william walton-dean
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April 9, 2026
What’s Coming to Perry, GA in 2026: Kroger Marketplace, Muse Theatre, Left at the Pig, and Everything Else Changing This City
By William Walton-Dean | Walton Dean Realty Published April 2026 | Updated with latest development details from City of Perry and local sources Key Takeaways — Perry, GA Development Update 2026 $36 million Kroger Marketplace broke ground Feb 25, 2026 at 316 Perry Parkway — 118,000 sq ft replacing the Sam Nunn store, opening spring 2027 The Muse Theatre expansion on Ball Street is in the historic preservation approval process — five micro-restaurants, rooftop bar, LED screens, outdoor stages Left at the Pig Brewing is under construction on Jernigan Street — craft brewery and event venue Ciao Bella Market — Italian deli, espresso, and market opened Nov 2025 at the Chalet Lofts on Northside Drive Fuego Fresco — Mexican restaurant also open at the Chalet Lofts The Chalet Lofts added 12 apartments above downtown retail — another 36-unit loft project is next Perry Parkway corridor already has KidStrong, Holy Pie Pizzeria, Pilates studio, Waffle House open — with Surcheros, Meridian Craft Kitchen, Olive & Ivy Wellness, and a nail salon permitting Dual-branded Marriott hotel (TownePlace Suites + Fairfield Inn) coming to the Georgia National Fairgrounds Over 3,300 new homes planned in northeast Perry, driving all of this commercial investment According to William Walton-Dean of Walton Dean Realty, who tracks development and real estate trends across Houston County, “Perry is in the middle of the most significant development cycle in the city’s recent history. It’s not one project — it’s two entire corridors transforming at the same time. If you own property near either one, pay attention.” If you haven’t been paying attention to Perry, Georgia lately, you’re missing one of the most significant development cycles in Middle Georgia. Two corridors are transforming simultaneously. Perry Parkway to the northeast — where a $36 million Kroger Marketplace just broke ground and restaurants and retail are filling in around it. And downtown Perry — where a brewery is going up, the Muse Theatre is expanding, an Italian market just opened, and the city is building on a charm that most places around here don’t have. The City of Perry itself put it clearly: “The recent surge isn’t random; it’s tied to steady residential building and the spending power of new households. More people means stronger demand for dining, services, hospitality, and financial options.” Here’s everything that’s happening — and what it means if you own property here or you’re thinking about buying. Perry Parkway: The Northeast Corridor Perry Parkway is where the big-ticket commercial investment is landing. This corridor at Houston Lake Road has become the city’s active frontier. Kroger Marketplace — 316 Perry Parkway Detail Kroger Marketplace Address 316 Perry Parkway at Houston Lake Road Investment $36 million Size 118,000 square feet Broke Ground February 25, 2026 Expected Opening Spring 2027 Replaces Current Kroger on Sam Nunn Blvd (staying open until new store opens) Features Full grocery, pharmacy with drive-thru, sushi bar, household/baby/toy/apparel departments, fuel center, online ordering & grocery pickup This is double the size of the current store. It stops feeling like a grocery store when you realize they’re putting in clothing, home goods, toys, and electronics on top of the full grocery and pharmacy departments. Kroger’s Atlanta Division president Monica Garnes called it “not just a financial investment — it is an investment in the people of Perry.” The Sam Nunn Kroger will remain open until the new store is complete. No decision has been publicly announced about what will happen to the Sam Nunn building after the move. What Else Is Already Open or Permitting on Perry Parkway The Kroger is the anchor, but it’s far from the only thing happening on this corridor. Here’s what’s already open or in the permitting pipeline: Already Open: KidStrong — children’s fitness and development center Pilates studio Waffle House Holy Pie Pizzeria — at the new convenience center Permits Moving / Coming Soon: Surcheros Fresh Mex Meridian Craft Kitchen Olive & Ivy Wellness Nail salon Dunkin’ Additional restaurant