Just as economic development is increasing in Carrollton and Newnan, so it is in the surrounding communities in the region. Here’s a summary of what’s happening regionally around the City Menus coverage area.
Northwest Georgia
- Cartersville: As German grocer Lidl looks to establish its presence in the United States, it has chosen the city as the location for its regional headquarters. Plans call for the construction of a two-story office development and over 755,000 square-foot warehouse and distribution facility to be built near the intersection of Pine Log Road and Great Valley Parkway. While the contract bid has been awarded, construction is not expected to begin until September 2018.
- Emerson: Once a highway interchange that had virtually nothing around it, Exit 283 off Interstate 75 has exploded with new developments. Among these are a new Taco Bell that just broke ground on Lake Point Parkway just off Old Allatoona Road/Georgia Highway 283 and a Starbucks slated to open soon across the street.
- Hiram: A pair of retailers will soon be moving into Hiram Pavilion, while an existing tenant moves a couple of units down. Old Navy has plans to open a store at 4794 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, in the soon-to-be-former Party City location. Construction on the space is expected to begin in January and be completed by March. No word yet whether Party City is moving or closing altogether. Meanwhile, retailer Ulta Beauty will be moving into the next building over in the space formerly occupied by Famous Footwear which recently closed. They are expected to open in February. Finally for Hiram Pavilion, H&R Block will be leap-frogging over its neighbor, The UPS Store, and moving into a new space between it and rue21.
- Rome: Get ready to fuel up at the corner of Martha Berry Highway/US Highway 27 and the Armuchee Connector as construction is set to begin this week on a new Racetrac gas station and convenience store. The facility will be built on the former Life Church grounds. Meanwhile, Jack’s Family Restaurant has begun construction on it’s second location in the city at the corner of Shorter Avenue/Georgia Highway 120 and Coker Avenue. The restaurant will take the space of the former Magic Wand Car Wash that has been demolished.
West Central Georgia
- West Point: Car maker Kia’s West Point, Georgia, campus continues to grow as core-part manufacturer Hyundai Dymos has begun construction on a nearly 20,000 square-foot plant to build seats for the auto dealer.
West Metro Atlanta
- Acworth, Austell, and Marietta: A set of Walmart stores in Cobb County will all soon undergo some minor renovations. The locations at 3856 Cobb Parkway in Acworth, 1133 East West Connector in Austell, and 2795 Chastain Meadows Parkway in Marietta will see changes in the produce, deli, bakery, and money center areas of the stores. The projects are all expected to begin in November.
- Kennesaw: Restaurants take the forefront in new and renovated businesses for Kennesaw. The midwest is looking to place its stamp on the south as fast-food restaurant Culver’s Butterburgers and Frozen Custard has established plans to build in the city. The 4,330 square-foot facility will be constructed at 2454 Kennesaw Due West Road, just off of Cobb Parkway/US Highway 41. A few miles down the highway, the Burger King at 1190 Barrett Parkway near Cobb Parkway just completed a major renovation of its dining room. Meanwhile on the retail front, wireless services provider Sprint has established plans to move into the new Owl Creek Commons at 777 Townpark Way, Suite 110, just off Chastain Road.
- Mableton: The town will soon see more green as a Dollar Tree is slated to be built at 791 Veterans Memorial Highway, near the intersection with Buckner Road. Construction on the 10,400 square-foot facility is expected to begin in November. This is on the heels of the store’s neighbor K-Mart closing after several years of serving the Mableton community.
- Mableton & Kennesaw: Two local libraries are getting much needed renovations while one town will also gain a new one. The South Cobb Regional Library, at 805 Clay Road in Mableton, and the West Cobb Regional Library, at 1750 Dennis Kemp Lane in Kennesaw, are both closed to the public during construction which began this month. Meanwhile, Kennesaw will gain another Cobb County regional library as work is expected to begin in January at Old Highway 41 and Blue Springs Road on a new facility.
- Marietta: The region-wide expansion and renovations continue for fuel company Racetrac as Marietta not only gains a new station but will have another renovated. The existing station at 840 Church Street, just off Cobb Parkway and north of downtown, is expected to undergo renovations at the end of the month, while ground was recently broken on a new station at 900 Whitlock Avenue at the intersection with Burnt Hickory Road.
- Smyrna: A popular restaurant off Atlanta Road is getting a “sidekick.” Andre Gomez, chef of the Porch Light Latin Kitchen, has plans to open El Back Porch, an after-dinner style venue at 400 Village Green Circle, Suite 300, just off Atlanta Road – the same complex which houses the Porch Light. According to a recent AJC Restaurant Blog post, the menu of El Back Porch will feature cocktails and small plates, serving as an after-hours spot for local patrons. Gomez hopes to open the location by the end of this year. Just up the street, the revitalized Belmont retail district at the corner of Atlanta Road and Windy Hill Road is gaining another section. Construction on “Building 6” of Pod B has begun. No word on what retailers will be moving in.
South Metro Atlanta
- Fayetteville: A new discount retailer has moved into the Fayette Pavilion. Five Below recently opened at 110 Pavilion Parkway, just off Georgia Highway 85 next to Publix. Meanwhile, the Burger King at 655 Glenn Street North will soon be undergoing a complete interior and exterior renovation. However the largest project underway in Fayetteville is the development of Pinewood Forest, part of the Pinewood Atlanta Studios master plan. The mixed-use development along Veterans Parkway began construction in August and calls for 543 multi-family homes, 611 single-family homes, 88 townhomes and a combined 300 hotel rooms within two boutique hotels. It would also have about 175,000 square feet of mixed office and retail space.
East Central Alabama
- Oxford: Aldi, located at 75 Holmes Street, near the intersection of US Highway 78 and Alabama State Route 21, will soon undergo a much-needed facelift. The scope of the project will bring the store up to current Aldi standards, including new LED lighting, a reorganization of the sales floor, new refrigeration equipment, a fresh coat of paint, and new signage. The store was originally constructed in 2013.
