Around Town: New Twist in Apartment Boom: "All-Inclusive" Offer. Mall Losing 2 Shops

One of Northwest Georgia’s newest apartment complexes is leasing with amenities including wi-fi, “valet” trash collection, elevators and two dog parks.

175 Main is just behind the “mega” Kroger off East Main Street in Cartersville, close to the I-75 interchange. It is the latest joint project from Charles Williams Real Estate Investment Corp. and Ledbetter Properties.

Some 200 luxury apartments are under roof with one-, two- and three-bedroom options. Lease prices are from $1,535 a month to $2,160 for the largest units.

It features apartments with familiar local names: Kingston, Emerson, Barnsley and Woodland. Some units are available now while others will come online in the next few weeks.

What works: 175 Main is the latest addition to Main Street Marketplace from the Ledbetters, which has continued to grow since the opening of the Kroger Marketplace. It is a hub for restaurants and retail just before the I-75 exit, an area that also has attracted several hotels independent of Marketplace.

It likewise is an easy commute to Cartersville’s very successful downtown. Plus access to I-75 for work, the airport or the Braves at Truist Park is under five minutes away.

The Rome companies already have partnered on RiverPoint adjacent to AdventHealth Stadium in Rome, the Enclave on Second Avenue, also in Rome, and the Township at Hammond Creek in Dalton.

Mall casualties

Rue 21, West Express leaving: It has been a rough few weeks around Mount Berry Mall. First came the closing of West Express on one of the outparcels, followed by news of the shutdown of the Rue 21 chain.

Rue21 stores are expected to remain open for several more weeks while the West Express location looked empty when visited last week. We have calls and notes into the shop’s owners.

West Express moved from North Broad Street to the mall location in 2019. It celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022 and had been among Rome’s go-to locations for all things western.

Similar shops are now open in Summerville and Calhoun.

Popcorn & Politics

Changes in attitudes: A couple of notes from the campaign trail, both for the May 21 primary and November general election.

Georgia Supreme Court: Usually a sleepy item on the ballot, there is opposition this time out with Justice Andrew Pinson — named to the court by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2022 — drawing opposition from former Democratic Congressman John Barrow.♦

♦ Barrow is focusing his campaign to court those upset over recent abortion restrictions. His stance has come under attack from the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission♦ , which cites a ban on contenders from stating how they might rule on future issues before the court.

“Hardball” throws a political curve: Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan♦ has been preaching back-to-basics Republican shift, something he calls GOP 2.0, following the 2020 election block back and his own decision not to seek a second term.

♦ The former minor league pitcher recently threw a true curve ball by endorsing Democratic incumbent Joe Biden over likely Republican contender Donald Trump♦ . Duncan says Trump is not a Republican.

♦ Duncan is among few Republicans to go vocal with their support of Biden.

Advance voting continues for the May 21 primary: You can vote from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays at the elections office, Anthony Center or Thornton Center; through Friday. Election day: Precincts will be open May 21 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Peaks & Valleys

The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to the return of community free summer concerts: One of the top downtown promotions across the region returns for a new year. In Rome, it begins June 7 with First Friday at Town Green, featuring Brother Mojo and Donny Hammond. The concerts continue through early September. In Cartersville, it all begins this Saturday, May 18, with Music by the Tracks featuring Band X. It continues in June and July.

Valley to the continued string of vehicle break-ins and weapon thefts: Earlier this month, Floyd County police issued another public plea for area residents to lock their cars and trucks, and secure valuables — including weapons. A recent round of break-ins saw “11 firearms reported stolen from those that were unlawfully accessed. Regrettably, some of these stolen firearms have been traced to their use in further criminal activities,” a police media release states. It is past time for weapons storage laws to be the reviewed by local governments.