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Business Pulse- Opening, closing and remodeling
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The Candy Lady offers candy, lunch options, catering and much more.
Seth Wright
Published: Jan 18, 2025, 6:53 PM

The Candy Lady open for business

A love of sweet treats and a desire for a fresh start in a small town have combined to the benefit of locals looking for another eating option.

Michelle Hubbell, known as "The Candy Lady," and her husband Eric Uecker, originally from Connecticut, were looking for a small community to join, and McMinnville fit the bill.

"My husband and I have been together for 12 years," Michelle said. "We moved to Tennessee four years ago to better ourselves and start a new dream in this beautiful state. We fell in love with McMinnville for the small-town atmosphere and the wonderful people here."

Before becoming "The Candy Lady," Michelle drove a school bus for 17 years and a coach bus for four years. Having been born with a sweet tooth and a love for baking, Michelle began trying to make her own creations.

"That started my sweet-treat dream of making candy and baked goods along with chicken salad sandwiches," Michelle said. 

Michelle and Eric started making treats for friends and family and then began taking their creations to craft fairs.

"Some friends at a craft fair jokingly called me 'The Candy Lady,' and it stuck," Michelle said.

About four weeks ago, Michelle and Eric opened The Candy Lady Sweets & Eats at 352 S. Chancery St. and things have been going well. The store had a ribbon cutting last Tuesday and the couple welcomes the public to come check it out. 

Despite the store's name, the offerings aren't limited to candy, although that is certainly a major feature.

"We offer a wide variety of homemade items," Michelle said. "Hot sauces, relishes, BBQ, spicy mustards, preserves, breads, cookies, cakes, pies, parfaits, chicken salad sandwiches, past salads, grape salad, acai bowls, sweet teas, rock candy, caramel popcorn, freeze-dried candy, fudge, cake balls, macarons, strawberry upside down cheese cake, banana pie, edible cookie dough and so much more. We also feature items from 'The Cake Lady' and Mountain Fusion freeze-dried candy."

And the store's inventory isn't limited to edible items. It also carries resin items, hair bows, purses and other items from vendors such as Puffs Boutique and R&S Resin Craft.

The Candy Lady Sweets & Eats is open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. The store also offers catering. For more information, call (931) 304-8019 or email thecandyladysweetsandeats@gmail.com.


Pharmacy

closing

To close the year, I wrote in Business Pulse that my hope was to be able to write more about stores opening than closing in 2025. Well, this week is a wash. 

The opening of The Candy Lady is wonderful news. Unfortunately that is offset by the announcement last week that the Walgreens location at 318 N. Chancery St. will be closing. 

In the Oct. 16 edition of Business Monthly  I ran an Associated Press story that Walgreens had announced the closing of 1,200 locations over the next three years in an attempt to turn around its fortunes after a $3 billion quarterly loss.

To accompany the story, I ran a picture of the N. Chancery Walgreens with a caption pointing out McMinnville currently has two Walgreens locations. I feared two locations barely over a mile apart would be an easy target for a company making hard decisions about which stores to close.

Sadly, my fears were confirmed last week as Walgreens sent notification to customers stating the N. Chancery location will permanently close on Feb. 18. 

I spoke to a Walgreens employee who further elaborated that the store will close for good on Feb. 18 at noon. For those who have prescriptions at the pharmacy, they can easily be transferred to the remaining Walgreens at 1210 Smithville Hwy. or any other pharmacy of the customer's choosing. For more information on that process, customers can contact a pharmacist at Walgreens or visit www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/store-closures.jsp?ec=SMS_DigitalRxNotification.

I asked what the closure meant for the current employees at the store and was told they would have the opportunity to transfer to pretty much any other Walgreens in the district if they choose to. 


Wendy's getting

new look

As any fan of Wendy's already knows, the restaurant at 1354 Sparta St. in front of Three Star Cinema is currently undergoing an extensive remodel. 

Always hungry for business news, (as well as a double mushroom bacon cheeseburger), I went to Wendy's on Thursday where the drive-thru window remains open while construction work is being done. Upon receiving my burger, which was delicious by the way, I asked a manager for details about the renovation. 

"We're redoing our store. It's going to be a brand-new store," Tiffany Pease, one of the Wendy's managers, told me. "We will be open until the 26th, and after that we'll be closed until they get it finished."

As far as exactly when the work will be finished, Tiffany couldn't yet say for sure. I think I speak for many fans of Wendy's when I say hopefully it won't take too long. The work is well underway and changes are evident, such as the removal of what I always referred to as the sun-room portion of the interior dining area.

The Wendy's franchise website touts a "Global Next Gen" design aesthetic with an increased focus on streamlining the experience for digital and delivery customers as well as more efficient kitchens . Exactly what we can expect when our local Wendy's debuts its new look, I'm not sure, but I eagerly anticipate seeing what the new-look restaurant will offer. 


Until next week,

Same biz day,

Same biz page

Thanks for reading. If you have a business you'd like to have featured or have business tips, email me at editor@southernstandard.com.
Business Pulse- New antique store sets down roots
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Nikki Childers
Published: Mar 23, 2025, 12:01 AM

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!