What do Macon Redditors think our community is missing?

The Macon Melody asked folks on the county’s subreddit what they think Macon is missing. Answers ranged from beloved big-box chains and restaurants to local legislation and education reform. 

Here are some of the most notable suggestions out of over 100 comments.

Food and restaurants

As far as chains go, commenters wished for Rita’s Italian Ice, Del Taco and Shoney’s. Macon is no longer home to any Sonic locations, but one person said they want it back.

Folks otherwise wished for some restaurant to fill a gap of certain foods. International cuisines were a common ask — but Asian foods came out on top. Commenters specifically mentioned wanting more bubble tea and ramen options. 

“Kinda small but I would love a good ramen spot,” someone wrote. “We have a couple pho places but I’d love to have a ramen place closer than Atlanta.”

One user says they wish there were more options for quick and healthy restaurants.

Downtown Macon doesn’t offer a large array of restaurants, in the opinion of another commenter, and they’d like to see that change. 

“Downtown needs more variety and more reasons to come down here,” one person commented. “We need good Italian, Mexican, Asian, etc. I think a late night food spot for the bar people would kill but simple foods only.”

New restaurant desires also extended to suggestions for local policy change. A commenter said they think there should be “some relaxation on permits and requirements for running food trucks downtown so people can actually do it legally (not to make it a free for all, but as it stands it’s pretty impossible).”

Retail chains

Restaurants aren’t the only thing locals are yearning for. Among the local chains that were mentioned were Costco and Whole Foods. 

Some other suggestions are likely something that locals have heard before: Target and Trader Joe’s. 

Macon was home to a Target at one point, but it closed in 2017, and the building was demolished in 2023. While many folks have talked about wanting it back, the company has given no indication they intend to open another store in the area. For now, Maconites will have to continue to make the trek to Warner Robins for their Target runs.

One commenter mentioned that “impoverished areas” currently have a lack of grocery stores. 

“Food deserts” are a well-documented problem that many low-income communities across the country face. Mercer University’s Rural Health Innovation Center wrote in 2020 that the closure of a Kroger supermarket on Pio Nono Avenue created “a food desert directly in the center of the city of Macon.”

“Yes, there are still grocery stores open in Macon. However, with a lack of adequate public transportation, for many people in this area, the only alternative for grocery shopping is convenience stores,” their website reads. “This creates both a financial strain, as convenience store prices are typically higher than what a consumer would pay at a traditional grocery store, as well as product limitations since grocery stores tend to offer a broader range of products.”

Infrastructure, government and education

Macon Redditors expressed a need for more walkable areas and parks as well as improved sidewalks and public transportation.

“I would love to walk places for convenience,” someone wrote. “Lots of people don’t have access to a car and the bus system leaves much to be desired, and we have an inordinate amount of pedestrian deaths every year.”

In addition to more parks, one user said they wish there were more trees around the city to help alleviate heat. 

“There are too many parking lot deserts,” they commented. “It makes the heat unbearable with the sun reflecting on the asphalt. [I] wish more businesses and homes [would] start to plant more trees and greenery.”

Affordable housing and homeless shelters were also mentioned by a few folks – especially considering this summer’s extreme heat. 

“A lot of folks look at you with disdain so then you feel embarrassed to even need shelter,” one person said. “I speak from experience.”

Some organizations such as United to End Homelessness, Macon-Bibb County and Macon Homeless Coalition partnered to expand hydration and cooling stations in the community, 13WMAZ reported earlier this month. This summer, there are 11 cooling centers and four double as hydration stations.

Bibb’s education system received a few mentions. A commenter wished for “a public education system that wasn’t disrupted by segregation.”

Entertainment and nightlife

By far, the most mentioned category of what Macon needs was entertainment – from family-friendly activities to adult nightlife. 

Suggestions ranged from a comedy club and a gay bar to an indoor skatepark and new movie theater. 

“The bar/nightlife scene leaves much to be desired unless you’re downtown,” said one comment. “We used to frequent JBA, and I don’t dislike their new location but it doesn’t have the same charm as it did when it was on Poplar.”

Macon is known for its rich musical history, but some said it could use more variety. 

“[We need] a punk scene. The metal scene is making a comeback,” someone said. “There’s even a Ska show coming up, but no punk shows.”

Venues don’t make it easy for a variety of bands and musicians to book gigs, a commenter said.

“We need a venue that’s all ages,” they said. “I run a booking company for metal, and rock bands. We have [a] bunch of younger bands eager to play shows but no venue that does all ages without charging the promoter crazy prices to rent their venue.”

One commenter noted that Macon used to have a water park. Dublin and Statesboro both have water parks, but another says Macon needs “something closer and more affordable… Whether that’s Houston County or Bibb.”

The user noted that while there is a water park in Warner Robins — Rigby’s Water World — they think it’s too expensive.

Community

Some suggestions were less tangible than others. 

“Not sure the best way to describe it, but a better sense of community — and care for the community. More help needs to come to the more impoverished areas outside of the downtown area,” a user commented.

That commenter threw out a few ideas: community gardens, little libraries, restoring dilapidated homes, cleanup of abandoned properties and encouraging more businesses so people can avoid “having to drive all the way to Zebulon and Riverside to go shopping.”

One person says that is just the kind of attitude that Macon is missing.

“Macon is missing people with fresh ideas that change Macon’s scene,” the user said. “Macon feels stagnant.”