.407.0707. Japan America Society Event Held MAGNOLIA MANOR Over 150 interested area citizens attended the first local meeting of the Japan America Society of Mississippi (JAS- MIS), to learn more about membership in the Society and to network with both regional and Japanese business men and women. The meeting featured guest speaker, Samuel Shepherd, president of the National Association of Japan America Societies, based in Washington, D.C. The Society, whose mission is to promote greater understand- ing and cooperation between the people of Japan and Mis- sissippi, is seeking members Both Japanese and in North Mississippi. Applications for member- area business people A ribbon cutting was held at Magnolia Manor at Tupelo to announce their newest department,In-House ship are welcome from both networked during a re- Therapy.Pictured on the front row are: Waurene Heflin,Crye-Leike Realtors; Karen Russell,Magnolia individuals and businesses in ception held prior to Manor; Tracey Holliman,Magnolia Manor; Donna Humphries,Magnolia Manor; Councilman Mike Bryan; North Mississippi with an in- the JASMIS program. Kevin Boutin,Magnolia Manor; Karen Boutin,Magnolia Manor; Debra Haynes,Magnolia Manor; Merle terest in the Society. For more information on membership Also pictured is Mr. Guyton,Comfort Keepers.Pictured on the back row are: Jamie Gunnells,Elder Script; Brian Quinn; Bar- or future JASMIS events, inter- Samuel Shepherd,pres- bara Smith,Tupelo Airport Authority; Toby Hedges,Shelter Insurance; Julianne Goodwin,Express Employ- ested parties may contact the ident of the National ment Professionals; and Mike Maynard,Weatherall’s,Inc.Magnolia Manor at Tupelo is located at 1514 Community Development Association of Japan CR 41 in Tupelo and can be reached at 662.842.6776. Foundation at 662.842.4521 or visit the Japan-America Soci- America Societies in ety of Mississippi website, Washington,D.C. www.jasmis-us.com, for additional information. PAGE 14 CHAMBER CONNECTION FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008

GLOSTER CREEK SALON & SPA HOT TUBS, POOLS & MORE

A ribbon cutting was held at Gloster Creek Salon & Spa in Tupelo.Pictured at the event are: Emily Addison,CDF; Benjamin Hill,Re- nasant Bank; Councilman Smith Heavner; Paul Mize,BancorpSouth; Sue Golmon,Coldwell Banker Tommy Morgan,Inc.; Jim Leeper, To celebrate the grand opening of Hot Tubs,Pools,& More in Tupelo,a ribbon cutting ceremony was held.Pictured on the front row are: Southern Diversified Industries; Beverly Bedford,City of Saltillo; Carey Snyder,WTVA/WLOV/WKDH; Councilman Mike Bryan; Les Ann Brazil,Snelling Staffing; Beverly Bedford,City of Saltillo; Waurene Heflin,Crye-Leike Realty; Councilman Mike Bryan; Marty Keith, Perry,North Mississippi Medical Center; Councilman Dick Hill; Tina Powell,BancorpSouth; Kim Wilson,Gloster Creek Salon & Spa; Hot Tubs Pools & More; Cody Keith,Hot Tubs Pools & More; Carolyn Moss,Comfort Inn; Emily Addison,CDF; and Brandon Holloway, Rusty Curbow,Rite-Kem; Carolyn Moss,Comfort Inn; Joni White,Gloster Creek Salon & Spa; Amanda Phillips,Key Staff Source; M&F Bank.Pictured on the back row are: Jim Leeper,Southern Diversified Industries; Benjamin Hill,Renasant Bank; Richard Carleton, Machele Vanlandingham,Gloster Creek Salon & Spa; Jane Myers,Wiggles & Wags Pet Sitting; Tracy Lauderdale,Gloster Creek Salon Mall at Barnes Crossing; Mike Maynard,Weatherall’s,Inc.; Lauren Barber,Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal; Jane Myers,Wiggles & & Spa; Julianne Goodwin,Express Employment Professionals; Marsha Williams,Williams Transfer & Storage; and Lauren Rhodes, Wags Pet Sitting; Les Perry,North Mississippi Medical Center; Connie Snell,My Elegant Clutter; Toby Hedges,Shelter Insurance; March of Dimes.Gloster Creek Salon & Spa is located in the Gloster Creek Village,Suite H1A and can be reached at Michael Addison,Go Box; Paul Mize,BancorpSouth; and Michelle Crowe,Regions Bank.Hot Tubs Pools & More is located at 1715 Mc- 662.620.7576. Cullough Blvd.in Tupelo and can be reached at 662.840.5004. KYOTO CDF Welcomes Pannell The Community Development Foundation is pleased to announce that Orlando Pannell has been named Director of Community Development for CDF. Pannell comes to CDF with 17 years experience with the Tupelo Fire Department, serving as Fire Marshall for the past four years. As Director of Community Devel- opment, Pannell will work directly with the municipalities in Lee County. PANNELL “In this position, it is my desire to be instrumental in helping the underserved communities, and promote business development opportunities for minority owned companies throughout our area,” said Pannell. Pannell, along with his wife Chandra, founded The Message Center church in West Point, MS in October 2004, where he serves as pastor and enjoys leading praise and worship during church services. He currently serves as the National President of the A ribbon cutting was held to celebrate the opening of Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar in Tupelo.Pictured with the employees of Kyoto and the CDF Ambassadors are Hai Youth Usher Board for the Churches of the Living Lam,Kyoto; Hung Pham,Kyoto; Sonesouvah Xayadeth,Kyoto; Councilman Smith Heavner; Councilman Mike Bryan; and Eric Pham.Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar is lo- God. Pannell and his wife have three children, Or- cated at 1044 Commonwealth Blvd.in Tupelo and can be reached at 662.620.8157. lando, II; Anniyah; and Jessica. FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 CHAMBER CONNECTION PAGE 15

BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE ACTIVE DATACOMM

The Business Roundtable met July 23 at the CDF office.Infor- mative reports were given by such businesses as Gibens Cre- A grand opening was held at Active DataComm on July 17.A ribbon cutting was held in conjunction with the event.Pictured on the front ative Group,Lisa Browning Pho- row are: Michael Addison,Go Box; Ben Gibbons,Active DataComm; Waurene Heflin,Crye-Leike Realtors; Joshua Ballard,Active Data- tography,Multi-Taskers Concierge Comm; John Callahan,Active DataComm; Councilman Smith Heavner; Councilman Mike Bryan; Johnny Fears,Active DataComm; Lucretia and Errand Service,and Office Fears; Kristi Palmer,Active DataComm; Chuck Moffatt,Select Connect; Laura Moffatt,Bea Luckett,J.Guyton Group Realty; Beverly Bed- Max.Pictured,members of the ford,City of Saltillo; and Emily Addison,CDF.Pictured on the back row are: Paul Mize,BancorpSouth; Benjamin Hill,Renasant Bank; Jen- Business Roundtable enjoy pizza nifer Young,Tupelo Airport Authority; Les Perry,North Mississippi Medical Center; Connie Snell,My Elegant Clutter; Tina Powell,Bancorp- from Old Venice Pizza Company. South; Barbara Smith,Tupelo Airport Authority; Julianne Goodwin,Express Employment Professionals; Toby Hedges,Shelter Insurance; Also pictured,Tom Booth speaks Jane Myers,Wiggles & Wags Pet Sitting; Lauren Barber,Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal; Mike Maynard,Weatherall’s,Inc.; and to the group about the Tupelo Richard Carleton,Mall at Barnes Crossing.Active DataComm is located at 1960 McCullough Blvd.,Ste.A in Tupelo and can be reached Community Theatre. at 662.620.7996.

SNAP FITNESS SALTILLO

Newcomers Club Event Held Families locating to Tupelo/Lee Hospitality Committee chairman. “By County to work for the myriad industries hosting special events for newcomers in and businesses in the area have a new our area we want to welcome them by outlet to meet other newcomers to the showing them some of the ‘Tupelo Spirit’ community. The Community Develop- that makes our community such a won- ment Foundation has created a Com- derful place to live and do business.” munity Newcomers Club to help facili- The first Community Newcomers tate a smooth transition for employees Club event was held on July 4 at the an- and their families moving to the Tupe- nual “All America City Family Picnic in lo/Lee County area to live and work. the Park.” Participants were able to min- To celebrate the grand opening of Snap Fitness-Saltillo,a ribbon cutting was held.Pictured on the front row are: Mark Anderson,Snap Events are planned throughout the year gle with other families who have relocat- Fitness; Thomas Cain,Snap Fitness-Tupelo; Mark Harrison,Snap Fitness-Saltillo; Tina Anderson,Snap Fitness; Billy Anderson,Snap Fit- to welcome Lee County’s newest citizens ed to the area and were given informa- ness; Margie Anderson,Snap Fitness; Mayor Bill Williams; Alderman Bill Cherry; Vice Mayor Beverly Bedford; Amanda Phillips,Key Staff to the area. tion on things to do in Tupelo/Lee Coun- Source; Emily Addison,CDF.Pictured on the back row are: Sue Golmon,Coldwell Banker,Tommy Morgan,Inc.; Richard Carleton,Mall at “Our goal through the Community ty. Future events are being planned. Newcomers Club is to help ease the For more information on the Com- Barnes Crossing; Jane Myers,Wiggles & Wags Pet Sitting; Les Perry,North Mississippi Medical Center; Barbara Smith,Tupelo Airport Au- transition for new families moving to Tu- munity Newcomers Club, please contact thority; and Carolyn Moss,Comfort Inn.Snap Fitness-Saltillo is located at 111-A Willowbrook Drive in Saltillo,and can be reached at pelo and Lee County,” said Mary Werner, Angela Glissen at 662.842.4521. 662.869.3181. PAGE 16 CHAMBER CONNECTION FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 CDF Begins 60th Anniversary Habitat Project

