Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylvia Nolan.
Sylvia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It all started with an eyesore in my community. A drug-infested motel with horrible activity taking place. I wanted to make a change in our community. I offered to buy it from the owner and it was way out of my price range. Long story short, the previous owner donated it to a church. I contacted the church and they sold it to my husband and I.
We started project, clean up. Clearing out the laundry mat, giving away all the Furnishings to the less fortunate.
As we remodeled the old building, I began to think. What in the world are we going to do with it? What would attract people to the country…
I was a supervisor for a bank and I traveled a lot for many years. I always stopped at country stores. I started researching them. That’s when we gave birth to the country store.
I used my marketing skills and went to work. We were attracting people from all over Alabama and Ga. we were featured on Absolutely Alabama and really got a large boost. People couldn’t get in the door. The lines were out of the door. The scrambled dogs (native to Columbus, Ga became a number one item. I’m one year, we were able to expand. I had been approached by so many people about our success they were wanting a franchise of it. We contacted an attorney and gave birth to the franchise and sold the original store in the country and rented a building in downtown Columbus in February. Then COVID hit and we were faced with tons of stumbling blocks. We weren’t sure how we would ever get this location open. We get our health inspection this week and hope to open by the end of this month.
We’re now known for being the home to Milkshake Momma as we serve over the top milkshakes. We have lots of homemade food people can’t get enough of. Everything is fresh and made on site. Chicken salad, pimiento cheese, buffalo chicken, various panini sandwiches. It’s all country and pop art themed.
We are now proudly selling franchise again at these target locations
Downtown Atlanta Ga
Athens Ga
Lagrange,Ga
North Columbus, Ga
Auburn, Al
Orange beach, Al
Gulf shores
Tuscaloosa, Al
Birmingham, Al
Panama city beach,
Destin,Fl
Has it been a smooth road?
Covid has absolutely been the biggest challenge and set back.
Other than that, God has supplied our every need. He’s always made a way when we thought there was no way.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Southern Roots country store and cafe – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Customer service. It’s top priority. I feel our atmosphere is warm and welcoming and we never meet a stranger. Family’s actually step back from there busy lives and engage at the table.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
We love Atlanta. I worked in Atalanta for over ten years.
Traffic some days is the only setback.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1207 broadway
Columbus, Ga 31901 - Website: Www.southernrootscountrystore.com
- Phone: 706-507-2570
- Email: southernrootscountrystore@gmail.com
- Facebook: @southernrootscountrystoreandcafe
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.