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Business Pulse- Rack 'em up! Pool hall opens
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Rich Pekarz's Pioneer Lanes Pool Hall opened Friday with hopes of helping fill the void of a place to play pool in Warren County.

Rack 'em and

crack 'em

Rich Pekarz has been offering Warren County entertainment options for over two years as the owner of Pioneer Lanes bowling alley. The popular hangout offers bowling, arcade games and, until about a year and a half ago, pool tables.

The pool tables had to be moved because of needed repairs to the floor in the area they were located. Construction is ongoing and the area will be transformed into new party rooms when work is completed.

The work, however, left Warren County with a lack of accessible pool tables, a fact Rich was often made aware of. "We don't hardly have anywhere in town  to play pool and I'm getting calls daily asking if we have pool tables," Rich said. The void prompted Rich to open his own pool hall just upstairs from Pioneer Lanes. "I think it'll be a good addition to the community for people who like to play pool," Rich added.

Rich is no stranger to business, having been in the restaurant business for over 15 years. Before buying the bowling alley, he owned and operated Stacked Bistro on Main Street. "I've been a bowler my whole life. I've owned the bowling alley for over two years now and we stay very busy and we are still continuing to grow," Rich said. 

That growth is apparent as Pioneer Lanes Pool Hall opened on the upper level of Garden City Plaza at 218 Hobson Street on Friday. Initial hours for the pool hall will be Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. and Sunday from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. "We will be testing out the hours and we will see if we need to stay open later or add more days," Rich said.

Bottle sodas and beer will be available to purchase. Rich says he will be looking at adding tournaments and leagues once the pool hall gets up and running. 

Unlike the Music Man, I see no signs of trouble in Tree City prompted by the presence of pool tables and I applaud Rich's efforts and wish him well. 


More time for

breakfast

There's good news for folks like me who enjoy a good breakfast biscuit but who don't always enjoy being awake in time to purchase it. Hardee's has expanded its breakfast hours.

Previously serving breakfast only until 10:30 a.m. on weekdays, Hardee's now serves breakfast until noon every day. The change took place a few weeks ago and provides an extra hour and a half each day to get Hardee's famous biscuits as well as sausage, bacon and all of their other breakfast offerings. I applaud the move and so does my snooze button. 


Chamber salutes

local business

The McMinnville - Warren County Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet on March 28 at the Milner Recreation Center. The banquet serves as a time for Chamber staff and Chamber members to get together, reflect on the past year, salute the accomplishments of local businesspeople and businesses and install new Chamber Executive Board members.

Awards bestowed included Distinguished Citizen, Carlene Brown; Edwin Partin Retailer of the Year, Prater's BBQ, Morrison; Free Enterprise Award, Douglas and Lanier Agency; Employer of the Year, First National Bank of Middle Tennessee; Community Impact Award, TCAT McMinnville; Volunteer of the Year, Hollie Cox; Ambassador of the Year, Kelsey Taylor; and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Raven Young.

Members of the 2024-2025 Chamber Executive Board members are, chair, CK Cayce; chair elect, Justin Walling; treasurer, Justin Scott; secretary, Carla Bush; and immediate past chair, Bryan Kell. Chamber Board members are Erica Bundy, Sherry Cotten, Chad Graves, Leslie Hayes, Autumn Malone, Phyllis Prater, Grant Swallows and Rhonda Walker. 

Ex officios include Terry Bell, Ryle Chastain, Jennifer Meredith and Wendy Sneed. The Chamber staff consists of President Melissa Mullins, Visitor and Relocation Coordinator Jackie Borowiak and Social Media Manager Lakelinn Simmons.

Before the presentation of awards and board members, a social hour and dinner was held featuring local artists Shelby Durham, Sharon Kelley, Dr. Trey Kirby, Chris Ousley, Roberta Reynolds and WCHS students along with music from the Southern Standard's own Josh Wanamaker. 

On behalf of the Southern Standard and Business Pulse, I'd like to say congratulations to all of the businesses who were honored for their achievements and to the Chamber of Commerce for all of its efforts to ensure Warren County's business community survives and thrives. 

We truly have a special community here in Warren County and the McMinnville - Warren County Chamber of Commerce strives to help spread that message on behalf of all of its member businesses.


Until next week,

same biz day,

same biz page

Thanks for reading all the way to the end, and thanks to Ben Lomand Connect for sponsoring the page.

Come back next week to see what local business news I can dig up this time. Finding something new each Sunday is a little like an Easter egg hunt and I always welcome help. 

So if you have a business you'd like me to feature, please let me know at editor@southernstandard.com.

Business Pulse- New option for education in works
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Melita Holland, Jacqueline Shehane and Taylor Smoot are launching Orchard Grove, a farm-based homeschool tutorial for the 2025-2026 school year.

Orchard Grove

Amid much recent discussion about the state of education and the right way to administer it, a group of local teachers is planning to offer Warren countians a new option. 

Orchard Grove is set to be a farm-based homeschool tutorial offering Christian-centered instruction for students in pre-K through 8th grade. 

Jacqueline Shehane, one of three current Morrison Elementary teachers and Warren County natives who are launching Orchard Grove, reached out to me to talk about the new venture. 

