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Reminder:

We've moved to a new site and won't be posting here any more.

New blog site:

http://bizbuzz.djournal.com/

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Sept. 11 update:

It's a big day for us here at Biz Buzz. We're moving back to Wordpress, where we started five years ago. 

The new platform makes it much easier for us to post business news and for y'all to keep up with everything going on in Tupelo. 

Check out the new blog by clicking here.

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FYI - this blog and its content will stay up until all the posts migrate to the new blog. 

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C Spire, formerly known as Cellular South, is rolling out 4G LTE service.

Dave Miller of C Spire said Tupelo is still on target to get 4G this month.

Info via email from Miller:

We said we'd begin launching markets in September and we were originally targeting 20 markets, now it's up to 37 and counting.  Tupelo is coming very soon. 

Essentially, we're launching 4G LTE service in new markets each week as part of subsequent waves.  If you go to www.cspire.com/4g, you can see the schedule right now.  

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The priority schedule for 4G LTE rollout via cspire.com:

THE PERSONALIZED 4G LTE SCHEDULE :

• Wave 1: 4G LTE has launched
  • McComb
  • Greenville

• Wave 2:
  • Meridian
  • Brookhaven
  • Tupelo
  • 6 NE Mississippi communities in Lee and Prentiss counties
• Wave 3:
  • Hattiesburg and Petal
  • Yazoo City
• Wave 4
  • Starkville and West Point
  • Clarksdale
  • Greenwood
  • Oxford
  • Jackson
  • Madison
  • Gluckstadt, Flora, and Pocahontas
  • Flowood
  • Richland
• Wave 5
  • Natchez
  • Corinth
  • New Albany
  • Pontotoc
  • Booneville
  • 21 NE Mississippi communities in Lee, Union, Tippah, Prentiss and Pontotoc counties
• Wave 6
  • Columbia
  • Cleveland
  • Clinton
  • Brandon
  • Ridgeland
  • Pearl
  • Biloxi
  • D’Iberville

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Press release:

c sPIRE wIRELESS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES 4g lte MOBILE BROADBAND SERVICES TODAY ON NATION’S ONLY PERSONALIZED NETWORK 

Carrier Activates its Next-Generation Wireless Voice and Data Network

In Mississippi Delivering Speeds Up to 10 Times Faster Than Currently Available

Ridgeland, Miss. (September 10, 2012) – C Spire Wireless launched the next generation of mobile broadband services in four Mississippi markets beginning today with the activation of its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network offering consumers and businesses faster data speeds and advanced capabilities on the nation’s only personalized network.

McComb, Brookhaven, Meridian and Greenville are the first of 31 markets that are receiving C Spire’s 4G LTE advanced next-generation services between now and the end of October. 

Another six markets will be activated by the end of 2012 as part of the company’s multi-million dollar investment.  Additional expansion of 4G LTE services in Mississippi and other states is planned in 2013. 

The initial markets will cover 2,700 square miles, a population of 1.2 million and 364 cell sites and will provide 4 out of every 10 consumers and businesses in Mississippi with wireless data speeds up to 10 times faster, allowing C Spire to be the first provider to make these services widely available.

“With today’s announcement, C Spire Wireless is offering customers the fastest data speeds available along with 4G devices that bring our personalized data network to life,” said Hu Meena, president and CEO of C Spire Wireless.  “4G LTE from C Spire gives consumers more of what they want and where they want it than ever before.  With data speeds up to 10 times faster, you’ll be able to download apps faster, open files almost instantly, do real-time video chat, surf the mobile web or stream movies, music, soundtracks, video and more without the wait.”

4G LTE Devices, Solutions and Plans

“A 4G LTE broadband network is only as good as the devices that accompany it – bringing the high-speed mobile broadband experience full circle,” Meena said.  “C Spire has that covered as well with the introduction of its first 4G LTE device, the Motorola PHOTON Q™ and additional devices coming soon, including the Samsung Galaxy S III and others.

C Spire customers can choose from several 4G LTE smartphone and connected devices to experience the nation’s only personalized 4G LTE network.  Devices include the Motorola PHOTON Q, which is available today online and in retail stores for $199.99 with a two-year contract, the Samsung Galaxy S III and the Franklin Wireless 2-in-1 USB smart modem and mobile hotspot, which are both coming soon. 