and retail pads around the Kroger site That part of Perry Parkway is going to be unrecognizable in a year or two. And all of it is being driven by the same thing: over 3,300 new homes planned in northeast Perry. That kind of residential growth is exactly what attracts this level of commercial investment. Dual-Branded Marriott at the Georgia National Fairgrounds A dual-branded Marriott hotel — split between TownePlace Suites and Fairfield Inn — is coming to the Georgia National Fairgrounds. The project includes a restaurant, a beer garden, and amenities designed for both event traffic and family travel. This is significant because it adds overnight capacity and a dining destination tied to one of Perry’s biggest economic anchors. Downtown Perry: The Walkable District While Perry Parkway is about scale and retail infrastructure, downtown Perry is about something different: a walkable, charming district that keeps adding reasons to be there. The Muse Theatre Expansion — Ball Street A rooftop bar in downtown Perry. Five restaurants in one building. Sound too good to be true? Back in 2023, the owners of the Muse Theatre on Ball Street — including part-owner Chad Bryant and Marty McLeod — announced the vision: take the historic 1950s venue and build out five walk-up micro-restaurants along Ball Street and Commerce Street, with a rooftop bar overlooking downtown, outdoor LED screens, a rooftop tot-lot, and ground-level and rooftop stages. Then it went quiet. As of March 2026, the project is going through historic preservation approvals. Permits are being filed. Site prep is underway. What’s planned: • Five walk-up micro-restaurants — kitchen-only concepts, diverse food styles • Rooftop bar overlooking downtown Perry • Large outdoor LED screen • Rooftop tot-lot for families • Ground level and rooftop stage for live music and events • Estimated budget: $750K–$1 million • Construction timeline: 8–9 months once final approvals are in The expansion is designed with similar aesthetics to the original building — the 2,500 sq ft ballroom with its 24-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, and crystal chandeliers that have made the Muse one of Perry’s most in-demand event venues since reopening in 2021. The City of Perry was already recognized with an International Economic Development Council Silver Award for supporting the Muse’s original revitalization. Left at the Pig Brewing — Jernigan Street A craft brewery and event venue is under construction on Jernigan Street in downtown Perry. Left at the Pig is adding craft culture and a gathering space to a downtown that’s increasingly becoming a place where you park once and spend the evening. The City of Perry describes it as “adding craft culture and gathering space” to the downtown mix. Expected opening: late 2026. Ciao Bella Market — 1009 Northside Drive, Suite 102 (The Chalet Lofts) Already open. Ciao Bella Market is a specialty Italian deli and market run by Telisa and Daniele Asaro (Daniele is Sicilian) in the ground floor of the Chalet Lofts building. What you’ll find: imported Italian wines, artisanal cheeses, pastas, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, espresso, panini, pastries, and gourmet gifts. They also host pasta-making classes with an Italian-trained chef, tastings, and community events. Their sandwiches sold out in under two hours on opening weekend. The Asaros wanted Ciao Bella to feel like stepping into an Italian piazza — right in the middle of downtown Perry. This is the kind of small, independent, experience-driven business that gives a downtown district personality. And it’s already a draw. Fuego Fresco — The Chalet Lofts Already open. Fuego Fresco is a Mexican restaurant also located on the ground floor of the Chalet Lofts, adding another dining option to the downtown mix. The Chalet Lofts — Downtown Residential The Chalet Lofts building added 12 apartments above ground-floor retail — including Ciao Bella and Fuego Fresco. This is the live-above-shop model that keeps a downtown alive after business hours. And it’s not stopping at 12 units. The City of Perry has confirmed that another 36-apartment loft project is next, backed by a housing study showing demand for downtown residential living near amenities. 