Main Street moves

Musical chairs

Oftentimes in the business world, one move will trigger another. This domino effect is evident downtown in this week's Biz Beat. In mid-May, The Hitch General Store at 123 E. Main St. announced it was reconsolidating with its original location across the street at The Hitch Outfitters.

That move created a vacancy in a prime downtown location - one which didn't stay empty long. Christy Ross, owner of Ross & Company located three doors down from the newly empty store at 120 E. Main St., was quick to take advantage of the opportunity. And the vintage barber shop's move will soon create another brand-new downtown business.

"We're making the move to get a little more space," Christy told me. "Ross & Company has been open for 13 years this month, and the business continues to grow. We added Ryan Simpson and we're just outgrowing the space. The added room will enable us to add more services as well as adding more stylists. We're looking to help other people grow their business."

Christy is excited about the move and what it will mean for the future of Ross & Company, but she feels an attachment to her home of over a decade and isn't quite ready to totally let go of it just yet.

"I feel very good about this move, but I love this space so much, I'm not getting rid of it," Christy said. " We're going to open another business with a dear friend. There will be more details to follow on that."

Rest assured, when Christy is ready to expand on those details, I'll bring that news to you in Biz Beat. As for Ross & Company, Christy truly loves the downtown business community she has become a part of, and she feels the stars are aligning for her, giving her confidence this is the right move.

"Oddly enough, we opened Ross & Company on June 27, 2012," Christy said. "The inspection for the new location is June 27. It is meant to be. Things are happening downtown. I do believe this is the place to be. If it weren't for that space coming available, I would not leave Main Street. I love our downtown community.

"Growing from pretty much no businesses downtown to seeing it thrive has really been something. In the beginning, any given Saturday over the course of an hour, you wouldn't see three cars coming down Main Street. Now it is bustling. A lot of work by a lot of people has gone into that over these 13 years, and it's coming into fruition now. I am so happy to have been a part of that and to be able to call Main Street home to my business. I love it here. I really do."

Ross & Company's new location has previously been home to The Hitch General Store, Linen & Grace, The Weathered Arrow and more. Christy believes the list of names to occupy that spot will stop growing for quite some time as she plans to put down roots there.

"I think with us moving in, we have no plans of going anywhere else anytime soon," Christy told me. "We want to continue to be a fixture in downtown McMinnville. We're adding more chairs to give more opportunity for people to come in and be a part of what we're adding here. I have plans for someone from Murfreesboro - who Ryan and I drive to see to get our nails done - to come here one day a week."

Christy plans to be open in the new location on June 28, immediately after the June 27 inspection. Until that time, you can find Christy and Ryan at their current location.

"We're operating in the old location until then. We'll work it right here until we can work it over there," Christy said. "There will be some added chairs and new decoration, but it will still have the same signature feel to it. And stay tuned for the announcement of a new business. The space is going to stay with me and we'll partner to put something new in that space."

More moves

The Biz Foundry opened in McMinnville on Court Square in December 2019 to provide office and desk space for people needing a place to work. Membership included furniture, access to a conference room and use of a kitchenette. The non-profit, based out of Cookeville, sought to promote co-working by providing office space to entrepreneurs of all levels.

The Biz Foundry recently informed members that it would be closing its McMinnville location on June 30. Much like The Hitch General Store location, the space won't stay empty long.

Panther Creek Forestry - which owns the building The Biz Foundry is located in and which has a location next door - is looking to expand and will be occupying the spot. Panther Creek Forestry has recently expanded its operations to include custom firewood/kindling and wood shavings.

"We are now processing local oak and hickory firewood and Aspen, pine and cedar wood shavings for chicken houses, livestock bedding, etc.," Panther Creek Forestry Senior Project Manager Emily Stefanick said. "Because of this, we've added staff and need the space to accommodate our regional footprint."

Upon The Biz Foundry's lease coming up, a discussion was held and a decision was made to not renew it.

A special opportunity to help

I typically report about comings and goings of local businesses, but it's nice when I can also write about businesses coming together to help a worthy cause. A food drive is currently under way, and several businesses are doing their part to help.

To donate non-perishable food items to the McMinnville Special Games food drive, drop your contribution off at First National Bank at 200 E. Main St., McMinnville Drug Center at 1500 Sparta St., Regions Bank at 1035 Smithville Hwy., McBride Bookkeeping at 219 N. Chancery St. or the McMinnville Enrichment Center at 225 Garfield St. For more information, contact (931) 808-8816.

Until next time, the Beat goes on

Thanks for reading this edition of Biz Beat. Thanks to Ben Lomand Connect, the first Biz Beat of each month will be presented free to all readers. So, if this is your first time checking it out, welcome. I hope you like what you see. Another regular feature of the first Biz Beat of each month is the previous month's business listings provided by the good folks at the Warren County Clerk's office. My thanks to everybody there for their help. If you have any business questions, tips or a business you'd like to see featured, please let me know at seth.wright@mainstreetmedia.llc.