A wave of new spots is changing the rhythm of daily life in Perry, and we’re mapping it corridor by corridor so you know what’s open now and what’s around the corner. From coffee and cones to craft beer and new hotel keys, the skyline isn’t the only thing shifting - your options for food, services, and experiences are growing fast.
We start on Perry Parkway, where recent openings like KidStrong, Pilates, Waffle House, Giles Outdoor Power, and Holy Pie Pizzeria set the pace. Then we look ahead to Dunkin’ paired with Baskin Robbins, Surcheros, Meridian Craft Kitchen, Flow and Glow Wellness, a nail salon, Jack in the Box, Five Star Credit Union, and Valvoline - an everyday mix that keeps errands and weeknight meals closer to home. Over on Sam Nunn Boulevard, the new Hilton Garden Inn is open, while strategic redevelopment is reshaping high-traffic sites: Aspen Dental and Piedmont Urgent Care at the former Chick-fil-A property, Sonic at the old Zaxby’s, a Japanese hibachi in the former Applebee’s, and a major Hampton Inn renovation to match the corridor’s role as a gateway.
Downtown gets momentum from the Chalet Lofts, adding homes above fresh dining like Fuego Fresco and the Italian market Ciao Bella, with another 36-unit loft building in the pipeline. A craft destination, Left at the Pig Brewery, brings energy to Jernigan Street, and a new Morris Bank strengthens Main Street services. Citywide, major anchors round out the picture: a dual-branded Marriott at the Georgia National Fairgrounds with a restaurant and beer garden, Jack Link’s manufacturing up and running, and the UGA Grand Farm pushing ag-tech research and startup testing.
Underneath it all is a simple driver: more homes, more neighbors, and more demand for better choices. We connect the dots on how residential growth supports restaurants, medical services, hotels, and financial institutions—and why that matters for traffic, convenience, jobs, and a resilient local economy. Tune in to get the what, where, and why of Perry’s growth spurt, and hear how we’re working to keep it smart, sustainable, and community-first.
Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review to help more Perry residents stay in the know.
If you like Inside Perry - subscribe and share the podcast with friends and family. The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms.
Visit us at perry-ga.gov.
We hope to see you around in our amazing community...Where Georgia Comes Together.
Episode Transcript
Welcome to the Inside Perry Podcast, where you
get an inside look at Perry,Georgia's local government.
We're glad you chose Perry,where people make the
difference.
Whether you stay a few hours ora lifetime, your time in Perry
will be rewarding andunforgettable.
I'm Tabitha Clark,Communications Director for the
City of Perry.
SPEAKER_02 (00:22):
Welcome back to Inside Perry, where we take you
behind the scenes of localgovernment and keep you
connected to the people,projects, and progress that's
shaping our community.
Today we're diving into a topicthat people always ask about,
which is economic development.
If you've ever driven aroundPerry lately, you've probably
noticed new construction, newactivity, and you might be a
little curious about what'scoming.
(00:44):
So today, to help us break itall down, I'm joined by our
economic development director,Holly Wharton, who's here to
share updates on what'shappening around the city, where
new activity is taking place,and what businesses and
opportunities are on thehorizon.
So, Holly, thanks so much forbeing here.
SPEAKER_00 (01:00):
Thank you, Amber.
I really appreciate it.
This is always a funopportunity.
SPEAKER_02 (01:03):
So, Holly, there's a lot going on in Perry, and
people want to know what ishappening.
So let's break it down in simpleterms.
You suggested that we walkthrough each area of the city
and talk about what's recentlywrapped up and what's currently
in development.
So let's start with PerryParkway.
What's happening over there?
SPEAKER_00 (01:21):
Yeah, so Perry Parkway seems to be kind of the
hot area right now fordevelopment.
It seems like.
So every it seems like every daythat I drive by and I drive by
multiple times a day, there'ssomething new that you know you
maybe didn't see the day before.
Right.
Yeah, did just want to walkthrough a few of the projects
that have been recentlycompleted and then talk about
(01:43):
what's currently in develop andwhat people will start to see
soon.
So recently completed in thatarea is the Kid Strong and a
Pilates.
SPEAKER_02 (01:52):
Holly, I love Pilates.
I I'm a huge fan of Pilates.
