In Starkville Eric King plans to open King's Craft Butcher and Cafe at 211 S. Jackson St., Suite B, by the end of next month.

A few years ago, King spent time in New York working for a whole butcher shop. Originally from Noxubee County, King decided to move to Starkville and open a similar butcher shop but with his own flair.

King intends to provide as much meat as he can from local farmers for the public. His goal is to educate the public on varying cuts of meat that are not normally offered in grocery stores, such as the cut of beef known as a Denver steak. The cafe portion will offer an 80-person seating area with a full bar.

The menu will be "all inclusive," even providing vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Upon entering the butcher shop and cafe, guests will immediately see the 30-day dry-aging process of the meat. The guests can then order varying beef cuts, pork cuts or sausages, or they can sit in the cafe and order dishes varying from sriracha cauliflower, hamburgers, beef gravy fries and veggie fried rice burritos.

Columbus' oldest coffee shop Beans and Cream, 60 Brickerton St., has a new owner.

C.J. Andrews, owner of Coffee House on Fifth, finalized the purchase of Beans and Cream in the spring from former owner Josh Gillis.

Andrews said while Beans and Cream will remain its own entity separate from Coffee House on Fifth, she has added loose-leaf tea, white espresso, Thai tea, cold brew beverages and sweet potato muffins to its menu. Andrews hopes to also add sandwiches to the Beans and Cream menu starting this fall.

Also, during the fall season, customers can play cornhole, trivia bingo and other games at Beans and Cream. Andrews also purchased Southbound Coffee, previously owned by Josh Griffin, which freshly roasts and grinds coffee beans for Beans and Cream and Coffee House on Fifth.

Lastly, Mississippi's tax-free weekend starts Friday.

Starting midnight on Friday, consumers can purchase clothing and footwear without being charged the 7-percent state sales tax.

According to the Mississippi Department of revenue, clothing and shoes, including -- but not limited to -- cowboy boots, bow ties, hats, jackets, costumes, socks, swimsuits and more, less than $100 will be tax free through 11:59 p.m. Saturday. Tax-free purchases can be made in stores, online or over the phone.

Mississippi's tax-free weekend excludes accessories, such as wallets, belts, watches and jewelry.