A ground breaking ceremony was held recently for the new Southern Roost Restaurant.
Construction has already begun on the new eatery which will be constructed on U.S. Highway 84 in front of Piggly Wiggly.
Southern Roost is part of the Concept 99 Group, owners of Jerry J’s and Hog-N-Bones restaurants.
James Weathersby, owner of the new restaurant, said the groundbreaking has been a long time coming.
“We’ve had a sign on the highway that says ‘hatching soon.’ Someone asked me the other day if the egg was ever going to hatch. Well, I am proud to say that day has finally arrived,” he quipped.
A group of about 35 Weathersby family members, Jerry J’s and Hog-N-Bones associates, chamber of commerce, Better Hometown, economic development representatives and well-wishers attended the ceremony.
The Weathersby family used the traditional golden shovels to do the ceremonial groundbreaking.
Weathersby says the main ingredient of the new restaurant will be chicken.
He said it was important to him, as the restaurant’s owner, for the flagship store to be launched in Blackshear, his hometown.
First “hatched” in 2018, Weathersby says he, his family and the corporate team at Concept 99 Group saw the opportunity to start a new concept featuring the same great breakfast found at Jerry J’s or Hog-n-Bones, with a simple lunch and supper menu that would appeal to all ages.
Once Southern Roost opens, the Jerry J’s located in the Cotton Exchange in Blackshear will be closing.
While expressing sadness at that occurrence, Weathersby says he is certain the new Southern Roost will more than fill the void.
Weathersby says the team set out to find “the perfect chicken” and combine it with a comfortable atmosphere and a family-friendly menu.
“We have developed our own special recipe of marinated fingers and chicken filets that will be hand-breaded in our unique proprietary breader. As far as sauces go, we have a few “house” sauces you can only find at Southern Roost, as well as sauces you already know and love,” Weathersby says.
He says his most important desire is to serve quality over quantity with exceptional customer service.
Jerry J’s, owned by James’ father, Jerry Weathersby, opened its first location in 1985.
Concept 99 Group, the parent company of Jerry J’s, Hog-N-Bones and now Southern Roost, features 10 locations throughout the area.
