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.

Caribbean Delights opens at The West Tennessee Farmers’ Market

From food truck to store front, John Ross and business partner Roger Shields have opened Caribbean Delights at 70 New Market Street at the West Tennessee Farmers’ Market.

“We were selling out of our truck for the International Food and Arts Festival,” Ross, a native of Jackson, said, “My wife Jezel, is from Trinidad and Tobago, and Roger Shields and his wife Alicia are from Trinidad and Tobago, as well.”

A few of the Items offered include rice and peas, curry chicken, jerk chicken, oxtails, geera gizzards and plantains.

“We offer a wide variety of food, Roger Shields said, “… Friday is Fish Friday.”

Business hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday through Friday; and the restaurant reopens at 4 p.m. Fridays, during the concert season at the Amphitheater at the Market.

Caribbean Delights is also open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays.

John said the location of the facility sold itself.

“The Farmers’ Market, housing in the downtown area and the LiFT Wellness Center,” John said, “The overall revitalization of the downtown area. Most of our business is walk-up. It’s only been positive.”

For call-in orders, call (731) 240-1800.

Jackson Energy Authority – Board approves budget for FY 2020

The Fiscal Year budget for 2020 was one of six resolutions passed when the Jackson Energy Authority held its monthly meeting at the Tennergy Corporation, Thursday.

Highlights of the budget include –

Sales revenue is projected to be $243.3 million.

“About $40 million of that will go back into capital projects to make improvements to the system and keep our equipment up to date,” said Jim Ferrell, president/CEO, Jackson Energy Authority.

Net sales revenue is projected to be $99 million.

Capital expenditures are projected to be $39.5 million.

Operating and maintenance expenditures are projected to be $56.2 million.

Net income before contributions is projected to be $12.9 million.

A rate increase of 7.6 percent in the Telecommunications Division is the only rate action planned.

The Water and Wastewater Divisions project borrowing $625,000 and $2.8 million, respectively, from the State Revolving Fund Loans.

Federal HUD/CDBG grant funds of $5.3 million are anticipated in the Wastewater Division.

Arby’s sets opening date for Park Place East restaurant

Arby’s restaurant, 219 Parkstone Place in Park Place East near the West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex, will have its grand-opening June 3.

Scott Elliott, a native of Humboldt, will serve as manager.

“We’ll have about 45 employees, and the restaurant will have seating for 56,” Elliott said, “This design is the newest version of Arby’s restaurant designs, and we’re really excited for Arby’s.”

Business hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays.

The drive-thru will be open until 11 p.m., each day.

Buffalo Construction Company from Louisville, Kentucky, built the 2,400-square-foot restaurant on .73 acres.

Arby’s has two additional locations in Jackson – 601 Old Hickory Blvd., and 208 Stonebrook Place.

Construction continues at Discount Tire on Oil Well Road

Construction on a new 7,000-square-foot facility, scheduled to become the home of national retailer, Discount Tire, continues at 236 Oil Well Road.

Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, Discount Tire has four locations in the Memphis and Nashville area, and is the nation’s largest independent tire and wheel retailer, operating more than 900 stores in 29 states.

Company officials in Scottsdale could not be reached for comment.

B C North Partners sold the property at 236 Oil Well Road to Halle Properties LLC for $1,350,000.

The building is being constructed by ROMACH Inc., General Contractors of Franklin.

ABRA Auto Body & Glass opening on Hollywood Drive

With 350+ locations across the country, ABRA Auto Body & Glass is adding 2186 Hollywood Drive to the list.

An opening date has not been announced, but the company will construct an 18,000-square-foot facility on 2.69 acres next to Flash Market (Citgo).

The property sold for $275,000, and Eden Smith, Coldwell Banker Now, handled the transaction.

ABRA – originally an acronym for Auto Body Refinishers of America – was founded in Fridley, Minnesota, in 1984.

In 1989, the company added its auto glass operation and became ABRA Auto Body & Glass

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(PHOTO: Wes Harris, State Farm)
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