MOULTRIE — “This community is invested. They are taking ownership and have pride over their downtown.”
This is what Amy Johnson, the director of economic development and public relations with the City of Moultrie, said when discussing all the positive changes Moultrie’s town square has seen over the last several years.
“We’ve done a lot of enhancements to the community and downtown,” said Johnson. “Right now we are working on the sixth major project.”
Already completed are the Pocket Park, the Mule Barn Park, the Sportsman Breezeway, the covered breezeway and the parking lot on South Main.
“The breezeways help with the walkability of downtown,” said Johnson. “It’s easier to get places. Someone could park and spend hours walking around shopping and exploring.”
Currently, there are 28 photo opportunities downtown.
“A lot of the younger generations want to have those opportunities for pictures,” said Johnson. “It’s what makes it an experience. We want to provide that and continue providing it.”
There are no plans to stop improving town square.
“What we are working on now is the theater block, which is the largest project so far,” said Johnson. “The city has been working with property owners to tie in all the parking so they can become public spaces.”
Additionally, eight new businesses have opened their doors downtown this year: Birch and Pine Real Estate Group, H K Beauty Bar, West Coast Vegan Grill, Perform Physical Therapy and Wellness, Olivia Rae, Wellspring Medical Spa and Aesthetics, First National Bank drive-thru and Seven Hills Auctions.
Two more businesses will be opening soon: Main Street Hair Company and Bandwagon Brewing Company.
“We are seeing a lot of younger people coming back and starting businesses,” said Johnson. “They are doing their homework and taking these buildings on the square and putting a lot of work into both the interior and exterior — they come in with a plan.”
Business owners are doing their part to improve their properties by adding things like awnings or repainting.
“It’s heartwarming to see them investing back into the community that built them,” said Johnson. “The impact they are making is one we want to continue to see. We’ve had a lot of interest in businesses opening up and developing property.”
With all these improvements, downtown remains a beacon and showcase for the community.
“Consistency has been key,” said Johnson. “It’s like a home — you have to continue to do the upkeep on it — and we are lucky to have a mayor and council people who understand that enhancing the quality of life benefits the entire community.”
In fact, the need for additional apartments is already rising.
“There are 40 loft apartments and right now they are all full,” said Johnson. “When you have people living downtown that brings the need for more food, retail and night options – we are seeing that evolve and change rapidly.”
It’s not only Colquitt County residents who enjoy the community, she said.
“The events, like Lights! Lights!, continue to get larger each year,” she said. “We’ve been working on promoting ourselves in the Florida area and in middle to upper Georgia area.”
Another way to help promote the square are the new gift cards for sale at the Welcome Center.
“It’s exactly what it sounds like,” said Johnson. “You can come to the Welcome Center and purchase a gift card to use downtown.”
Currently, about 30 businesses are participating in this new program.
“Downtowns across the nation are very hot and popular and we are trying to get people to come in who haven’t experienced us yet,” said Johnson. “When you go to different communities you will see developers building areas that look like a downtown area with outdoor shopping.”
Arguably, the biggest advantage of downtown is it’s not a fabrication.
“We have the original downtown,” said Johnson. “Owners are keeping the integrity, and it’s authentic. I’m looking forward to what 2024 has in store.”