48 total apartments above downtown retail. That’s not just a building — that’s a neighborhood forming. The Pattern: Why Perry Is Getting This Right What’s happening in Perry isn’t one big project. It’s a collection of investments building on each other. The City of Perry’s own analysis describes it clearly: population growth drives household spending, which attracts commercial operators who study traffic, rooftops, and revenue before they invest. Each new arrival — from Kroger to Ciao Bella to Left at the Pig — signals confidence and makes the next investment more likely. Downtown Perry already has something most cities around here don’t — a place people actually want to walk around in. And what’s happening now doesn’t replace that charm. It just gives you more reasons to be there. Perry, GA Development Tracker | 2026 Update note for VA: This tracker should be updated as projects progress. Refresh quarterly for search freshness. Perry Parkway Corridor Development Status (Spring 2026) Expected Completion Kroger Marketplace (316 Perry Pkwy) Broke ground Feb 2026 Spring 2027 KidStrong Open Complete Pilates studio Open Complete Waffle House Open Complete Holy Pie Pizzeria Open Complete Surcheros Fresh Mex Permitting TBD Meridian Craft Kitchen Permitting TBD Olive & Ivy Wellness Permitting TBD Dunkin’ Planned TBD Nail salon Permitting TBD Downtown Perry Development Status (Spring 2026) Expected Completion Muse Theatre Expansion (Ball/Commerce St) Permitting / site prep 8–9 months after approval Left at the Pig Brewing (Jernigan St) Under construction Late 2026 Ciao Bella Market (1009 Northside Dr) Open Complete Fuego Fresco (Chalet Lofts) Open Complete Chalet Lofts (12 apartments) Open Complete New 36-Unit Loft Project Planned TBD Citywide Development Status (Spring 2026) Expected Completion Marriott Hotel at Fairgrounds Planned TBD 3,300+ New Homes (NE Perry) Various stages Ongoing What This Means for Perry Real Estate If You Own Near Perry Parkway / Northeast Perry A $36 million Kroger Marketplace surrounded by restaurants and retail doesn’t just change convenience — it changes property values. When commercial infrastructure follows residential growth at this scale, it signals to the broader market that a corridor has arrived. If you own a home anywhere near that corridor, that’s a good thing for your property value. The 3,300+ new homes being planned will continue driving demand for services, schools, and infrastructure — all of which support long-term appreciation. If You Own In or Near Downtown Perry A brewery, five new restaurants, a rooftop bar, an Italian market with pasta-making classes, a Mexican restaurant, 48 apartments, and a growing evening economy — that’s not just charm. That’s a downtown district becoming a destination. When a walkable district reaches critical mass — when people drive there specifically to spend an evening — the neighborhoods around it benefit. Property values in and near thriving downtown districts tend to appreciate faster than areas without that amenity. If You’re Thinking About Buying in Perry What’s happening across both corridors is part of a bigger picture of why people keep choosing this city. You’re not just buying a home — you’re buying into a city that’s growing commercially, culturally, and in lifestyle infrastructure simultaneously. Perry’s median sold price was $296K in March 2026 with 42 homes selling in an average of 32 days. For the latest market data, see the Perry GA Housing Market Update for March 2026. Internal link: Perry March 2026 market update blog Frequently Asked Questions About Perry, GA Development Q: When is the new Kroger in Perry GA opening? A: The new Kroger Marketplace at 316 Perry Parkway broke ground February 25, 2026. It is expected to open by spring 2027. The current Kroger on Sam Nunn Boulevard will remain open until the new location is complete. Q: How big is the new Kroger Marketplace in Perry? A: 118,000 square feet — roughly double the current Sam Nunn store. It represents a $36 million investment by Kroger and will include grocery, pharmacy with drive-thru, sushi, clothing, home goods, toys, electronics, and a fuel center. Q: What happened to the Kroger on Sam Nunn in Perry? A: The Sam Nunn Kroger will remain open until the new Kroger Marketplace on Perry Parkway is complete (expected spring 2027). The new store replaces it. No public announcement has