Vacant beauty shop comes down as part of Warner Robins downtown redevelopment efforts
What was once a beloved barber and style shop that’s been vacant for years is the latest building to be demolished as part of the city of Warner Robins vision of creating a vibrant, dynamic downtown district.
The demolition of the former Tina’s Barber & Style Shop at 107 South Davis Drive started Tuesday morning.
“This demolition marks another major step forward in our commitment to revitalizing Warner Robins and breathing new life into our downtown district,” Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said in a news release. “With this being the sixth structure removed in the area, we are seeing real momentum in reshaping our city’s future.
“Operation Reawaken is not just about removing outdated buildings. It’s about building a stronger, more vibrant community where residents and businesses can thrive.”
The Facebook announcement of the demolition drew a mixed response from commenters. Some welcomed the action as growth and progress while others feared the city is losing its history and should incorporate some of the buildings into the revitalization of Commercial Circle.
Many shared memories of their experiences at the barber and style shop, including Russ Dooley, who recalled getting his first “real” haircut there from Ms. Tina when he was 8.
While recognizing in the Facebook announcement that the building holds fond memories for many and is a piece of the city’s history, its removal is a “crucial step toward realizing the city’s vision for a modern, mixed-use downtown featuring retail, dining, green spaces, and residential developments,” according to the release.
Also, the city recently posted on Facebook a rendering by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government of the vision for the downtown district.
Commenters on the post also gave the initiative mixed reviews from “some wonderful creativity coming from this administration” to “revitalization of Commercial Circle is a waste of taxpayer’s money.”
At the bottom of the post is a link to all the renderings and a tab to share feedback.
“We want your input,” the post reads. “Check out all the renderings and share your thoughts.”
This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 6:00 AM.