I haven't been over there yet,but I feel like I'm gonna have
to make the trip.
SPEAKER_00 (02:00):
Yeah, we need to go give it a shot.
We do.
Yeah, Kid Strong and Pilates areboth in the encore development,
and that area will continue todevelop over the next few years.
Also, there at Perry Parkwaynear the intersection of Houston
Lake Road is a new conveniencestore and commercial center.
So in that you'll notice there'sa new gas station that is now
(02:22):
open recently in the last fewdays, even.
Also, in that commercial center,now open is a holy pie pizzeria.
SPEAKER_02 (02:31):
I'm always a fan of new pizza places.
Bring them all here.
SPEAKER_00 (02:33):
Yeah, holy pie is great.
So definitely recommend everyonegiving that a try.
And then also recently on PerryParkway is the completed waffle
house and Giles outdoor powerequipment.
Right.
Those are some new things thatwe have in town.
Awesome.
So now let's shift gears andtalk about what's currently in
development and what people canstart to be getting excited
(02:54):
about on Perry Parkway.
So within the commercial centerthere, near the intersection of
House and Lake Road, there's amix of a lot of different retail
and restaurant and service uses.
So we have in permitting rightnow a flow and glow wellness
center, a Cercheros.
SPEAKER_02 (03:15):
Cercheros.
SPEAKER_00 (03:16):
Yeah that's great.
Yeah, that's really exciting toknow that that's on the way.
Yeah.
Also, very exciting Dunkin'Donuts.
Okay.
So Perry Barkway.
Yeah.
I believe that Dunkin' Donutswill be a combination to also
include a Baskin Robbins.
SPEAKER_02 (03:29):
Okay, even better.
SPEAKER_00 (03:30):
Exactly.
Huge fan.
Yeah.
The more ice cream, the better.
That's right.
Also, in there is a restaurantcalled Meridian Craft Kitchen
and also a nail salon.
So there's a lot more activitycoming to that commercial center
right there at the corner ofPerry Parkway and House and Lake
Road.
Additionally, on Perry Parkway,we have in review plans for a
(03:52):
jack in the box, more food.
More food.
Also a five-star credit union.
Okay.
So another credit union iscoming to town into our market,
which is exciting.
And also a Valvelline oil changefacility.
And this is just what's going onright now that we know about.
There's a lot more land outthere that continues to see a
lot of interest from commercialdevelopment.
(04:14):
So we expect more of this to becoming soon.
SPEAKER_02 (04:16):
Yeah.
That's that's really exciting.
Perry Parkway has really becomea hub for a lot of that new
activity.
And I know residents lovehearing about what's coming
next.
The the Pilates is so excitingto me.
I think that that's such a coolthing to have in our area.
SPEAKER_00 (04:30):
Yeah.
So anything that's coming alongthat's something new to do or
new to eat, we're we're alwaysexcited to hear about what's
going on.
SPEAKER_02 (04:38):
Right.
Another area people areconstantly asking about is Sam
Nun Boulevard.
This corridor sees so muchtraffic and has a lot of
redevelopment potential overthere.
So Holly, walk us through what'shappening over there, what's
recently finished, and whatprojects are currently underway.
SPEAKER_00 (04:54):
Yeah, so I think you hit the nail on the head with
the renovation and redevelopmentopportunities in this corridor.
But first to talk about arecently completed project that
was not redevelopment, it wasnew development, is the new
Hilton Garden Inn.
Right.
That hotel is now open.
You can book rooms here inPerry.
And it's beautiful.
(05:14):
If you haven't seen it, you needto go check it out.
It's gonna have a full bar andrestaurant inside as well.
So definitely be a goodrecommendation for friends and
family coming to town.
Especially for the holidays.
That's right.
Also, so in on the Sam 9corridor in development, like we
mentioned, there's a lot ofredevelopment happening there.
(05:35):
So a lot of people may havenoticed that the old Chick-fil-A
property is no longer there asof this week.
SPEAKER_02 (05:42):
No longer with us.
No longer with us.
SPEAKER_00 (05:44):
But that's okay.
There's something new comingright behind it.
So that property will be rebuiltinto a two-tenant retail
development that will include aAspen dental and also a Piedmont
Urgent Care.
So we'll have a medical userthere in that space.
Uh-huh.