The Community Development from Habitat for Humanity, Magno- Foundation is celebrating 60 years lia Manor, Renasant Bank, Aramark of service as Tupelo/Lee County’s Uniform Services, and Southern Pa- economic development organiza- tient Care participating. Workdays tion and chamber of commerce. As are scheduled on Fridays and Satur- part of the year-long celebration, days throughout July and August, in CDF could think of no better way to two four-hour shifts, from 8:00 a.m. exemplify “community building” to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 than constructing a home. As such, p.m. CDF has partnered with Habitat for For more information on the Humanity to construct a new house Habitat House or to volunteer for a deserving family in the area. for a workday, please contact The first workday on the house Jennie Bradford Curlee at was held July 19 with volunteers 662.842.4521

AUTO SPA TUPELO YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

The July Tupelo Young Professionals event was held at Joe Joe’s Espres- so,located inside the Renasant Center for IDEAs,in downtown Tupe- A ribbon cutting was held at Auto Spa,Inc.Pictured on the front row are: Orlando Pannell,CDF; Jim Leeper,Southern Diversified Indus- lo’s Fairpark District.Pictured,par- tries; Amanda Phillips,Key Staff Source; Waurene Heflin,Cyre-Leike Realtors; Beverly Bedford,City of Saltillo; Nathan Chisolm,Auto ticipants played “TYP Bingo”and Spa,Inc.; Anna Chisolm,Auto Spa,Inc.; Councilman Mike Bryan; Summer Bryan; Councilman Smith Heavner; Robert Sevilla,Auto Spa, enjoyed sampling the scrumptious Inc.; Bea Luckett,J.Guyton Group Realty; Bert Sparks,WTVA/WLOV/WKDH; and Waverley Duncan,Auto Spa,Inc. Pictured on the back fare at Joe Joe’s.TYP’s,Jenny Sap- row are: Bill McNutt,WLM Insurance,LLC; Brandon Holloway,M & F Bank; Tina Powell,BancorpSouth; Mike Maynard,Weatherall's, pington,Jeff Overstreet,and John Inc.; Connie Snell,My Elegant Clutter; Rusty Curbow,Rite-Kem,Inc.; Jane Myers,Wiggles & Wags Pet Sitting; Michelle Crowe,Regions Curlee,all of Renasant Bank,en- Bank; Toby Hedges,Shelter Insurance; Jamie Osbirn,M & F Bank; and Carolyn Moss,Comfort Inn.Auto Spa,Inc.is located at 220 N joyed the night’s activities. Gloster St.in Tupelo,and can be reached at 662.402.4357. FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 CHAMBER CONNECTION PAGE 17 First Friday CDF 60th Anniversary Friday, September 5, 2008 DID YOU KNOW? I In 1969, the municipalities of Lee County joined together CDF 60 Years of Service to create a regional planning commission called the Council of Governments (COG).The purpose of this organization is to broaden the communication and cooperation between gov- Celebration Kick-off ernmental entities and to provide technical planning and public policy services to Lee County and its municipalities. In 1975, CDF and COG sponsored and financed studies costing $200,000 for a Coliseum and Ag-Center complex for the citi- The Mall at Barnes Crossing zens of Lee County.The initial COG officers were Mayor James Food Court Robbins, Chairman; Supervisor 7:00 a.m. Calvin Turner,Vice-Chairman; Harry A. Martin, Continental Breakfast Secretary/Treasurer; and Frank Riley, Council Attorney.The cur- Will Be Served. rent COG officers are Supervi- sor Tommie Lee Ivy, Chairman; Mayor Jimmy Anderson,Vice- For more information, call: Chairman; and David Rumbarg- 662.842.4521 er, Secretary/Treasurer.

