DAHLONEGA, Ga. – A new franchise that is expected to open on East Main Street in September was the focus of a lengthy discussion and some controversy at the Dahlonega City Council meeting Monday evening.

Some local business owners along with the Downtown Business Association and Downtown Development Authority believe Main Street is no place for a franchise like The Spice and Tea Exchange.

John Clower, president of the Downtown Business Association, addressed council during the public comments portion of the meeting to say, “I encourage council to consider ways to mitigate franchise businesses from coming into down town.”

Clower said his association is not opposed to the Tea and Spice Exchange, but, “There is concern about what this means for the character of our city.”

Tina Lucas, proprietor of The Cool Collective, located at 84 Public Square North, said it is hard enough to be a mom and pop (business) without having to compete with corporate run businesses and the unique properties and characteristics of these shops.”

Councilman Mitchell Ridley said, “We do not have anything in place that stops businesses from opening here. I’m not advocating for franchises. I’m just saying, how do you process it that you can’t have a franchise.”

Mayor Sam Norton said there are some things on the books that have somewhat deterred franchises in the past. “Parking ordinances somewhat deter franchises,” he said. “The historic district is sometimes a bar too high for franchises and our sign ordinances. Most franchises won’t conform to our sign ordinances. A combination of those three things and a willing landlord that values small city values have been successful in the past.”

Norton added that sometimes the landlord is the controlling factor.

Tony Owens, chairman of the Downtown Development Authority said, “I don’t know that we can make ordinances that stop businesses from happening. I think Sam (Norton) nailed it when he said we have to work on the sign ordinances and other ordinances that will limit the interest of these franchises.”

Norton agreed to place the issue on a future work session agenda and to make it a high priority.

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