The future location of Cheddars restaurant on Norman Drive

As of tomorrow, just about every single school in the area will be back in session, including Valdosta State University.

The area around the school was hopping last week as students moved into dorms and area residences, and went shopping for last-minute supplies at local stores. The traffic will be intense at first, just as it was last week with the city and county schools back in session, but remember that a lot of these children, yes children, are out on their own for the first time and are oblivious to the sidewalks, street signs and crosswalk signs, so go easy on them and expect to see some jaywalkers and stray texters in the road at first. And if you don’t want to be courteous, then avoid Patterson on your way to work in the morning.

Also, if there are any items left on your school shopping lists, several area stores are holding what they’re calling tax-free shopping days through at least today, with others are having sales on all kinds of items to try and entice shoppers through their doors.

So be careful, be aware and be courteous to our city’s newest residents, and help us all welcome VSU students back this week.

Big Hahira event this week

On Thursday, August 19, downtown Hahira will feature its bi-monthly Third Thursday event along with special back-to-school activities and an end-of-summer ice cream social. Music, games, a dunk tank with teachers and local elected officials, and activities for kids will be available from 5 to 8 p.m.

Business Roundup

Cheddars restaurant broke ground this week on its new location on Norman Drive. The much-anticipated casual eatery is back on track for a fall opening this year.

The new restaurant, Stage 51, is now open. It’s a coffee and wine house and is located where the Queen Victoria’s British Pub was on Baytree. Don’t let the name fool you because they offer a lot of great sandwiches, appetizers and other goodies too.

The HoneyBaked Ham Company right around the corner from it, also in the Sugar Creek Plaza, is now under new ownership, just in time for holiday ordering season to start. You can also get deli sandwiches and other items for lunch daily too.

Southwest Georgia Bank is holding an open house this week on Thursday to introduce the community to the new business. It’s located on the corner of North Valdosta Road and Country Club.

There is a new place to eat in Nashville with the opening of the Brown Bag Sandwich Shop. It’s located inside the Children’s Cottage. There’s also a new store, the Now & Then Variety Shop, located on Tifton Road in Nashville.

The new Harveys location in Hahira is moving well, with the building starting to take shape. There seems to be a lot of community anticipation for the supermarket and other businesses that are planned for the area.

I’m not sure what they’re doing at Mongo, the new Mongolian Fire Pit restaurant that is still being renovated on North Ashley Street, but workers were tackling what used to be a lighthouse on the property late Friday. Hopefully they’ll be finished with the work and ready to open soon.

Don’t forget the city’s newest hotspot out Highway 84. The Vegas nightclub is open for business.

That’s it for this week, but if there’s anything I forgot, please let me know!