Please join us for the next meeting of the SAVE THE DATE TUPELO YOUNG PROFESSIONALS Second Annual Thursday,August 21, 2008 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. CDF Membership Golf Tournament Tupelo Community Theater Thursday, October 23, 2008 Lyric Theater Tupelo Country Club 200 North Broadway Information on tournament play and Come register to win a pair of season tickets! sponsorship opportunities will be available soon For more information, please contact This is a come and go business-after-hours event Jennie Bradford Curlee at 662.842.4521 Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be awarded Come network with your peers in the business community and bring a friend

Please RSVP to [email protected] PAGE 18 CHAMBER CONNECTION FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 BUSINESS JOURNAL PAGE 19 PAGE 20 BUSINESS JOURNAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 StoreYour Stuff in BRIEFING “Three Rivers has advised us that we should In addition, the majority of the 30 employees The Attic PONTOTOC COUNTY also have a cultural assessment, and I have one now working at the plant were former WoodCraft Climate-Controlled quote for that from Mississippi Archaeology,” employees who had been operating the equip- Sherman RV Center Fales said. ment, said Tracy Dye, the facility’s equipment Self-Storage. named top dealer Fales also had good news from the northern manager. SHERMAN – Sherman RV Center has been named part of the county, where the bank that holds title Dye, along with four other employees, trans- N Safeguard your valuables against insects and pests. one of Tiffin Motorhomes’Top Dealers for 2008. to the former Memphis Hardwood Flooring proper- ferred from Industrial Timber’s Shannon plant Tiffin led all motorhome brands in vehicle reli- ty agreed to sell the milling equipment and par- when it was closed and the operations were N Keep your antiques from harm of extreme temperatures. ability/quality, competitive price/value, vehicle tially clear the land. moved into the Ripley building. design and the five other criteria of dealer satis- The Memphis Hardwood, formerly Bruce Co., Industrial Timber bills itself as the largest, Perfect for businesses looking to store files in a safe place. faction in the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Associ- site has been targeted as a possible industrial low-cost supplier of wood frames in the uphol- ation’s 2007 industry-wide survey. site because of the relative flatness and presence stered furniture industry.The company has some Perfect for families needing extra space to keep Tiffin was one of only five motorhome manu- of utilities. 340 workers in plants in Mississippi, North Caroli- family heirlooms. facturers to receive the RVDA’s Quality Circle na and Tennessee. Award for 2007.Tiffin has been honored with the TIPPAH COUNTY Reserve your space today. CallThe Attic at 840-5300. Quality Circle nine of the 12 years it has been LEE COUNTY presented by the RVDA. Industrial Timber plans Tiffin produces gas- and diesel-powered Class to grow to 100 workers Farmers & Merchants to A motorhomes in five model lines: Allegro,Allegro I RIPLEY – Furniture supplier Industrial Timber open new branch Dec. 1 Bay, Phaeton,Allegro Bus and Zephyr.They are has expanded its Mississippi operations during a I MOOREVILLE – Farmers & Merchants Bank sold thorugh 74 dealers in the U.S. and Canada. time when many other businesses in the industry broke ground on its newest branch in Mooreville are curtailing their domestic growth. last month. CALHOUN COUNTY The Hiddenite, N.C.,-based company last Baldwyn-based FMB is opening its sixth office. month celebrated the grand opening of its The 2,000-square-foot facility is located at state Surveys completed 126,000-square-foot facility in Ripley that cuts Highways 371 and 178. on industrial site wood used in upholstered furniture frames.This is Johnny Hale, a Mooreville native ,has been I PITTSBORO – The county is edging closer to the company’s fifth plant in operation. named branch manager. having an industrial site ready for development. The building, located in the North Ripley In- The office will offer full-service banking, along Calhoun Economic Development Association dustrial Park, previously was WoodCraft’s frame with extended drive-through hours and Saturday director Terry Fales recently told county supervi- shop. Industrial Timber was able to keep 40 per- drive-through banking. sors that environmental and geotechnical reviews cent of WoodCraft’s machinery, thus minimizing With an expected opening on Dec. 1, the FMB 1098 Cliff Gookin Blvd. (near Gloster St.) inTupelo of the proposed site, along Highway 8 between startup time, IT President Craig Larsen said. branch in Mooreville will initially have five em- Derma and Vardaman near the silo, have been Work started July 7 and the first shipment ployees. selfstorage-theattic.com completed. went out July 11. Pontotoc Progress, Daily Journal reports FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 BUSINESS JOURNAL PAGE 21

