Blue Sky opens bigger, better, brighter

Published 2:30 pm Monday, May 8, 2023

BROOKHAVEN — Blue Sky is back bigger, better and brighter than ever, district supervisor Gerald Barnes said Monday afternoon. The Exxon Gas Station located at 756 Brookway Boulevard opened Friday after an extensive renovation project. 

Barnes said he is not sure what the square footage of either building was but is sure the old Blue Sky store would fit in the new location twice. They added four more gasoline pumps outside and have 12 pumps total. 

“A lot of people didn’t know we opened Friday and we didn’t broadcast it either. We wanted to make sure we actually opened Friday,” he said. “We will have a grand opening soon. In the meantime, we want everyone to come by and look at the store and check out new things.” 

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Those new things encapsulates anything from the two self-checkout stations, a coffee bar, smoothies, a F’real Milkshake machine, slushies and a touch screen drink machine which offers 25 to 30 different choices. Blue Sky will also sell fresh salads in conjunction with traditional gas station foods such as doughnuts, sausage biscuits, hot dogs, hamburgers and peanuts. 

Barnes said the exterior will be well lit at night too. The interior is brightly light with gray and white marbled tile and blue paint on the walls which should brighten up the mood. 

Blue Sky is not completely finished. Barnes said they are awaiting the installation of their lottery system. He said the Blue Sky on Brookway was the No.3 store in the country for lottery sales and they would be coming soon. 

District manager Peggy Smith said she has seen a good response from the community since Blue Sky opened. 

“Everyone is liking it,” Smith said. “They are glad it is back. They tell us they missed it so much.” 

Health inspections

The Mississippi Department of Health visited just one establishment in Lincoln County over the past week. Bumpers, located at 108 US51 North, passed their inspection on May 5 with flying colors. 

Classified as a fast food restaurant, Bumpers earned an A from the department of health. The restaurant has earned six As since 2016 and four Bs. There have been no other inspections since then. 

Blue Sky earned an A rating in late April ahead of its opening date.