Ginger Michelle, 466 First St., is leaving downtown Macon and opening a new store in north Bibb County at 5451 Bowman Road near Publix.

Store owner Grace Anderson said the downtown store will close for good Saturday and the new location will open Friday, July 6.

The women’s boutique has been in downtown Macon about 10 years.

Anderson, who purchased the store with her father about five years ago from Ginger and Steve Hess, said reactions from people about the move have been mixed.

“The people who live and work downtown are saying they’re sad we’re leaving, but we’re also hearing from a lot of people saying ‘now you’re down the road from me,’” she said.

Anderson said she’s been planning the move for about three months.

“Downtown was a destination (store), people had to plan to come here,” Anderson said Wednesday. “By Publix, we’ll get more foot traffic. We’re sad to leave downtown, but business wise, we’ll do better.”

Most of the merchandise in the downtown store is marked down 25 percent as part of its moving sale, Anderson said. “We have a ton of new merchandise” to display at the new location.

“I’m really excited,” Anderson said.