The PHOTON Q features a PC-like QWERTY keyboard, a large 4.3-inch Colorboost HD touchscreen display, 1.5 GHz dual core processor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich mobile operating system, an 8 megapixel digital zoom rear-facing camera with 1080p capture on playback along with an HD front-facing camera and 8 GB of onboard memory. The device comes with built-in business ready security, productivity and connectivity features with government-grade encryption and VPN.

The Samsung Galaxy S III features a brilliant 4.8 inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display, a 1.5 GHz dual core processor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich mobile operating system, 16 GB of onboard storage, an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p HD quality recording and a removable 2100 mAh battery.  Pre-registration for the 4G LTE smartphone continues at www.cspire.com/gs3.  

The Franklin Wireless 4G LTE 2-in-1 smart modem and mobile hotspot provides 4G LTE wireless access to any data-enabled devices, including a PC, tablet or smartphone.  

Personalized Wireless from C Spire gets even better with 4G LTE Mobile Broadband

Personalized wireless from C Spire is a package of different wireless services and programs that combine to reflect and serve each customer’s unique needs. Customers see this unique personalization in apps and content that fit them, services that anticipate their needs, and rewards they get just for using their phone in new ways. In addition to PERCS^®, specific examples of C Spire’s industry-first personalized wireless services include SCOUT and CIRCLE.

“4G LTE is the next generation of high-speed mobile broadband services from C Spire that allow you to access SCOUT for recommendations on apps, music, books, and movies; earn PERCS^® points through our loyalty program; and engage in CIRCLE, our customer community, faster than ever before,” said Kevin Hankins, chief operating officer for C Spire Wireless.

For more details on device availability, pricing, plans and the schedule for introduction of 4G LTE services in new markets, go to www.cspire.com/4g.  For more information on C Spire Wireless products and services, go to www.cspire.com.

 

This is what the building looked like Friday. (photo by Carlie Kollath Wells)

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This is what the building looked like in May. (photo by Djournal's Carlie Kollath Wells)

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Cristina's International Cuisine is slated to open this week in the former Shogun building on North Gloster Street in Tupelo.

We told you a little bit about the new restaurant last week.

We visted Thursday with the owner, Cristina Green, and got some more info. This is the Venezuelan native's first restaurant. She said she's sold haircare products, but she's always wanted to own a restaurant.

The past two months, she's worked to renovate the interior of the restaurant. The bamboo accents are gone, along with the hibachi table and the sushi bar. She's added a huge meat roaster.

She'll be open for lunch and dinner.

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The menus aren't finalized, but here's a draft Green sent over:

Delight your palate with the exquisite dishes of our five continents.

725 N. Gloster Street,

Tupelo, Mississippi 38801

662-844-4778

Starters

Bruschetta: Italian toast bread with diced tomato, garlic, basil & olive oil. 8

Roasted Garlic Zucchini: Sliced fresh zucchini, roasted with olive oil, garlic, black pepper & herbs. 8

Mushrooms Sauted: Sliced mushrooms in butter, onions, garlic, fresh peppers & olive oil. 6

Italian Antipasto: Prosciutto, salami, black/green olive & sweet grilled peppers. 10

Carpaccio di Salmone: Sliced smoked salmon, with capers, roast garlic & olive oil. 10

Shrimp Alla Aglio: Shrimp, olive oil, onion, white wine, garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes. 10

Caprese Salad: Sliced tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, basil , balsamic & extra virgin olive oil. 8

Papas Rellenas: Potato balls stuffed with ground beef. 6

Tortilla Española: Eggs frittata with potatoes, onions, parsley & bell peppers. 6

Soups                                            

French Onions Soup.   6

Chicken Soup.   7

Beef Soup.   7

Spinach Soup.  6

Minestrone Soup.  6

Sides

Spanish Rice.  3

Mashed Potatoes.  3

French Fries.  2

Grilled Mixed Vegetables    3

Grilled Cabbage & Carrots.   3

Seasoned Tomatoes & Cucumber.   3

Salads

Avocado Salad: Fresh avocados with red onion, lettuce, tomato & German dressing. 6

Shrimp Salad: Shrimp, tomatoes, onions, radish, parsley & Cristina’s sauce dressing. 8

Tabbouleh Salad: Bulgur wheat, parsley, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, mint, olive oil, lemon juice, kosher  salt. 7

Garden Salad: Lettuce, cucumber, carrots, tomatoes, boiled eggs, beets & Cristina’s vinaigrette dressing. 7

Spinach Salad: Spinach, dried cranberry, walnuts, bacon, eggs, red onions & honey lemon dressing. 8

Greek Salad: Tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, red onion, green pepper, feta cheese, kalamata olives &    tzatziki sauce. 8

Chicken Taco Salad: Tortilla bowl with lettuce, chicken, pico de gallo, avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese. 8

Fruit Salad: Peaches, mangoes, pineapples, grapes and strawberries. 8

Sandwiches (Served with French Fries.)

