Moultrie Scene January 2023 | Page 16

Moultrie coffee lovers can try more brews at the new Ellianos Coffee , a Southeast-based drive-thru coffee shop now open in Moultrie at 2803 S . Main St . The grand opening event was Aug . 16 . Photo by Kasmira Smith
The building is finished for Tropical Smoothie but the dessert shop had not opened as of late November . Photo by Kevin C . Hall
“ We are blessed beyond measure to have a wave of young entrepreneurs come back and be in our community . I feel like that ’ s a huge opportunity that speaks volumes about our community , that they want to come back and … raise their family here , have a business and invest in our community . They ’ re the future of Colquitt County .”
— Tommie Beth Willis , president , Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce
Another factor in the new openings and expansions , other than established owners , is returning young entrepreneurs .
“ We are blessed beyond measure to have a wave of young entrepreneurs come back and be in our community ,” Willis said . “ I feel like that ’ s a huge opportunity that speaks volumes about our community , that they want to come back and … raise their family here , have a business and invest in our community . They ’ re the future of Colquitt County .”
Johnson agreed , adding , “ We have had a good number of young entrepreneurs coming back to Moultrie and are expanding their business here . So that ’ s really nice to see , because now they ’ re raising their children here .”
The officials shared that when residents and guests shop locally at the new businesses , it continues the cycle of investing in the community and its future .
“ When people invest in our community , it helps our local tax base , which is important . Then
16 MoultrieScene JANUARY 2023