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Business Pulse- Cookie monsters rejoice!
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Braxton Fitts will open Cookies by Brax on Friday at 121 W. Main St. Suite E. The store will provide a wide variety of cookie flavors and is available for special orders and catering.

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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Business Pulse- New antique store sets down roots
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You have likely noticed the change of byline on this page and, to provide an introduction about myself, I am a Warren County native and you or someone you know probably played baseball with my dad or worked with him over the years at Oster — which seems to be at least half of Warren County given I meet someone who knows him everywhere I go. It isn’t a bad thing, though; it’s actually nice to know our city, for its near-40,000 population, has never really lost its small-town feel.

I have been with the Southern Standard for almost eight years and worn a lot of hats, newest of all the role of primary reporter. While I am in no way new to this newspaper, I am new to penning this section. I have been covering city news for the better part of two years now, and I look forward to providing our readership with glimpses into the local businesses of our wonderful community we call home.

New Life for Antiques

One of the newest businesses to find its roots in Warren County opened at the beginning of the month. Those searching for an antique or unique piece with character and a story to tell can look no further than Old Oak Mercantile.

Owner and operator Sarah Blair is native to Warren County and has always held an appreciation for antiques, an interest which goes all the way back to her childhood. Niece to the late Iris Walker who owned an antique store for decades, Blair was introduced to the concept of giving old pieces new life from an early age.

A browse through Old Oak will reveal a wide variety of housewares, ranging from lamps and other tabletop fixtures to wall hangings, dishes and pottery. Blair keeps just a hint of modern in her offerings, but focuses most of her attention on the nostalgic and charming furnishings of yesteryear.

“We’re an antique store, vintage store and home of modern treasure all in one,” Blair explained. “History has always been my favorite and every little piece holds a story. I love meeting people and sourcing unique pieces from estate sales or wherever else I can find them.”

Blair indicated she had not set out to start an antique store just yet, but it was something she always wanted to do and the perfect opportunity landed in her lap upon discovering the store’s 110 N Spring Street location, situated in the building which once housed Kimmi’s Tea Room. The stars aligned and Blair jumped on the opportunity to share her affinity for antiques with the community and make her dream a reality.

“We were originally going to take over for The Rustic Daisy when it closed, but that didn’t happen and we found out about this location,” Blair said. “We downsized and it’s been working out really well for us here.”

Old Oak Mercantile is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is closed Sunday and Monday. Blair announces specials on the store’s Facebook page, which is regularly updated.

Barr’s Still Raising the Bar

A sustaining part of McMinnville’s small businesses and a name known to most anyone, Barr’s Fine Home Furnishings Inc. at 643 Beersheba Hwy. continues to thrive after 61 years in business. The late Earl Barr started the retailer in 1963 after spending three years in the Army and married his wife, Hazel, a year later. From there, the couple went on to create a business which would become a household name in the community — and for good reason. Hazel, son Mark and daughter-in-law Kim work together to continually provide their customers with the highest quality furniture and customer service possible.

“We are always committed to supporting our customers, even after the sale,” Hazel said of the company’s commitment to those who place their trust in the Barrs when purchasing from them.

Barr’s Furniture features well-established and high-quality brands such as La-Z-Boy, Sealy, England, Jackson, Hooker and Catnapper. Newest to the roster is Vaughan-Bassett bedroom furniture, which is 100% American-made. Vaughan-Bassett has been crafting furniture for over 100 years and is based in Galax, Virginia.

“Our focus has been to offer higher-quality furnishings at an affordable price,” Mark said of the company’s goal. “We believe in carrying as many things as possible that are truly American-made. In addition, La-Z-Boy, Catnapper and Jackson are made here in Tennessee.”

Mark continued, “We choose brands for their quality, reliability and their willingness to stand behind their products. Currently, we are working to expand our offerings from Vaughan-Bassett and get more American-made products and less imports.”

The Barrs and their dedicated staff promise great attention to their customers, offering prompt and free local delivery on items purchased from their store. Currently, select items in their inventory are as much as 30% off in order to create room for new pieces.

Barr’s Fine Home Furnishings Inc. is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed on Sundays. The store can be reached at (931) 473-3536 or barsfurniture.com and has an active Facebook page where sales and new items are often announced.

If you have a business — new or old — you would like to have featured, you are welcome to email me at nchilders@southernstandard.com. I look forward to meeting you!