What the? Well there sure wasn’t nothin’ small ‘bout Bruce Weiner’s international auction sale of his miniature car collection last weekend! Word on the street is it made upwards of $9.1 million and that ain’t no small change (pun intended)! Ding dang is all I got to say ‘bout that! Oh but we did get lots of world travelers poppin’ ‘bout in our local restaurants and shops! In fact Patricia Lewis of South’Tiques said she recalls visitors from all over the United States and around the world! I’m talkin’ England, Germany, South Africa and Brazil plus Kansas, Florida, Illinois, Oregon, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin, Southern California and of course Georgia! WOW! Congratulations Bruce! We flat can’t wait to see what you’ll start collectin’ next!
Movin’ on up! Ding Dang y’all it’s official! Ricardo Casillas of Tequila Express along with an investment group has acquired The Ice House restaurant property and Ricardo is working to get the restaurant in tip-top shape to open! To all y’all who’ve been lucky enough to have dined at his current restaurant Tequila Express, you know he is one of Morgan County’s top restaurant operators! In fact, Ricardo received the Madison-Morgan Chamber of Commerce’s Hospitality Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2010! What’s he gonna do with the Ice House? Well, I’m right certain he’s gonna change the name and he’s gonna serve up an awesome menu but y’all will just have to keep checkin’ this column for updates ‘cause Ricardo’s keepin’ all his plans super secret! I’ll let all y’all know as soon as I get the scoop! 
Y’all don’t forget the Antique Show & Sale at the Madison Morgan Cultural Center this week startin’ Thursday and goin’ through Saturday! Check out the way-cool special supplement in this week’s newspaper for all the intel on this FANTASTIC annual event! I flat can’t wait! Oh and a big, huge, ginormous thank you goes out to each and every advertiser! We couldn’t TELL IT without you! Oh and don’t forget to check out the fab back page of the supplement for the ad on the HUGE Antebellum Estate SALE featurin’ the contents of the Prior-Thomas-Poullain Estate which once was all located in what is now known as Madison Oaks! The auction will be held next door to Madison Oaks at 824 East Avenue! Y’all contact sales@idomadison.com for more info or go check it out Feb. 21, 22, 23 or 24! Tell ‘em the Biz Buzz sent ya!

Right so anyway, Momma and I were shoppin’ ‘n poppin’ all ‘round town last weekend when we made a visit to Madison Markets and you flat won’t believe who we saw in there! No it wasn’t a famous movie star, but just as good y’all! I’m talkin’ ‘bout those handsome boys – Shane Meder and Don Schoenberger! Honey these boys are flat awesome! Plus they know lots ‘bout interior design and are owners of their own design company Black Sheep Exchange in Atlanta! Plus Shane says they’re startin’ to get Lake Oconee clients! Great! Anyhow their Lake Oconee home was featured on the cover of last summer’s issue of Lake Oconee Living Magazine! Wow! It’s flat gorgeous and Momma plans to pop over there to visit those boys this summer for some cocktail sippin’ for sure! Anyhow y’all Shane and Don have rented several booths at Madison Markets! Y’all need to get over there immediately to check it all out! In the meantime, you can visit their company online at  www.blacksheepexchange.com! Perf!

Ding dang! I almost forgot to remind all y’all to get your tickets for the Morgan County Chef Showcase to support our Chamber! This is flat important y’all! Plus it’s flat FUN! Anyhow, the event is slated for Sunday, March 3 from 4 p.m. til 7 p.m. at The James Madison Inn Conference Center! Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door! Call 706-342-4454 to get your tickets! You are not gonna want to miss this fab event!
Lord have mercy! I almost forgot somethin’ else! Amelia’s, located at 172 South Main Street in downtown Madison right smack next to Barkin’ Dogs Shoe Co., now has Crabtree & Evelyn in addition to some way-fab fashions! This is some serious news y’all! Go get Momma some of that Crabtree & Evelyn today so she won’t slap you into next week!

Ok! That’s it for the buzz on biz! Y’all be sweet, pay it forward and SHOP LOCAL! Oh and remember: You’re all invited back next week to this locality, to have a heapin’ helpin’ of Citizen hospitality. Biz Buzz that is. Set a while. Take your shoes off. Y’all come back now, ya hear?

Printed in the February 21, 2013 edition