Grill Steaks Panini - with provolone cheese, tomato & German dressing.  8

Grill Chicken Panini - with provolone cheese, tomato & German dressing.  8

Beef Burger - with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onions & pickles. 7

Turkey Burger - with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onions & pickles.  7

Menu International



Brazil Cuisine

Churrascaria:  Rotiserie/grilled over Flame Beef,  Chiken, Sausage and Pork.

French Cuisine

Porc a la Dijonnaise: Sautee pork tenderloin medallions with orange sauce. 15

Filet de Boeuf au Poivre: Filet de mignon with bacon creamy peppercorn sauce. 25

Poulet a' la Bechamel: Grilled chicken breast with butter creamy sauce. 15

Italian Cuisine

Lasagna Di Pollo: Chicken lasagna. 12

Rissotto del Mare: Creamy seafood rice.  12

Penne alla Puttanesca: Pasta with simmered tomatoes, garlic, capers, black olives, fresh bell pepper & white wine sauce.  12

Tre Formaggi Pasta: Creamy three cheese pasta.  12

Spain Cuisine

Paella de Marisco: Seafood rice. For two- 35. For four - 60

Cazuela de Marisco: Seafood casserole, tilapia fish, shrimp, mussel, squid, stew with red wine sauce  17

Salmon a la Costa Vasca: Grilled salmon with wine seafood sauce.  17

Thailand Cuisine (Served with fried rice & house salad) 17

Chicken Satay: Chicken kabobs with smooth sweet peanut sauce.  13

Beef Satay: Beef kabobs with smooth sweet peanut sauce.  13

Grilled Chicken Spicy Tangy Thai Sauce: Chicken with ginger and mango spices sauce.  13

Mediterranean Cuisine

Falafel: Fried chickpeas balls with tahini sauce. Served with tabbouleh salad & pita bread.  12

Roasted Vegetables Moussaka: Baked zucchini, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower with bechamel sauce, gratinee parmesan cheese. Served with couscous rice and pita bread.  10

Sosunda Tavuk: Chicken with wine, green olive, fresh peppers sauce. Served with coucous rice & pita bread.  14

Turkish Tavuk: Chicken kabobs with tahini sauce. Served with seasoned sliced potatoes & pita bread.  12

Patates Kek: Baked scallops potatoes with meat sauce and creamy melted cheese. Served with garlic   bread 12

Mexican Cuisine (Served with chips, salsa, rice, pico de gallo & beans.)

Fajitas: Chicken, steak or mixed, with onions, fresh bell peppers, bacon & melted cheese.  10

Seafood Fajitas: Shrimp, squid, scallops, tilapia fish with onions & fresh bell peppers.  12

Burrito Special: Steak or chicken with onions, fresh bell peppers & cheese.  8

Japanese Cuisine

Habachi Chicken or Steak: Grilled chicken or steak with fried rice, vegetables & clear soup.  10

Beef Yakitoy: Beef kabobs with teriyaki sauce, fried rice, vegetables & clear soup.  10

Peruvian Cuisine



Ceviche: Fresh raw white fish, squid, shrimp, with onions, fresh peppers & parsley, cooked in lime juice, served with boiled sweet potatoes.   15

Lomo Salteado: Stir fried sliced beef with tomatoes, onions, peppers, cilantro &  mixed with French Fries.  10

Venezuelan Cuisine

Cachapa con queso: Sweet corn crepes with mozzarella cheese.  7

Carne a la Jardinera: Beef stew with potatoes, carrots and green beans, served with cabbage salad.  10

