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Threes the charm on old BK site hopefully
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       Three's the charm, or so we hope.
        Look for the third new concept to open soon in the former Fair Road location of Burger King (next to Popeye's). If you recall, when Burger King relocated to the adjacent corner several years ago, an all-you-can-eat buffet pizza/pasta restaurant opened.
        Let's just say, it didn't last long (honestly, I can't remember the name).
        Then we had Bojangles Chicken. They hung in there for a couple of years, but ultimately waved the white flag a few short months ago. Now, the property has been leased again, this time to a couple of restaurant entrepreneurs from Hinesville that are going to open a Michael's Deli and Seafood.
        "We think this is a great market and a great town, really laid back," said Kevin Hofken, one of the owners. "I have done well with my first Michael's location which is in Hinesville, and really wanted to open up a second. This just seemed like a great location."
According to its Web site, Michael's is known for its oven baked subs, jumbo salads, fresh fried mushrooms, and seafood dinners. Hofken said the menu boasts four different kinds of fish that can be prepared either broiled or fried.
        Originally founded in Waycross in 1982 by Jerry and Andrea Saunders as an offshoot of their grocery store, Michael's has grown to encompass 15 locations stretching from Folkston to Dublin, GA.
        "It is a very laid back atmosphere, sort of a tropical beach feel," Hofken said. "I think people will really enjoy the food, and it is priced very competitively."
        Hofken said the restaurant will be open seven days a week, and will not have a drive-thru window. It is considered a "fast casual" format with most meals being delivered in eight to twelve minutes after ordering.
        Hofken said he and his partner hope to have Michael's open by April 1. "We are working as hard as we can to get ready. That is the date we are shooting for, and it looks like we will be able to do that."
        To learn more about Michael's, visit their website at www.michaelsdeliusa.com.
        Hofken's partner in the Statesboro venture is Kevin Kearney. That's right, Kevin and Kevin.

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Stephanie Moody joins staff at Farmers & Merchants
Stephanie Moody Web
Stephanie Moody

               Stephanie P. Moody, most recently a vice president at State Bank & Trust, has joined the staff of Farmers & Merchants Bank in Statesboro.
        A career community banker, Moody "started off with a part-time bank job in college and just stuck with it," she said.
During the past 25 years, she has held bank officer positions with diverse responsibilities in and around Bulloch County.
        As assistant vice president and operations officer, Moody's responsibilities at FMB include cash management and remote deposits, along with supporting Bank Secrecy Act compliance.
        Moody said she "gravitates toward the operations" she's assigned to at FMB.
        "Having worked for several years in the banking industry, I look forward to bringing my experience to FMB and making a real difference in the overall customer experience," she said.
        A resident of Brooklet, she enjoys helping her neighbors with their banking needs and is proud to be working in a Bulloch County community bank.
        Moody is a graduate of Long County High School and also attended Georgia Southern University.
        She and her husband Eric have two daughters who attend Brooklet Elementary School and Southeast Bulloch High School.
        Founded 68 years ago, FMB is now Bulloch County's only locally owned and managed bank. It offers a full range of consumer and business deposit and credit services.
        FMB services are fully available online, and the institution maintains three ATMs, two full-time branch locations in Statesboro and another in Brooklet.

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