QuikTrip could be one of many new businesses opening soon in Forsyth. Here’s more.

A new QuikTrip might be coming to Forsyth, Georgia, the latest of several developments over the past year.

Representatives from QuikTrip, an Oklahoma-based convenience store and gas station chain, attended a recent “First Step” meeting in Forsyth to discuss a potential location at the corner of Harold G. Clarke Parkway and Patrol Road.

The “First Step” program allows businesses interested in coming to Forsyth to attend the city manager’s meeting on Thursday mornings at 9 a.m. with all of the city department heads. This allows the businesses to ask any questions they have about specific locations before presenting a proposal to the city, said Mayor Eric Wilson.

“I think we’ve created an environment in the city of being pro-business,” Wilson said. “We don’t pick winners and losers, but what we do is create an atmosphere where businesses can thrive, and we do that by investing in our infrastructure, by investing in our parks and community development, things that enhance the community that make people want to be here, want to do business here.”

Tammie Pierson, the economic development director for Forsyth, said there is no additional information about a QuikTrip coming to Forsyth.

A QuikTrip spokesman said it is too soon discuss future potential sites in Georgia.

Chicken, tacos, pizza and cinnamon rolls

Forsyth has other businesses that are being built or have opened in the past year.

The Zaxby’s on Highway 83 off of Interstate-75 Exit 187 plans to open for business in February, Pierson said.

A convenience store will be opening next door and will feature Moe’s Southwest Grill, Papa Johns and Cinnabon in the store as well as gas pumps outside.

A Huddle House is planned to be located beside the convenience store, but Pierson said the project will take another couple of months before it is open.

A Valero convenience store and gas station is under construction on the other side of I-75 near the Circle K. The store will also have retail space for rent on its outparcels, Pierson said.

‘Our downtown area is almost full’

Pierson said downtown Forsyth has seen a lot of businesses open, including a hair salon, a barbecue restaurant and an ice cream shop.

“Our downtown area is almost full. We only have a couple of buildings that are available,” she said.

GeorgiaBob’s Barbecue opened in January 2019, and Scoops, an ice cream shop, opened a few months later in May. Wild + Rooted Hair Co., a hair salon at 54 North Jackson St., opened Jan. 2.

George Emami, Monroe County Commissioner for District 4, is renovating a warehouse at 45 North Kimbell St. to become a microbrewery with a restaurant and event space, Pierson said.

The city has a great location for business being located on the interstate in between Macon and Atlanta, and Pierson said she has received good feedback from businesses saying the city is easy to work with.

“We still are maintaining that small town feel where you come in and everybody knows everybody, and that appeals to a lot of people,” she said.

This story was originally published January 31, 2020 at 5:00 AM.