Entertaining phone call from Jane Green this week, recounting her and her husband’s recent trip to Tallahassee in honor of their 57th wedding anniversary. Yep, 57 years.
She and Harris went to Olive Garden, where they decided to splurge a little since they had a gift card — which they didn’t even need since the restaurant picked up their check when management found out about their anniversary.
All very interesting, including Jane saying the food was absolutely delicious.
But even more interesting is the information that the culinary manager shared with the couple — the restaurant is finally, yes, finally coming to Valdosta. Unfortunately, she didn’t know where, and she wasn’t sure when.
So, I did a little sleuthing and found out that Valdosta isn’t listed on their official company Web site as a new restaurant opening this year, but, on the good side, the list only goes through May, and it says the list will be updated in February for the rest of the year, so there is a chance we could be on it.
When I called the restaurant in Tallahassee, the manager the Greens spoke to wasn’t available, and no one from their corporate office called back.
I don’t for a minute doubt that they are coming to Valdosta this year, and usually employees know far in advance of any official announcement.
The part that’s in question is the “where.” Best guesses, based on many conversations and some wild conjecture, is either right beside I-75 at Exit 18 where the Holiday Inn used to be or the new James Road project, which looks like it has new life again and may well yet bring that big fish to town.
Given that the restaurant has finished as the number one business readers want to see in Valdosta in two different Valdosta Daily Times polls and given the number of times I’m asked about it (and I’m not the only one — Mayor Fretti gets the question as much as I do) I thought I should keep you all informed, but I’m not sure if this constitutes good news or just better news than we’ve heard before.
At any rate, we’re on their radar screen, which is good, and for those who have been aching for an Olive Garden, maybe, just maybe, we’re finally going to see it happen this year. And when it’s official, I’m sure there won’t be anyone who can’t hear the whoops of joy from City Hall.
Business Roundup
In addition to the new Georgia Pasty Company at the Preferred Outlet at Lake Park, there is a new shop called Becky’s Cakes.
A caller this week said they are absolutely wonderful.
With the new Famous Labels opening there soon as well, hopefully the center is being revitalized again.
A new business called The Essence of Beauty salon just opened on Bemiss Road this week.
Goody’s is in the throes of its going-out-of-business sale, and I understand it’s been pretty crowded there this week.
I’m still waiting on an opening date for Elliano’s on Bemiss, but it looks just about ready.
The Village Shoe Repair, located on the corner of South Patterson and Rogers streets next to the post office downtown, should be opening this week.
I understand that the Winn Dixie is getting ready to undergo a good size renovation project at the location at Five Points, and the Crosspointe Church being built where Winn Dixie used to be is surely opening in early February.
I reported last week that The Scoop on Baytree is now Two Scoops and Cafe, but I neglected to mention that The Scoop on Northside Drive is alive and well and serving up ice cream, desserts and sandwiches just like they’ve always done.
Despite the economic downturn, it appears people and business owners are generally optimistic, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see even more new business notices coming soon.
In the meantime, that’s it for this week, but if there’s anything I missed, please let me know!
Business
Business This Week: The elusive one may come here this year
- Business
-
-
Valdosta Shared Office Space
VALDOSTA — Though Valdosta Shared Office Space is not new to Valdosta, it is newly green. The first and only shared office space in Valdosta owned by Gino Fina, just became the first Downtown Valdosta business to work with the Georgia Cities Foundation’s Green Communities Fund to implement environmentally friendly, energy-efficient improvements, reducing energy consumption upwards of 50 percent. -
Downtown businesses to be mobbed this week
A few years ago, when everyone started talking through social media, flash mobs became the new in thing to do. Primarily in the big cities, although VSU did their own a year or two ago, a designated place and time would be set and masses of people would descend on these sites, sometimes dancing, sometimes singing, sometimes acting obnoxiously.
-
Keep tails wagging when your budget is lagging
I have a problem. Though I am a tight-wad when it comes to spending my money, I cannot resist the calling to buy adorable toys, collars and, yes, even clothes for my three cuter than all get out fur babies.
-
The Valdosta Mall: Revamped and Ready for Business!
VALDOSTA — The Valdosta Mall has made tremendous strides since its rebranding away from Colonial Mall in 2007 and it’s refocus in 2008 when it made a move from serving the community to being a part of the community.
“We had taken for granted our place in the community for a long time,” said Jerry Weller, general manager of the Valdosta Mall. “We don’t do that anymore.” -
Keep your clothes looking fab to avoid looking drab
As I get older, I’m beginning to learn that there are more important things than clothes. Ugh! It pains me to even form that sentence; however, it’s true.
-
Business This Week: Happy Mother’s Day!
Today is the one day a year dedicated to celebrating mothers, although we all use their guidance and wisdom every day. But for this one day, their sacrifices, kindness, love, and advice are recognized, hopefully, by the children they raised or helped to raise. It might not even be those born to them, as most mothers don’t limit their love and it flows over onto their children’s friends, family members, and the children they influence in the classroom, in Sunday school and in volunteer activities.
-
Downtown will have a new beat this week
The Brown Bag Concert Series produced by Valdosta Main Street will begin again on Monday and last all week.
-
Valdosta Regional Airport: Flying Valdosta to the Top
There are 104 publicly owned, public-use airports — nine commercial service and 95 general-aviation airports — in Georgia. Airports are significant to the state’s economic infrastructure and essential to transportation of goods and people. A single airport can support various diversified industries such as technology, manufacturing, distribution, agriculture and tourism.
-
Brittany's Budget Diary: Be Green to Save Green
“It’s not easy being green,” once said Kermit the Frog. No offense to Kerm, but it is in fact quite easy being green. I know because I am incredibly green.
-
Propex: Global Presence, Local Roots
VALDOSTA — Not every company sets out to build a better community, a better world and a better future. However, not every company is Propex.
Propex is known as a leader in building and rebuilding key infrastructure all over the world. Products made at Propex are used to protect hillsides, highways and waterways from damaging erosion by combining engineered fabrics with natural vegetation rather than broken rock. - More Business Headlines
-
