What’s going up along Ga. 96 in Warner Robins? Developer shares plans
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Owners buy adjacent land for a possible restaurant and new shopping center.
- Center anchored by Brown’s Eye Center drew new-to-area restaurants and services.
- Tenant believes the new development will draw customers and help nearby businesses.
Riding on the success of a popular retail shopping center in Warner Robins, the owners are now developing an adjacent site for a possible stand-alone restaurant plus a planned, new shopping center.
“We’re very excited about it,” said Dr. Navid Khoshooee, owner of Brown’s Eye Center and managing partner of the now three developments. “This first phase worked out very good, and the tenants are very happy.
“So that’s what prompted us to buy, because we did not own that land next door, but this one was so popular that we ended up purchasing the land.”
Anchored by Brown’s Eye Center, the first shopping center at 1012 Ga. 96 drew restaurants new to Middle Georgia, including Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom, DosBros Fresh Mexican Grill and Buffalo Wild Wings GO.
Also, Tenmii Japanese Eatery opened its second location in the shopping center and Decadent Dessert Bar relocated there for more space that also afforded a drive-thru window. Additionally, the shopping center attracted Luxe Nail Spa and Vita-Fuse.
Renderings show what’s envisioned for the site
Development of the new site at 1030 Ga. 96 is underway between the current shopping center and the Best Western at Rigby’s Entertainment Complex.
The first structure that’s expected to go up is a 3,600-square-foot building, which is currently being marketed for a potential fine dining restaurant.
The interior renderings depict a potential two-story restaurant with 2,400-square-feet of dining on the first floor and an additional 1,200-square-feet on a second-floor deck overlooking the first floor.
“We envision this space being ideal for an upscale restaurant or brunch concept — something we feel is currently missing in Warner Robins,” Khoshooee said. “But it can also accommodate uses such as a spa, salon, fitness concept or other retail.”
The groundwork for both the possible restaurant and the planned 11,000-square-foot, multi-tenant shopping center is expected to be completed in April, Khoshooee said.
Shortly afterward, construction of the potential restaurant building is expected to begin and will take about three months, he said. Construction of the shopping center is expected to begin once the restaurant is complete. .
The new shopping center is envisioned to have a mix of businesses similar to the existing property next door , Khoshooee said. Potential uses include medical offices/clinics, nail salon/beauty services, casual/dine-in restaurants and general retail shops.
More than $5 million was invested in the current shopping center, Khoshooee said. The amount does not include individual investments made by the shopping center tenants.
Another $5 million is expected to be invested on developing the new site, he said.
The new development will go up on a 1.7 acre site already zoned for general commercial use with 73 parking spaces proposed, according to the site plan.
The building being marketed for a restaurant would be between the current shopping center and the to-be-built shopping center, site plans show.
New development expected to thrive
What has been a tremendous growth trend in the area of Ga. 96 and Lake Joy Road is expected to continue with a wealth of residents living nearby, said Kate Hogan, director of community and economic development for Warner Robins.
“Service-focused neighborhood centers thrive because they meet daily needs,” Hogan said. “With approximately 5,300 residents within a one-mile radius, this location supports a tenant mix driven by consistent, neighborhood based consumer demand.”
Opening the second Tenmii Japanese Eatery in the existing center has proven to be a wise choice, said Kusmayadi “Han” Djunaidi, who owns and operates the popular restaurant with his wife, Vita Tjhin.
“The spot, it’s absolutely great,” Djunaidi said. “It has very, very good visibility. It’s very easy for people to commute and come in.”
The couple couldn’t ask for a better landlord than Khoshooee, he said.
The new development is welcomed by Djunaidi.
“I think it’s going to be great for the community, especially if they’re bringing some new type of restaurant,” Djunaidi said. “Other restaurants, they’re going to bring more variety and that brings different customers.
“Actually, it’s like free marketing for us because a lot of people are going to see, all right, so we’re eating at this restaurant but next door they have this restaurant. So, it’s going to help other restaurants as well.”