Wes Harris, State Farm Insurance Agent – home, auto, life & banking – 319 Vann Drive, sponsors Strictly Business, a weekly column that takes a look at a few of this week’s business highlights.

Gigi’s Cupcakes files for bankruptcy; Jackson location remains open

Gigi’s Cupcakes LLC, the franchisor that owns the rights to the Gigi’s Cupcakes Brand, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Management could not be reached for comment at Gigi’s at 907 Vann Drive in Towne Centre North, but an employee at the location said plans are to keep Gigi’s open in Jackson.

Business hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays.

Gigi’s has two locations in the Mid-South; one in Germantown and one in Cordova, which are now closed.

Founded in 2008 by Gina ‘Gigi’ Butler in Nashville as a boutique bakery, the cupcake chain filed for reorganization on January 4, in Texas Northern Bankruptcy Court with liabilities in the $1 million to $10 million range.

Property on North Parkway rezoned for industrial site

About 45 acres on the east side of North Parkway East and south of Browns Church Road have been rezoned from Agriculture and Open Land to a Light Industrial District.

Part of property is located in Jackson, and a portion in Madison County, which was annexed at the request of the owner to provide a single source of protection – Jackson Police Department and Jackson Fire Department.

The utilities will be installed by Jackson Energy Authority.

Initially, a 200,000-square-foot warehouse consisting of 20 dock doors and two ground level doors will be developed at the site.

The warehouse will have the capability of expanding to 400,000-square-feet.

Building once home to Huddle House remains vacant

The building that was home to a Huddle House restaurant for about six months in 2018 continues to look for another tenant.

Located at 1118 Whitehall Street, a spokesperson with a real estate brokerage firm in Memphis who is leasing the building, said the facility is turn-key – for a restaurant.

The 2,464-square-foot facility – located next door to an 18,000-square-foot retail center – Bre Avenue at Madison Place – is owned by Donald and Kimberly Lloyd, who co-owned the Huddle House.

Huddle House closed because of franchise violations.

Convenience store at 6 Channing Way sold for $1 million +

Regional Express, a convenience store at 6 Channing Way has been sold to 6 Channing Way Property LLC, for $1,300,000.

Remon Rizk, who was approved by the Jackson Beer Board for a permit, Tuesday, is the owner.

New hotel/conference center proposed for area near The Ballpark at Jackson

Time is money, and for David Freeman, he’s hoping an idea he presented to the City of Jackson in 2008, will finally come to fruition in 2019.

Freeman, a Nashville businessman and co-owner of the Jackson Generals, the Southern League’s Double A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, is looking to build a 137-room hotel that includes an 18,000-square-foot conference center near The Ballpark at Jackson.

The proposal was made when the Jackson City Council held its monthly meeting at City Hall, Tuesday.

Representing Freeman, Robert R. (Bo) Campbell Jr., an attorney from Nashville, said the estimated cost of the project is $30 million compared to $15 million in 2008.

“(Besides) the hotel and conference center, we’re hopeful for other developments down the road, as well,” Campbell said, “We’re hoping this is a huge win for the City.”

With sticking points being abatement on taxes, the Council voted to form a sub-committee to meet with the Industrial Development Board before the next step is taken.

“This is a very complex, very complicated document,” said Jerry Gist, mayor of Jackson, “It has to do with the lease and also the construction of the hotel/motel, and the council decided to refer it over to the IDB (Industrial Development Board).

“We hope it’s a good deal for the developer, and as good a deal for the City … that’s going to be imperative.”

Beer Board approves 9 requests for special requests & business permits

The Jackson Beer Board approved five special occasion permits and four business permits during its monthly meeting at the City Council Chambers, Tuesday.

Julius Boyd, Jr., on behalf of Crime Stoppers Jackson Madison County, was approved for a special occasion permit to sell, store and serve beer at an event to be held at the Jackson Fairgrounds Park, today.

Billy H. (Chip) Thomas, Jr., on behalf of Thomas Media, was approved for a special occasion permit to sell, store and serve beer at an event to be held at the Jackson Fairgrounds Park on January 26, 2019, known as Guns and Hoses.

Cody Blue Miller, on behalf of The Jackson Symphony League, Inc., was approved for a special occasion permit to sell, store and serve beer at an event to be held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center on January 26, 2019.

Ann Keyl, on behalf of Sacred Heart of Jesus High School, was approved for a special occasion permit to sell, store and serve beer at a fund raising event to be held at 146 McClellan Road, February 2, 2019.

Tammy Hardee, on behalf of the West Tennessee Women’s Center, was approved for a special occasion permit to sell, store and serve beer at an event to be held at the Jackson Fairgrounds Park on February 8, 2019, known as Boots and Bling.

Ali Al Qartahi was approved for a permit for a business known as Best Stop Inc., 1215 Whitehall Street, for selling, storing and distributing beer for consumption off the premises.

Chandrakant M. Choksi was approved for a permit for a business known as Speedway Food Mart, 2119 North Parkway for selling, storing and distributing beer for consumption off the premises.

Chandrikaben Patel was approved for a permit for a business known as Nilkant Inc. – doing business as Southside Liquor & Wine – 1429 South Highland Avenue, for selling, storing and distributing beer for consumption off the premises.

Remon Rizk was approved for a permit for a business known as Channing Express Groceries, LLC, 6 Channing Way, for selling, storing and distributing beer for consumption off the premises.

FOR MORE LOCAL BUSINESS Click Here

(PHOTO: Wes Harris, State Farm agent)
David Thomas, Twitter– @DavidThomasWNWS
https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalk1015/