COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)— North Columbus has been stuffed with orange cones and development indicators in recent years, as traits proceed emigrate to the world.
One native businesswoman is taking a look to enlarge her industry, and resume from eating place proprietor to developer. She hopes to expand greater than 13 acres of land only one street over from Veterans Expressway. All she should do now’s get approval to rezone the valuables.
“My past due stepfather had all the time mentioned that this will be the enlargement space of Columbus, and I consider he was once proper,” proprietor of Minnie’s Uptown Eating place and The Hen Girl’s Coop Melinda Newton advised WRBL status within the 8100 block of Fortson Street. “In the back of me is 13.6 acres that we wish to create a multi-cultural meals complicated. We wish a number of the whole thing entering into right here, from German eating places to Southern delicacies, barbeque, ramen, Italian.”
Recently the 13.6 acres of undeveloped land is zoned for residential use in north Columbus.
Newton went earlier than the Making plans Advisory Committee June 21 inquiring for the rezoning from residential to common business, which was once licensed unanimously. Her imaginative and prescient, to usher in seven eating places, six meals truck commissaries to hire, and just about 300 parking spots.
“Presently, all of my negotiations are with native best,” Newton mentioned. “I don’t wish to deliver in additional franchises, I would like one thing other for Columbus. I would like the tradition.”
All she wishes now’s approval from Columbus Town Council.
“That is what I feel Columbus desires. And so, I’m going to check out my best possible to provide it to them,” Newton mentioned.
Her imaginative and prescient for this complicated began with a purpose to relocate and enlarge The Hen Girl’s Coop. She says she has outgrown her storefront on Whittlesey Side road however didn’t wish to transfer the coop all on its own.
“It’s simply doing an excessive amount of industry; it’s bursting on the seams. So, I knew that I had to transfer it and taking a look at acres on Veterans Expressway, it’s simply very pricey,” Newton shared. “I didn’t essentially wish to transfer the coop over right here all on its own, after which speaking with fellow restauranteurs that still sought after to transport their eating places, we more or less got here up with the speculation of a cafe complicated that’s going to deal with it all.”
Additionally, part of the imaginative and prescient; rotating meals vehicles.
“One of the vital options that’s going on this complicated is housing meals vehicles. I’m going to deal with commissary. So, in case you have a meals truck or meals trailer or in case you have the concept you need one. Smartly, in Harris County and Columbus, you should have a commissary, a house base. In order that’s what I’m going to construct,” Newton mentioned.
Now she has greater than 30 industry house owners attaining out to her to be part of the advance.
The eating places and meals truck spots will best absorb 5 to 6 of the 13.6 acres, Newton says she may have two acres to provide as high actual property.
Newton is the granddaughter of Columbus namesake of in style downtown eating place Minnie Hanneman. Hanneman opened her eating place Minnie’s Uptown Eating place in 1986, now Newton is constant the entrepreneurial custom.
“My grandmother Minnie, that just lately handed, when she put Minnie’s the place Minnie’s is, no person believed that it could prosper in that space,” Newton mentioned. “I comprehend it’s more or less fantastic. Had you requested me a 12 months in the past if I might be growing a multimillion-dollar complicated, I might have laughed. However you in point of fact now don’t know what the plans are for you. And when the whole thing begins falling into position, you simply you’re taking that spirit, and also you simply opt for it.”
Newton isn’t the one individual growing houses in north Columbus. One block away Outdated The town is opening their Outdated The town Market that includes a Publix, lower than a mile away a 40-bed inpatient rehabilitation clinic is about to open q4 after flooring broke greater than a 12 months in the past. Plus, 5 miles up J.R. Allen Expressway lies Midland Commons the place a Publix opened this month, new loft flats are actually being leased over eateries set to open quickly.
“Columbus is actually booming and numerous the rustic isn’t development at this time on this economic system, however from time to time it simply occurs the place you’ll be able to nonetheless proceed to construct… and that’s what we’re doing,” Newton mentioned. “Minnie’s in Uptown Columbus is flourishing simply up to north Columbus, you’ll be able to inform simply by the volume of development that’s occurring on this town. It’s unbelievable.”
Newton says Minnie’s Uptown Eating place will stay in Uptown, and The Hen Girl’s Coop will transfer to the Fortson Street location. She says her area will greater than double, and he or she may have a drive-thru which she does no longer have at her present location.
She plans to head earlier than council in July.
Earlier Protection
June 1, 2023: Founder, namesake of in style downtown Columbus eating place, Minnie Hanneman, passes away at 89 | WRBL
April 15, 2023: Grandmother, granddaughter writing Columbus historical past one recipe at a time | WRBL
July 26, 2019: Minnie’s Uptown Eating place on the middle of Ancient District parking debate | WRBL
