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Watkinsville City Council
March 8, 2006
Oconee Living Section
Athens Banner-Herald

Watkinsville Council approves Jittery Joes Coffee
By Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.
Correspondent

Watkinsville will be enjoying drive-through java sometime this spring or early summer as Jittery Joes Coffee was approved for both a business license and building permit for their upscale high profile location at 27 Greensboro Highway in the former sporting goods and convenience store location.


Computer expert Kerry King came before the Watkinsville City Council with developer Norm Grayson to seek approval for coffee franchise purchased from Bob Gooch of Athens. King said the new location would resemble their most recent location on Baxter Street more than the older version at Five Points.
King plans to hang a banner stating “Jittery Joes welcomes you to Downtown Watkinsville” on the front of the building at the intersection of State Highways 15 and the business route 441/129.
Mayor Jim Luken asked King to consider something more than just sealing the crumbling cement 16-space parking lot for the expected high traffic. The permit was contingent upon approval of subcontractors.
King said he would try to open by May but said it would be June by the latest when Watkinsville commuters can grab a cup of Jittery Joes coffee to go. The driveway around the back of the building will be a tight fit but with the relocation of the HVAC system, it should be plenty of room for the many cars and trucks coming through the parking lot.
“I think Watkinsville is really lucky to get such a focal point,” said Council member Samantha Purcell.


In other news, Donald A. Boswell was approved for a business license for Premier Electric Services, Inc at 29A N. Main Street. They will be primarily servicing homes in the Lake Oconee and Greensboro area and were operating out of a home business location in Bishop.

Kelley Pittman started her own trend by moving her business from the Epps Bridge Parkway to downtown Watkinsville by bringing Salon Red to 10 Barnett Shoals, Suite B. She said she had counted five hair salons in a one-mile stretch of downtown Watkinsville recently. She received unanimous approval for her business license request.

Tracy Jefferies will be bringing an upscale art gallery called Town Center Fine Arts at 2 South Main Street, Suite 210 in the Town Center development. She said she intends to hang art in there ranging in price from $600 to $7000-8000. Jefferies said she hopes to have some exclusive arrangements with some under-represented local artists in both the fine arts and contemporary arts from areas including Gwinnett and Greene County as well as some Atlanta artists. Some styles of art at the Town Center gallery will be abstract, some landscapes and some realism. Her business license passed unanimously.
“You will fit in very well with the ‘Artland of Georgia,’” said Purcell about the new gallery and slogan of the city of Watkinsville.
Johnny Lay received a building permit for a duplex being built by Luke Bishop at 110 North Main Street in Watkinsville. This distinctive duplex will feature a single foyer entrance splitting off in two directions.
“I’ve got a pot of gold at the end of driveway,” joked Lay about the requirements from the State DOT for the driveway entrance.
William Bishop of 15 Properties was granted a building permit for a 90’ x 60’ warehouse at Lot 3 of the recently named Jerry Smith Drive.
Edward Harder received for a business license for Main Street Building & Renovation Incorporated at 46 South Main Street. William Hymas missed his appearance for a second meeting in a row asking for a business license for In & Out Painting at 115 Farmview Drive.
Taylor & Amanda Jenkins received a building permit of a 565 square foot addition at 61 Jackson Street.
The council unanimously passed the Urban Tree Ordinance and purchased some large grown trees from Dwayne Wilkes, who is having a subdivision put in on his former nursery just south of town on Highway 15. Luken praised the initiative of Purcell and efforts of resident Kathleen McQuiston in planting some 38 three-to-five-foot tall trees including nine in front of Southwire and 15 in front of IMI. The mayor was not too keen on the destruction of old trees in downtown Watkinsville immediately before the tree ordinance took place last week.
“We are not trying to discourage people from taking down trees in Watkinsville,” said Luken. “We just want to encourage them to replace whatever trees they take down with shrubbery or other trees.”
They also considered a moratorium on signage and bids for base and chair moldings in the community center. They also received an update on efforts for the Bicentennial plans from each member of the council, including the unveiling of the official logo by council member Joe Walter.
The city also passed a 45-day moratorium on all signage.