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(10/19/11 11:54pm)
Be prepared Mercer, in the near future three homes will be slowly creeping by campus on their way to a new location as their empty lots become the next loft development. The homes, currently located at 1658, 1674 and 1690 Coleman Ave., will be relocated to 1035, 1065 and 1071 Oglethorpe St.
The homes are owned by Mercer University and are being moved to make way for Phase II of the Lofts at Mercer Village. The new lofts will have a similar layout to the current building. It will be four stories with three retail spaces on the first floor, with the next three floors rooming 72 student residents. The parking within Mercer Village and Johnson Avenue will expand to add over 100 parking spaces to make way for the necessary demand of retailers and residents.
The favorable outcome of the first phase is what encouraged the launch across the street. Mercer President William D. Underwood initiated the relocation project of the three homes and it has now become a joint undertaking between Mercer and Historic Macon. The homes will be taken to Beall’s Hill as part of a revitalization project started 4 years ago by Mercer University, the City of Macon, Historic Macon Foundation, and the Macon Housing Authority.
In a press release on Mercer’s website Underwood said, “The opportunity to once again work with Historic Macon on this ambitious project continues to advance the missions of both entities while adding to the vitality of the College Hill Corridor.”
“It’s a productive partnership right now between Mercer and Historic Macon,” said Jennifer Mayer, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator for Historic Macon.
Mayer mentioned that there was supposed to be a parade for the substantial move but due to steady delays of construction and equipment coming from out of state, this is not likely. “When they do set a date, they will start at daybreak and work until they are done,” said Mayer.
The job will take extensive coordination and engineering, both of which can already be seen at the current location of the homes. Massive beams lay under the foundation in preparation for the move. On route to Oglethorpe, power, cable, and telephone lines will be relocated, two traffic signals will be removed and a temporary bridge is being built over a railroad bridge that could not otherwise withstand the weight of the homes.
The homes journey includes the parking lot of Mercer Village, east on Montpelier Avenue, north on Adams Street, east on Oglethorpe over the stand-in bridge onto Ross Street, and finally Maple Street where the homes will rest on their new lots. When the homes reach their destination they will be taken over by Historic Macon and be restored and sold to homeowners.
The homes, built in 1897, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mayer said the homes are important because they hold on to the memories and lives of Macon residents that need to be preserved.
All are welcome to come and watch the move happen, the main set up being at Tattnall. For more information on the date of the move please visit Historic Macon’s website.
(10/19/11 10:43pm)
The Hummingbird
The Hummingbird opened in 2005 and has since become the staple for downtown cool. Offering a steady flow of entertainment on a weekly basis the Bird holds its own with a natural concept of good people, music, and drinking. National, regional and local live music are featured all the time and give the bar that rock and roll energy that appeals to all ages at any time of the evening. The Bird has a variety of weekly events such as dart league, 3-4-1 drinks, $8 Bottomless mugs and ladies night. Hummingbird has consistently been voted the people’s choice as “Best Overall Bar,” “Best Place To Hear Live Music,” “Best Bar Staff,” and other awards. Indeed the atmosphere is very laidback, with the back patio offering up games of corn hole and an array of seating to enjoy the evening. The staff is friendly and talkative to customers and provides a welcoming vibe that keeps Mercer students coming back. The Bird is seemingly a constant good time on any night of the week. The price can occasionally deter entrants, as the cost for underage students can sometimes be twice as much as their legal counter-parts.
Element
The new kid on the block performed well in the beginning, drawing in curious Mercer students, but has now fizzled from student radar. Perhaps the reason for the decline was the price, a smooth $10 for those underage versus $5 for legal patrons. The club seems to cater to Warner Robins attendees in their twenties. Thursdays are advertised as College Night and they have many themed parties, most recently a foam party, a toga party and a blackout night. The club still has a full house on weekends, but it definitely lacks in the college town features.The club, which plays up to its name by using the four elements, fire, earth, air and water creates a theatrical environment for partygoers. The club also has 3 bars and 2 DJs that cater to the music allotted for each room.The staff can be objective of potential partiers, even going beyond the dress code. Element was highly criticized during its opening weekend for not allowing customers of Synergy, the club Element replaced, in to the club unless they acted straight. Synergy catered to the LGBT community and since the Element replacement, those customers have been turned away on several occasions.
