Belk of Valdosta recently finished a major renovation in which they doubled the size of the shoe department to 8,000 square feet with added brands such as Lucky and Ugg, updated the accessories and jewelry departments, all to be celebrated with a grand opening party Thursday, September 8 from 5 to 9 p.m. with register to win drawings, discount coupons and other special.

Labor Day, celebrated tomorrow, is not just a day off from work, it’s the only day of the year dedicated to the country’s workforce.

Folks may get tired of hearing me harp on this topic, but customer service can make or break a business, and generally, the lowest-paid person on staff is the one who has the most contact with customers. They’re the ones who should get the most recognition whenever those who own or run the business get the chance.

So on this holiday, be nice and grateful to those who have to work today. For those who have the day off, enjoy it because you deserve a day dedicated to you!

Belk grand unveiling this week

Thursday night, Belk is hosting a special event for customers to celebrate the store’s recent $900,000 remodel.

The shoe department, accessories, and jewelry areas all were updated and expanded. If you haven’t been in lately, you should check it out. And if you are a loyal customer, go Thursday from 5-9 p.m. and enjoy refreshments while you shop.

Business roundup

The McDonald’s on St. Augustine is temporarily closed and it looks like they are going to rebuild it in the new style like they’ve already done on Ashley Street.

Speaking of McDonald’s, I understand the new one in Lakeland is moving along well and so is the city’s new Super Dollar General store.

The Pita Pit on Baytree road was supposed to be temporarily closed, but it still hasn’t reopened yet, so not sure what’s going on there.

And another question is what is going on with the Agri Supply business on Highway 84? It looks finished but it’s not open. So if you know, please share.

On the lodging side in town, it looks like Hawthorn Suites on North Valdosta Road is going to be a Best Western, and the Hampton Inn next to the Conference Center just underwent a major remodeling throughout the hotel and I understand it’s gorgeous.

If you missed it Friday, the house on the corner of Northside and Patterson that had a doctor’s office and spa in it burned Thursday. It had been sold last week. It’s been there forever, and it will be odd for it to be gone.

It looks like the former Krystal’s on Bemiss in Castle Park is going to be turned into a Diggadees like the one in Naylor.

There will be a groundbreaking this week for the new Southwest Bank location across from Remerton Square.

And for those in Hahira, the restaurant location in town on Church Street that hasn’t had a lot of luck this year will soon be a Chinese restaurant, something new for that area.

That’s about it for this week but, if there’s something I missed, please let me know!