male clientele is growing. that’s good to fit everyone’s Cook’s “We do get men who come in price point.” for the manly grilling products,” Carmichael also added that Continued from Page 5 she said with a smile. “The men she was going for the upscale who come in here are huge clientele. Some customers will Carmichael’s merchandise in- foodies.” mention that they can get cludes serving dishes, kitchen Carmichael said she gets a something cheaper at a big box good mix of male and female store, and Carmichael said she PLAN HOUSE islands, gourmet candies and artwork. customers across all age ranges. will tell them that “you get what The popularity of items is sea- In fact, she said a 10-year-old you pay for.” Lehman also incorporates sonal. For example, Lehman boy dragged his grandmother PRINTING & GRAPHICS customer interaction to drive said pineapple corers and slicers to the store recently and said he sales, doing a lot of tastings and sold like hotcakes in July. wanted all his birthday presents demonstrations. • Blueprinting In general, cooking tools from Culin-Arts. “If someone really wanted to (graters, whisks, spatulas, etc.) Lehman said customers • Lar ge Format know how something tasted, I’d make up the most of her sales, come to her store when they are Printing open it off the shelf and let them she said. Her roasted coffee looking for a specialty item, try it,” she said. “Same with the • Lar ge Format bean business would come in which implies a “different quali- coffee. We’ll make you a cup.” Scanning next. Her third most popular ty than what you find in the She also hosts cooking classes • Shipping/UPS/ category for sales would be grocery store.” – some she teaches and others food, which includes oils, vine- And the specialty items typi- FedEx/DHL hosted by professional chefs – gars, crackers, spices and rubs. cally come with a more expen- • Graphic Design that show participants how to “Our predominant customers sive price tag. With the econo- use items in the store. • Digital Imaging come and are looking for some- my faltering, Lehman said the And she does birthday parties • Posters and thing they saw on Food Net- pitch for the “more expensive and private events at the store, work or they are doing some- tool is difficult.” Banners But she is quick to pick up a using the kitchen she added to thing in the kitchen and they • Ar t Reproduction ladle and explain how the han- the 3,000-square-foot selling know we can do something to dle is angled in a way that floor. • Marketing Brochur es make it easier,” she said. makes it easy to get the con- “It’s still trial and error and • T rade Show Graphics tents out. seeing how the business Male foodies, too “You pay for the engineer- works,” she said of the four- www.planhouseprinting.com The majority of Lehman’s ing,” she said. year-old business. “It’s still a Email: [email protected] 0 8 customers are women 30 years Even still, Lehman said she challenge, but I wouldn’t believes it’s important that her 607 W est Main Str eet old and up, but she said her change anything.” J o ur n a l - store has a “range of products

T upelo, Mississippi 662-407-0193 Da il y © PAGE 22 BUSINESS JOURNAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008

