Academy sports coming to town - UPDATE

The last town council meeting had listed a planned revision request for a new store on Weakly Lane. I was not sure if I had heard the name correctly but it sounded like Academy Sports. This is a growing and large line of stores like Bass Pro shop near Opryland. I went to their website and could not find anything on Smyrna there until I looked at their job listings. Unless there is a second Smyrna in Tennessee, we are already listed for people who wish to apply for jobs.

Click to enlarge


I'm not sure how many people one of their stores employ, not the planned opening date, but this is great news as this store covers the shortage of a sports store and a gun store.
Yippee!

UPDATE:
Their planned site will be on the side road where Lowes is and right behind Wendys on Sam Ridley Blvd...this is from the town planner for Smyrna.

Another store closing in Smyrna

Another business is closing in Smyrna

It seems the Food Lion on Nissan Blvd. will be closing soon. I feel bad for the other shops in that small strip mall. When an anchor store leaves the business of the rest are hurt.

About 1,000 employees were informed Wednesday that Food Lion is closing dozens of grocery stores in Tennessee and cutting jobs, including two Murfreesboro locations and a Smyrna store.

My wife says it has a better selection of ethnic foods then the other. Send good thoughts out to the other businesses there.

Making Smyrna better

Part of having a growing town is the growth of business. I recently found that Smyrna ranked tenth in Tennessee...and they gave suggestions on how we can be better.

Being business friendly has become a nearly universal motto for communities, with the economy on the ropes and competition for corporate recruitment constantly heating up.

So who tops the list in Tennessee? The Beacon Center of Tennessee, a free-market group previously known as the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, has its own annual rankings.

Their comment on Smyrna stated that...

Smyrna represents the eighth Middle Tennessee to finish in the top 10. Its strength lies in its strong job growth, lower than average business taxes, and low crime rate. If it improved its individual tax burdens, educational performance, and median income, it could rise even further in future rankings.

Business Tax Burden Ranking: 68.5; Economic Vitality Ranking: 61.0; Community Allure Ranking: 68.6; Overall Ranking: 65.5

The comment on the tax burden does not just include property taxes, but everything from drink taxes to hotel room taxes. This would be an ideal place to start. Education is part of the county so the efforts of the people of Smyrna there would be limited. Medium income, the third item they said could be improved on in harder to define. If they imply that it is to high then there really is little we can do. The property values in Smyrna lead to a family with a slightly higher income as the norm, so unless they ship in 'poor people' this would require expending fund (tax money) to create low cost housing. In many ways this could lead to unintended consequences...thus there is little that can be done on this one.

I'm happy Smyrna is ranked in the top ten...the efforts of the community have made it possible.

We might as well admit it people

Hope is a powerful motivator and it should not be dismissed lightly, but the reality of the situation is harsh and that needs to be viewed openly. I was one of the many people cheering at home when I first heard of the store complex that was in planning for the wooded area to the left of Lowes. This site was going to be anchored by a J.C.Pennys and a Books-A-Million. Those plans like many others have been put on hold due to the economy.

I was filling up gas in front of the Sam Ridley Kroger’s and noticed that out of the stores on the left in the strip malls the future looked bad. I counted 7-8 open sites and 6 closed stores. Almost 50% empty. I had in error assumed that with the old Kroger’s closing down that there would be an increase in loyal customers there assuring success for the area. Sadly this did not happen.

The sad view that day finally made me realize something else. The news has mentioned that the Borders Book warehouse in LaVergne is closing, and the news in general for book stores is not bright. That day I realized that Smyrna might not get a chain bookstore in the near future. With Amazon having an endless supply of books the only real reason to go to a brick-and-mortar bookstore is speed...but few books are needed in such a short time.

I do not see Books-A-Million coming to Smyrna even if the new complex is built. I hope I'm wrong, but facing the facts means that painful truths need to be addressed. What I hope for now is a used bookstore, a small place near the town center full of books with good parking, something that is an issue for our town center. If we as a community care for and patronize such a store it could really take off. A bookstore for adults, esoteric comics for kids and maybe even a children’s area with readings for little ones in conjunction with planned outings from local daycares would make a great store.

