What's cooking downtown?

As my wife's Aunt Sharon used to say, "Seth loves cookies!"

Aunt Sharon wasn't wrong. That's why any time in the course of my business reporting a new place to buy cookies pops up, I'm happy to channel my inner Cookie Monster and tell you all about it. 

That opportunity arose last week when I was contacted by Braxton Fitts. Braxton, a 24-year-old McMinnville native, has always loved baking and is ready to spread that love to the entire county by opening his new business, Cookies by Brax. 

"I’ve lived here my whole life and I love this city with my whole heart," Braxton said. "I graduated from Warren County High School in 2018 and have been working ever since."

Braxton has been selling his cookies on Facebook and at craft shows and other places, but he's taking the plunge by opening a dedicated store in Park Suites at 121 W. Main St. Suite E near the Park Theater.

"I’ve been baking all of my life and knew it was something I deep down wanted to do, but I needed something stable to pay the bills so I ended up putting that on hold for a while. I finally started to bake steadily again about two years ago and last year I ended up creating Cookies by Brax on Facebook in the beginning of 2023," Braxton said.

With an established base right downtown, Braxton will be well positioned for those working or visiting downtown when the need for a snack arises. He offers a wide variety of cookie flavors, including banana pudding, chocolate chip, chocolate covered strawberry, cornbread, double chocolate chip, fluffer nutter, gingerbread, lemon, M&M, oatmeal raisin, orange creamsicle, peanut butter, red velvet, snickerdoodle, sugar, strawberry sugar, toffee nut and white chocolate macadamia nut.

"I specialize in unique cookie flavors and a big variety. I am always willing to do special orders and cater to events and birthday parties," Braxton said.

Cookies by Brax officially opens its store this Friday, Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Braxton can be contacted at Cookies by Brax on Facebook or by text or call at (931) 316-1626.

"I can't wait to serve my amazing community that I love some delicious and unique cookies," Braxton said.

Unemployment

numbers down

Unemployment numbers continue to move in the right direction across the state, including here in Warren County. 

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) recently released the numbers for unemployment rates for July. Seventy-seven Tennessee counties, including Warren County, reported lower unemployment than in June, while rates stayed stable in eight counties and increased in 10.

Sevier and Williamson counties boasted the lowest jobless rates in July, each with 2.5%. Weakley County in northwest Tennessee had the highest at 6.2%.

Warren County fell somewhere in the middle with a rate of 4.3%, down from 4.5% in June. 

According to the data provided by the state, Warren County has a workforce of 16,727 people with only 726 qualifying as unemployed.

An electrifying

anniversary

Speaking of Warren County employers, it's time to celebrate one of McMinnville's longest-term employers.

McMinnville Electric System is celebrating "85 Years of Power." The utility company is also seeing some changes. MES General Manager and CEO Rodney Boyd is retiring and will serve the last day of his 24-year career on Friday, Aug. 30.

Rodney's go-to tagline has always been "shining the light on your future," and although his absence will be felt, he's confident the future of MES is bright and will continue to be under the leadership of new general manager, Brittany Davis.

In the bi-monthly MES newsletter Illuminations, Rodney said, "I am confident I am leaving MES in capable hands. Going forward after my retirement, Brittany Davis will be taking on the responsibility of providing clear, clean, safe, odorless and reliable electricity to your homes and businesses. Brittany, along with her husband Matthew and their two daughters, recently moved to McMinnville from Iuka, Mississippi. Please extend a warm McMinnville welcome to Brittany when you see her."

In an example of the forward-thinking that MES continues to demonstrate, on Friday The McMinnville - Warren County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for MES's new electric vehicle charging station which has been installed at 1559 Sparta Hwy. between the hospital and Motlow.

On behalf of the Southern Standard, I'd like to wish a very happy retirement to Rodney and to welcome Brittany and her family to town. Here's to a powerful, bright future for MES.

Until next week,

same biz day,

same biz page

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