Brutal OWNING A RESTAURANT,THE COLD, HARD TRUTH I If you cook,odds are you’ve entertained the •“Your employees get burnt down just as July/A ugust Continued from Page 2F idea of opening your own restaurant.Here are much as you do.”Rob Lesley some tips from restaurant owners – ones who •“In the restaurant business,finding good Cooking Classes High Cotton Cafe on Veterans made it and didn’t – before you take the plunge: help is really tough.When you find people that re- A ugust 4, 2008 •Monday Boulevard in 2005. It lasted six •“ There’s no glory in it.You have to love it.If ally work out for you,treat them well,whether it’s months. Looking back, she said you don’t love it,you’re going to be absolutely money or flexibility.And then when you realize you H ealthy Cooking •Cost $30 she learned a lot from the experi- miserable doing it.” Frank Vainisi,owner of Vain- have a dud,get rid of them as soon as possible.” T imes: 6:30-8:00 pm •JoshuaSimpson ence. isi’s in New Albany Backstrom A ugust 12, 2008 •Tuesday “Location is huge,” she said. •“Be fully committed to it.It can be reward- •“It’s the business of the people.It’s rela- S tocking the Pantry &Other H elpful H ints •Cost $30 “People are so fickle about where ing but it can be incredibly challenging.I love tionships just like every other business.Relation- they will go out to eat. people and messing with food and that’s why I’m ships with servers who show up and servers who T imes: 6:30-8:30 pm •SamanthaBlakey “Another thing people don’t re- in it.”Al Wallace IV,owner of I.V.’s in Tupelo don’t come to work.”Leeann Lesley,co-owner of A ugust 15, 2008 •Fr iday alize is that you have to turn ta- •“A business plan is so important.It goes so Romie’s Grocery in Tupelo bles. I was able to pay my bills and far beyond having a good cook.”Denise Backstrom, •“I grew up in the restaurants of Chicago. Learning at L unch •Cost $18 a Lee County caterer and former owner of High J ody Lehman &Denise Backstrom pay my people, but I didn’t bring It’s sink or swim.If you can’t get in there and cut anything home for six months.” Cotton Cafe in Tupelo that closed after six months it,there’s someone out there willing to take your A ugust 16, 2008 •Saturday Her advice to people looking to •“The secret is we work hard and try to pro- place.”Vainisi S ummer G rilling •Cost $45 •Stev e S tolk open an eatery? vide the customer with quality food and consis- •“Make sure out front looks good.We hardly “It might look like a good idea, tent service.”Vainisi go out front but it’s the first thing our customers A ugust 19, 2008 •Tuesday but it’s tough. The restaurant •“You do have to do the work.You do have to see.”Leeann Lesley F r oz en T r eats •Cost $30 •Denise Backstrom business is brutal.” be here.It’s not going to run itself.”Rob Lesley, •“Always smile,even when you don’t want to Frank Vainisi, owner of five- co-owner of Romie’s Grocery in Tupelo you still have to.”Wallace A ugust 26, 2008 •Tuesday year-old Vainisi’s in downtown S imply Salads •Cost $30 •JoshuaSimpson New Albany, said he thinks new- bies to the restaurant industry are His advice when people ask said he had a decent idea of what A ugust 29, 2008 •Fr iday most “surprised by the amount of about opening a restaurant? he was getting into. But, there still Learning at L unch •Cost $18 •Jody Lehman hours you work for the little bit of “Don’t,” he said. “You find that a were a lot of surprises when the money.” lot of people make good lasagna restaurant opened. F or mor e infor mation visitwww.acooksplace.com “There are going to be days and people tell them to open a “You’ve got to pay taxes,” he restaurant and sell lasagna. But said, laughing. or call us at662-844-2400 where you are going to look in the mirror and say, ‘What are you it’s a business ... besides I want He added that even though he H ours:Monday - Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm doing?’ I was open two months them to come here.” had a business plan, he didn’t 134 S. I ndustrial B lv d. •Tupelo,MS and I had that moment and I’d Rob Lesley at Romie’s had know he had to pay for a Dump- been in the restaurant business worked in the restaurant industry ster and how much trash the for 15 years.” before opening Romie’s, so he restaurant would generate or any estimate of the phone bills. “We’ve reality checked about 47 times in this business,” Lesley said. “When you think you are Unique Leadership Training Opportunity getting ahead, something comes up.” Al Wallace IV, the owner of six- 1. Planning and Setting Goals and Objectives year-old IV’s in Tupelo, said after Closing The going to culinary school, working • Creating a blueprint to reach your goals as a chef at Harrah’s and now as a • How to prioritize and set realistic goals restaurant owner, he’s found a Performance 2. Coaching – Closing the Gaps In Performance recipe for success. Gaps/ Building • Utilizing the coaching process to increase results and employee commitment “Quality food and quality serv- 3. Evaluations – Measuring Against the Plan ice at a quality price,” he said. “It’s a generic formula but it works.” Employee • Using the correct criteria to measure performance He said a lot of people ask him • The benefits of evaluating performance about getting into the restaurant Accountability • The advantages of doing an honest evaluation business because it looks like fun. 4. Corrective Action/Results/Behavior/Documentation He promptly sets them straight. “It’s extremely long hours,” he PROFESSIONALS FROM • How to avoid adversarial employee/employer relationships while said. “You have to love what you achieving appropriate behavioral change DAY-BRITE, NMMC, do. It’s very tough with a family.” Indeed, Leeann credits part of COOPER TIRE AND SUMMIT CONVENTION CENTER Romie’s success to “great, great HUNTER DOUGLAS TUPELO, MS babysitters” for her three chil- THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2008 • 8:00 AM TO 3:00 PM dren. WILL PRESENT Tony Ford, Romie’s bartender PROVEN COST: CRA MEMBERS NON-MEMBERS and a former restaurant owner, FIRST PERSON $189 $239 said after more than 20 years in LEADERSHIP PERSON 2 THRU 10 $99 EACH $149 EACH the food industry, he sees the owner’s time commitment to a STRATEGIES PERSON 11 AND UP $59 EACH $99 EACH restaurant as crucial. (breakfast and lunch included) “That’s why restaurant failure is what it is - you have to devote Call now to register for this power packed Leadership Development Program presented by CRA your whole life to it,” Ford said. 662-842-8236 Contact Carlie Kollath at 678-1598 or [email protected]. B usiness Dir ectory Air/H eating Jason Lee Shelt on A utomotiv e S ervices David Dillard Auto Service A ttorney-A t-Law David K. Dillard :Owner U T C (662) 231-0 175 Shelton &Associates P .A. ONE STOP SERVICE CENTER H H Specializing in T ransmissions *All Computerized V ehicle 2 18 N. Spring St. &SON P .O. BOX 95 • AMORY, MS 38821 P . O. Box 1 362 Systems *Air Conditioning *Brakes *Tune Ups * Suspension BUILD • REMODEL • ELECTRICAL • HVAC T upelo,MS3 8802-1362 ALL YOUR AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS STORM OR FIRE DAMAGE Phone (662)842-50 51 Fax (662) 841-1941 Res.(662)842-5321 Email: jshelt on@dixie-net .com 179 N COLLEGE ST REMODELING & ADDITIONS PONTOTOC, MS 38863 ROOFING & VINYL SIDING T oll F ree 1-888-537 -50 51 • L icense dIn Mississippi &Alabama 662-489-6664 SAME LOCATION FOR OVER 23YEARS INSURANCE CLAIMS WELCOME Bring in this ad receive $5 off anyservice(exp 06/30/08) JON D. SHELTON, J.D. Social Security / Disability W ehandle ALL hear ings,appeals, HANKINS SERVICE CENTER r econsiderations,and denialofbenefits. Major and M inor R epairs RIDDLE HEATING & A/C, INC. •Domesticand I mports OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE • COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL FREE Consultation & •Ov er25 Y ears E xperience Snyder St. •POBox 987 •New Albany,MS38652 NO FEE unless YOU WIN •Air Conditioning R epairs Ph: 662-534-9611 • Fax: 662-534-2190 •Br akes After Hours: 662-316-3100 • [email protected] Shelton &Associates P .A. •Tune-ups W illiam Grisham •Danny Cobb • WC Grisham •Jamie Riddle 842-5051 or 1-888-537-5051 Q uality S ervice Jim Riddle,Sr . B ennie Hankins - Owner A partments A uctions 629 E. P r esident S t.,Tupelo...... 842-8733 NOTICE TO CATTLEMEN! R ICK’ S C HASSIS W ORKS PontotocStockyar d •Highway76W est,Pontotoc Owner -Ron Her ndon F or eign - D omestic Auctioneer -Sammy Barlow •Insurance Claims W elcome CATTLE SALE •Fr ee Estimates •Body &Paint R epair Featuring 1, 2,&3 Bedr oom Apartment Homes Every Saturday 1:00 Check Out T upelo’s Best Kept Secr et Goats,Hogs &Horses For all y our cattle needs 1875 N elle S t. T upelo,MS Located Dir ectly Behind T upelo High School at 11:00 am “ W e S pecializ e 662-841-7806 Call 489-4385 or213-7080 in F rame W or k” 844-0260 P r ofessional A uction Mar keting W ith Over20Y ears of Experience W ith On-Site Auctions, Stevens Auction Has Set The Standar ds for Others to Follow BRAKE & SERVICE REPAIR •Brakes •Fr ont End Alignment •Air www.stev ensauction.com Conditioning 508 L umpkin A v enue John Dwight Stevens,Auctioneer Member of MS and National Auctioneers Associations T upelo,Mississippi 38801 MS A. L.#349 T elephone: (662) 844-2370 NORTH MISSISSIPPI LEADING AUCTION COMPANY COOPER GWENDOLYN HUDSON Fax: (662) 844-2345 W ehandle any kind of auction or appraisal AUTO - TRUCK SERVICENTER S ite Manager E-mail: oakcr eeka@bir ch.net P .O. Box 58 •Aber deen,MS 4006 W est Main T upelo,MS844-1852 A ttor neys A utomotiv e