Bottoms Up
If a bar could be confused, Bottom’s Up would be it. The dance floor, pool house, beer pong, beach bar concept derives a quirky message to customers. As a result mingling with a random assortment of people isn’t just a promise, it’s a guarantee. The clash of a bar slash dance room can lead to a serious combo of patrons, but the variety can be enjoyable amongst a decent crowd. The bar fairs better with Mercer students during the week. Specials such as $2 Tuesdays, 2-for-1 Wednesdays and College Night on Thursdays keeps students coming downtown all week long. The music can be raging at times with quality DJs and bands that bring in an energetic dancing crowd. The dance floor is small and can get packed quickly when there are too many people. The compact quarters can also make it very smoky and hot.The bar offers several flat screens TV’s that play sports while the bartender’s are usually on top of their game with the substantial demand of drinkers.
Asylum
Saturday night belongs to Asylum. The wild energy that comes with the So Sick Saturday’s concept can literally bring in a floodgate of people. The most dominant time to enter the club appears to be 12 a.m. and the crowd can be packed well into the night. Specifically with Mercer students, who managed to dominate the crowd this past Saturday despite it being fall break.The Asylum bus can pick you up anywhere within a sensible distance of the club and offer you an energetic ride with booming music and passengers ready to party. The line outside moves reasonably and the price suits the expectations. The bold club has been open since last April and has never stopped short of its constant up-beat music and video shows. The epileptic strobe light can often be the only complaint of the otherwise superb display. The club prides itself on having the largest video mapping system in the United States, spanning 120 feet with custom made content changing by the second. The large size of the venue keeps it cool and the smoke dispersed. Staff and security are respectful of patrons and can even hold a conversation with a smile.
(10/06/11 12:13am)
On Thursday, Sept. 22, Macon City Council held a public hearing at City Hall to discuss the latest proposed smoking ordinance.
The proposed ban would prohibit smoking at nearly all restaurants, bars and outdoor playgrounds. This is the second time a smoking ordinance has been brought forth to the council in the last year. Mayor Reichert vetoed the first ban for various reasons.
The dominant issue of the night dealt with bars and restaurants.
The audience, composed of individuals from Macon and surrounding areas, had various opinions and the council meeting became a debate forum. Larry Schleinger, Council President Pro Tempore, who presided over the hearing, had to quiet the public on several occasions.
“I thought it would be 50/50, and then the first ten speakers were opposed,” said Schlesinger of the evening.
Former republican mayor candidate, David Cousino, verbally criticized the Breathe Easy Macon campaign and those in charge of its operations.
Many residents and business owners believe that the City Council is intervening in issues of private property and liberty by proposing this ordinance.
Phillip Sinclair, owner of Element nightclub said, “I represent the 14 people here with me and the 600 people at my club this past weekend.” Sinclair told the council that 60% of his customers are from Warner Robins and the smoking ordinance would push them away. “If you pass this ban, we are no longer a desirable place to come,” he said of those customers who commute.
Ryan Williams, owner of Wagers Grill and Bar, said customers have a choice to go into a certain bar, suggesting that some businesses cater to a smoking crowd and a ban would deter those customers. “There should be no government intervention during an economic crisis,” said Williams.
Victor Stanley, owner of the Hummingbird, suggested that Macon City Council take a different approach in instituting a smoking ordinance. “I am all for a smoking ordinance like the one in Athens,” said Stanley. “But the timing is off.”
Stanley said the city needed to bring in business to downtown before considering an ordinance.
Those in favor of the ban believe that there are substantial health risks of second-hand smoke exposure associated with the continued allowance of public smoking. “It doesn’t hurt to walk outside and have a cigarette, because you’re killing somebody, and one of them is me,” said a member of the audience, who is currently suffering from a genetic lung disease.
Six council members appeared at the hearing. “It was a poor job of representation,” said Clay Murphy, Director of Macon External Affairs. “It showed they were not really listening to what the public had to say.”
Schleinger was also disappointed in the council turnout. “Those who were most vocal for a hearing weren’t there themselves,” he said of council members.
Murphy said that the one of the reasons the mayor vetoed the first smoking ordinance was because he felt that the council hadn’t listened to its constituents.
According to Schleinger, he thinks they’ve got it right this time. “There were negative reactions in Athens. Now everyone thinks it is the greatest. Once it’s implemented, people get used to it.”
