Being without a full-time business reporter for a couple of weeks, my staff and I have been able to get out and explore some of what the city has to offer and talk to a variety of business owners. For me, it’s been just like the good old days, before I took the editor’s job, working the business beat and meeting great people.

It’s amazing to me how many calls I’ve received this week about new businesses looking for a feature story, nine so far, and how many people are excited at the prospect of doing business in Valdosta. Not only are there great people who grew up here who are opening new businesses, but also great people moving here, or even moving back here, who are doing the same. They’re all excited and all happy to be here.

It’s also always a pleasure for me to be able to get out from behind the computer for a change and do interviews, which I don’t get to do much anymore, because you never know who you’re going to meet. This week, it was a hoot getting to sit down with Pat O’Neal for an interview, and if you know him or his family, you’ll understand that statement. Fun, funny, unique, and totally dedicated to this community and to his many businesses and nearly 700 employees.

Some days I feel like I know somebody just about everywhere I go in town, and other days, I am able to find interesting folks that I haven’t met yet but who quickly become new friends.

I think that’s what I like best about living here, and a large part of the reason why so many want to come here and share in what we’ve got. Whether you call this Winnersville, TitleTown, or the Friendliest Community in the South, Valdosta has something special and I’m just happy to be a part of it.

Business Roundup

As you can see from the story, the Smok’n Pig is opening next Monday, a little later than planned, but that just gives Pat O’Neal more time to do some charity events like he has been all weekend. He is also partners in the new Slap Daddy’s hamburger restaurant under renovation on Baytree Road where Steak Out used to be. They’ll have some exciting news about their opening in mid-September, with a special promotion planned that will be a lot of fun.

And also from the stories today, you can see we are finally getting a Barberitos restaurant, in the Remerton Square plaza on Baytree, and a new concept, the Taqueria del SurEste, which will be opening in the North Oak Square shopping center on Inner Perimeter Road and North Oak Street Ext. Both should be open in the fall.

The Ichiban restaurant added a new sign, the Palladium, to its exterior, and signs indicate it’s going to be a dance/banquet/entertainment venue, in addition to the Ichiban Japanese restaurant. No word yet on an opening date.

A new Petals and Beyond florist shop is opening on St. Augustine Road between Hill Avenue and River Street.

Jimmy Johns should be opening soon in the Remerton Square plaza on Baytree. It’s a gourmet sandwich shop and a franchise concept that has been extremely successful in other areas.

The new Atlantic Southern bank is moving along with the slab nearly done now on Norman Drive, and the new Southeastern Federal Credit Union should be opening this fall. FMB’s new location on Inner Perimeter should be opening in the next week or so.

The new Verizon store on Norman Drive is holding a ribbon cutting and special event this week, so if you’re by there, you might want to stop in to see all their cool gadgets.

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