What's New in Oxford — Banking, Eating, Pet Supplies, Fitness

New businesses in Oxford offer services that can make your dog healthier, make your body healthier, make your checkbook healthier and make your taste buds happier.
In this installment of What’s New in Oxford, we’ll show you where to go to accomplish these objectives.

Oxford is a pet-loving town as evidenced by local businesses with animals. Hollywood Feed supports and embraces that love.
“Our focus is to keep our products competitive with products of similar quality to those made overseas,” Natasha Mounsey, manager of Oxford’s Hollywood Feed, said. “Our aim is to prove it is not more expensive to buy ‘Made in USA’ merchandise. We have dog beds made locally in north Mississippi. We sell our own treats and products such as dog soaps, which are made in Mississippi too.”
The store’s assistant manager, Patrick Manning, greets customers with a firm handshake. He showed a small colorful stand titled “Heart of Eden.” Mississippi-shaped soap bars crowd the black shelves. Their names are creative: “Love Spell Lotion Bar,” “Lick Me All Over,” “Butt Naked in Bed,” and “Black Tie Bar for Men.”
Daily Blessings Farm, located in Hernando, Miss., makes these soap bars out of goat milk or organic coconut milk paired with essential oils. Daily Blessings also makes natural pet shampoo with goat milk and fur spritzers just for dogs.
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When owner Melody Sharpe decided to open Living Foods, she kept the freezers stocked with the ready-to-go casseroles that Olivia’s customers loved so much.
The café and catering shop took over the same space at 809 College Hill Road, but it doesn’t serve up the regular fare that most locals have come to expect from the restaurant scene in Oxford.
Instead, Sharpe decided to offer vegetarian and vegan fare, along with grass-fed beef and gluten-free options. Each week, she’s adding more gluten-free options to her to-go and eat-in menus. Next week, they’ll add organic white chicken and spinach lasagna to the already lengthy list of to-go options.
And she’s also working on a gluten-free carrot cake right now.
She had to change a number of the previous casserole recipes, but that didn’t faze her.
“I had my momma’s cookbook, so it’s fine,” Sharpe said, smiling brightly. Other options include chicken Rotel pasta, breakfast casserole, veggie pie, and of course the freezer is stocked with Delta tamales.
Small casseroles feed three to four people, while bigger dishes feed six to 10. Pricing for small casseroles in the $7 to $12 range.
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Located on the third floor above Highpoint Coffee, overlooking the picturesque Oxford Square, Pure Barre is a fitness oasis.
The beautifully appointed facility is the newest way to unwind and take a mental break from the daily grind, while burning calories, of course.
Pure Barre Oxford officially opened its doors in April, bringing a new form of exercise and empowerment to the community. Pure Barre is a low-impact form of exercise that lifts and tones muscles while burning calories and fat.
Pure Barre Oxford co-owners Madison Newton and Kelly Waite come from very different backgrounds, but found each other and an incredible friendship through Pure Barre in Birmingham, Ala. After teaching classes and working out together, the two decided the next step was to open their own studio.
So how does a workout class empower women?
“We have a good mix of people who have tried (Pure Barre) and those who have no clue what it is,” Waite said. “Our goal is to empower and encourage women to look and feel their best, both physically and mentally.”
Waite is an Ole Miss graduate, a Rebelette alum, and wife of former Rebel catcher Charlie Waite. After college, she moved to California, where she attended her first Pure Barre class and was immediately hooked.
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There’s no shortage of banks in Oxford, but only a couple of locally founded and operated institutions. Oxford University Bank is one of those and they’ve recently opened a new branch on University Ave.
On July 30, Oxonians observed the grand opening at the new two-floor facility. Right now, the bank at 1500 University, is already doing a brisk business just a few lots down from the old Oxford University Bank site on University.
Banks are banks, you say. David Guyton, Oxford University Bank president and CEO, says take another look. “We are one of only two locally owned banks in town and that translates into local decisions made by people who live and work here,” he explained. “We’re not here for the short term. Unlike some of your bigger, corporately owned banks, we’re not moving from city to city. We’re here to serve Oxford with the best banking products available.”

Guyton adds that local ownership can facilitate quicker decisions on loans and other transactions.
The bank offers a full complement of commercial and personal loans. “We don’t have to call Atlanta to get a decision made,” Guyton said. “Money made in this business is re-invested in the community.”
Andy Knef is editor of HottyToddy.com. You can contact Andy about this story at Andy.Knef@Hottyoddy.com.