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1204 N ORTH G LOSTER •TUPELO,MS • Family Planning • Complete Pr egnancy & Pr enatal Car e • Adolescent Car e & Counseling Commer cial P lumbing,Gas &Industrial P iping • Menstrual Disorders Next to La Vino RICHARD HANLON P .O. BOX 417 • Infertility Evaluation • Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgeries Rebecca Butler , F .N.P . (662)447-3213 O kolona, MS 38860 • Outpatient Surger y for Urinar y Incontinence Gr eg Mitchell, M.D. 662-841-0633 Board Certified • NOW OFFERING 4-D UL TRA SOUND Obstetrics &Gynecology Thank y ou for choosing RH Plumbing. W e appr eciate y our business For your appointment call (662) 534-0029 M edical 117 Fairfield Drive • New Albany , MS 38652 ,PA The Meadows Serving senior citizens and their families Daniel Health Care services include 24-hour skilled nursing care by Compr ehensiv e Medical Car e licensed and certified staff, restorativenursing programs, 24-hour lab and pharmaceutical services,IVtherapy by IV certified nursing staff 24hours, on site xrays, on-staff medicaldirector ,careplanning con- For Y our Family or Business ferenceswithfamily , psychologists on staff with behavioralmanage- ment program,Alzheimer ’ s Unit, subacute unit, social services, wound care,activity programs daily , nutritionalplans and counseling, EKG’ s, Appointments &Walk-Ins W elcome respiratory therapy . ALSO AVAILABLE: Outpatientservices, on-site and off-site; occupa - Mon.-F ri. 8 - 6:30 1154 Cr oss Cr eek Dr . tional therapy; physical therapy; speech-language therapy and audio- (Next to Home Depot) L ee Wallace, CFNP logical services. Sat.9-6 David W . Bell,MD 10% OFF SENIOR CITIZENS DISCOUNT Sun. 1 - 6 840-8010 The Meadows Highway 25 South • Fulton, MS • 662-862-2165 P r essure Cleaning HERNDON CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC Feel Good Again! New Patients Welcome