The next meeting discussing the ordinance will take place Oct. 10. The Public Safety Committee will put it to a vote and, if favored, it will go to council and then legislation.
(09/21/11 10:50pm)
This week, the Cluster has profiled five boutique stores in Macon to help students uncover the best shopping downtown has to offer. Macon boutique stores may be small in numbers but are growing in style and accommodating to students on a college budget. For more information on any of the boutiques please visit their respective Facebook pages or websites.
Fab'rik
Headed toward La’ Berry, in the Vineville Crossing Plaza is fab’rik. Owner Stephanie Folsom opened the store last April and has kept to the concept of providing a unique sense of style. “It’s a shopaholic’s dream without the sticker shock,” said employee Tiffany Olson. Everything in the store is under $100, except for denim that includes Hudson, Miss Me, DL 1961, Paige and Truck Jeans. A 15% discount opportunity is offered every Tuesday when students sign up for a ‘Hall Pass.’ Georgia fans can rejoice in loyal colors as, every Thursday before a Bulldogs home game, all red and black items are 30% off.
Ginger Michelle
Ginger Michelle is a swift four-minute drive from campus and offers a variety of clothing, shoes and accessories. Located at 466 Front St., it has a style much like the chic Anthropologie chain.“We’ve put our own spin on it. It fits with downtown, as we have an old building,” said co-owner Grace Anderson. The store has been open for 9 years and is owned by the father and daughter duo of Charlie and Grace Anderson. The store has a variety of trendy brands such as Kensie, Tulle, MM Couture and Darling.The prices run from $10 purses to $380 dresses and just about everything in between. Ginger Michelle has Student Tuesdays, a discount day for anyone with a student card and may receive 15% off purchases.
Head Over Heels
In the same plaza as Rumor, a shoe boutique, Head over Heels, is making strides with its own drive, called Soles4Souls. This month, bring in a pair of tender used shoes and receive 20% off a new pair along with a discount card and a chance to win a new pair of shoes. In October, the store is celebrating its 5th anniversary, offering giveaways and sales. At this time students can sign up for a card to use on certain days of the week that will provide 15% discounts. Heels carries TOMS, Bamboo, Restricted, Naughty Monkey and countless others. Styles include flats, heels, wedges, and boots. Shoes can run from $25-$120 while boots measure between $50-$200.
Karats and Keepsakes
The final store on 4524 Forsyth Rd. hosts a veteran in the Macon boutique business. Karats and Keepsakes Boutique has been in Macon for the past 23 years and has been at its current location for four years. Some brands consist of Vera Bradley, BCBG, Joe’s Jeans, Free People and, coming soon, the highly-anticipated Lilly Pulitzer. “We’re from denim to dressy. It can be casual things to wear to a ballgame or to a date night,” said owner Julie Evans. Greek merchandise can be purchased from Karats in the form of jerseys, jewelry, and other chic items. All sales and events are shown on the store’s Facebook page. “Always watch the Facebook page or be placed on the e-mail list,” said Evans.
Rumor Boutique
A cool drive down Vineville Ave. also offers a stellar line-up of trendy shops.Through the month of September, Rumor Boutique has a drive called Clothes4Souls. By donating a gently worn pair of denim jeans or coat you can receive $40 of a new pair of jeans from Rumor. Denim includes AG, Paige, True Religion and William Rast. The store has events throughout the year including a storewide Thanksgiving Day sale and a Santa’s Secret Savings event in December where each day a different item is on sale. The style is contemporary casual with many collections from designers and affordable items. The store offers 15% off to Mercer students with I.D.
(09/07/11 11:05pm)
On Tuesday, Aug. 23, Macon NOW! held a pep rally to begin its second phase in its initiative to revitalize employment. The campaign was developed by the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce as a way to strengthen the workforce in Macon and Bibb County. The event was held at the Cox Capital Theatre and was a celebration of the success of phase one and the launch of phase two.
Since its creation in 2003, the campaign has raised $1.3 million in secured pledges while generating $255 million in consumer spending and an economic output of $1.6 billion. Over 70 businesses have pledged their support for Macon NOW!, including Mercer University, BB&T and Merril Lynch.
The first phase was intended to last for five years, but due to the economy, extended to six. During that time, Macon NOW! produced 4,400 new jobs and saved 427. The second phase aims to raise that number to a total of 9,000.
The campaign has three main initiatives that include maintaining existing companies, and recruiting new companies and community image.
