Wedding venue in Blue Ridge, GA for couples in Warner Robins, GA

Step into a blue haze at Pure Lounge 25, a new gathering spot for hookah, music, drinks and more in Warner Robins.

“I just want it to be a place where people can enjoy themselves and have a good time, laugh, take pictures, have good vibes,” said owner Donta Truss.

The new spot at 115 Margie Drive, Suite A, is the first brick and mortar business for Truss, a barber by day and now a lounge owner at night.

Reserved seating for the grand opening, set for Saturday, sold out ahead of time.

“I think it’s because it’s something new —like a breath of fresh air,” Truss said.

The lounge offers liquor, beer and specialty cocktails, a variety of hookah flavors, a nightly DJ and food truck every night.

The food trucks will rotate to offer a variety of flavors until the lounge starts offering its own food, which is expected to start in January.

“I wanted to switch it up and offer different foods,” Truss said.

The Jamaican Fury Fusion food truck will be set up for the grand opening.

Russ completely transformed the space that formerly was Acai & Smoothie Fusion in a shopping strip across from Galleria Cinemas.

He created the blue haze lighting effect with blue lights he found at a liquidation sale against the backdrop of black walls and black lounge furniture.

Neon lights at the bar add a pop of white, while photos of Hip Hop artists add the lounge’s inviting vibe.

“I want it to be an art museum for Hip Hop,” Truss said.

He also created a space for photos with a faux grass background that features the Pure Lounge 25 lighted sign on the right when first stepping inside.

A small bar is on the right, with seating along the left side of the lounge to the back where the DJ sets up.

His own enjoyment of such lounges led him in part to open his own.

“I know I like to go out a lot, so I thought I’d make it a business,” said Truss, who cuts hair at Major’s Barber & Beauty Shop in Fort Valley. “Instead of me spending money elsewhere, let people come spend money with me.

“I’m always thinking of ways to make money,” Truss said.

Pure 25 Lounge initial hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. to midnight Sunday. To reserve seating, private message Truss via Pure Lounge 25 on Instagram.

This story was originally published October 25, 2024, 12:07 PM.

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Houston & Peach

October 18, 2024 2:46 PM

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A new report shows the city's unemployment rate dropped to 3.0% in September, with more than 86,000 residents now employed

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WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — While Warner Robins celebrates record employment numbers, some small businesses still struggle to attract workers in an increasingly competitive market.

The city's unemployment rate dropped to 3.0% in September, with more than 86,000 residents now employed - an all-time high, according to the Georgia Department of Labor. The area added 2,100 jobs over the past year, bringing the total to 83,800.

However, for establishments like Mrs. Betty's Fried Chicken, the strong job market presents unique challenges.

"It's a good thing for the city of Warner Robins, more people are working now," said Clifford Brazziel, general manager of Mrs. Betty's Fried Chicken. "But it sometimes gets overlooked by the smaller businesses like ourselves."

The restaurant, which reopened in March 2024, has struggled to maintain staffing levels despite using multiple recruitment channels.

"We have many forms of media, like commercials, ads on Facebook. We have a commercial on the radio," Brazziel said. "People just don't respond or they're not looking for this kind of environment."

Rising costs have created additional pressures for both the business and its customers. The restaurant has had to increase prices to cope with higher supply costs, while customers have adjusted their spending habits.

"Cost of living just skyrocketed since these last few years after COVID," Brazziel said. "Everything just kind of went a little haywire."

The broader economic picture in Warner Robins remains strong. The labor force increased by 886 workers in September, reaching an all-time high of 89,538. Initial unemployment claims decreased by 101 compared to August.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson praised the statewide trend of falling unemployment rates, noting that more residents are finding work and contributing to local economies.

For small businesses like Mrs. Betty's, the challenge now is attracting workers in a market where larger employers may offer more competitive packages. Despite these obstacles, Brazziel remains hopeful, noting that employees who do join the team tend to stay.

"The ones who do come in, they stick around," he said. "They need the job, we need them."

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The salary bump will raise their salaries to $20,000, according to the proposal.

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The Warner Robins City Council has voted to double the salary for city council members, they announced at their meeting on Monday, Oct. 21.

According to the proposal, the salary bump would go into effect in during January 2026. It would raise salaries for city council members from $10,000 - their current mark - to $20,000.

