Pageant winners have been crowned and cotton candy has been gulped down by the bagful. Memories and high cholesterol are all that remain from the 2021 Warren County A&L Fair during a week which produced a surprising amount of business news.
I’m pleased to report there’s a new business on Main Street. Darin Payne has opened BenchMark Physical Therapy in a spot located between Begonias and Southern Traditions in what’s commonly known as the old Fraley’s building.
Darin has a wealth of experience as a physical therapist, is the clinic director, and he’s also a partner in the business.
“I’m proud to invest in Main Street and be a part of the revitalization effort downtown,” said Darin. “Physical therapy is something which can help a lot of people. It doesn’t have to be after surgery. If you’re having neck pain or back pain, physical therapy can be really beneficial. If you just want to be able to hit a golf ball further, it can be something which can help you out. If you’ve been having aches and pains that won’t go away, give us a call and see how we can help.”
Darin said a typical program might be to work with a therapist one-on-one three times a week for a month. He said all patients respond differently and some people might be able to see dramatic improvement after just a few visits.
Darin has a number of impressive credentials, among those being that he has earned a doctorate in physical therapy. He also has experience in a technique called dry needling where a needle is inserted into a problematic area to release hormones and chemicals. This also increases blood flow.
Darin says the dry needling is similar to acupuncture but it’s more of a Western model instead of the Eastern version which focuses on energy flow in the body to stimulate healing.
Darin and his family moved to McMinnville 10 years ago when he was recruited by River Park Hospital. He has children in the Warren County School System, has joined the Chamber, and is glad to be an active member of the community.
Darin says BenchMark treats each patient individually using evidence-based techniques to produce the best results. He can schedule a complimentary screening if you’d like more information.
Parking is located behind the building in a parking lot accessible from Morford Street for those who don’t like to parallel park on Main Street. The clinic has hours beginning at 8 a.m. Monday thru Friday and can be reached at (931) 488-8511.
Subway finally
Moving to Plaza?
It was about this time last year when the old Krystal building at Plaza Shopping Center was demolished and everyone was anxious to learn what was going to happen at that spot. Based on chatter I was hearing at the time, I said in this column that I thought it would be Subway.
As it turns out, Subway did not locate at that spot. That location is now home to Hickory Creek BBQ run by J.R. and Annette Herrin.
But it appears my prognostication wasn’t off by much. In this case it looks like it was off by about 50 feet.
Based on information I’m now hearing from super-secret business insiders, it looks like a Subway is going to locate at the old Regions Bank building at Plaza Shopping Center.
If you recall, Regions Bank had been at that spot for years before opting to close that branch and close its downtown branch, and open one sparkling new facility on New Smithville Highway. City government expanded City Hall to take the first floor of the Regions Bank downtown branch. The old Regions Bank spot at the Plaza has been sitting empty since July of 2020.
From what I’m hearing, Subway ownership has been making upgrades to the building and plans are to incorporate a drive-thru window.
I tried to get in touch with the Subway owner who I understand is transforming the old bank into a restaurant to verify all this information. However, three phone calls and a text message were not returned.
New plumbing
Service opens
One thing which is hard to do in today's world is to get a trained plumber to perform work at your home. We have some good plumbers in Warren County to be sure, but they stay covered up with jobs because there just aren’t enough of them to go around.
A new company aims to address this situation.
U.S. Water Heating Solutions has been doing business in eight states and just this past week the company expanded into Warren County to make Tennessee its ninth.
Experienced plumber Mike Pack, formerly of MPack Plumbing, is spearheading the local operation. Mike has been a plumber since he was 17, giving him 17 years of experience now that he’s a spry 34.
Mike decided to merge his business with U.S. Water Heating Solutions to offer even better service than he could provide on his own as a one-man band.
“With materials getting harder and harder to come by, this was the best route for me to grow,” said Mike. “We can handle plumbing leaks, toilets repairs, and just about anything to do with water heaters. We have all the parts in stock so there’s no waiting. With the water heaters, we have them shipped and they’re here the next day.”
Mike says U.S. Water Heating Solutions is fully licensed and insured. The company covers Warren County and beyond.