If a bookstore opens in Smyrna this site will become a vocal proponent and help them all we can. Books are tactile and fun...yes they have limits, but they require no batteries, they never are in a file format that will get old, and even if you sit on them you will not hurt them as you could a CD-ROM. Books are precious and Smyrna needs a store selling them badly, but the future for a big store looks dim, so we can hope for small and welcoming instead. I know I sure do.

New Business and a rumor

I was asked if two specifics stores were moving into the strip mall next to Krispy Kreme. I checked and found that I could confirm one and thought some of you might be interested.


From their facebook page they describe themselves as such.

Papa Murphy's Take 'n' Bake Pizza of Middle Tennessee
Founded September 6, 2006
About Papa Murphy’s is the largest take ‘n’ bake pizza company in the world with over 1,150 stores in 32 states. We were voted “Best Pizza Chain in America” by consumers nationwide for the last seven years! Nobody tops a fresher pizza!
Company Overview Papa Murphy's of Middle Tennessee is operated and held by U.S. Pizza, LLC. This group holds the franchise rights to all of Middle TN and will build approximately 40 locations in the area. There are currently 16 open for business.
Products Take and Bake Pizza, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Cheesy Bread, Cinnamon Wheels, Salads and Beverages

The other restaurant inquired about was Panera Bread. Sadly I cannot find anything on them moving into Smyrna, but we can hope. I'm just glad to see any movement and growth in Smyrna.

Now there is no news on hiring as of yet, but their online job section is taking applications in general and getting in early never hurts...for the most part.

Joey Flipping Pizza

This is Joey flipping pizza dough at one of Smyrna's newest members of the Smyrna Independent Merchants Association (S.I.M.A)

The word for today is...

de-annexation

On the agenda for tonight is a request by a company to have some land de-annexed. I really cannot remember the last time I've seen this request in front of the town council.

Planning Commission Report:i. Consideration of an ordinance relative to the de-annexation of property located on Tax Map 28, part of Parcel 62.02, comprising approximately 2.327 acres, (requested by Mid- South Logistics). Property is located off Chaney Road behind Cedar Grove School. First Reading.

I wonder what reasons they have to leave us.

The Nissan Battery plant is on schedule.

Construction is progressing on Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn., which will produce lithium-ion batteries to power the Nissan LEAF zero-emission vehicle. The all-electric Nissan LEAF will be produced at Nissan's vehicle assembly facility in Smyrna beginning in 2012.

The foundation is laid, structure being erected and roof being installed on the vehicle battery manufacturing plant, which at 1.3 million square feet at full capacity will be one of the largest in the country. The battery plant will be capable of producing 200,000 advanced-technology batteries annually. It is located adjacent to Nissan's vehicle assembly plant, which is being retooled to accommodate production of Nissan LEAF and will be capable of producing 150,000 electric cars annually. Combined, Nissan LEAF and battery production will create up to 1,300 U.S. manufacturing jobs when the plants are operating at full capacity

The 1,300 job number looks very nice. I know people have spoken harshly against Nissan for using temp workers and the payouts, but you would be hard pressed to view this in a negative light.

I'm shocked

The Stewartsboro Crossing mall was recently sold for a good amount less then originally purchased for in 2006.

Smyrna Holding LLC - whose mailing address matches the L.A. brokerage firm - bought Smyrna's Stewartsboro Crossing last month from Atlanta-based Servidyne.

Servidyne, once known as Abrams, sold the the Food Lion-anchored shopping center for nearly a fifth less than it paid for it in 2006. After paying $5.2 million for the tract in 2006, Servidyne sold it to Smyrna Holding for $4.3 million in December — an 18 percent loss over four years.