been made about the future of the Sam Nunn building. Q: Is the Muse Theatre expansion actually happening? A: Yes. As of March 2026, the expansion is going through historic preservation approvals, permits are being filed, and site prep is underway. The project adds five micro-restaurants, a rooftop bar, LED screens, and outdoor stages to the existing venue on Ball Street. Q: What is Ciao Bella Market in Perry GA? A: Ciao Bella Market is an Italian deli, espresso bar, and specialty market at 1009 Northside Drive, Suite 102, in the Chalet Lofts building in downtown Perry. Owned by Telisa and Daniele Asaro, it offers imported Italian goods, panini, pastries, espresso, and hosts pasta-making classes. It opened November 14, 2025. Q: What is Left at the Pig Brewing in Perry GA? A: Left at the Pig is a craft brewery and event venue under construction on Jernigan Street in downtown Perry. It is expected to open in late 2026. Q: What restaurants are coming to Perry GA in 2026? A: Multiple restaurants are in various stages: the Muse Theatre expansion will add five micro-restaurants downtown, Surcheros Fresh Mex and Meridian Craft Kitchen are permitting on Perry Parkway, Dunkin’ is planned for the Perry Parkway corridor, and Left at the Pig Brewing opens late 2026 on Jernigan Street. Ciao Bella Market and Fuego Fresco are already open downtown. Q: Is there a rooftop bar coming to Perry GA? A: Yes. The Muse Theatre expansion on Ball Street includes a rooftop bar overlooking downtown Perry. The project is in the permitting and site prep phase as of spring 2026. Q: What is being built on Perry Parkway? A: The 118,000 sq ft Kroger Marketplace is the anchor, with Surcheros, Meridian Craft Kitchen, Olive & Ivy Wellness, Dunkin’, and a nail salon in the permitting pipeline. KidStrong, Holy Pie Pizzeria, a Pilates studio, and Waffle House are already open on the corridor. Q: What are the Chalet Lofts in Perry GA? A: The Chalet Lofts are a mixed-use building in downtown Perry with 12 apartments above ground-floor retail including Ciao Bella Market and Fuego Fresco. A second loft project with 36 additional apartments is planned, bringing the total to 48 downtown residential units. Q: How many new homes are being built in Perry GA? A: Over 3,300 new homes are planned in the northeast Perry corridor. This residential growth is driving the commercial development along Perry Parkway and contributing to the city’s overall expansion. Q: Will these developments affect home values in Perry GA? A: Commercial development of this scale typically has a positive impact on nearby property values over time. A $36 million Kroger Marketplace, a revitalizing downtown with restaurants, brewing, and residential lofts, plus 3,300+ planned homes signal sustained growth that tends to support long-term appreciation. Q: What is the Muse Theatre in Perry GA? A: The Muse Theatre at 806 Commerce Street in downtown Perry originally opened as a movie theater in 1950. It closed in the early 1980s, was used as storage and an antique mall for decades, and was fully renovated and reopened in 2021 as a premier event venue with 24-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, and crystal chandeliers. The expansion currently in permitting will add restaurants, a rooftop bar, and entertainment. Q: Is there a hotel coming to Perry GA? A: Yes. A dual-branded Marriott hotel — TownePlace Suites and Fairfield Inn — is planned at the Georgia National Fairgrounds, with a restaurant, beer garden, and amenities for event and family travel. About the Author William Walton-Dean is a real estate professional serving buyers and sellers across Perry, Warner Robins, Bonaire, Kathleen, Byron, and the broader Houston County housing market. Through detailed market analysis and hyper-local insight, he helps clients navigate Middle Georgia real estate with clarity and confidence while staying informed about the developments that shape these communities. 📱 478-371-7069 Walton Dean Realty | Century 21 Homes and Investments Thinking About Perry? If you’re looking at Perry and want to know what’s happening in the areas that are growing — and what that means for property values — I’m here to help. William Walton-Dean | Walton Dean Realty 📱 478-371-7069 📧 [email protected] Your dreams. Our dedication. A luxury experience tailored for you.
