East Point, GA, September 26, 2025
News Summary
Businesses along Main Street in East Point are facing financial challenges due to ongoing city construction that started in February 2025. Local owners, like Vanetta Roy of Eat My Biscuits, report losses around $200,000, citing decreased visibility and customer accessibility. The city claims the construction aims to beautify the area but has left many business owners frustrated. While a $150 million redevelopment project is planned, local residents advocate for compensation and clearer timelines for construction completion.
East Point, Georgia – Businesses along Main Street in East Point are facing significant financial struggles due to ongoing city construction that began in February 2025. Reports indicate that some local business owners have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue during this period.
Vanetta Roy, owner of Eat My Biscuits, estimates that her establishment has suffered around $200,000 in losses compared to the previous year. Roy, who opened her restaurant nearly two years ago across from the East Point MARTA station, notes that many customers are unaware that her restaurant remains open amid the construction. A fence blocking the front of her business has further obstructed visibility, contributing to her financial woes. Roy has had to make difficult staffing decisions, laying off employees and taking on multiple roles in her restaurant, including bartender, hostess, and waitress, as she attempts to manage the situation.
Similarly, Priscilla Womble, owner of The Extension Blow Dry Bar, has reported losses as well, stating that clients often drive by and leave if they cannot find accessible parking amid the construction disruptions. The city claims this construction is part of a beautification project aimed at enhancing street landscaping, adding bike lanes, and increasing parking space.
The East Point Department of Public Works expects the construction project to reach completion by February 2026. In light of the ongoing financial strain, Roy has utilized social media to express her concerns and seek support, emphasizing that the decline in business is directly related to the construction imposed by the city. Some local residents are advocating for compensation for affected business owners and are calling for clear deadlines regarding the construction completion.
In parallel to these local business struggles, East Point has recently signed contracts for a historic $150 million redevelopment project planned to transform the downtown area. This project is projected to include a grocery store, healthcare center, retail spaces, and apartments over a 9-acre site. City Councilman Joshua Butler IV has mentioned that this redevelopment project has been in the planning stages for 20 years and will create hundreds of jobs—about 150 jobs immediately, with a total of 1,500 jobs over the course of the project.
A groundbreaking ceremony for this redevelopment is scheduled for December 29, 2025. Additionally, the Aya Tower, a separate $24 million redevelopment initiative, aims to provide 88 affordable apartments along with various health and social services, addressing existing food and healthcare deserts in East Point. These health and social services will be offered on-site in coordination with UnitedHealth Group and Goodwill of North Georgia.
While many local residents express excitement regarding the potential revitalization and the return of affordable housing options, local business owners continue to voice their frustrations about the ongoing impacts of construction on their revenue and visibility.
FAQ
- What has caused financial losses for East Point businesses? Ongoing city construction along Main Street that began in February 2025.
- How much revenue loss does Vanetta Roy report? Approximately $200,000 compared to the previous year.
- What is being constructed in East Point? A beautification project, including street landscaping, bike lanes, and more parking spaces.
- What are the completion dates for the construction project? The East Point Department of Public Works aims for completion by February 2026.
- What is included in the $150 million redevelopment project? A grocery store, healthcare center, retail spaces, and apartments across a 9-acre area.
- How many jobs will the redevelopment project create? About 150 jobs immediately, with a total of 1,500 jobs over the project’s lifespan.
- When is the groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment? Scheduled for December 29, 2025.
Key Features of East Point’s Construction and Redevelopment
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Construction Start Date | February 2025 |
| Business Reporting Losses | Majority of Main Street Businesses |
| Revenue Loss by Vanetta Roy | $200,000 |
| Completion Date of Project | February 2026 |
| Redevelopment Project Value | $150 million |
| Jobs Created | 1,500 over lifespan |
| Aya Tower Value | $24 million |
| Affordable Housing Units in Aya Tower | 88 units |
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: East Point Under Construction, Businesses Report Losses
- Wikipedia: East Point, Georgia
- Business Wire: Residents Celebrate Aya Tower in East Point
- Google Search: East Point Georgia businesses
- Fox 5 Atlanta: East Point Downtown Redevelopment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: East Point
- Atlanta History Center: Party with the Past
- Google News: East Point redevelopment
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