By now you know I’m not too worried about sticking my nose into other people’s construction zones if it means a good rumor. A little sawdust on the sandals never hurt anyone. That’s what I was up to when I headed out to Springhill last week and came back with not one, but two pieces of news.

First of all, look for a new restaurant to open in Sims Place on Oct. 26. Carolyn Stroud is opening Smachs (pronounced ‘Smacks’) where Heath’s Fish House used to be at Springhill. She took the name from the first letters of the names of her family members – Steven, Mikhaul, Andrew, Carolyn, Haley, Stroud. She has been in the restaurant business for 15 years and said she loves meeting new people and seeing her customers.

Stroud said the menu will be filled with home-cooking at breakfast, lunch and dinner. She said she specializes in “man-sized” portions of things like smothered hash browns, steak and eggs, chicken fried steak, etc. She said she will serve a stallion burger, which will have about a pound of beef. She will also serve homemade cakes and pies.

SALON AND BOUTIQUE

Also in the Springhill area, Staci Rieman has taken over the building where Bart-o-lotta Burger (and before that the Green Cow) used to be and, after considerable remodeling, is preparing to open Country Chic Salon and Boutique.

She will offer the usual salon menu — hair, makeup and full body waxing, as well as tanning beds. However, Rieman plans to add retail starting in January. The boutique will carry some clothing in the western-for-women style, featuring Wrangler jeans with bling, she said, as well as gifts and accessories.

In the future, Rieman will add massage therapy and manicures and pedicures to the services offered at Country Chic.

OPENING THURSDAY

Don’t forget Taziki’s Mediterranean Café opens this week. If you have managed to avoid Oak Street all summer and don’t realize what I’m talking about, here’s a short summary. Old Pizza Inn building on Oak Street, new Greek restaurant, family owned and operated. Also, I just looked at their menu online, and I just have to say yum.

OK, that’s it. Have a good week.

(Rachel Parker Dickerson is a freelance columnist/journalist. Send your questions and comments to rachelpdickerson@gmail.com)