Watkinsville gets a drive-thru Jittery Joe's by June

Watkinsville will join the rest of the caffienated nation with a Jittery Joe's to go looking a lot like the upscale edition of the most recent Athens edition of the franchise on Baxter Street. The new store - perhaps as early as May to pour great local roasts - will feature a sign saying Jittery Joe's welcomes you to downtown Watkinsville, and be right at the intersection of State Highways 15 and the business route of 441/129 in what was an eyesore for the city in a dilapidated old Golden Pantry turned hunting goods store. Mayor Jim Luken asked the new owner Kerry King to try and pave the driveway a little better than just sealing it (as he wanted to originally wanted to do), but otherwise the computer programmer-turned-coffee-store-owner was greeted as a welcome conquering hero. The city also approved a new high end art gallery for town center and the relocation of Salon Red hair studio making five of those inside of a mile in Watkinsville. This meeting also represented the rehabilitation of realtor Norm Grayson. The Korean and Vietnam war veteran was fined for tearing down a house without a permit right across the street from the new Jittery Joe's a few months back, but now has found himself back in good graces of the Watkinsville City council with this and the work he has done with the Bicentennial celebration. The city of Watkinsville will officially turn 200 the day after Thanksgiving Day. Many different celebrations are in the planning stages and some are closer than others. There will be many ways for everyone to enjoy the Bicentennial in Watkinsville during this year and beyond. A logo has been almost perfected, the city and county have jumped on board, and people and businesses are entertaining ideas of interesting ways to commemorate the Bicentennial. I made some stamps on line of Eagle Tavern and are getting them matted and framed at Art Masters. We may get a cancellation from post office. Proclamations have been secured, prizes are being printed and the shirts will be ordered soon. Stay tuned for more wonderful fun and excitement in the city of Watkinsville in its 200th year and beyond.

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