Marriott on fairgrounds, Amici Cafe & Brewery & more: Check out Perry’s business boom

From a dual Marriott property at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter to an Amici Italian Cafe & Brewery on Perry Parkway, the city of Perry is booming with new developments.

“The growth is just continuing,” said Ashley Hardin, Perry’s economic development administrator. “We have a lot of properties pending right now for new developments and we’re just really excited about the exciting things happening in Perry in 2022.”

What’s going up

Here’s a look at what’s coming:

Marriott — A TownePlace Suites by Marriott and a Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott with a shared lobby and shared amenities is expected to be constructed on the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter next to the Miller Murphy Howard Building.

In July, a land lease was signed between a hotel developer, owner and operator, and the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority to construct the hotel.

The execution of franchise agreements for the dual-branded hotel with Marriott International was announced Thursday afternoon by Retreat Hotels & Resorts.

“They’ll be doing a restaurant and bar there as well,” Hardin said.

The structure will fly two hotel flags. Fairfield guestrooms will be featured on one side of the hotel, while TownePlace Suites rooms will be located on the other side, according to a Retreat Hotels & Resorts news release.

“We’re proud to partner with Marriott again on another dual-brand project,” JJ Singh, president of Retreat Hotels & Resorts, said in the release. “Following on the success of our dual-brand Marriott project on Jekyll Island, we see opportunities for synergies as a developer, and a streamlined, enhanced experience for our guests. The Fairgrounds are a special place, and we’ve got the perfect brands to match.”

GNFA Executive Director Stephen Shimp added, “The Georgia National Fairgrounds is a first-class venue for competitions, conventions, entertainment, exhibitions, meetings, trade shows, and related events, all in one facility.

“Now, we look forward to providing first-class accommodations, and welcoming these two powerful Marriott brands under one roof.”

Amici Italian Cafe & Brewery — Known for its signature pizza and wings, local franchisees of this restaurant closed on property at Perry Parkway and Washington Place with hopes of opening by year’s end.

While most locations have bars, only four have breweries, and the Perry location will be the first brewery to locate within Perry, Hardin said.

Based in Madison, Amici has more than a dozen locations in Georgia and South Carolina — including one in Macon and another in Milledgeville.

Multi-family development — City leaders recently signed off on a mixed development of duplexes and multi-family apartments on 22 acres off Ga. 127. The development is expected to include 200 garden-style units, 44 duplexes, 60 one bed and one bath apartments, 72 two bed and two bath apartments and 24 three bed and two bath apartments.

Dunkin’ & Jersey Mike’s Subs — A new plaza, which will house both the doughnut and subway shops, is going up on Sam Nunn Boulevard just west of Interstate 75 next to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

Chick-fil-A - On the other side of Popeyes, a bigger and better Chick-fil-A is under construction at 1363 Sam Nunn Blvd., which is replacing the current restaurant at 1600 Sam Nunn Blvd. that’s been in operation for nearly 30 years.

Cook Out — This burger restaurant chain also known for its multiple shake options is under construction on the east side of Sam Nunn Boulevard at the site of the former Taco Bell.

Zaxby’s — Known for its chicken wings, chicken fingers, sandwiches, salads and fried mushrooms and other sides, a second Perry location will be constructed off Perry Parkway in front of Skweeky Clean Car Wash beside the Wendy’s restaurant.

Also in the works

Stoner’s Pizza Joint — Matthew Howard and Eric Schultz are teaming up to bring an old fashioned style dine-in family friendly restaurant to 742 Main St. While sharing the name of Howard’s other two restaurants, the Perry location will be unique by design as an old-school pizzeria, Howard said.

Oliver Perry’s — Eddie Bryant and his nephew, Pete Lamendola are opening a new fine dining restaurant and bar at 905 Carroll St. in downtown Perry possibly in late January or early February.

Commodore Building — Owner Meredith Lockerman envisions a first-floor restaurant and three short-term loft apartments for this two-story building under construction at 904 Commerce St. in downtown Perry expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022.

‘Orleans on Carroll St. — This restaurant at 807 Carroll St. is expected to bring a taste of the Big Easy to downtown Perry in early 2022 with its Southern food with a Cajun twist and distinct elements of New Orleans woven throughout.

This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 4:16 PM.