This is "Actual Factual Gwinnett," a regular column in which I, Tyler Estep, answer reader questions about Gwinnett happenings and history. Read previous editions -- including enlightening topics like "Why does Suwanee City Hall look so much like the Hall of Justice?" -- by clicking the hyperlinks at the bottom of this column, where you'll also find information for submitting your own questions. Enjoy!
Reader Doreen writes:
“What are they building on 124?”
You’re a succinct lady, Doreen. I like that about you.
I’m assuming you’re talking about Ga. 124 in Snellville. Hoping, really, because that’s what I’m going to tell you about, whether you like it or not. But I think you’re gonna like it -- because they're building...
...a dental office on 124! And they're building a Freddy's on 124! And they're building a ZAXBY'S on 124!
ANNNND HOLY MOTHER OF GOD THEY’RE BUILDING A CRACKER BARREL ON 124!
Planning on it, anyway.
In recent weeks, dirt's started moving near Ga. 124's intersection with Pharrs Road, a retail site that's been dubbed "Park Place." In its most recent tourism and trade publication, the city of Snellville announced four of the planned tenants, which include all of those mentioned above: Aspen Dental, Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers (which just opened in Duluth, too), Zaxby's and Cracker Barrel.
Peep these renderings of the latter two, courtesy of the city:
Very pretty. So when can I get my grub on? There are several answers to that question, dearest Doreen.
• Aspen Dental: No clue. Do you really care?
• Freddy's: The fine media relations folks tell me they're shooting to open in late July or early August.
• Zaxby's: They're hoping to open this August, a PR flak tells me.
• Cracker Barrel: This is an interesting one. The restaurant's corporate communications manager, Breeanna Straessle, pumped the brakes a little when asked when the new location may start slangin' biscuits, gravy and all those old country trinkets you don't really need:
"As a matter of corporate policy," she wrote in an email, "we don't confirm development in new locations until the permitting process is complete and we have all necessary approvals as these things change very quickly and we would hate to be premature in confirming anything without the necessary legal approvals."
That said, the city obviously feels comfortable enough to announce that they're coming -- and economic development manager Eric Van Otteren said it and all of the other projects mentioned here have been approved by the city.
All of this, of course, is in addition to a number of other projects around (and near) the city. Down the road at Ga. 124 and Essex Drive, a Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q location is under construction and expected to open by early fall. Across the parking lot, Carmike Cinemas is working on a dine-in theater concept they've dubbed "Ovation."
It's been tough pinning down an opening date for that. But judging by the picture below, taken by yours truly about two weeks ago, it may be in the near-ish future.
So...how's that for an answer, Doreen?
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I, Tyler Estep, am a staff writer with the AJC and a Gwinnett County native. To submit “Actual Factual Gwinnett” questions, contact me at tyler.estep@coxinc.com, @ByTylerEstep on Twitter or via the form below.
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