By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Several new businesses have opened in Columbiana recently.

Dollar Tree celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Oct. 21.

“In this particular store, we exceeded expectations by three times,” Distribution Manager Mike Seesholtz said of the Columbiana store’s first few days of business. “We’re very excited. We have been very welcomed at this point. It’s always good to exceed opening expectations, and we have done that every day.”

Dollar Tree is located in the former Winn-Dixie shopping center behind Regions Bank.

Store hours are Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Columbiana’s Dollar Tree is one of nearly 15,000 stores nationwide, Seesholtz said.

“We are so happy to have this corporation in Columbiana,” Mayor Stancil Handley said. “The excitement of a new business is wonderful.”

On Main Street, Tee’s Cakes and Pastries opened in the Shops of Columbiana on Oct. 21.

The bakery is Eddie and Theresa Herrod’s second location of Tee’s, which first opened in Chelsea in 2015.

Alexia Herrod, the couple’s daughter and resident cake decorator, said they have been busy since opening.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Eddie Herrod said.

In addition to custom cakes, cookies and pastries, Tee’s offers grab-and-go lunch items such as croissant sandwiches, chicken salad, wraps and chef salads.

Soups, coffee and sodas will be available, too.

Tee’s hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Follow @TeesColumbiana on Facebook for daily updates.

Over on Alabama 25, Pita Mediterranean Street Food is now serving breakfast.

Customers can order waffles, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, gyro scrambles and other breakfast items on Monday-Friday from 6-11 a.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 7-11 a.m.

Anish Noorani, who owns Pita and the Feel Good store and bottle shop next door, said the community has shown much support since the business opened in mid-September.

“Everybody appreciates the food,” Noorani said, adding the location is close to town and offers plenty of parking.

Children will be excited to learn Pita also serves frozen yogurt.

Feel Good carries a variety of coffee, frozen drinks, craft beer and wine.

Historic Columbiana photos line the walls of the store.

“The business has interest in local history and community,” Noorani said.