With the holidays behind us, the weather is back to normal. Although I love the Christmas and New Year holidays, it’s nice not to be confused about what day of the week it is anymore. With the new year well underway, let’s take a look at a few existing companies that are starting over.
Volunteer Bearing gets new owners
Nestled in the shadow of the water tower in the Morrison Industrial Park, Volunteer Bearing & Supply has been in business since 1998. A family business, Volunteer Bearing was started by Max Slatton and is located at 1055 Mt. View Industrial Dr.
The company sells power transmission equipment nationwide. Its customer base includes nursery equipment manufacturers, automotive companies, aircraft ground equipment manufacturers, as well as the timber and agricultural industries. “We sell to Calsonic and Bridgestone and a lot of factories in the area, and we also sell to a lot of out-of-state companies. I’d say it’s about 50-50 as far as local customers versus out-of-state customers. We started locally, but it’s really expanded Max said.
The new year brings changes at Volunteer Bearing as Max begins the retirement process and has sold the company to Scott and Teri Elkins, his son-in-law and daughter. Along with Scott and Teri’s son, Rylan, managing the warehouse, shipping and delivery, it’s a real family affair. They are assisted by Tim McPeak who deals with inside sales. Scott and Tera took over the reins on January 1 and the company is now Volunteer Bearing LLC. Scott has been with the company for 23 years, dealing with procurement and inside sales, while Tera has worked with the company for over 14 years in accounting and bookkeeping.
Volunteer Bearing LLC boasts the largest shelf bearing inventory in the Middle Tennessee area and offers a variety of maintenance items. “We believe we have inventory ready and available when needed,” Scott said. “Whether you’re building new equipment or just need a replacement bearing for your farm or industrial equipment, we’ve got you covered. We’ve experienced rapid growth over the past few years thanks to our online presence, and our customer base continues to grow rapidly.”
As spring approaches, Scott and Tera would like to remind everyone that Volunteer Bearing LLC is open to the public and is the place to go for all your hay baler, disc and planter bearing needs. Just some of the many items the company offers are chain, sprockets, oil seals, V-belts and pulleys, bushings and electric motors.
As a small family business, Volunteer Bearing LLC values its customers and invites everyone to stop by and check out the variety of products available. They can also be found at VolunteerBearing.com or on Facebook at Volunteer Bearing LLC.
The business is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, you can contact them by email at [email protected] or at (931) 815-8391.
He is alone in a new home
On October 16th, I told you about Sam Hunsberger’s imminent move from her Sam’s Deli & Sweet Box Bakery. The eatery has gained quite a following in the Three Star Mall since its opening on March 19, 2022. After a lot of hard work on the building that last housed Aunt Mattie’s at 488 N. Chancery St., Sam is now ready to turn on the sign to open . at its new location.
One of the exciting features at the new location is the auto-thru opening on Monday. Curbside service is also currently available. Sam’s will fully open on January 14th with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Specializing in Northeastern-style food brought to the South, you can expect to find the same menu of hoagies, cheesecakes, turkey clubs and more that Sam offered at the strip mall that moved with her to N .Chancery St., where menu expandability has been improved.
Sam is enthusiastic about the new location and the flexibility for growth it provides. “Our space here is over 1,500 square feet. The space at the mall is a little over 900 square feet. Now we have a much bigger kitchen so hopefully I can do more of the things I’m capable of. Our kitchen there was about the size of a truck with with food, so it was difficult,” said Sam.
Crossing over with Sam is the same group of friendly faces that shoppers are used to seeing at the mall. And Sam’s customer base is clearly looking forward to welcoming staff to the new building. Even as I conducted this interview at a deli that was still under construction and not fully open, Sam received numerous phone calls and even saw some customers come in to see if it was open yet. Those eager people don’t have to wait any longer.
Sam has traveled a lot thanks, in part, to her father and many other members of her family serving in the military, and she wants to bring some of the influences she’s gleaned from her travels to the deli.
“My dad was in the military, my brother was in the military and he did tours in Iraq and Afghanistan; my whole family is military. I have a cousin who is now stationed in Virginia Beach. I love my veteran clients and I understand that way of life” , said Sam.
In addition to driving, the location offers other benefits. “We can have outdoor seating here, so we’re pretty excited about that in the spring and summer. I’d love to have French-style seating like I’ve seen in a lot of places I’ve visited,” Sam said.
Sam is an experienced carpenter, so she did most of the renovation and painting herself. “We’re completely out of the mall location now. I just need to take the sign down. This was a pretty old building and I had a lot to do, which is why we didn’t open before this,” Sam said.
Sam’s Deli & Sweet Box Bakery is located at 488 N. Chancery St. and has a drive-thru and curbside opening at 11 a.m. Monday. The full deli will open its doors on January 14.
Till next time,
same business hours,
same business page
Thank you to all the companies that contacted me. Send those tips to [email protected] and (931) 473-2191.