MACON, Ga. — The Macon mall used to have a lot of food traffic, and long lines. Hard to believe the difference now and back then in the number of people that would pack out the Macon Mall. Now the parking spaces at the mall aren't filled like they used to be.
Bibb county leaders are making changes at the mall like the 10,000 seat amphitheater, an indoor pickle ball court and the board of elections. Businesses hope to reap the benefits.
"One of the reasons I came to Macon was because of the amphitheater," says Brandon White.
White owns Macon Pottery. He sells classic vases, fountains and more out of the Macon State Farmers Market just down the road from the mall.
"I used to sell it in Atlanta. We've come down here and it's done very well," says White.
Richard Pogue CEO of S&S says February marks 40 years S&S has been in Bloomfield across the street from the mall.
"We are very excited about all the new traffic and the new visitors coming to the area," says Pogue.
Pogue says the restaurant recently remodeled.
"We refreshed everything to really put a good look and our best foot forward for the new guest that are coming to the area. We thought it would be the perfect time to do that and we do plan to do other things," explained Pogue.
In a statement Macon Mayor Lester Miller says:
"We've already seen more people coming through the Macon Mall thanks to Rhythm and Rally, which is great for the area. There is a renewed interest in other properties in and around the mall for redevelopment as people see the tournaments and the types of acts being booked for the new amphitheater."
The Macon Mall pickleball courts are open. The Macon Amphitheater is scheduled open this spring. Grammy award winning singer Anthony Hamilton and Jason Aldean are some of the acts set to perform.