Who have we worked with?
Diane Jackson
Lady D Fashions
Lights, camera, fashion! Lady D Fashions is a local fashion design company owned by Diane Jackson. In 2017, Diane, who has 25 years of design, sewing, and alterations experience, was ready to branch out independently and open a business. She came to NewTown and received a loan to buy the sewing equipment required to start up Lady D Fashions. Then, in 2022, Diane returned to NewTown for another loan to improve her public relations and marketing. We quickly processed this loan for Diane, and she was able to update her website, host a fashion show, and complete a new photoshoot for her portfolio in just a few months! NewTown Macon is committed to helping entrepreneurs like Diane turn their dreams into reality. Diane's vision for expanding her business and track record for producing beautiful designs led NewTown to work with her on financing and expanding her business venture. NewTown works closely with women, people of color, young people, and other groups who have been under-served in the past to ensure all Maconites have fair opportunities to build wealth for themselves and their families. Do you know someone interested in opening a business in downtown Macon but needs help financing their project or guidance on where to get started? We are ready to help.
Renee Tu & Jonathan Williams
Hello Boba Cafe
Renee Tu and Jonathan Williams opened downtown Macon’s first bubble tea cafe in the spring of 2022, just in time for the International Cherry Blossom Festival. NewTown’s expert understanding of the downtown market, paired with accessible financing, inspired the couple to approach NewTown about a loan to help with building out their storefront at 359 Third Street and purchasing inventory. Jonathan was already familiar with NewTown and its financing and training programs, thanks to his participation in our Developer’s Academy. After his wife Renee successfully tested the boba tea concept at the Mulberry Market in Tattnall Square Park, the couple started working with NewTown to bring their start-up business to life. Renee and Jonathan brought valuable experience and insight to their fledgling business and understood the market potential of their product, making them viable borrowers. Hello Boba Cafe has quickly become a downtown staple by offering boba tea, lemonades, and Asian snacks and regularly hosting anime-themed events and cosplay nights.
Nate and Kaitlynn Kressin
Fall Line Brewing Co.
Investing in local entrepreneurs and developers is at the heart of NewTown’s work. Maconites are our priority, first, second, always. Serial entrepreneurs Nate and Kaitlynn Kressin have poured their heart and souls into downtown Macon since they graduated from Mercer University. The couple cultivated downtown’s craft beer scene by opening Just Tap’d, a bottle shop and casual pint cafe. Rather than opening a second business elsewhere, they chose to open their second business venture, Ocmulgee Brewpub, just one street away from Just Tap’d.
Having managed the two downtown businesses successfully for several years, Nate and Kaitlynn started to look for their next opportunity. The couple found it when they purchased 567 Plum Street, a massive 20,000 square foot structure on the edge of downtown’s core. NewTown Macon provided a commercial loan to help the Kressins purchase their first downtown property and undertake the ambitious rehabilitation project.
The Kressins renovated the structure, creating a 6,000 square foot brewery complete with a 15-barrel brewhouse system, 14,000 square foot event venue, and spacious beer garden. Fall Line Brewing Co. opened on March 10, three days before the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NewTown Macon worked with the Kressins to ensure the project would be successful and provided coaching and payment relief throughout the pandemic. Fall Line Brewing Co. remained open and now distributes their beer to 500+ retailers across the state, remains booked up for weddings and special events, and was voted best brewery in the state of Georgia in 2022.
Anissa Jones and Deon Aiken
415 Cherry Street
Downtown Macon has become a vibrant destination and outside developers are starting to take notice of downtown’s investment potential. To ensure locally-owned and family-operated businesses are not displaced by the success of our revitalization efforts, NewTown is working to convert renting entrepreneurs into real estate developers. In the past year, we financed four loans to accomplish our goal of moving renters into ownership positions. One of those loans helped local chiropractor and entrepreneur, Dr. Anissa Jones and her husband, Deon Aiken, purchase and rehab a vacant downtown building. Dr. Jones has been actively involved in the revitalization of downtown Macon for years. In addition to renting and living in a downtown loft, Dr. Jones also leased two downtown storefronts to house her successful chiropractic firm and women's clothing boutique. Dr. Jones was "all in" but paying rent for three separate spaces, limiting her ability to build equity in her businesses and residence. NewTown Macon worked with Dr. Jones to locate and purchase a downtown building that could function as a live-work space so that she could continue to enjoy loft living, keep her businesses in the downtown district, and invest in real estate. NewTown provided financing for the extensive rehabilitation and provided coaching on the project. Dr. Jones and Mr. Aiken also participated in NewTown's Developer's Academy to learn the ins and outs of rehabilitating historic downtown buildings and how to make them cash flow. In the fall of 2022, Dr. Jones and Mr. Aiken completed the rehabilitation of the stunning building on Cherry Street, creating a spacious and luxurious loft on the second floor and two storefronts on the street level. Dr. Jones has moved her chiropractic firm to one of the storefronts with plans to lease the other storefront. When asked about her experience of working with NewTown, Dr. Jones and Mr. Aiken said: "We are excited to partner with NewTown to restore one of Macon's valued treasures back to its original glory. Working with NewTown is not exclusive or elusive. You just have to be intentional and take the first step.”
William Dantzler & William Rutledge | Fresh Produce Records
Downtown Macon has become a vibrant destination and outside developers are starting to take notice of downtown’s investment potential. To ensure locally-owned and family-operated businesses are not displaced by the success of our revitalization efforts, NewTown is working to convert renting entrepreneurs into real estate developers. In the past year, we financed four loans to accomplish our goal of moving renters into ownership positions. One of those loans helped Fresh Produce Records purchase a commercial condominium and move from their MLK Jr. Blvd. storefront into the heart of downtown on Cherry Street.
William Dantzler and William Rutledge, co-owners of Fresh Produce Records, began selling vintage vinyl before it was cool. Their consistent presence on MLK welcomed music lovers making pilgrimages to Macon and locals alike, helping them build a loyal following before they started to sell their inventory online. Capitalizing on the growing demand for vinyl, they needed more space for their exploding inventory. Fresh Produce worked with NewTown Loans to find a new location, sharpen their business accounting skills, and purchase their first property. The business is benefitting from their central location and larger storefront, and, as owners of their storefront, they know they will have a presence on Cherry Street for a long time to come.
Brandon Lawler
425 Cherry Street
Brandon Lawler, the “B” of JBA, began his successful bar and music venue on the corner of MLK Jr. Blvd. and Poplar Street in 2019. After a few years of slinging some of the best-priced cocktails in town and providing local musicians a platform to perform, JBA soon outgrew its 900 sq ft space, with crowds often spilling onto the sidewalk. In 2021, Brandon had the opportunity to purchase 425 Cherry Street, a move that would triple his space allowing for more live music and entertainment. Brandon approached NewTown about financing to purchase and rehab the massive building. NewTown awarded Brandon a loan, wanting to support one of downtown’s successful nightlife venues grow and also help a renting entrepreneur become a first-time property owner. In March 2023, JBA opened its doors on Cherry Street. The new space is 6000 sq ft and contains three areas for entertainment –a lounge with a sophisticated flair in the front, a stage and open floor for live performances in the middle, and a laid-back pool hall with darts in the back.