The results are in from my very un-scientific poll on the businesses that people want to see come to Valdosta. After my comment last week that there seemed to be more requests for retail than restaurants, I was bombarded this week with restaurant suggestions, so I’m guessing even with an OG, readers aren’t quite satisfied yet.

It’s interesting to see how the suggestions turned out. And for the couple hundred or so who sent in suggestions, if you were the only one making it, it didn’t make the final cut, nor did those who suggested businesses that are very localized to another part of the country. But surprisingly, there are very few of those. The vast majority of respondents are all on the same page, so to speak, regarding the areas where Valdosta is still lacking. And these folks were very very vocal about some of the more pressing needs, one of which has been on every wish list I’ve compiled in the last 10 years.

The largest area of concern that did not have a specific business in mind, as the suggestions varied widely, is the lack of recreational activities for teens and young adults. The suggestions ranged from another bowling alley to a skating rink, go-cart tracks, an area with several activities in one safe, family-oriented place, like a go-cart track with a putt-putt course with a small restaurant with a gaming area. However, it is very obvious from reading the responses that safe, clean, relatively inexpensive, well-managed and maintained venues for this age group is a serious concern for parents.

Also, for those not aware which included me, there is apparently a Dunkin Donuts franchise located in the Wilco truck stop on Airport Road. It’s not a big one, but it is a Dunkin Donuts, so I left that one off the list. Perhaps if enough people go there, a larger one will come.

Ditto for the sports stores. Gander Mountain is supposedly signed for sure, and another large sporting goods store will be soon, so I also left those off the list since they are already in the works.

And the folks down in Lake Park pretty much want everything. Another grocery story, a Walmart, a bowling alley, etc., etc. And someone suggested that a casino would be a great business for this area to create jobs. Not sure if state law would permit it, but you never know.

I compiled the Business Wish List Top Ten and a list of honorable mentions, which received multiple votes but not enough to crack the top of the list. Commercial real estate brokers, real estate owners, officials with local governments, etc., take notes. Rarely does someone hand you a blueprint for businesses to woo and recruit.

Top Ten Valdosta Business Wish List

1. Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store

2. Dillards department store

3. Dave & Buster’s restaurant and fun factory

4. Sweet Tomatoes restaurant

5. Carrabba’s restaurant

6. Joe’s Crab Shack

7. Stein Mart

8. Bed, Bath and Beyond

9. Apple store

10. Chucky Cheese

Honorable Mention

Chipotle restaurant

Krogers/Fresh Market/ Fresh Foods grocery stores

Haverty’s/ Ashley Furniture stores

Trader Joe’s specialty market

Bone Fish Grill restaurant

Pei Wei (a smaller version of PF Changs)

Cheesecake Factory

More Starbucks locations

Home Goods (by TJ Maxx)

5 Guys Burgers

More plus-size women’s clothing stores

Red Robin

Schlotsky’s Deli

Burlington Coat Factory

TGI Fridays

hhgregg

Baby’s R Us

That’s it folks! Start campaigns by emailing these companies, talk to any commercial Realtors you know and encourage them to try and do some recruiting, call your elected officials and if you patronize any of these businesses in another location, make sure you mention how much Valdosta would love to have them here.

Since the first list was published, we’ve gotten Starbucks, Old Navy, Best Buy, PetsMart, Ross, OG, Hobby Lobby, Kohl’s, Home Depot, Lowe’s and more, so it works if those who can help really do.

Thank you all for voting and for the nice notes in the emails.

I appreciate your readership and I’ll certainly try to do what I can to encourage participation from the movers and shakers. You never know until you try, right?

Business Roundup

Just because the sign on O’Neals makes it sound like the restaurant is changing names, it’s not. The new Catfish House is what they are calling their new special dinner nights on Friday and Saturday, serving catfish.

A new gym is coming to town called X Factor. It will be located beside Mori in the same strip with Best Buy and Books a Million.

Lots of calls about it this week, so for Big O’s lovers, your beloved buffet is safe.

And yes, the Green Iguana Mexican restaurant is now open on St. Augustine Road. So is the new Agri-Supply on Highway 84.

The new Fred’s on Bemiss speedway is moving along very quickly. It’s located close to Studstill Road and the steel framework is already up.

I still expect the new Publix to break ground any day on its new location on Inner Perimeter Road by Walmart, and the new bank across the street from there, Heritage Bank, is coming along as well.

In case you missed it, the campaign to save Talbot’s didn’t work and the store is now empty. The location would be ideal for one of the top ten on the wish list.

I’ve had several readers comment that Zaxby’s will not be rebuilding on Baytree in their old location, but I heard from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, that they are just waiting to finish the other two before they concentrate their attention there.

The two new ones, in Lake Park and on St. Augustine, are a new style and concept for Zaxby’s, and both are moving along very quickly. I thought the Lowe’s wrap on the building, since it’s right in front of Lowe’s, was a nice touch.

I’m curious too. If anybody wants to email vdt.editorial@gaflnews.com this week and answer this one, please do.

JC Penney announced a new concept this week, with low prices all the time, no sales, and few if any sales flyers or store coupons, etc. Will this entice you to shop there more? Or less?

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