This proposed salary increase was also the subject of discussion at a Warner Robins city council meeting earlier in the month, according to prior 13WMAZ reporting.

"The amount that our council makes, $10,000 a year, is extremely, extremely low from what our council makes across the state," Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said at the meeting

Patrick said that a potential salary increase had been a topic of discussion for a while now, especially since many surrounding counties in Central Georgia paid their employees more.

According to city code for Johns Creek and Albany, their leaders make $15,000 a year, while leaders in Roswell make $18,000 a year.

At the council meeting earlier in October, several Warner Robins citizens spoke out against the raise during the public forum. They said they felt that money might be better served in other ways.

Council members said they heard those concerns, and they understood where the citizens were coming from.

"We have always been very frugal and very responsible with our city's money. We were able to do the raises without raising taxes so when we do something we think about it long and hard," Councilman Keith Lauritsen said.

The council last considered a raise for council members in 2019, and Lauritsen opposed that vote. Now, he was in favor of the salary increase.

By the time the potential raises would be implemented in 2026, three council seats will be up for election.

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Gwenkeia Simmons did something unique on her birthday this year.

With her fiance Richard Green by her side and surrounded by friends, family and local chamber members, Simmons celebrated the grand opening Thursday of her new restaurant and lounge.

“Richard, he has helped me so much along the way,” Simmons said. “My wonderful staff, family, friends, I really appreciate everything from the bottom of my heart.

“I hope everyone enjoys every thing that we have to offer here. It’s for the community.”

The French phrase bon vivant translates into English as “good living.” True to its name, Bon Vivant Restaurant and Lounge aims to bring a taste of the good life to Warner Robins.

The new spot at 511 N. Davis Drive in Warner Robins offers soul food for lunch weekdays, fine dining in the evenings and a brunch on the weekends.

“High maintenance” cocktails are offered at the full-service bar, while hookah is offered in a side room.

An avid traveler with a love for good food, drinks and the finer things of life, Simmons wanted to bring those experiences to her upscale restaurant and lounge.

To do that, she’s transformed a 7,000-square-foot space that’s previously been home to a couple of steakhouses and a Chinese restaurant.

Simmons also owns Simmons Tax Prep at nearby 105 N. Davis Drive.

Driving up to the restaurant and lounge, patrons will find ample parking outside the white building with black trim.

“Bon Vivant,” with its pronunciation and a definition, is etched on the side of the building near the main entrance.

“Noun: [bon vee vahnt],” the etching reads. “A bon vivant is a person who enjoys living ‘the good life’ — an expert of food and drinks and of the other things that go along with a life of leisure and luxury.”

The restaurant and lounge is designed to create a positive allure and bring an upscale experience to the north side of town “where people can have a good time and feel safe,” said Tamika Head, the venue’s operational manager.

She gave guests at the grand opening a tour of the venue.

An inclining ramp of an indoor walkway leads to the main entrance. A doorway in the walkway on the left opens into an inviting outdoor patio with faux green grass.

Faux flowers drape over the main door, a full length mirror is to the immediate left of the door and a rectangular mirror with Bon Vivant etched across the glass is on the right of the door. A flower box filled with faux red roses also adorns the entrance way.

Inside, the venue opens into a large room with tables and chairs. This room represents France. A photo of the Eiffel Tower hangs on a wall. With a lighted sign, “Taste the Good Life,” in the background, a nearby spot has been created for taking selfies and other photos.

The venue has other spots for photo opportunities sprinkled throughout.

Soul food is served for lunch from a counter in this room during lunch hours on weekdays. The room transforms into a lounge area in the evenings.

Dinner is served in another dining area along a windowed wall of the restaurant and lounge. The evening dining area represents Spain.

A large bar area representing Mexico offers seating at the bar and at tables and chairs. Large flat screen TVs are behind the full-service bar. Wall art of red wine tumbling into a glass says, “Let’s make poor decisions.”

A sliding door near the bar opens into “The Good Life” private party room, a long, eloquent space with marble top tables pushed together creating one long table. A light fixture hangs over the table and a faux fireplace is within the back wall below a gold frame around a large-screen TV.

The hookah room, which represents Dubai, is off to the side of the France area and offers comfortable seating. A lighted “Relax, Puff, Repeat” sign hangs on a wall.

