A new business called The Essence of Beauty salon just opened on Bemiss Road this week.

Goody’s is in the throes of its going-out-of-business sale, and I understand it’s been pretty crowded there this week.

I’m still waiting on an opening date for Elliano’s on Bemiss, but it looks just about ready.

The Village Shoe Repair, located on the corner of South Patterson and Rogers streets next to the post office downtown, should be opening this week.

I understand that the Winn Dixie is getting ready to undergo a good size renovation project at the location at Five Points, and the Crosspointe Church being built where Winn Dixie used to be is surely opening in early February.

I reported last week that The Scoop on Baytree is now Two Scoops and Cafe, but I neglected to mention that The Scoop on Northside Drive is alive and well and serving up ice cream, desserts and sandwiches just like they’ve always done.

Despite the economic downturn, it appears people and business owners are generally optimistic, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see even more new business notices coming soon.

In the meantime, that’s it for this week, but if there’s anything I missed, please let me know!