Biz Buzz

We do it all the time. We drive by a building and talk about how quickly construction is moving along or how ugly the building is or how glad we are that a developer finally recognized the need for that particular business.

So, now we are bringing the discussion online. While the Biz Buzz team is out and about, we’re going to snap quick pictures from the car (hence the “drive-by” name) to keep tabs on construction and development around the area. Feel free to tell us what you think.

Click here for the first drive-by.

Barnes & Noble is slated to open this fall at the Mall at Barnes Crossing. More info.

Old Venice Pizza on McCullough Boulevard in Tupelo should open this summer. More info.

Atlanta Bread on South Gloster is slated to open in June. More info.

The Horizon Travel Center was slated to open in February. More info.

The Tupelo region, for the third year in a row, has been named to Site Selection magazine’s list of the most active micropolitan areas for new and existing industries in the country.

According to the Community Development Foundation, the area earned the ranking after posting 12 industry expansion projects and three new projects last year. Some 1,861 new jobs were created, with 725 from new business, 136 from existing business and 1,000 related to Toyota. The total capital investment amounted to $451.4 million.

OK, this was too good to pass up. Came across this press release from Smoky Bones, a barbecue restaurant – and pretty good, I might add – that doesn’t have a location anywhere near us.

But, the restaurant had a “running of the pigs” to celebrate its all-you-can-eat baby back ribs special it’s running at its restaurants. Here’s the press release:

The streets of Orlando were filled today with “oinks” and squeals and screams of terror when more than 100 pigs rampaged after an estimated 500 people during the inaugural Smokey Bones Running of the Pigs. In an event that was no less exhilarating than the famous Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, pigs and people barreled through a quarter-mile course lined with curious and somewhat horrified onlookers. Amateur video of the event was captured by one spectator, who later uploaded the footage to YouTube. The event commemorated the introduction of Smokey Bones’ All-You-Can-Eat Baby Back Ribs special.

“I’m a thrill-seeker, so I drove halfway across the country to take part,” said Bob Racket, a sales representative from Spring, Texas. “I’ve rode on some of the best roller coasters in the world and gone hang-gliding, but this experience measures right up. I was surprised how fast the pigs could move, and they were really out to get us. I got hit by a few, but I was able to stay on my feet. What a rush!”

Hosted by Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill, the Running of the Pigs attracted people from across the country - as far away as Oregon, Illinois, Connecticut and Michigan. The pigs burst through the gates after the starter called “release the pigs.” What followed was a chaotic scene as the daring participants raced through the quarter-mile course, the agitated pigs hot on their heels. Several people escaped the mayhem by leaping over fences that kept the pigs from the sidewalks, while many others tried to outrun the pigs. A few unlucky people were trampled, but no serious injuries to either pigs or people were reported.

“We had a blast with the Running of the Pigs, but we underestimated how crazy it would be, and some participants got a little more than they bargained for. Fortunately, we have plenty of time to work out the kinks so we can make it better next year,” said Peter Bell, chief marketing officer for Smokey Bones. “In the meantime, folks can visit their local Smokey Bones to get their BBQ fix. Our All-You-Can-Eat Baby Back Ribs offer is a great way to enjoy real barbeque whether you’re a hard-core carnivore or barbeque novice.”

Looks like it’s more than rumors.

A representative from Memphis-based Carlisle Corp. today confirmed that the company’s former Wendy’s building on West Main is under contract when asked about a potential deal between Carlisle and Krystal.

“There is no solidified deal … We’re seeing how this project moves forward,” he said, adding that Carlisle is doing its due diligence and “the company” still had some work to do.

A spokesman for Krystal confirmed that the burger company is looking at re-entering the Tupelo market, but said a building has not been purchased yet.

This just in from Eutaw Construction:

ABERDEEN, Miss.—Eutaw Construction Company, Inc., of Aberdeen, Mississippi has announced that it was recently awarded the initial site construction contract for the Toyota Steel Center located on the main Toyota plant site in Blue Springs, Mississippi. The contract scope includes clearing, grubbing, excavation and drainage. Terms of the contract have not been finalized.

Eutaw recently completed the site construction for Toyota Boshoku Mississippi, LLC. Toyota Boshoku will be a Tier One supplier for the Toyota Manufacturing Plant facility.

Monroe County is making news today. As previously reported in the Journal, Amory is getting a new hotel. The groundbreaking for Heritage Inn & Suites is set for 1:30 p.m. today near the River Birch Golf Course.

And, this morning Aberdeen had the groundbreaking for a new shopping plaza near Curries Family Care Pharmacy on Highway 145. We have the sleuths at the Aberdeen Examiner hunting down information about potential tenants.