(Cumming, GA) Cumming’s version of Main Street is finally coming to fruition, and doors will begin to open in the late spring.
“Retail will most likely begin opening in mid to late June. The restaurants will most likely start opening in the July to October range due to the supply chain issues many are experiencing in today's market,” said Cumming City Center Property Manager Jennifer Archer.“Each tenant will open once their buildout is complete. Individual ribbon cuttings will be held for each opening.”
The property was recently transferred to Cumming’s Downtown Development Authority. City Administrator Phil Higgins outlined one of the main reasons for the transfer.
“The authority can sign businesses to multi-year leases. City councils are not allowed to provide for more than a one year lease because they can’t obligate future city councils,” Higgins said.
According to Higgins, the city has already spent more than $60 million on the project. The funding came from sales tax revenues, as well as impact fees and grants.
Higgins added that the authority expects to issue $22 million in revenue bonds to finish the project, which is about 80 percent complete.
Even though the authority will now oversee the project, Higgins said Cumming’smayor and city council still have ultimate power over the project.
Several restaurants are expected to open this year, including oone that has a unique British flavor. Wright’s Fish and Chips will head to the City Center with British-certified National Fish Fryers. The family-operated restaurant uses ingredients made in the United Kingdom. The family opened a 1,000 sq. ft restaurant in Cumming during Covid. Once they move into a larger space at City Center, Wright’s will offer an expanded menu.
“When we left our home in Great Britain to live and work abroad, we soon discovered a niche in the market for authentic British cuisine,” Chantelle Wright said. “We went in search of the ‘real thing’ across Europe and the U.S.A., only to ever be disappointed. From these discoveries, we set out to bring to America its first totally, fully-fledged British fish and chips shop in Cumming.”
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