Getting Business "Back on Track"

In 2011, the city of Snellville has approved an average of 20 business license applications per month, according to data from the city of Snellville. Whether those businesses will stay open remains to be seen, but business owners are seeing Snellville as a good place to make money.

Francesca You opened the Yummy Yummy Deli on April 1 after owning and operating restaurants in Hawaii and Hamilton Mill, Ga.  You decided to expand her restaurant business, which features Asian, Hawaiian and Polynesian cuisine, to Snellville when she saw the potential for growth.

“When the Realtor showed me this building, I saw the area, and it’s very good," You said. "There are so many people.”

David Kennedy, owner of Dave Kennedy’s Golf, is also relatively new to the Snellville business scene. He moved his store from Grayson to Snellville in December of 2010 to improve business growth.

“There’s more traffic here,” said Kennedy, whose shop is next to the in Snellville.  “I moved into this spot to be next to the restaurant.”

Dave Kennedy's Golf is located near the Snellville Oaks Shopping Center, the area city planners want to redevelop as part of the new plan.

The shopping center has been the location for several businesses in recent years, most notably Walmart, which closed down when the its new location on Scenic Highway was built, and Gold’s Gym, which has also closed its doors.

The goal for the town center is to “create a spark that ignites commerce and community in Snellville,” attracting new businesses and retaining old, according to the May 2 Snellville Council Meeting town center presentation.

Other merchants in the shopping center hope the plans brings personality back to the city and more business.

“Snellville used to have this hometown feel,” said Diane Allen of , which is also located in the Snellville Oaks Shopping Center. “I’m for growth, but I wish we could get that feeling back.”

“Years ago," she added, "Snellville really lived up to its motto of “everybody’s somebody in Snellville.’  We need to get back to that."

Francesca You thinks the plan can work because of  Snellville's citizens.

“Everyone has been so helpful. Every day [in Snellville] has been better and better,” You said. “I haven’t stayed here very long, but everyone in Snellville is very nice."

Maurice Humphrey, the owner of Metro Plumbing on Scenic Highway has made Snellville his business center and community since 2008.

“I like the area.  I like the amenities.  I like everything about it.  Business is going very well now,” he said.

Humphrey wants to expand his business by purchasing land in Snellville, which he believes is perfectly situated to attract more businesses.

"It’s a good place to live; it’s a good place to set up shop. I would like to see Snellville attract more people from other areas," Humphrey said, "even get a little more international.  With business picking up again, we’ve got to do our part to get the city back on track.”

In the meantime, Diane Allen, who has worked at Flamingo Pools for 17 years, said she's in Snellville for the long haul. She thinks the city could use more people and more things for those people to do -- "some excitement," but the years have been good.

 “Our customers are here,” Allen said. “I’ve been here so long, we’ve seen customers who are newlyweds, have kids, and now are grandparents.”