Self-taught chef Gerard Atkinson is the venue’s chef. He prepares soul food classics like fried chicken, mac and cheese and collard greens for lunch during the week and breakfast foods for the weekend brunch.

At night, he offers up culinary delights such as fried or grilled lobster tails, crab cakes, Southern style chicken hibachi, lamb chops, shrimp and grits and chicken alfredo.

Each dish has a name that reflects the various spaces, or themes, of the venue such as Eiffel Tower Twin lobster tails or Good Times blackened or fried catfish.

Atkinson co-owns Greenwood Barbecue in Macon with business partner and barbershop co-owner, Brandon Harris. Atkinson also has served as chef at two downtown Macon spots: Churchills on Cherry and the Barefoot Tavern.

Katrina Johnson, owner of Suite 616 Event Venue in Warner Robins, designed the venue’s interior. Realtor Katrina Hall Haynes is responsible for the floral arrangements throughout the space.

Prior to the grand opening, the restaurant and lounge had a few soft opening days.

At the grand opening, Simmons’ staff gave her the first $1 the venue made in a frame for a birthday gift. She also received a plaque from the Robins Regional Chamber and a gift from Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick.

Simmons gave glory to God at the grand opening, saying afterward that the venture would have been impossible without God.

“It feels wonderful,” Simmons said of her restaurant and lounge coming to fruition.

Weekday hours are 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the soul food bar or ordering off a lunch menu Monday through Friday. The venue closes and then reopens from 5 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to midnight Friday.

Weekend hours are 12 p.m. to midnight Saturday and 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, with brunch served from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The number is 478-308-2829.

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Houston & Peach

October 25, 2024 12:07 PM

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Advocates say the infrastructure is needed and will lead the way for future projects

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WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The City of Warner Robins took a step toward a greener future and city revitalization on Wednesday, unveiling three new electric vehicle (EV) chargers on South Armed Forces Boulevard.

The project, a collaboration between the city, the Downtown Development Authority, Flint Energies and the Clean Air Coalition, aims to meet the growing demand for EV infrastructure while stimulating local economic growth.

"I think it's important and I think that they are already ahead of the game to some other cities. They're doing a great job in planning," said David Danzie Jr., an electric vehicle owner. "I think the benefit is the more charging stations you have and obviously you don't want to have too many, but the more charging stations you have that are suitable, the more you will be able to drive the economy and have more people who have EVs coming into your city and spending money, which is really what we want."

The installation comes as EV adoption in the area surges. According to Marian McLemore, at Flint Energies, "Just in Houston County, the growth of EV ownership has grown 40% within the last year. So yes, we have seen an increase.”

This rapid growth underscores the need for more public charging options. While some charging stations exist at commercial locations like Buc-ee’s and certain hotels, public options have been limited.

"As far as the public, you know, just random areas without a commercial support for that, there's not that many," McLemore said. "So we were excited to partner with the city to have one that was more of a public-facing charger."

The project goes beyond just providing a service for EV owners. City officials plan to use revenue from the chargers, after covering maintenance costs, to fund community improvements such as public art and small business support. Danzie sees this as a win-win for the community.

"I think it's actually beneficial for businesses to see that the city is helping them and wanting to create this fund that will actually be used to benefit them," he said. "And so when you feel that support and you feel like people are wanting to support you, then you're going to see that driving the economy and driving those small businesses."

For Flint Energies, this project aligns with their evolving role in the community.

"We are in the business of serving electricity and electric vehicles are very much the modern appliance," McLemore said. "When Flint Energy started in 1937, ovens and refrigerators were the new modern electric appliance and we ended up having to educate our members, our consumer members on how to use those appliances. And that's pretty much where we're at right now."

Both the city and its partners are keeping an eye on future expansion. With the unveiling of this initial project, Mayor LaRhonda Patrick released the following statement to 13WMAZ:

“We are extremely grateful for the support from Flint Energies and the Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition in this transformative project. A special thank you to Councilman Holmes for his efforts in securing funds from the Middle Georgia Clean Air Coalition, which helped make this initiative possible. Their contributions, alongside our city's commitment, showcase the power of collaboration in advancing Warner Robins toward a more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable future. These new EV charging stations are a key step in reducing our carbon footprint and encouraging the adoption of clean energy practices. Together, we are ensuring Warner Robins remains a leader in innovative solutions for generations to come.”

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