“So many plumbers are behind right now,” said Mike. “If you have a problem, you don’t want to wait two weeks to get it fixed. I doubt there are many people who want to go two weeks without hot water.”
Mike says technicians are certified with A.O. Smith, Rheem and other popular water heaters. Emergency service is offered 24-7 for commercial and residential customers. Vans are fully stocked with everything needed to complete a repair.
“Joining this company was the best thing for me and the best thing for my customers moving forward,” said Mike. He says as the company grows, it will be looking to hire more employees who are properly trained and who can pass a background check.
With the construction industry running wide open, there’s no doubt a need for more plumbers exists. To get in touch with U.S. Water Heating Solutions, the phone number is (833) 879-4776.
Three cheers for
A Green Clean Team!
Sometimes it’s nice to sit back and celebrate the accomplishments of a local business which has excelled. Today, I’d like to take time to recognize A Green Clean Team owned and operated by Jeff and Jessica Green.
It was about 18 months ago when Jeff and Jessica opened their business in Warren County under the motto that they will clean anything. Not only will they clean it, but they say they will clean it better than anyone else.
“We’re a 24-7 business,” said Jeff. “You can call me at 2 a.m. and I’ll answer.”
Jeff says he sleeps lightly and with his phone next to his ear. A Green Clean Team specializes in commercial and residential cleaning and the business also does COVID cleaning where every square inch of surface is disinfected.
On Tuesday, A Green Clean Team joined the Chamber of Commerce, a building it has cleaned from top to bottom. The Greens were praised for their work by none other than County Executive Jimmy Haley, who said they did a spectacular job at making Warren County Administrative Offices shine.
The thing I like most about Jeff and Jessica is they have grown their business the old-fashioned way, which is through hard work. It was just the two of them when they got started and now A Green Clean Team has 20 employees when you count contract workers. Those are impressive numbers.
A Green Clean Team is proof hard work does pay off. The company can be reached at (931) 841-8439.
Saint Thomas
Plans expansion
It’s not happening in Warren County, but I still consider it very noteworthy news that Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford announced a $110 million hospital expansion on Thursday.
The expansion will add 58 beds, enhance the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, expand operating rooms, and add a 1,100-space parking garage when it’s complete in 2024.
I see this as big news for two reasons. First and foremost, it shows the strength of Ascension Saint Thomas, which owns and operates our beloved hospital right here in McMinnville.
Our hospital is one of the great assets of our entire community. I can’t think of a bigger loss than to have our hospital close, as other rural communities have experienced in recent year, so it’s reassuring to know Ascension Saint Thomas is in position to invest $110 million into a facility.
The second big reason I like this investment is because it’s enhancing a hospital that’s relatively close to home. Going to Nashville for top-flight care is OK, but it’s even more convenient to think high levels of care can be received in nearby Murfreesboro.
Holmes climbing
Farm Credit ladder
Farm Credit Mid-America is pleased to announce Garrison Holmes has a new role as crop insurance specialist serving customers across East Tennessee.
Garrison will assist customers in selecting from a range of federally affiliated and private crop insurance products designed to help them leverage opportunities and mitigate risk. He’s immediately available to meet with customers and provide on-farm service to help them develop tailored plans that meet the unique needs of their operation.
Garrison is a shining example of a local guy who has done well. He’s a Tennessee Tech grad and proud father of a bouncing baby boy.
Congratulations Garrison.
Job Fair
In Pikeville
There were two job fairs held in McMinnville this summer. For anyone who did not get a chance to attend one of those events, or who would like to attend another job fair, there’s one scheduled this Thursday, Sept. 23, in Pikeville.
The job fair will be held at Pikeville City Hall, 25 Municipal Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participating employers who are hiring include LaZBoy, Tennessee State Parks, Acument, Mann+Hummel, Aviagen, the Tennessee Department of Corrections, TCAT of Crossville, and more.
Jobs seem to be plentiful in this current work environment so this job fair may be worth considering if you need work. Personally, I don't understand how the unemployment rate isn't 0% because anyone who wants a job is working right now.
That’s all folks
The fair, sadly, is over. The holidays await. Email business news to editor@southernstandard.com.