Pabellon: Shredded beef with rice, black beans, & fried banana plantain.  10

Kids Cuisine

Macaroni & Cheese.  5

Chicken Nuggets - with French Fries.  6

Grilled Chicken Quesadillas – with melted cheese.  6

Beverages

Hot

Black Coffee.  1.50

Coffee Late.     2.50

Hot Chocolate.  1.75

Hot Tea.      1.75

Smoothies

Peaches.  2.8

Strawberry.   2.8

Mango.  2.8

Pineapple.  2.8 

Orange Juice.   2.8

Fruit Cocktail - with dice fruit.    2.99

Cold Drinks

Perrier Water.   2.5

Sodas.    1.8

Sweet Tea.    1.8

Lemonade.    1.8

Sangria non-alcoholic.   2.8

Desserts

Torta de Tres Leches: Three milk’s cake with strawberry.  4.5

Marquesa de Chocolate: Chocolate cake with walnut.  4.5

Ice Cream: Vanilla or chocolate.  4

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Press release from BancorpSouth:

GULFPORT, Miss., Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – BancorpSouth Insurance Services, Inc., a subsidiary of BancorpSouth Bank, headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi, announced today the release of a health care reform calculator to help clients and partners quantify the financial impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on their health plans.

With this powerful new tool, BancorpSouth Insurance Services consultants will be able to provide financial modeling and project medical plan cost through 2018.

This tool, originally developed by California-based insurance broker, Barney & Barney LLC, will also allow users to predict the financial impact of various scenarios, such as whether the employer continues offering health care coverage, modifies or increases coverage or drops coverage altogether.

The calculator takes into account mandates, penalties, taxes and other considerations in the legislation that can prove costly for employers. The tool also has expansive capabilities around the pay-or-play provision, helping employers understand their exposure to employee eligibility issues related to state exchanges.

“We are very excited about offering this valuable tool to our clients and partners,” said Markham McKnight, BancorpSouth Insurance Services President. “The calculator allows our consultants to help clients evaluate different scenarios to gage the financial impact of the pay-or-play provisions of PPACA. We realize that employers need to start preparing now to comply with the mandates. This tool will let them know in advance what changes will be needed to ensure their plan is compliant and financially viable, as well as attractive to their employees,” McKnight added.

To learn more about the calculator, please contact BancorpSouth Insurance Services at healthcarereform@bxsi.com or visit www.bxsi.com.

This sign is hung up inside JCP in Tupelo. (photo by Carlie Kollath Wells)

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We're one month away from Sephora opening its mini store in Tupelo.

Sephora and JCPenney struck a deal a few years ago for Sephora to take over the makeup department at JCP. And the makeup brand/store is finally coming to Tupelo.

The store-within-a-store is slated to open Oct. 5 inside the Mall at Barnes Crossing. Sephora will be near the store's entrance that faces the food court.

Click here to read our previous coverage.

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5 p.m. update:

Internet isn't back up yet.

Just got off the phone with  Otha Brandon, director of government affairs for Comcast. He said the crews repaired one location that was damaged but that didn't fix Internet service.

Now, he said, the crew is investigating the line and looking for other areas of damage.

"We don't have an estimated time when it will be back up," he said.

We talking hours or days?

"Don't think it will be days."

Does the crew have a quitting time at night?

"They are definitely tryin gto see what the problem is and fix it. They keep working until they find it."

Will customers get a refund for the outage?

"I don't know. Will look into it."

And, @ComcastMichael said you can check out: http://comcast.com/alerts

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3 p.m. update:

Internet service is scheduled to be back up by 4 p.m., according to Otha Brandon, director of government affairs for Comcast.

Brandon said the 4 p.m. ETA is only if everything goes as scheduled.

He and @comcastWill said the outage was caused by damage to Comcast's fiber optic line. Crews are removing the damaged line now.

And, we're hearing from some busineses that along with Internet, their phones are out. That means their card readers aren't working = cash sales only = not happy campers.

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11:30 a.m. update:

Various readers are reporting issues with their Comcast Internet service today.

Info via @ComcastWill and @comcastcares:

• there is a confirmed interruption in the area, local crews are currently working to resolve

Time estimate until it's fixed?

• unfortunately none available as of yet.

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We'll post more info as we get it.

image via iStock

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The cheapest gas today in Northeast Mississippi is in Pontotoc, according to a Daily Journal survey of stations.

We found a gallon of gas in Pontotoc for $3.40.

Most expensive: Amory $3.68

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Other prices:

Amory $3.68

Belden $3.55

Booneville $3.53

Corinth $3.49

Fulton $3.46

New Albany $3.53

Oxford $3.66

Pontotoc $3.40

Ripley $3.57

Sam's Club (member price) $3.51

Sherman $3.49

Starkville $3.62

Tupelo (Kroger at Crosstown before discounts) $3.57

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Read more prices in Sunday's Journal.

