It's that time again, when I bring you up to speed on construction projects and other movement in the business community in Statesboro. We work to find answers to the questions you send us.
        After operating for 53 years on Vine Street in Statesboro, Darley Insurance has relocated to 325 South Main Street. Owner Bryan Darley's father, the late Fred Darley, opened the insurance business there in 1963. You can still reach them by phone at (912) 764-5017.
        The east side of Statesboro is seeing a lot of activity. One of the largest projects under way involves a large track of land between Connection Church and the S&S Railroad Trail. Land clearing and site preparation is under way and construction should begin soon on a unique new residential development. I have learned that the development will include homes for sale in addition to rental units. This will be a more upscale development targeting professional singles and couples.
        Local development company, Five Chop Development, has begun construction of a new convenience store at the corner of Burkhalter and Pretoria Rushing Road. The site is directly across the road from the future location of Southbridge Community Church.
        The 6,000-square-foot structure will include a 4,500-square-foot convenience store and an attached 1,500-square-foot quick serve restaurant. The convenience store will have a drive through window and will be stocked with more upscale items which should complement the neighborhoods served by the store. This is the third convenient store built by this developer and they are all independently operated. Their goal is to be open by the end of the year.
        A local family has opened Stoner's Pizza Joint, which features Stone-Baked Pizza at 1067 Georgia Highway 67 in the shopping center across from the Kiwanis Fairgrounds. The restaurant is owned by Karen and Rickey Daring, Sr. along with their son Rickey Daring, Jr.
        Stoner's is a small, Savannah-based pizza franchise that operates 13 locations in the area. The Daring's opened their first Stoner's in Springfield last year. The Statesboro location has been open a couple of months. They are only open for dinner, seven days per week. You can learn more about them on their website www.stonerspizzastatesboro.com or call them at (912) 623-2222.
        Beall's Outlet Store in the Statesboro Mall is in the process of updating the store. Renovations include remodeled bathrooms and a redesigned entrance on the outside of the mall. The updated entrance will include more display windows and provide a more appealing entry way. They are also updating the signage for the store. Renovations will be complete in a couple of weeks.
        Habitat for Humanity of Bulloch County is preparing to move from their current location on Cherry Street to 201 Johnson Street, adjacent to the "Fork" in the road. They are in the process of completing renovations at the new location and hope to move in the next few weeks. The new location will house the popular Spike's Restore shop, their administrative offices and construction office. The Johnson street location will give them more visibility and allow them to operate more efficiently. There is parking on the side and in the rear of the building. For more information contact Habitat at (912) 489-2076 or www.habitatbulloch.org.
        Bulloch County has begun site preparation for the much anticipated Multi-Use Agriculture Arena on Langston Chapel Road. The arena will be constructed on a 63-acre tract beside the Bulloch County Center for Agribusiness, directly across from Langston Chapel Middle School. This project is funded through a local SPLOST and has been on the drawing board for nearly a decade. When complete, the arena will offer a much-needed facility for horse shows and other community events.