Say it’s ‘knot sew:’ Stitchery closing. Sparrow development 50% done.
For a dozen years, Stephanie Bradshaw has had Rome tied up in knots — and just about anything else involving fabric. And sewing. And advice.
Currently based in Central Plaza, The Stitchery opened in the Cotton Block on Broad Street but soon realized that more room and additional parking were needed.
The shop expanded to meet customers’ needs even with growing competition across the community. But now Bradshaw is ready to begin “a new chapter in my life: retirement!”
In a series of Facebook messages and a press release, Bradshaw thanked customers: “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served our wonderful customers and community for so many years. It has been a privilege to be a part of our customers’ creative journeys and to witness the memories made and friendships formed.”
Next up is the retirement/closing sale — including inventory, cabinets, fixtures and furniture — beginning at noon Thursday. The store is closed until then to get it all in order. Bradshaw predicts it will all be over by April.
The shop has been a big player in Central Plaza shopping center, a lineup that includes Woodstock Furniture and Mattress Outlet, Bussey’s Florist & Gifts, Duffy’s Deli and others.
Look for neighboring Woodstock Furniture to expand into the nearly 6,000-square-foot shop later this year.
LOOK, UP IN THE SKY...
It has become perhaps the most visible construction project across Rome, and that’s saying something with all that’s underway.
Sparrow Pointe, the quickly rising senior living development where the former home of Sumo once stood off Martha Berry, can be seen from most directions entering town, especially off Ga. 101 and parts of Turner Mccall.
The latest progress report, from Melanie Greenwood, vice president of development programs for Birdsong Housing Partners, is that construction is halfway completed with the rest due by September.
By late summer, Fairway Management Co. will begin accepting applications for the 50 one- and two-bedroom homes.
Birdsong, citing the “community transformation plan,” also seeks direction on investing $50,000 “toward something that improves access to transportation, healthcare, education or employment” in the neighborhoods surrounding Sparrow Pointe. The South Rome Alliance “will put the plan into action,” Greenwood says.
You can, too, thanks to public meetings on the way. A virtual meeting via Zoom is set for 2 p.m. April 11. You can register via this column online.
RANT OF THE DAY
Drive-through vs. drive-by: Maybe it is just us but what is it about some drive-through services in Rome?
The Kroger Pharmacy lane has been closed at least since Christmas as the signs state that the issue is with parts needed for the speaker. We thought the supply chain issues were long solved.
But the kicker is when the drop box in front of the main post office off Martha Berry is taped over yet again with two signs stating “out of order.” How exactly is a mail box out of order?
Sure, many of us can use the extra steps of going into the store or the post office. But what about people with mobility issues or those coming from a doctor’s office in need of relief who probably shouldn’t be in public? Think covid, the flu, RSV.
The restaurant industry learned the value of take out and curbside ordering during the pandemic. Demand for such service remains strong four years later.
Both of these seem like easy fixes.
PEAKS & VALLEYS
The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia
Peak to Berry College pitching alum Collin Mchugh’s latest change-up pitch:
We were as surprised as other Atlanta Braves fans when Collin Mchugh announced his days as a reliever were over as spring training began. Few saw what was coming next. Last week, Bally Sports
announced Mchugh — after 11 years in the big leagues — would be joining the broadcaster’s on-air team as a contributor. We’ll be seeing him on TV — but with a different pitch — very soon.
A lifetime valley to Colton Moore:
It seems the “junior” senator from Northwest Georgia can’t seem to go low enough when embarrassing the region. The latest is a self-serving attack on the late House Speaker which was quickly shut down in Atlanta and earned him a lifetime ban from the House chambers. That has never happened before from what we’re reading.
https://tinyurl.com/5n6nhcne
Around Town publishes each Tuesday and Friday in the Rome News-tribune. Comments and news tips can be shared by sending an
email to jdruckenmiller@rn-t.com.