The vacant building that formerly housed Floyd's Grill is to be the new home of a southern style restaurant. Watkinsville Council recently approved a business license request for Stellar Southern Café to set up shop in the 64 N. Main Street location. Co-owner Judy Johnston says the restaurant is still in the early stages of development. At the meeting last Wednesday, City Clerk Julie Sanders said council members also approved business license requests for the following: GT Detail Services – 49 ½ Greensboro Highway The Experts Touch – 78B Cedar Drive Georgia Flooring and Cabinetry – 1210 …

Marilyn Forehand's lifelong dream came to fruition when the doors of her antiques and home furnishings shop in downtown Watkinsville opened for the first time in April.  On May 2, she hosted a grand opening celebration that coincided with May's First Friday event. Here's what she had to say about her shop: Q. Why did you choose to sell antiques and home furnishings? A. My first job at 16 was in a home furnishings retail store, and I have been in love ever since.  As far as antiques,  I have always had an interest in "anything old."  Antiques tell history...I have always wondered what they …

How do you like your Cup of Joe? Americano?  Cafe au Lait?  Soon you'll be able to order that Lil' Joe Yin Yang Mocha during shopping trips along Epps Bridge Parkway. Jittery Joe's is preparing to open its second Oconee County location across the street from Reddy Medical Group, right next to Barberitos. The location formerly housed the Oreck Clean Home store. A poster on the window only states that it's "coming soon" and suggests that those interested keep up with the latest updates on Facebook or Twitter. The other location in the county is nestled in downtown Watkinsville on Greensboro …

Two lifelong comic book fans and collectors are bringing their passion for the industry to Watkinsville. John Crowe and co-owner Kristy Klinck are opening MR. Comic Shop at 18 N. Main Street Wednesday. Are you looking forward to the grand opening of MR. Comic Shop? Tell us in the comments below. Since new comics are released on Wednesdays, it seemed fitting to open the doors for the first time on that day, Crowe explained. The pair moved from California to Farmington one year ago to be closer to friends and Crowe's alma mater - the University of Georgia.  They're also enjoying the serenity a …

Did you go to the grand opening celebration of Stripling's General Store? Share about the day in the comments and upload photos and videos. You might also be interested in reading: Steady Stream of Shoppers at Stripling's General Store on Opening Day Now Open: Stripling's General Store in Oconee County Stripling's General Store in Oconee County Close to Opening its Doors Stripling's General Store to Open Oconee County Location Don’t miss any Oconee news. Subscribe to Oconee Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

At a meeting last Wednesday, Watkinsville council approved the following business licenses: Mr. Comic Shop at 18 N. Main Street Marilyn's on Main at 10 N. Mains Street, Suite A.  According to City Clerk Julie Sanders, the shop will sell antiques, re-purposed furniture and gifts. Path of Wellness, Inc. at 2 S. Main Street, Suite 209.  Massage therapy will be offered. Integrity Arms & Survival at 1450 Greensboro Highway  Athens Wedding Music- at 36 Whitehall Road Dan Matthews, chairman of the Oconee County Democratic Committee, wrote briefly about each business in a recap of the council meeting…

Crews this week began laying the foundation for the addition to the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce's building on Nancy Drive.  Chamber Manager Zoe Gattie said the expansion will add about 1,200 square feet in the form of two stories.  The addition will house a third conference area and the Chamber president's office, she said, and a portion remain unfinished to use for storage. The extra space will also allow for a larger conference room in the basement level, she said. The Chamber has established a capital campaign to fund the renovation, which is expected to cost about $200,000, …

If you love sausage and beef jerky and the quaint feel of a general store, you won't want to miss the official grand opening of Stripling's in Oconee County this Saturday. Free samples will be available all day and the store will be giving away a grill, gas cards and gift certificates, according to the business' Facebook page. Do you plan to go to Stripling's grand opening celebration? Which Stripling's product is your favorite? Share in the comments below. Former Georgia Bulldog MVP Loran Smith from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will autograph copies of his latest book "50 Great Moments in Georgia …

In just a matter of weeks, Caterpillar will be moving into its new plant, currently under construction in Bogart. Plant manager Todd Henry told members of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 24 at the organization's annual meeting that excitement is brewing as March 1 approaches. Henry, who was the evening's keynote speaker, presented the following time line during his presentation: Date Milestone March 2012 Groundbreaking March 2013 Building Occupancy June 2013 First Pilot Build (MHE308) August 2013 Second Pilot Build October 2013 Pre-production Start up 308 November 2013 Grand …

Pelmeni; fermented cabbage salad; stuffed cabbage; meat, fish, and potato patties; chickpea soup; red borscht -- soon you can taste them all and more at a restaurant coming to downtown Watkinsville. European Cousine is moving into 10 D Barnett Shoals Road, a space that formerly housed Jennifer Jangles gallery and shop. Owner Evey Renior says she's in the process of remodeling and having plumbing and electrical work done. When completed, she expects the eatery to seat about 40 guests. "I have passion for food," Renoir told Watkinsville council this week. "I have passion for people and a great …

