The Columbus Tailgate Market starts Saturday, April 10th from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in front of the Courthouse in Columbus. It was a super season last year and Lynn Sprague, county agricultural economic development officer, said he looks forward to getting started this spring visiting with old friends and neighbors. The early season market will have greens, plants, eggs and more, as well as baked goods and crafts. Vendors interested in the market should call the Office of Agricultural Economic Development at 894-2281.
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Dave Herbert, general manager and operating partner with Watson Furniture, Flooring and Appliance in Columbus, has announced that he will be selling out his interest in Watson Flooring and Appliance and returning to the corporate world. His last day at Watson’s will be this Friday, April 9.
Herbert said he will be working as the Carolinas district sales manager for a New York, N.Y. distributor of “affordable luxury” appliances. He said he will also be working with the company president to take one brand national.
“Affordable luxury is going to be a large niche,” Watson said. “People are not going to pay the big prices for the Vikings and SubZero appliances so much anymore, but they will pay a third as much for something really nice that works just as well.”
Herbert said he and his wife, Linda, a teacher at Polk County Middle School, will remain residents of Polk County. Herbert said he will be working out of his home in Columbus, traveling six or seven days a month, and will continue as the Carolinas Foothills Chamber of Commerce vice president, and expects to serve as president next year. He will be a member of the chamber through his branding and marketing consulting business, Turning Wheels Consulting.
“I am leaving Watson’s in very good shape and I am confident that my partners will continue to run the business placing the customer first and proceeding from there,” Herbert said. “Suzanne and Anna will continue on and will be there, ready to serve the appliance and floor covering needs of our Carolina Foothills customers.”
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The Hay Rack on 9, sister store to the Hay Rack in Landrum, has opened in the old Mike’s Market, a 5,400-square-foot building next to Deb’s at the intersection of Hwys. 14 and 9.
Gwen Shepherd, co-owner with Don Williams, said customers were knocking on the door while they were still stocking shelves in recent weeks, before they even had a cash register. She finally started opening the doors Monday, March 29. But Shepherd said they still have a lot of shelves to stock before setting a date for a grand opening. “It won’t take too long,” she said Good Friday morning. “We have another truck coming in today.”
The Hay Rack stores carry South States and Neutrena brand feeds, shavings, hay, animal health products, pet supplies, chicken feed and hardware.
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Matheny Real Estate and Coldwell Banker 650 West Realty have merged their 15 full time agents into one company in Rutherfordton.
“Coldwell Banker Matheny Real Estate is the combination of two well established companies,” remarked David Eaker and Steve Wright, principals of Matheny Real Estate, and Connie Hicks and Natalie Stamey, senior Brokers at 650 West Realty.
The Coldwell Banker Matheny staff has access to virtually every listing in Rutherford, Polk and Cleveland Counties.