Written by Ted Anderson
Wow, you have got to check out the new donut and coffee shop that has come to Albany. It is fantastic and going to really give the well-known coffee shop in our area a run for their money. They are located behind the ATT Store at the corner of Nottingham Way and Ledo Road across the road from the Mellow Mushroom. Just look for the colorful air dancer out front that has attracted a lot of attention by the City of Albany anti-business department. The Air Dancer may be gone by the time that this article hits the newspaper because the owner has already been cited by the sign inspector and told to get it removed by Friday, June 25.
The owner of The Donut Factory is Wendell Grace, a specialty contractor in the area for the past 30 years and the owner of Grace Construction located in Lee County. His main business has been the installation of rail scales and motor truck scales. He wanted to get into this new business because of its uniqueness, he said.
All the mom and pop shops have disappeared over the years, he added, where you could go and get a piece of pie and some good coffee. He also wanted to do his part in helping the community by creating some jobs that are so badly needed at this time.
Mr. Grace is naturally very upset that this “air dancer” he purchased on EBay to promote his business is considered a SIGN when it clearly isn’t and that the city wants it removed immediately. To go through all that a person has to do to get a new business started and making it a success and then have the city step in and immediately, almost before the door is open, and do something like this to hurt his efforts, just doesn’t seem right. Why does the City of Albany wonder why businesses are moving out of Dougherty County to Lee County in order to find a business friendly atmosphere. Isn’t it fairly obvious when things like this are going on?
The Ribbon Cutting Open House for this new business was on Sat., June 19, 2010. In conjunction with the Open House, Owner, Wendell Grace, sponsored next door a Classic Car, Truck, and Bike Show. The Classic Cars were provided by the popular Artesian Car Club of Albany which you see displaying their cars at many locations around the area. Their members enjoy displaying their cars for all to see and they hope that by doing so, it will help draw attention to local businesses. That’s a little different from what the City seems to be doing. The Classic Car Club’s cars bring back a lot of good memories for a lot of people about the good ole days when some of them (like me) had cars like some of them.
The main attractions today, though, were Mr. Grace’s home-made donuts and coffee. The Open House attracted a large crowd. I personally sampled the new products that Mr. Grace will be offering the public and if my opinion is of any value, they are going to be a big hit.. You be the judge. Look for the Air Dancer and come on over and give them a try yourself. Once this location gets established, Mr. Grace plans to open several more similar stores in the Albany/Leesburg metro area.