What businesses would you like to see move into the future Epps Bridge Centre? If a sporting goods giant, department store, and pet shop are on your list, you'll be happy to hear that Dick's Sporting Goods, Marshalls and PetSmart are among retailers that have signed contracts, according to the Athens Banner-Herald. The newspaper reports the Centre will also be home to a cosmetics store, a shoe store, and a Christian-based shop.  But developer Frank Bishop of The Bishop Company in the article said other businesses that appeared on a conceptual map shared on Facebook Tuesday are unconfirmed.  …

A North Carolina firm specializing in painting and paint removal has chosen to open a location in Watkinsville that will service the new Caterpillar plant. The Oconee Enterprise reports Industrial Finishing Specialists, based out of Sanford, will move into the building at 1051 Business Boulevard. A representative of the company told the newspaper it offers an innovative method using hot sand to strip paint called the "fluid clean process." "It is environmentally friendly," Sanford office administrator Jeni Winter explained in the article. "It uses no chemicals.  It is a real alternative to …

From demolition to near finish, it took around 112 days to construct the new Athens Steak 'n Shake, located at 2033 West Broad Street, according to Ed Lane, project engineer for the Watkinsville-based Smith Planning Group. Lane captured the construction in a two-minute, time-lapse video. Watch it here www.smithplanninggroup.com/movies/ in optional high definition.  The video caption notes a photo was taken every 30 minutes. Are you looking forward to eating at the new Steak 'n Shake? Tell us in the comments below. Local fans of the Steak 'n Shake franchise won't have to wait much longer to …

After serving patients for 14 years at an Athens location, Dr. James Parker has moved his practice to Oconee County. The new office, located at 1181 Langford Drive, boasts an outpatient surgery center for cosmetic procedures. Parker Plastic Surgery offers a range of services.  For more information about the practice, visit www.​parkerplasticsurgery.​com and on Facebook. Don’t miss any Oconee news. Subscribe to Oconee Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The Taco Stand, located on Hog Mountain Road, is now closed.  Was it a restaurant that you frequented often?  Will you miss it?  Tell us in the comments below. Don’t miss any Oconee news. Subscribe to Oconee Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The gas pumps are gone and the words "Store Closed" are posted on the sign outside of the Golden Pantry Food Store at Hodges Mill and Mars Hill roads.  Signs on the doors read: "We are Sorry to Announce that due to the Department of Transportation road widening project this store will close as of Midnight on November 4th. "We look forward to serving you in one of our other area locations. "Thank you for your many years of Patronage." Though aware of the Mars Hill widening project, a store manager in January 2011 told Patch she was surprised to learn the store would need to be purchased. A …

"You Never Sausage a Place!" That's the motto of Stripling's General Store, and indeed it's a unique and -- considering all the excitement surrounding its opening-- welcome addition to Oconee County. Sausage proved to be a common link between avid Stripling's shoppers and new customers alike. It's what Athens resident Al Queen purchased on his first-ever trip to Stripling's Monday. "I like sausage and that's what I'm after," he said. "I'll be back." Annie Broach from the Monroe area visited the original Cordele store "years and years ago."  As she shuffled out of the store with sausage in …

If you've been anxiously awaiting the opening of Stripling's General Store in Oconee County, there's some exciting news: it's now open for business. The store on the corner of Hog Mountain Road and Monroe Hwy opened its doors Monday morning and will be open until 8 p.m., according to a post on the store's Facebook Page. Are you planning a trip to Stripling's General Store on opening day?  Tell us about the experience in the comments below! According to a story in the Americus Recorder, the new store is a partnership between Stripling's founders Ricky and Lisa Hardin and Jimmy and Andrea Camp …

Mouths have been watering since customers learned in January that a Stripling's General Store was coming to Oconee County, and it seems they won't have to wait much longer to sink their teeth into the business's popular beef jerky and sausages.  The store, nestled on the corner of US Highway 78 and Ga. Highway 53, is close to opening its doors. The latest update on Stripling's Facebook Page states, "We are just a week or so away! We are stocking the shelves as we speak. Looking forward to serving the Oconee - Clarke County Area. Look for more postings as we get closer." In response to …

After spending much of his career working in an east Athens State Farm office, Dana Kerr says he's excited to be offering insurance products to a new market in Oconee County. Kerr and his team sell auto, home, life, and health insurance and can assist with banking needs. "We offer, what I believe, are the best policies you can buy, the best service from myself and my team -- supported by the company in an outstanding way -- and then obviously we try to offer at a competitive price," Kerr said. "I think we're really good at really bringing the three of those things together." On Oct. 9, a …