Macon will have the distinction of being the first city outside of Valdosta to have a Smok’n Pig restaurant.

On Thursday, Pat O’Neal and his management team, led by Ray Parr, were guests at a press conference in Macon to announce the new restaurant, which will be located in the Macon Mall as part of its rebuilding/revitalization project. The Macon mayor and other local officials attended the contract signing ceremony. Once open, the Pig will employ about 150, which will be a much-needed boost to Macon’s economy.

For years, the Macon Mall was the place to shop, but it has been in decline for a while as its owners went into foreclosure. Mall aficionado Hull Storey Gibson Co. bought the Macon Mall and is at the beginning of a huge revitalization project. Bringing in the Pig is a step in the right direction to get people to come back to the location.

Also this week, Parr said the Smok’n Pig barbecue sauces will be sold in markets around the region.

In this day and time, when fascination with certain national chain restaurants has become the norm, it’s wonderful to be able to point out to this community that one of their own is doing so well, even in this down economy.

Starting with O’Neals and then Ole Times Country Buffet, Pat and his family are continuing to explore opportunities in other areas while maintaining their strong ties to Valdosta.

They employ hundreds in the local area and are great community partners. Kudos on your continued success.

Business Roundup

The Stafford company, which operated the tractor dealership on North Valdosta Road for many years, announced this week that it is selling the dealership here, in Tifton and in Douglas to Lasseter Equipment Co. of Moultrie. The Stafford family of Tifton has owned the business for 60 years.

Belk’s ongoing renovation project is still continuing and the store is still being rearranged as they move from one area to the other, so for the next few weeks, you might not find what you are looking for where you used to find it.

Rumor has it that the former Zaxbys is rebuilding on Baytree Road right where it used to be rather than relocate.

Several businesses are opening near there behind the Slap Daddys, including the Fabulous Pizza Joint, Power Up supplements and the Mix, a self-serve yogurt shop.

Marco’s Pizza construction is moving fairly rapidly in the Camelot Crossing development off North Valdosta Road, and the McDonald’s across the way from there is swarming with workers finishing the construction, the drainage, etc.

Construction continues on the First State Bank on Baytree Road, the Automotive Transfers site on River Street, and the liquor store on North Valdosta Road.

It looks like site preparation is nearly complete on the future Drury Inn development on St. Augustine by I-75 which will include a seven-story hotel, an OG and other retail establishments.

Ending on a down note this week, Charley O’s in Remerton is closed. The owner is seeking other venues to locate the business, and perhaps take it back to a smaller restaurant/pub atmosphere. I’ll have more information next Sunday.

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