ATHENS-New dining options are coming to Athens, including a steakhouse at the former Haney Equipment site.
In addition, downtown businesses are expanding and renovating to provide more dining choices.
At Monday’s Athens City Council meeting, the Council approved economic development project agreements for:
Texas Roadhouse and 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee, U.S. 72 at the former Haney Equipment site
Five Guys and Nothing Bundt Cakes, Kelli Drive adjacent to TJ Maxx
Athens Alehouse and Cellar, new Marion Street location on The Square
Ro’s Grille, Jefferson Street on The Square
“To be a vibrant community, Athens has to offer diverse options for dining and shopping in order to support the
local economy,” Mayor Ronnie Marks said. “We need the franchises, and we need the small businesses.
Tonight, the City Council approved agreements that support both, which helps keep sales tax dollars in Athens
to support city services and schools.”
The City’s agreement with JHR Athens Property and Gunnabel Athens LLC includes the development of Texas
Roadhouse along with 7 Brew, which recently opened. It includes 170 new jobs, retail space of over 8,700
square feet, gross annual retail sales of approximately $6 million and an investment in the property of over $17
million. It also includes a new public street, and the potential for future retail at the site. The anticipated return on
investment is five to six years.
The City Council agreed to an incentive where it pays back to the developer 100 percent of City sales tax for
eight years or until $900,000 total is paid, whichever is first.
The City’s agreement with PBHG Athens Properties includes the development of a Five Guys and Nothing
Bundt Cakes, the creation of approximately 45 new jobs and an investment of approximately $7,500,000. The
development anticipates generating annual taxable sales of approximately $2 million. The anticipated return on
investment is two to three years.
The City Council agreed to an incentive where it pays back to the developer 100 percent of City sales tax for five
years or until $180,000 total is paid, whichever is first.
The two Downtown Athens restaurants will receive their funding from Athens Main Street. The Athens City
Council previously allocated $50,000 to Athens Main Street to administer a façade grant program for Downtown
Athens.
Athens Main Street awarded, and the Council reviewed and ratified, a $20,000 grant to Alehouse for its
Mayor Ronnie Marks
renovation work at its new location on Marion Street. The site will increase Alehouse’s seating and number of
employees, and allow owners to expand its menu. There will be indoor and outdoor dining options.
“This project brought life back to a vacant, historic building and will add to the downtown atmosphere,” Marks
said.
Athens Main Street awarded, and the Council reviewed and ratified, a $19,797.26 grant to Ro’s for an expansion
to provide outdoor dining. This work will increase seating at the restaurant, a popular destination for lunch and
supper.
“If you’ve tried to get in to eat at Ro’s, you know the additional seating is needed, and this will enhance that
corner,” Marks said.
Athens Main Street Director Tere Richardson spoke at the Council meeting and said the two projects will
increase the vibrancy of downtown.
“We are now known for our outdoor dining,” she said. “This will mean more dining, more sales and more sales
tax.”
Another restaurant, Eggs Up Grill, underwent its public hearing for an alcohol license. That restaurant is locating
at 22083 U.S. 72 East.
The Council also approved an agreement with JLB Capital to give the owner permission to install a grease trap
and other sidewalk/curb improvements along Green Street for the Shops at High Cotton. The Shops at High
Cotton, located in a renovated cotton warehouse in Downtown Athens, currently has a boutique and plans to
add additional retail and a restaurant.
Marks said his office continues to work with other developers on retail opportunities, both shopping and dining.
“This increases the sales tax revenue for the City of Athens and for the Athens City Schools,” he said. “Sales tax
makes up about 40 percent of our budget, and the school system receives a portion of our sales tax, so growing
our revenue base is a priority.”