"Students at Orchard Grove are enrolled in an umbrella homeschool and receive face-to-face instruction from licensed teachers," Jacqueline said. "Orchard Grove provides an alternative to public and private schools, prioritizing not only high-quality academic instruction but also fostering a deep connection to nature and God’s creation, offering students a well-rounded educational experience. Our aim is to provide a nurturing environment that honors the sacredness of childhood while encouraging a love for learning and exploration — without the constraints of state regulations or testing."

Jacqueline has 20 years of experience teaching first through fourth grades. She has a master's degree in elementary education and, as a wife and mother, places an emphasis on the importance of faith, family and lifelong learning.

Joining Jacqueline are Taylor Smoot and Melita Holland. The three are finishing out their contracts with Warren County Schools and will be remaining at Morrison through May.

Taylor began her teaching career at the Bridgestone Environmental Classroom and Habitat (BEECH) working with public, private and homeschool students. She is currently a first-grade teacher at Morrison Elementary. She was raised on her family's multi-generation farm where she still resides with her husband and two children. 

Melita is a pre-K teacher with a heart for nurturing young minds and cultivating a love for learning. Melita relies on her strong foundation rooted in Christian values to influence her style of warm, compassionate, patient teaching, with a desire to create a safe and supportive environment where children feel valued and encouraged to grow.

"We offer a flexible range of services to accommodate the needs of homeschool families," Jacqueline said. "Orchard Grove students can be enrolled full-time (Monday - Thursday), full-time (Monday - Friday), or part-time (two days a week). Fridays are open to any students who would like to drop in and participate in farm activities, life skills, devotion and fellowship. Our daily instruction schedule runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with early drop-off options available. A typical day at Orchard Grove includes morning prayer, the Pledge, group devotions, core academic instruction, farm and life skills lessons, ample time for outdoor exploration and exposure to rich literature and Bible lessons."

The three educators are united in a vision to offer a Christian-based option to parents seeking a place to educate their children.

"We all share a deep passion for Jesus Christ, our families and teaching," Jacqueline said. "We wanted to create a place where our family values and faith can be woven into our daily lessons. As parents, we often hear people say, 'It goes so fast,' or 'You only get one chance.' These sayings have inspired us to take a different path because we will each have our own children enrolled at Orchard Grove. Once we committed to God’s plan, He has completely guided us in making this dream a reality."

Orchard Grove will be located in Morrison on Shady Grove Road with plans to open for the 2025-2026 school year. Enrollment forms are currently being accepted through orchardgrovellc.com.

Following enrollment, students will go through a screening process to determine their academic level, and then will have a shadow day with other children to see how well they interact within a group. 


Southern Roots

replanted

A move over a month in the making was completed yesterday as Southern Roots Boutique uprooted itself from its previous location at 1704 Smithville Hwy. to relocate in the Plaza Shopping Center at 1100 Smithville Hwy. Ste. 111.

While the store at the Plaza has been open since Feb. 26, Carol Prater, owner of Southern Roots Boutique, proudly held a grand re-opening Saturday and officially welcomed customers to the more spacious new store.

Carol started her children's clothing business as a vendor in other local businesses. She quickly expanded her offerings to include accessories and launched her own store on Smithville Highway just over a year ago. The store's name is a reference to her upbringing as, though she was born in Michigan, Carol's parents and grandparents were all raised in the South, and she is proud of her Southern Roots.

"Southern Roots Boutique offers an extensive line of affordable name brand clothing for women, children and babies," Carol said. "Ladies, you will find a lovely selection of dresses, tops, pants and, of course, your favorite Judy Blue jeans. Southern Roots Boutique also has a new line of purses, shoes and fashionable accessories to complete your wardrobe."

Southern Roots offers a full line of baby accessories from brands such as Copper Pearl, Itzy Ritzy and Noodle & Boo. Smocked outfits to bring your new addition home in are also available. Carol plans to begin offering a baby registry service for expectant mothers as well.

"Our children’s line includes all your favorite name-brand clothing for boys and girls and, of course, we have all the hair bows to match, including monogrammed hair bows," Carol said.

Southern Roots carries a full line of Tyler Candle Products and is an Elite Dixie Belle Paint retailer.

"We have the famous Chalk Mineral paint, the Silk All-In-One paint and all the specialty products and accessories," Carol said. "So, if you have that special piece of furniture to paint or a special project in mind, be sure to stop in and check out our selection of Dixie Belle Paint."

Southern Roots Boutique can be reached at (931) 607-3100 or by messaging its Facebook page. The boutique is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Vicki's

Just around the corner from Southern Roots Boutique's new location in the Plaza Shopping Center is Vicki's hair salon. Unfortunately, the staff of Vicki's has endured a terrible week as the shop's namesake and owner, Vicki Cantrell, was a victim of a serious car crash on Friday morning, Feb. 28, on her way to the shop which reportedly left her in critical but stable condition. 

I reached out to Vicki's friend and longtime co-worker Jennifer Jones to convey my best wishes for Vicki and to ask about the current status of the salon.

"The shop WILL remain open, unless Vicki tells me otherwise," Jennifer told me. "We have worked side by side for 33 years. It's just overwhelming to take in right now. She needs all the prayers of the community."

I ask all Business Pulse readers to join me in keeping Vicki, her family and her work family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.


Until next week,

Same biz day,

Same biz page

That's it for another week. Thanks for reading, and thanks to Ben Lomand Connect for sponsoring Business Pulse. If you have a business you'd like to have featured, please let me know at editor@southernstandard.com.