Grind House Boxing owner Charlotte Price

In these uncertain times, it’s a crap shoot guessing what’s open today as compared to what might be open tomorrow.

With recent discouragement of social gatherings along with orders that restaurants and bars suspend dine-in operations, I have a feeling the Closing Corner will be longer over the coming months, but as of press time there are only a few businesses that shuttered in March.

Know that however anxious you are about the future, many local independent business owners are stressed twofold. They are often operating on a razor-line margin, and any disruption like the one we’ve seen over the past few weeks can spell disaster.

Ask yourself which locally owned restaurant or shop you would miss the most if it were gone. Give them your money because their kids go to your kids’ school, or they donate to your favorite nonprofit, or you just like them.

It makes a difference.

It’s a scary time for everyone, but especially locally owned, independent businesses. Support local businesses because Murfreesboro matters.

That said, here’s all the normal stuff.

You can work off your quarantine 15 at Grind House Boxing. The new gym is headed by Charlotte Price, whose passion for boxing started at the tender age of 7 when she watched Muhammad Ali take on George Foreman.

Price became an Athletics and Fitness Association of America-certified trainer and taught “Box-n-Burn” classes before picking up a pair of gloves and learning how to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee herself.

Now she uses her skills as a boxer and trainer at Grind House, 2812 Old Fort Pkwy., Suite E, in Murfreesboro. Learn more at thegrindhouseboxing.com.
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On March 1, Hunt Pools and Swim opened its doors next to Carmen’s Taqueria on Northfield Boulevard. Hunt Pools was a fixture on Thompson Lane until 2015 when it moved to Jackson Heights.

Hunt’s address may have changed, but its commitment to the community will stay the same as it has for the past 30 years, owners say. Hunt Pools provides new pool construction, cleaning services, renovations, repairs and inspections, seasonal openings and closings, and water testing. The shop also offers a wide variety of swimwear from Speedo, Arena, Finis and TYR.
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Two of Murfreesboro’s window-tinting shops have relocated.

Parker Brothers Window Tinting has moved into a new building on Memorial Boulevard across from the Murfreesboro Athletic Club. For 40 years, Parker Brothers has been tinting Middle Tennessee windows and it is doing it now as the midstate’s exclusive 3M Window Film dealer.

Not to be outdone, Mario’s Tint Shop has opened at 515 NW Broad St. near the former Dog Haus. Mario’s brings 15 years experience in automotive accessories to the tinting game.

“As owner of Mario’s Tint Shop, I am very proud to now offer high-quality products and services such as ceramic window films, paint protection films, and paint and glass coatings,” Mario said on his Facebook page.
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Unity Chiropractic has opened a second location in Murfreesboro.

The Franklin-based chiropractor has added a clinic at 525 N. Thompson Ln., where they hope to “provide the highest level of chiropractic care in order to bring optimal health to the entire community.”

Learn more at unitychirotn.com.
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Closing Corner

Spinelli’s & Nick Newton’s has closed following the death of co-owner Nick Smith.

Smith died Feb. 28 at his home in Tullahoma. He was 38 years old. Smith also co-owned Daddy Billy’s in Tullahoma.

In a statement on its Facebook page, Spinelli’s & Nick Newton’s made the sober announcement that its restaurant on West Main Street in Murfreesboro was closed March 17.

“We appreciate the kindness the city has shown us and will miss serving our customers. Our location in Tullahoma will remain open and we are happy to serve all your pizza needs. Thank you,” the announcement said.
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Zoe’s Kitchen on Medical Center has closed. According to a post on its Facebook page, the restaurant closed March 20 but the Franklin and Brentwood locations remain open.
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Old Chicago in Murfreesboro has been “mothballed” by its debtor-in-possession after financing was withdrawn because of the global pandemic, according to parent company, Craftworks Holdings.

Craftworks closed all 261 of its Old Chicago and Logan’s Roadhouse restaurants.

“The debtors hope that they will be able to restart their operations at some point in the future, but there are many preconditions to a restart, including the obtaining of financing, the hiring of staff, and the ability to create a coherent and profitable business plan,” Craftworks said of itself in the filing. “The shutdown could persist for a prolonged period of time, if not permanently.”
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MT Bottle, on Shelbyville Highway, has closed and the building is for sale.
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Pho Express at 2705 Old Fort Pkwy. in Murfreesboro has permanently closed. A sign in the window reads: “Thai restaurant coming soon.” Perhaps they are going to expand beyond their soup offerings, which were delicious.