I'm a bit surprised for a few reasons. The intersection I feel is going to have growth in the future and that should have driven up the price. While nothing like the Sam Ridley pkwy growth, the area is growing. In the recent past we have seen the new Walgreens get built and the old Walmart building become a call center with a few hundred employees. The open fields just scream for development. I know the economy can best be described as corpse like, but a $900,000 drop seemed counter to how I see the area.

Want some community exposure?

The parks and recreation department is seeking sponsors for local events. These have a big draw and you can meet the people face to face.

Smyrna Parks Event Sponsorship by Local Businesses

Smyrna Parks & Recreation holds various events throughout the year, including Movies in the Park, Music in the Park, 5K Run, Independence Day Celebration, Baseball Camp, Halloween in the Park and other fun and exciting events. Local businesses that would like to be part of an event through sponsorship and a way to PR your business, may contact Monty Perkins, Smyrna Parks & Recreation Event Coordinator, 615-459-9742 X2612; monty.perkins@townofsmyrna.org ., or Jeff Marler at 615-459-9742 X2622; jeff.marler@townofsmyrna.org.

Big event reminder

Today is the grand re-opening of the Smyrna Bowling Center.

Nashville, TN. The Smyrna Bowling Center in Smyrna, TN will be hosting a re-grand opening of "THIS END" from which the ceiling collapsed on Jan 30th at 2am due to the snow and ice. We have been open with our 36 lanes and with the re-opening of " THIS END" will put us back to our 52 lanes..

A family friendly festival will include: Smyrna Police Department, inflatables for the children, fire trucks, D.A.R.E child id kits, pony rides,bungee ru, door prizes, contests, vendors, The Tennessee National Guard display including a Hummer and rock climbing wall, and much more at the Smyrna Bowling Center from 11a-6pm. The children are asked to come in costume so the can trick or treat outside with the vendors.

Everyone will be getting one free game and shoes when they come during this time. We have made alot of changes to the center and hope everyone stops in for a visit.

Be there!!!

Grand reopening Oct 30th

After the weight of snow collapsed part of the Smyrna bowling centers roof they had to rebuild. Well Oct 30th is the big re-opening of the center with new lanes and a lot of fun planned by our own Mark Gunn.

Mark gunn 615-220-0902
email

Nashville, TN. The Smyrna Bowling Center in Smyrna, TN will be hosting a re-grand opening of "THIS END" from which the ceiling collapsed on Jan 30th at 2am due to the snow and ice. We have been open with our 36 lanes and with the re-opening of " THIS END" will put us back to our 52 lanes..

A family friendly festival will include: Smyrna Police Department, inflatables for the children, fire trucks, D.A.R.E child id kits, pony rides,bungee ru, door prizes, contests, vendors, The Tennessee National Guard display including a Hummer and rock climbing wall, and much more at the Smyrna Bowling Center from 11a-6pm. The children are asked to come in costume so the can trick or treat outside with the vendors.

Everyone will be getting one free game and shoes when they come during this time. We have made alot of changes to the center and hope everyone stops in for a visit.

For more information on being please contact Mark Gunn 615.220.0902

Mark has moved mountains to help plan this event and more. The more is that with this experience and other events he has done he now is starting his own event planning business. Take a bit of time to drop by and get a view of what he can do for you. Details on his business to be posted in the future.

Local business in the news

This is about Spotlite dance studios in Smyrna Tn this story was on FOX 17 News

The Market in the news.

The Market is a well established business idea in town where you rent space to sell items. A great idea to utilize space and give a place for people to sell. The DNJ did a nice write up on the business and it came out looking good.

"We're both Smyrna natives, and we knew that whatever we were going to do with the building, we wanted it to be a positive effect on Smyrna," Rhonda Allen said.

She added that craft fairs and flea markets had always appealed to her, and Smyrna lacked both.

"The Market was really born out of necessity," she began.

I personally do not like flea market as they simply are too big and are often a hint overwhelming. This is a perfect size for Smyrna and has really gained a foothold.