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W . Carl Kellum Jr .,M.D. W e S ell The B est 1952-2006 589 Gar field Street,Suite 201 • T upelo,MS38801 (662)842-0366 •FAX(662)842-0811 (662) 680-5565 • 1-877-942-7876 1181-AWest Shopping •Tupelo,MS B usiness Dir ectory R estaurant R estaurant S torage GRAND OPENING Brand New Storage Facility! EXTENDED THRU Clean and Secure! AUGUST! 24-Hour Gated Access •Brightly Lit Get 1or2Months FREE T otal Security Fence! W e Roast,You Boast withpr epaid r ent!! DINING • CARRYOUT • CATERING M AIN S TREET Call-In Or ders 840-8800 MINI-STORAGE W e Caterto Parties, Factories,Home &Office Owned and Oper ated by Gus Hildenbr and Jim &BarbaraBeane,Owners 627-AWest Main Street •Tupelo • (662) 346-9966 203 Commer ce Street,Acr oss fr om T upelo Coliseum Directly Behind Main Street Family Dentistry HOURS: Mon.,Tues.,Wed. 11am-6pm •Thurs.,Fri.,Sat.11am-Until R oofing U pholstery Co m e Jo i n u s & en j o y al l th e n ew exc i ti n g th i n g s h ap p en i n g at C yp res s G ri l l ! TUPELO UPHOLSTERY “Neverthe same buffettwice” Sunday food bar SPROUSE V inyl T ops •Carpets •Seats •Headliner extravaganza 11-2 •Featuring homemade desserts, mega salad bar , entrees, vegetables,chocolate dipped Convertible T ops •Leather Interiors strawberries,and deviled eggs! ROOFING Also checkour our new menu, prices and lunch specials! Under New Management. Residential &Commercial 2520 S. Pr esident W ithover 40years experience! Guy Jenkins - General Manager Shingle Roof •Metal Roof •Rubber Roof Tupelo,MS MarthaJenkins - Chef 650 Park PlazaDr •New Albany ,MS38652 662-844-6690 Lunch 662-321-3112 or 662-534-4448 T uesday - Friday 11-2 For catering call Sunday 11-2 Dinner 662-869-3689 662-213-3151 Thurs.-Fri- Sat. - 5-9 - FREE ESTIMATE - T im Kesler ,Owner •Fr ee Estimates •Automotive Vacuum Salon S ervices Party T rays for all Occasions! FULL “Since1924” SERVICE •Vacuum Cleaners •Shampooers SALON •Air Purifiers & DAY FREE Pickup &Delivery 1101 W . Main •Tupelo SPA 842-3774 662 840-0900 518 S. Gloster •Tupelo • 842-2214 219 F ranklin Street •Tupelo (behind BancorpSouth Arena) W ine &Liquor Hair Car e,Manicures,Pedicures, Facials, Skin Car e,Micr o-Der mabrasion,Massage, Color Analysis &Correction Thursdays at TThehe CCrereaattiivvee TT oouucchh

•Max2FREE Kidswith Adult Entree •Kid's Menu Only D AY S PA & S AL O N • 12years and under • 5 to9pm •Drink not included 1204 North Gloster Street 662- 844- 3734 • 844- 6204 T upelo and Corinth Location Kids Eat Free on Monday T upelo, MS 38804 217 Highway30W est •New Albany • 534-2700 •Fax 534-0477 2613-A TRACELAND DR. • TUPELO, MS 38801 FX: 662.842-4376 PH: 662.842.4298 S ound S ystems W r ecker S ervice

2611 W . MAIN ST. TUPELO, MS “Serving Lee Co. Since1973” 842-3753 • 24 H OUR D AMAGE-F REE T OWING •HEAVY D UTY T OWING Pizza Salad Bar •ROLLBACK W RECKER Spaghetti Sandwiches 840-9301 Sun. 12-11 pm •Mon - Wed 11 am-10 pm •Fri-Sat 11 am-11 pm SOUND & VIDEO 709 Highway 145 South Systems for Business,Church,Home Baldwyn,MS 1806 E. M AIN S TREET •TUPELO 365-7059 Sales •Installation •Rental FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008 BUSINESS JOURNAL PAGE 27 PAGE 28 BUSINESS JOURNAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008

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