ERIN EDGEMON, Business Columnist
Posted: Sunday, December 6, 2009 7:47 am

Good food and fun is coming to South Church Street. Construction has begun on a new Toot's restaurant next door to The Learning Circle near Barfield-Crescent Road, confirmed owner Wade Hays.
 
“It is going to be great,” he said of the new, 6,000-square-foot location. “It is going to be larger than our Broad Street location. It is going to be the largest Toot's that we have ever done.”
 
The restaurant will be the third Rutherford County Toot's. Hays said he started looking for a restaurant location on South Church Street two years ago, but decided to delay the project until the economy improved. Southern Murfreesboro was a desirable location for a new restaurant because the area is underserved, he said.

Toot's patrons should expect the same menu from the new Toot's and some new, fun features that Hays wants to remain a surprise to customers. “It is going to fit into our montage of food and fun,” he said of the added features.
 
A lot of work has to go into the restaurant before it is ready to open, though. The exterior and the interior of the existing building are going to be totally remodeled and additional parking will be added, Hays said.

“We are going to shoot for trying to get this thing open before the Super Bowl, which is the first weekend in February,” Hays said. “That is just a goal. We are not going to rush into it. Hays said he plans to hire roughly 150 employees for the new location.

When the third Toot's opens, he said Toot's will employee 350-400 people in Rutherford County. “We are pretty proud of that, too,” Hays said.

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A new children's consignment store is now open near Wal-Mart on Old Fort Parkway. The Willow Tree located at 133 James Luscinski Drive buys and sells new and used children's clothing and toys and maternity clothes, said owner DeAnn Wilson.
 
“I always wanted a little boutique shop, and my girls inspired me to get into this,” she said. Having four young daughters, Wilson grew tired of giving away their clothing.

The Willow Tree takes all brands of gently used clothing and a variety of items including toys, furniture, swings and bouncers. It also sells handmade goods such as hair bows and crocheted blankets. Wilson said she thought the location near Wal-Mart was perfect for her store.

“I felt it was a good family atmosphere over here,” she said. Wilson said she loves operating the business. “I am able to interact with people everyday,” she said. “We give back to the community through the store” such as donating clothes to the needy.

The Willow Tree gives 20 percent off all purchases to new customers. Call the store at 396-8518.
 
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A quick update for those of you wanting to know the status of Bobby McKee's Irish Pub. Construction has yet to start on the pub, which will be located at Stones River Mall. Owner Luke McKee said the project is still in the permitting phase.

McKee, who also owns Blue Rooster in Murfreesboro, says Bobby McKee's was named after his Irish father - "the Pub is inspired by my father, who is extremely proud of his heritage and loves good times with family and good Irish food."

The 6,000-square-foot Bobby McKee's Pub will have something for all ages, ranging from moderately priced traditional Irish favorites to good ole' American fare and more than 100 imported and domestic beers. The menu has a plentiful selection of Irish comfort food, including shepherd's pie, corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash and more.