Posted: Sunday, May 10, 2009 7:01 am

Kirkland’s, a home décor retailer, is relocating from Old Fort Parkway near Toys R Us to The Avenue, according to information submitted to the city of Murfreesboro.

Angie Carter, general manager of The Avenue, said she couldn’t speak about the store because the deal hadn’t been finalized.

More details about the move are expected soon.

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Wasabi Japanese Steak House opened Friday, May 8, confirmed owner Mike Zhuo. The restaurant is located at 2812 Old Fort Parkway.

The restaurant specializes in the hibachi style of cooking customers’ food in from of them on a large grill. Wasabi also has a sushi bar.

The entertaining hibachi-style of cooking is ideal for birthday parties and special events, Zhuo said.

Another Japanese restaurant Samurai located on Thompson Lane is expected to open toward the end of the month.

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YEAH, Youth Empowerment Through Arts & Humanities, is preparing to open a coffee shop/youth hangout/venue and educational center on the Public Square by early summer.

The space is located at 114 S. Maple St., Suite A, which is a few doors down from Holden Hardware.

YEAH will create a social environment for youth, said Ryan York, executive director of the non-profit organization that got its start seven years ago with the founding of the Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp.

The space will have a coffee shop operated by high school students, a pool table and a Wii, he said.

The downtown space also will be a venue serving as an art gallery, theater or club for high school bands or other bands brought in to teach the students.

Additionally, the space functions as a youth center where art, music, screen printing and recording classes are taught.

“We have so many high school students here,” York said. “There isn’t a place for them to go. Just offering them a place to go and have fun and socialize is just a defect in the community.

“Also making it educational and empowering, I don’t think you could ask for a better combination,” he added.

For more information about YEAH, visit www.yeahintheboro.org.

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Middle Tennessee State University’s Small Business Development Center, in conjunction with the Small Business Administration, will conduct a free seminar on starting your own business on May 12 from 4-6 p.m. at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce located at 501 Memorial Blvd.

The seminar provides individuals interested in starting a business a broad overview of the many things they will be confronted with in doing so. The seminar introduces the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, the services available, and how it can assist in the development of their business venture. Sources for information gathering, research and databases available are also discussed. This seminar is intended for persons who have never been in business. There is no charge to attend the seminar, or for one-on-one counseling, which is available by appointment, after attending the seminar.
Reservations are required and available on-line at www.tsbdc.org or by calling 898-2745. Arrive and sign in 10 minutes prior to the start of the seminar. Accommodations are available for the disabled.

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Highlights from business news at Murfreesboropost.com: The candidate pool for the new Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce president narrows to four as interviews begin this week.

Sudsy’s Car Wash raised $3,000 for Red Cross.

Author and leadership expert Micheal Burt and MTSU Women’s Basketball coach Rick Insell will be the keynote speakers at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce’s Power Lunch at the Doubletree Hotel May 27. For more information, contact the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce at 893-6565. Tickets are $25 for Chamber members and $30 for non-members. Reservations and payment are due by Friday, May 22. The luncheon is 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.