How local businesses are changing in Columbus

Columbus businesses are navigating challenging economic times by making significant changes to their operations. Several restaurants and retail stores, such as a prominent apparel brand and popular hot dog spot, have faced closures due to financial strain and rising costs, amid other challenges. But some have managed to reopen. Meanwhile, new ventures have emerged such as a bakery for dogs and a shared commercial kitchen aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs, showcasing business resilience in Columbus.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

The Cataula restaurant Pies and Thighs announced on Facebook it will be closing permanently Sept. 21 or until supplies last. The restaurant served various types of food including pizza, fried chicken and shrimp.

NO. 1: ‘THANK YOU FOR THE JOY.’ THIS COLUMBUS AREA RESTAURANT IS CLOSING AFTER ALMOST A DECADE

The general manager remembers the loyal customers this restaurant has received for almost 10 years after it was announced they would be closing soon. | Published September 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brittany McGee

Salt Life in Columbus will close in October after the retail chain’s parent company, Delta Apparel, filed for bankruptcy earlier this summer. The Columbus store is slated to close Oct. 20, according to a marketing email advertising Salt Life’s closing sale. 09/24/2024

NO. 2: COLUMBUS-BASED APPAREL BRAND CLOSING RETAIL STORES AFTER PARENT COMPANY FILES BANKRUPTCY

Fans of this brand have limited time left to purchase products before the company closes retail stores. | Published September 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brittany McGee

Scott Ressmeyer, left, and Cash Morpeth, both partners at Country’s Barbecue, talk about the impact rising costs have had on the business. 07/17/2024

NO. 3: PANDEMIC CAUSED FINANCIAL STRAINS FOR LOCAL BUSINESS. COLUMBUS RESTAURANTS STILL FEEL IT

“The $8 lunch isn’t happening ever again unless inflation miraculously goes back down,” a small business owner told the Ledger-Enquirer. | Published July 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brittany McGee

Three Dog Bakery, at 1106 Broadway in downtown Columbus, Georgia, will host their grand opening event on Saturday, April 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Three Dog Bakery offers fresh baked treats made in-house along with other dog supplies. 04/19/2024

NO. 4: THIS NEW BAKERY FOR DOGS HOSTS OPENING EVENT IN DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS

Three Dog Bakery on Broadway is offering special treats for the pups — sorry, not humans. | Published April 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brittany McGee

Ross Horner, center, the founder of Frank’s Alley restaurant, and the restaurant’s new owners Matt Gillespie, left, and Mike Jones, answer questions about the restaurant during an interview with the Ledger-Enquirer. 07/09/2024

NO. 5: NEW OWNERS ARE BRINGING CLASSIC COLUMBUS RESTAURANT BACK TO LIFE. ‘A PIPE DREAM’

“We’re only getting older … so, let’s go ahead and do it,” said the new owners who came together to save this popular hot dog joint. | Published July 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brittany McGee

Olivia Amos, executive director of The Food Mill, left, and Robert Scott, director of community reinvestment and real estate for the Columbus Consolidated Government, center, give each other a “high five” Friday morning after cutting the ribbon to celebrate the opening of The Food Mill Shared Kitchen, located at 3720 5th Ave. in Columbus, Georgia. 11/08/2024

NO. 6: NEW SHARED KITCHEN IN COLUMBUS OPENS WITH HUNDREDS OF LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS ON THE WAITLIST

The Food Mill, Community Reinvestment Department and other local organizations partnered to create this resource to combat food insecurity and encourage entrepreneurship. | Published November 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brittany McGee

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.