OXFORD — Mayor Lyle Henley joined Oxford Exchange property managers and chamber of commerce officials Wednesday morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at The Velvet Magnolia, the newly opened gentleman's club located between the Olive Garden and the family-owned framing store.

Mayor Henley, holding ceremonial scissors approximately twice the size of his head, called the new tenant "a tremendous addition to the Oxford Exchange family" and "a clear signal that this community is open for business in every sense of the word."

"What this development represents," Henley said, "is the kind of diverse, vibrant retail mix that has made Oxford the fastest-growing city in Calhoun County for thirteen consecutive years. We welcome The Velvet Magnolia as we welcome every business that chooses to invest in our community, and we are confident their offerings will be complementary to the experiences our families already enjoy at Oxford Exchange."

The Velvet Magnolia occupies the 4,200-square-foot space formerly held by a Christian bookstore. The bookstore relocated to a smaller location off Highway 21 in 2024, citing what its owner described in a closing letter as "shifting community priorities."

A representative for the property managers, who declined to give her name, said the leasing process had been "highly competitive" and that several other prospective tenants had been considered, including a sporting goods retailer and "another vape store." She confirmed that The Velvet Magnolia's lease terms were "consistent with market rates."

The Olive Garden manager declined to comment. A sign on the framing store window indicated the business would be closing "for inventory" through the weekend.

Pastor Brad Ellison of The Bridge at Oxford was reached for comment between Wednesday morning services. Pastor Brad noted that the church does not take official positions on the conduct of Oxford Exchange's commercial tenants, but that he encouraged the community to "respond with grace, not judgment, and to remember that all of us are on a journey." He confirmed that this Sunday's sermon would be the third installment in his series titled Untethered.

Calhoun County Commissioner Dale Morrow, who attended the ribbon cutting alongside Henley, called the opening "a milestone for the Oxford Exchange retail corridor."

"This is what economic development looks like," Morrow said. "Jobs. Investment. Tax revenue. The free market choosing where it wants to go. We don't legislate morality in Calhoun County, and we don't legislate where the free market wants to put a club. That's not the American way."

The Velvet Magnolia is the seventeenth ribbon cutting Mayor Henley has attended in 2026.

Local resident Brenda Cofield, reached for comment outside the Saks Walmart, said she had heard about the new establishment from her sister-in-law. "I don't know what to say about it," Cofield said. "I really don't. But I will say the Olive Garden over there does have very good breadsticks."

Sheriff Earl Tubb declined to provide a statement when asked whether the department anticipated any change in patrol patterns near the corridor. A spokesperson said only that the department was "aware of it."

The Velvet Magnolia's website lists hours of operation, a dress code described as "smart casual," and a statement of principles that includes the phrase "discreet, dignified, and discerning."

The framing store reopened Thursday morning.

The Calhoun Dispatch — apologies, The Green Tomato — has reached out to The Velvet Magnolia for comment. The club's communications director has not returned messages. We will update this developing story as additional information becomes available, where appropriate.