Which I think is a good use ofthat space because there was
(06:06):
some traffic issues whenChick-fil-A was there.
I think everyone remembers that,how much that was a challenge.
So having a medical user will bevery helpful traffic-wise.
SPEAKER_02 (06:15):
Uh-huh.
SPEAKER_00 (06:16):
So also redevelopment in that same area
is the old Zaxby's.
SPEAKER_02 (06:20):
Right.
This one is exciting to me.
I have heard what's gonna gothere, but I want you to confirm
what what's going there, Holly.
SPEAKER_00 (06:27):
Yeah, so we have plans in review for the old
Zaxby's to be torn down andrebuilt as a Sonic.
SPEAKER_02 (06:34):
Yes, that is so exciting.
SPEAKER_00 (06:37):
Yeah, I think everyone will be excited for the
Sonic happy hour.
SPEAKER_02 (06:40):
Yes, I know I will.
SPEAKER_00 (06:42):
Yes, exactly.
Also, one property that has beenvacant for a while is our old
Applebee's.
Right.
The old Applebee's will soon bea Japanese hibachi restaurant.
So this is a type of food thatwe don't necessarily have in
Perry right now, especially youknow, the sit-down hibachi
style.
Right.
So I'm very excited about thatopportunity.
(07:02):
Also, renovation-wise, in thatarea, the Hampton Inn will soon
get a major renovation.
So that'll be another update onthe Sam 9 corridor.
And then one last thing tomention that is new in the area
that everyone's probably seenfrom the interstate, it's really
big, is the new Mason Tractorfacility.
So Mason Tractor is currentlylocated in downtown Perry, but
(07:25):
they're building a big newfacility.
They're on St.
Patrick's Drive near TractorSupply.
And so they'll be moving intothat property soon.
SPEAKER_02 (07:33):
It's really exciting to see how that corridor is
evolving over there.
Sam Nunn is a gateway intoPerry.
So this kind of investment isreally going to make a huge
difference over there on thatside of town.
Now let's talk about ourhistoric downtown area.
There's always so much buzzabout what's coming next, and
people notice every littlechange, at least I do.
So, Holly, what's been recentlycompleted downtown and what's in
(07:55):
progress?
SPEAKER_00 (07:55):
Yes, so in the last year there's been a major
project completed in downtown.
It's known as the Chalet Lofts.
Right.
And this property is next to thePerry Event Center on North Side
Drive.
It includes uh 12 residentialapartments in the upstairs
portion and then retail uses andrestaurants on the bottom.
(08:15):
So now open in that building isFuego Fresco.
Yes.
Mexican restaurant.
Have you tried it?
I have tried it.
It's delicious.
It's very good.
Great.
Yeah, so exciting to have umthis type of food offering in
the downtown area.
It's walkable from the core andeverything.
So really great food.
Also, just opened last week isCiao Bella.
(08:38):
Right.
Which is an Italian market.
SPEAKER_02 (08:40):
That is so unique for Perry.
We really don't have anythinglike that.
I haven't visited yet, but Ihave plans to, and I am so
excited.
I hear they have true, authenticItalian espresso and coffee.
So I am I'm excited about that.
SPEAKER_00 (08:57):
Yes, so they have the coffee for sure, and they
also have a deli where they makefresh panini every day.
So that's exciting.
Can't wait to try that forlunch.
And then also just buy someChris, buy some Christmas gifts
from their market.
Right.
Everything they have comes fromItaly.
So this is very authentic, veryunique to have right here in
(09:17):
Perry.
So the next building that peoplemay start to see under
construction in that NorthsideDrive corridor area will be
another mixed-use loft building.
That one will include 36apartments.
So this is a great opportunityfor more downtown living.
Right.
And we have a housing study thatsupports the demand for growth
(09:40):
and housing in the downtownarea.
So this is really fulfillingwhat we know is true in that
study that the downtowndevelopment authority completed.
So we're excited to haveadditional residential units
coming online there.
And it will also include arestaurant, more so one large
restaurant instead of multiplesmaller retail and restaurant
(10:00):
spaces.
Okay, that's exciting.
Then also in downtown,everyone's excited about this
one is a brewery.
SPEAKER_02 (10:06):
Yes.
Yes, over on Joernigan Street,right?
