Austin Sumner Properties is planning a new 10,000-square-foot commercial strip set to share its parking area with the under-construction Classic City Bank (CCB) headquarters and banking facility, according to project details on the developer’s website. CCB is Athens’ first new bank formed since 2005 and was the first de novo bank application of Georgia in 2020.
The incoming retail facility is situated at 2375 West Broad — although renderings show an address of 2375 Briarcliff which does not exist according to Athens-Clarke County property records. Expected to deliver in November 2021, the adjacent commercial offering will boast ten leaseable spaces and is rising where the PPG Porter Paints building has since been demolished, directly in front of Athens Health & Fitness.
The West Broad/Beechwood retail landscape has changed substantially over the last 12 months, with the departure of many large national retailers and restaurants including Applebee’s, Stein Mart, Office Depot, and Steak ‘n Shake.
On the flip side, the new Fairfield Inn & Suites is moving along steadily behind the Walgreens on Hawthorne Avenue and the continued revamping of the Beechwood Promenade shopping center is pressing forward. Checker’s has also opened in the area and will soon be joined by Andy’s Frozen Custard and Burlington Coat Factory.