One of the major concerns in the new phase is “implementing training programs,” said president and CEO of the chamber and MEDC, Chip Cherry.
Cherry has had countless interviews with companies trying to help applicants become certified to work. “There are 140 current jobs that can’t be filled because applicants are not qualified,” said Cherry of the Macon workforce.
Through funding, Macon NOW! has assisted companies train staff using programs like Quick Start, an IT technical training program, to make sure employees are capable to work.
Training programs enabled by Macon NOW! range over a broad scale of jobs; everything from plumbing to customer service.
The second phase will emphasize not only training, but also education.
Universities, community colleges and two-year-programs have become necessary requirements for countless applicants.
Cherry stresses that many working citizens in the county have not gone to college and are unable to attain a degree required for a job. Macon NOW! recently conducted a survey with 600 companies which will be used as a basis for discussion with partners and education programs.
Cherry has been working with the Mercer Engineering School and intends to extend his reach to many universities in Georgia to discuss the implementation of skills education that businesses are requiring.
By accomplishing this goal, Cherry believes that students will receive the degree they need to become eligible workers.
Over the next year Macon NOW! plans to continue recruiting and retaining companies within not only Macon and Bibb county, but also in Georgia. They currently have 24 projects tied to existing companies and 200 industry interactions.
Cherry has set in motion an advertisement campaign to discuss job opportunities for parents and students. The goal, as stated on the Macon NOW! web page is to “Develop a comprehensive awareness campaign that positions Macon as a dynamic and vibrant community in the minds of the citizens of Macon, Bibb County, and Middle Georgia.”
For more information or to get involved with Macon Now!, please visit maconchamber.com or call the Chamber of Commerce at 478-621-2000.
(09/07/11 10:16pm)
On Saturday, Sept. 3, Luigi’s Bistro closed its doors to make way for a new sports bar, ‘The Bearfoot Tavern.’ The Bearfoot has been a developing concept for the past six months by Luigi’s owner, Cesare Mammarella. The renovations for the new bar began after Luigi’s closing.
Employees and customers thought Luigi’s was gone for good when the announcement came Aug. 27 about the closing.
However, this is not the case, and the reason for the change was due to the sheer restricting size of the current location. The kitchen and bar are too small for the style of dining the Italian-American menu offers.
The restaurant, located on Cherry Street, is a three-time Foodie winner for Best Italian Cuisine.
“Luigi’s Bistro Downtown has been a cultural icon for Macon for the last nine years,” said employee, Suzannah Griffin. “The authenticity of the venue and its marvelous menu has left customers satisfied for almost a decade and as an employee of the restaurant it has grown near and dear to my heart.”
The bar taking Luigi’s place took shape after Mammarella performed his own first-hand research on his potential customers.
“Half my staff are students and I’m always asking them about what is missing in downtown,” Mammarella said. The answer was a sports bar, a place to hang out, have a few drinks and watch games.
The Bearfoot Tavern is scheduled to open in mid-October for the football season. The Tavern is catering towards the Mercer crowd, offering up a fun menu that will showcase a variety of different bar foods, including burgers, wings and tacos.
The renovations of the location will include a larger bar and a cocktail area. The Wine Cellar, the intimate private dining room within Luigi’s, will remain open within Bearfoot. Mammarella is the creator of Hotplates Restaurant Group, which, along with Luigi’s Bistro, owns Dolce Vita and The Tic Toc Room. All three locations have been popular downtown hotspots for locals and students for many years.
Other Mammarella businesses include Asylum and Jack and Coat Clothiers.
The Bearfoot Tavern is one of two restaurants to be opened this year by Mammarella.
Ginger, a Mongolian-inspired grill, will open on the corner of Second St. and Poplar. “The grill will expose a hip and fast- paced dining experience most of Atlanta and the nation’s largest cities have grown accustomed to,” Griffin said. “The menu includes preset dishes as well as a build-your- own Mongolian grill line that includes more sauces than one could ever imagine.”
Mammarella had been creating the idea for the past eight years, but waited until he thought Macon was ready for such a unique style of dining.
Mammarella’s bold moves to renovate and create new stores are supported by quality knowledge of other downtown developments such as the lofts opening on Poplar, right around Ginger.
“You need to think bigger than yourself,” Mammarella said of his business strategy. “You may lose money at first, but your return in the future will be greater.”