SPEAKER_00 (10:09):
Yes, Jernigan Street.
The brewery's name is calledLeft at the Pig Brewery.
So we're very excited to havethis in development right now.
So still maybe a little whilebefore it's completed, but do
just want to put that oneveryone's radar to go ahead and
get excited about.
Something exciting on thehorizon over there.
That's right.
And then also we know there willbe under construction very soon
(10:30):
a new Morris Bank building.
Right on Main Street.
SPEAKER_02 (10:34):
Yes.
Holly, finally, let's talk aboutanything that doesn't quite fit
into one of those corridors.
So citywide projects, industrialgrowth, redevelopment efforts,
anything else residents shouldknow about?
SPEAKER_00 (10:45):
Yes.
So we have another new hoteljust about to open.
It's incredibly close toopening, and that's the Marriott
Hotel out at the GeorgiaNational Fairgrounds in Niagara
Center.
So that is a dual-brandedMarriott, which means it is half
town place suites and halfFairfield Inn.
(11:05):
But it's a very nice high-endproperty.
We'll have a whole restaurant,beer garden, a nice swimming
pool, very good amenities forpeople that are, of course,
coming to the Georgia NationalFairgrounds, but will be open to
anybody that wants to staythere.
Right.
Yes.
So we're very excited to seethat come to fruition here in
Perry.
And then also I think everyoneis aware, but our Jack Lynx
(11:30):
manufacturing facility is nowcomplete and open.
So that's very exciting to havehere.
We're looking for continuedgrowth with them here in Perry.
And then one last thing I'd liketo mention, not necessarily
commercial development, but isvery interesting to have here is
the UGA Grand Farm that's out atsome property adjacent to the
(11:51):
Georgia National Fairgrounds.
And so that's a research farmthat we're excited to have here.
A lot of startup companies aretesting new equipment, new
products there at that farm.
So that's just something newthat people can ride by and see.
Right.
Just to know that that's what'sgoing on there at that property.
SPEAKER_02 (12:08):
Yeah.
So before we wrap up, Holly, arethere any trends you're watching
or opportunities you're excitedabout?
Essentially, you know, why isPerry in general experiencing
this level of growth?
SPEAKER_00 (12:19):
As everybody is aware, Perry is growing rather
quickly.
A lot of that growth has been inresidential development.
So we're seeing a lot of newhomes built every year in Perry,
which is effectively increasingthe population by a couple
thousand people every coupleyears.
So with that increasedresidential development,
(12:43):
complementary commercialdevelopment comes along behind
that to support those residents.
So that's why we're reallyseeing a lot of this commercial
growth here in Perry.
So now we have the residents andthe population to support more
diverse commercial retailrestaurant opportunities.
So that's why we're seeing a lotmore of this coming our way.
(13:03):
Really excited to see how thecity of Perry is developing and
how I'm able to work with theprospective businesses as they
decide to choose here.
You know, Perry is a veryspecial place.
It is.
It is.
Yes.
We we love Perry, we love totalk about it, but it's not just
us.
People are choosing to uh livein Perry, choosing to do
(13:24):
business in Perry, choosing toraise families here.
Yes, and it's because we havesomething different to offer.
We do.
We have a lot of amenities, highquality of life, good services,
and because of that, we'reseeing a lot more of this uh
attention and development comingto us.
So we're excited to embrace thisand continue to work
(13:48):
strategically with mayor andcouncil and driving good
quality, sustainable growth anddevelopment here in Perry.
SPEAKER_02 (13:55):
Well, Holly, we always appreciate getting this
insider look.
Economic development can feelcomplex at times, but
conversations like this I thinkhelp people understand the why
behind the newness and thegrowth.
Uh so Holly, thank you so muchfor joining us today and helping
break down everything happeningaround Perry.
SPEAKER_00 (14:13):
Yeah, you're welcome.
You know, we get the questionsall the time: what's going on
here?
What's going on there?
And so I like to take a secondand come on the podcast every
now and then and just sort ofgive an overview of what we have
in review, what's coming, what'srecently opened, just so the
community is aware.
SPEAKER_02 (14:32):
Right, and still no target coming, right?
SPEAKER_00 (14:34):
Not that I know of.
SPEAKER_01 (14:40):
Thanks for listening to the Inside Perry Podcast,
your inside look at Perry'slocal government.
