Metropolis opens at new location

May 24—"We mark a new chapter in Metropolis history, and it begins today."

Those words spoken Thursday by Metropolis owner Deepak Kumar marked the Greek-Mediterranean restaurant's grand opening at 111 N. Wayne St. The ribbon-cutting event was held in front of a large crowd that included Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, state Sen. Rick Williams, Baldwin County District 4 Commissioner Henry Craig, Milledgeville District 3 Alderman Walter Reynolds and community members.

Originally opened in 2009, Metropolis until last Sunday was just across the street at 138 N. Wayne St. A relocation has been in the works for over three years.

Kumar told the newspaper the planning and building process has been stressful, but he's excited to now see the restaurant begin serving in its new location.

"I would say that it's worth it," he said. "The old Metropolis location was a good one, but I think it was time to expand [in space] and expand the menu."

The former location was a narrow 2,500 square feet with a patio out back. New Metropolis is more open at 3,800 square feet with a hostess stand to the left upon entering the front door, a bar to the right, and both table and booth seating throughout the dining room floor. The color scheme is mainly black and white with greenery spaced around. Once the Greek-Mediterranean menu items reach the tables, they add some color to the dining room as well.

Besides adding space, the option to create more outdoor seating was another reason Kumar wanted to make the move. A small building was demolished between the new Metropolis and the Masonic Lodge to make way for the future outdoor space. The restaurant and lodge co-own the new alley that has been created. The lodge is currently constructing an elevator and stairwell for access to its building. Kumar said it will be a couple of months before that work is complete and Metropolis can begin seating guests outdoors.

"Once they're done we can add our furniture out there," said Kumar.

Plans to renovate the upstairs portion of the new Metropolis space are further down the pipeline, the restaurant owner said.

Developer Mike Couch emceed the formal grand opening ceremony held inside the restaurant after the ribbon was cut out front. He said the project was made possible thanks to Georgia's historic preservation tax credit program administered through the Department of Community Affairs. According to the DCA website, a historic rehabilitation project may receive 25% in tax credits if the property is listed in, or eligible for, the National/Georgia Register of Historic Places or is part of a historic district. Projects must also meet other criteria and standards in order to obtain tax credit.

Lt. Gov. Jones attended the event Thursday at Couch's invitation. Jones, the former state senator for the district that includes Milledgeville and Baldwin County, told the newspaper he doesn't often attend restaurant grand openings.

"But Milledgeville's always been good to me, and I'm glad to see downtown development," Jones said. "When I was serving as the senator down here there was always a lot of opportunity. People get excited about things like this here. Just good friends who have been good to me, I told them I would come down and be a part of this."

Sen. Williams, whose work in the senate was praised by the lieutenant governor, shared a few words during the formal ceremony, saying the Metropolis project was good news for the community.

"To see this happening is just proof that the reinvestment into Milledgeville is truly alive and great," Williams said.

Attendees at the invite-only ribbon cutting were served lunch afterward.

The restaurant opened to the public with its regular 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. hours Friday.