When I am out in the community, I am often asked about new construction projects. I try to keep you updated on these by placing a "Business Ticker" at the end of my columns. However, it seems as though many of my readers have been missing those updates.
So, I have decided to write a column to highlight business movement in the area every few weeks, based on the amount of new information I have. The following is an overview of current activity.
ULTA Beauty is opening a 10,000-square-foot store in the newly constructed building beside Petco in the Statesboro Crossings shopping center on Sept. 4. ULTA Beauty is the largest beauty retailer in the United States and has grown to become the top national retailer providing "All Things Beauty, All in One Place." The company offers more than 20,000 products from over 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including ULTA's own private label. The store will feature a full-service salon offering hair, skin and brow services. For more information, visit www.ulta.com.
Family Dollar is building a third store in Statesboro, currently under construction on Highway 80 West across from Advanced Auto Parts near Walker Pharmacy, on the former Altman Pontiac property. In July, Dollar Tree completed its acquisition of the Family Dollar chain. However, the company plans to continue operating the stores as separate brands and at this point should have little effect on either brand's local operations.
Statesboro Floor Covering has switched locations with Awards South. Roy and Deborah Thompson own both buildings and have made the switch to allow easier access and more parking for their customers. Statesboro Floor Covering's "new" location, at 261 Northside Drive E., will undergo a showroom renovation but will remain open during construction. Awards South is now located at 126 Northside Drive E.
Clyde's at 301 and the bypass is closed and the building is under contract, pending due diligence and environmental clearance. Once the deal closes, Uncle Shug's and Subway will remain in place, and the former Clyde's store will be renovated into another popular convenience store.
El Sombrero (the "Little Hat") at 581 Northside Drive is renovating and expanding into the former Publix location in the University Commons shopping center. When construction is completed at the end of October, the restaurant will almost double in size, with seating for 60 more patrons. The most notable addition will be a full bar in the new space, which also will include walk-in cooler space and kitchen storage.
Business Ticker
After a 32-year career with Farmer's Furniture, 28 of which he served as the manager of the Statesboro store, John Martin has accepted a position with Direct Furniture Outlet. The company is owned by Mitchell Mcgraw, whom Martin credits with getting him into the furniture business. Direct Furniture Outlet currently operates stores in Sandersville and Wrightsville; Martin is opening the company's third store in downtown Waynesboro in mid-September in the old Goldberg's Furniture Store at 114 W. 6th St. He invites all of his customers and friends to visit or give him a call at (912) 536-9639.
Congratulations to Statesboro native and Statesboro High School and University of Georgia graduate Josh Crews and his company, 10 Fold Productions, based in Los Angeles, for landing a huge deal with Notre Dame football. The company will be rebranding the team's 2015 TV package, which includes all of the animations and graphics that brand the team's shows, games and so forth. If you have watched "American Idol," NFL games, Linkin Park's music videos, Disney or pretty much any major TV network in the last few years, you have seen Crews' work. Crews' father is Mike Crews, owner of the Lion's Den hair salon.
Please email DeWayne at dgrice@statesboroherald.com or give him a call at (912) 489-9499.