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Reminder: This survey is designed to find the cheapest gas. The cities with the "most expensive" title are the ones that came in at the bottom of our cheapest gas list. There are other stations with more expensive gas, but we aren't hunting for that. We're looking for the station where you are going to spend the most money when you want to find cheap gas. Make sense?

Workers are painting the facade of T.J. Maxx. (photo by djournal's Carlie Kollath Wells)

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This is the current color scheme of the center. This area in front of Hobby Lobby hasn't been repainted yet. (photo by Carlie Kollath Wells)

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The shopping center with Hobby Lobby and T.J. Maxx is getting a makeover.

We went by today and the facade was being repainted. The front of Books-A-Million already has been painted. The doors and windows are covered with plastic today. 

Workers were tackling T.J. Maxx this morning and it looked like they were working their way toward Hobby Lobby. 

BAM has been closed for almost a year (previous coverage).

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Thanks to reader Shannon H. for the tip!

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From AmericanBanker.com (full story):

Renasant in Tupelo, Miss., has filed a shelf registration that would allow it to raise up to $150 million.

The $4.1 billion-asset company may sell from time to time common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or warrants, Renasant said Wednesday in a regulatory filing. It will use the funds for general corporate purposes such as repaying existing debt, acquisitions, capital expenditures and additions to working capital. It may also temporarily invest the money to reduce short-term debt.

Renasant Bank has been aggressively expanding throughout the Southeast within the last two years. It has entered new markets in Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama in addition to buying two failed banks in Georgia. It also bought the trust division of RBC Bank USA in Birmingham, Ala.

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Click here to read the full press release.

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State officials today announced a new manufacturing facility in Belmont that is projected to create 200 jobs within three yeras.

The Mississippi Development Authority said New Jersey-based Comfort Revolution is a developer of high-end sleep products. The company will locate in the 432,650-square-foot building formerly occupied by Schnadig Furniture Corp. in Tishomingo County.

“We looked at sites throughout the southeast for the new plant but were most impressed with Belmont,” said Comfort Revolution founder and CEO Michael Fux. “The outstanding quality of the workforce in Tishomingo County and the community’s support made us conclude this is the best spot for our investment. We’ve wanted for a long time to produce products in the United States, and we’re eager to get started.”

The Mississippi Development Authority  provided assistance in support of the project through the Community Development Block Grant program. Tishomingo County provided assistance for the project, as well.

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Full press release from the state:

Comfort Revolution to Locate Manufacturing Operations in Belmont, Miss.

Belmont, Miss. (September 7, 2012) – Officials from Comfort Revolution, developer of high-end sleep products, have announced the company is locating manufacturing operations in Belmont, Miss., in Tishomingo County.

The company will locate in the 432,650-square-foot building formerly occupied by Schnadig Furniture Corporation.

The project will create 200 jobs within three years.

“This is a great day for Belmont and Tishomingo County, and I am grateful for the 200 jobs being created by Comfort Revolution,” Governor Phil Bryant said. “The decision to locate these manufacturing operations in Mississippi is further testament to the fact that our state is a great place to do business, and I look forward to watching Comfort Revolution grow in Tishomingo County in the coming years.”

"We looked at sites throughout the southeast for the new plant but were most impressed with Belmont," said Comfort Revolution Founder and CEO Michael Fux. "The outstanding quality of the workforce in Tishomingo County and the community’s support made us conclude this is the best spot for our investment. We've wanted for a long time to produce products in the United States, and we're eager to get started."

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) provided assistance in support of the project through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Tishomingo County provided assistance for the project, as well.

“Comfort Revolution’s decision to locate in Belmont is great news not only for the local community, but for the entire state of Mississippi. I thank the company for its investment in our state and especially for creating 200 new job opportunities for our workforce,” said MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen. “I am grateful to our partners in Tishomingo County for working so hard to bring Comfort Revolution to Mississippi.”

Headquartered in West Long Branch, N.J., Comfort Revolution is a leading developer and marketer of high-end, revolutionary mattresses, mattress toppers and pillows. The company’s products are made with premium memory foam and Hydraluxe ™ gel technology. For more information, please visit www.comfortrevolution.com.