The time has come and the Senoia Welcome Center is open for business. The new facility located at 68 Main Street opened officially on Thursday and is set to provide a wealth of information to visitors and city residents.
Seated inside the welcome center that looks more like home than an office, Senoia Downtown Development Authority Chair Suzanne Helfman and DDA member Rhonda Moye said the mission for the welcome center is one that looks to serve the community. That includes visitors wanting information pertaining to the city and Senoia residents wanting to keep up with local events.
Another facet of the operation is geared to maintaining a list of guest houses or other living accommodations for those that might need furnished rentals while in the city for movie or television productions.
The welcome center was previously located on the south side of the downtown area. It was just over a year ago that the DDA purchased the old police department buildings on Main Street from the city for $27,000. The idea behind purchasing the two adjoining buildings was to renovate them so that one could serve as the welcome center and the other could be leased to a business. The welcome center itself totals approximately 840 square feet of down-home comfort.
And with its completion the circa 1912 building features a whole new look inside and out. Guests walking in the door at 68 Main Street will find the main room that could easily be mistaken for living room or a dining room rather than a standard office facility.
The designer for the projects was Gary Baumgardner of Home Design Dynamics.
“We’re thrilled with Gary’s work. He’s done an outstanding job,” Helfman said previously.
The hours of operation this winter will be Thursdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The contact number at the welcome center is 770-727-9173.
Moye and Helfman sitting at the dining room table noted that DDA is looking for volunteers to help staff the welcome center so that the hours and days of operation can be extended. Those wishing to volunteer can contact Suzanne Helfman at 770-599-8182.