Smyrna on TV

Smyrna's own Razz'z Bar and Grill will be on the Food Networks "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" for his jambalaya pasta. It is supposed to air March 12th and I'll remind you again at a later time.

It's great that Smyrna has restaurants of such quality to end up on national shows like this. A big thanks to Tina Landrum for this bit of news.

The wait grows longer

The Smyrna AM did a long interview with Mayor Tony Dover about his administration and the future of Smyrna. One part stood out and will be a heart breaker for those who have been waiting for a bookstore in town.

Q: A development that included JC Penney, Best Buy and Books-a-Million was slated for Sam Ridley Parkway last year, but seemed to be dropped by its developer. Can you explain briefly what happened with that project? And do you believe that a development like that might find new life in the Rocky Fork Road area?

A: It is my understanding that the original developer is no longer the owner of the property but there still may be an opportunity for those retailers to come to Smyrna. Since development in the Rocky Fork area is still a couple of years in the future and we need to continue to encourage retail growth, I would like to see them move forward sooner rather than later on Sam Ridley.

We might still get them, but the plans as they had been publicized are now defunct. The one store that Smyrna needs so much in my view just got delayed.....Danm!

The news that Hollywood Video is also closing was announced today also.

Shop local

SIMA wants you to think of them in thesse economic times, and to think locally.

The Smyrna independent Merchants Association is urging the citizens of Smyrna to unchain themselves on Nov. 21—to do any business they plan to do on that day only at local independent businesses. Smyrna Unchained! is part of America Unchained, a national campaign of the American Business Alliance.

SIMA can be found at SIMATN.ORG

I finally got my hotdog

if you have ever seen a street scene of a movie shot in new York you would be hard pressed to miss the pushcart vendors selling hot dogs and other victuals. When I first moved to Smyrna there were several "Taqarias" around town selling massive burritos and other south American cuisine for a good price.

I'm not quiet sure why they went away. I thought they added a bit of variety and color to a pretty'fied white bread town. Life needs spice. Now we are slowly morphing into a franchise hell...but damn don't we look pretty'fied and regulated.

So not long ago when I saw a hotdog stand being set up at the car wash near the Hazzelwood and Old Nashville highway intersection I was overjoyed...and puzzled. The first time I saw it the stand was open, but I was rushed, and then I have never seen it open again. It just seemed to sit there wrapped in a tarp. and gather dust.

Until last weekend.

It was open and we pulled over to give them some business and ask a few questions. It seems they have NO set hours and are run by the same people who run the car wash. A nice Oriental lady sold me a good meaty hot dog and a bottle of water for $1.50. Compared to the $1.39 for the same size water bottle at Krispy Kreme I walked away feeling it was a good deal for a drink and a bite to eat.

So if you see them open drop in and get a good hot dog and say "hi".

Restricted

In many ways...many cruel ways I enjoy telemarketers. If they are polite and speak slowly enough to let me interrupt with questions I'll take the time to honestly listen to them. If instead they come on and speak at a speed that would make an auctioneer proud, or to use a recording I end up less impressed....or the ultimate sin of calling on a number that ID's as restricted.

I just got a recorded message(Strike One) that I answered that was listed on my caller ID as restricted (Strike Two) for a customer appreciation day for the Stewartsboro Crossing shopping center where the Dollar general, Foxes Pizza and others are. The recording on an upcoming customer appreciation say was rather fast, not auctioneer fast but fast enough to un-impress me and to disappoint me that they would use blind number calls like this.

I'm also wondering how they got my number. Now I use my cell phone for many things, but mostly personal only, but I limit it's exposure for family business as we use my wife's number for that reason. No credit was given on who paid for the recorded restricted call, so I'm unable to ask how they got my cell number, so this alone qualifies for a strike three.

I also know that my cell phone is on the federal DO NOT CALL list. While this can be gotten around in many ways, and this call likely does not qualify as a telemarketer, I'm still disappointed to have received this from a local business. I would have thought better of them.

This Saturday the shopping center will be having a customer appreciation day....but I will not be attending.