Take a look at the show notesfor more information about
today's episode.
If you like Inside Perry, weencourage you to subscribe and
share the podcast with yourfriends and family.
We look forward to seeing youaround in our amazing community
where Georgia comes together.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Burden
The Burden is a documentary series that takes listeners into the hidden places where justice is done (and undone). It dives deep into the lives of heroes and villains. And it focuses a spotlight on those who triumph even when the odds are against them. Season 5 - The Burden: Death & Deceit in Alliance On April Fools Day 1999, 26-year-old Yvonne Layne was found murdered in her Alliance, Ohio home. David Thorne, her ex-boyfriend and father of one of her children, was instantly a suspect. Another young man admitted to the murder, and David breathed a sigh of relief, until the confessed murderer fingered David; “He paid me to do it.” David was sentenced to life without parole. Two decades later, Pulitzer winner and podcast host, Maggie Freleng (Bone Valley Season 3: Graves County, Wrongful Conviction, Suave) launched a “live” investigation into David's conviction alongside Jason Baldwin (himself wrongfully convicted as a member of the West Memphis Three). Maggie had come to believe that the entire investigation of David was botched by the tiny local police department, or worse, covered up the real killer. Was Maggie correct? Was David’s claim of innocence credible? In Death and Deceit in Alliance, Maggie recounts the case that launched her career, and ultimately, “broke” her.” The results will shock the listener and reduce Maggie to tears and self-doubt. This is not your typical wrongful conviction story. In fact, it turns the genre on its head. It asks the question: What if our champions are foolish? Season 4 - The Burden: Get the Money and Run “Trying to murder my father, this was the thing that put me on the path.” That’s Joe Loya and that path was bank robbery. Bank, bank, bank, bank, bank. In season 4 of The Burden: Get the Money and Run, we hear from Joe who was once the most prolific bank robber in Southern California, and beyond. He used disguises, body doubles, proxies. He leaped over counters, grabbed the money and ran. Even as the FBI was closing in. It was a showdown between a daring bank robber, and a patient FBI agent. Joe was no ordinary bank robber. He was bright, articulate, charismatic, and driven by a dark rage that he summoned up at will. In seven episodes, Joe tells all: the what, the how… and the why. Including why he tried to murder his father. Season 3 - The Burden: Avenger Miriam Lewin is one of Argentina’s leading journalists today. At 19 years old, she was kidnapped off the streets of Buenos Aires for her political activism and thrown into a concentration camp. Thousands of her fellow inmates were executed, tossed alive from a cargo plane into the ocean. Miriam, along with a handful of others, will survive the camp. Then as a journalist, she will wage a decades long campaign to bring her tormentors to justice. Avenger is about one woman’s triumphant battle against unbelievable odds to survive torture, claim justice for the crimes done against her and others like her, and change the future of her country. Season 2 - The Burden: Empire on Blood Empire on Blood is set in the Bronx, NY, in the early 90s, when two young drug dealers ruled an intersection known as “The Corner on Blood.” The boss, Calvin Buari, lived large. He and a protege swore they would build an empire on blood. Then the relationship frayed and the protege accused Calvin of a double homicide which he claimed he didn’t do. But did he? Award-winning journalist Steve Fishman spent seven years to answer that question. This is the story of one man’s last chance to overturn his life sentence. He may prevail, but someone’s gotta pay. The Burden: Empire on Blood is the director’s cut of the true crime classic which reached #1 on the charts when it was first released half a dozen years ago. Season 1 - The Burden In the 1990s, Detective Louis N. Scarcella was legendary. In a city overrun by violent crime, he cracked the toughest cases and put away the worst criminals. “The Hulk” was his nickname. Then the story changed. Scarcella ran into a group of convicted murderers who all say they are innocent. They turned themselves into jailhouse-lawyers and in prison founded a lway firm. When they realized Scarcella helped put many of them away, they set their sights on taking him down. And with the help of a NY Times reporter they have a chance. For years, Scarcella insisted he did nothing wrong. But that’s all he’d say. Until we tracked Scarcella to a sauna in a Russian bathhouse, where he started to talk..and talk and talk. “The guilty have gone free,” he whispered. And then agreed to take us into the belly of the beast. Welcome to The Burden.