Thursday, June 5, 2025–9:05 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission discussed the proliferation of convenience stores in Rome, but did not make any recommendations during their Thursday meeting.
Planning Director Brice Wood has been working on a list of suggestions regarding possible future action the planning commission might take.
The planning commission discussion followed talks during a recent Rome City Commission caucus, where it was noted that there are 70 convenience stores in the city limits that have coin-operated amusement machines. That is roughly one store for every 500 residents, while the national average is one per 2,200.
If you applied that average to Rome, there would only be 18 convenience stores.
“We are saturated as a city,” said planning commission member Charles Love. “A lot of the time, we don’t even know they are coming until they are built and open.”
Love would support limiting convenience stores or putting restrictions on them.
“Most locations I am familiar with have several police responses, because these places are open 24 hours a day and they have people who are just hanging out,” he said. “The property owner or store manager allows it because they go in and play the machines.”
“Most of the people here today have stated there is a concern, it’s definitely causing problems, and we need to look at it,” said planning commission chair Leanne Cook. “I, personally do not feel like I’ve had time to look at it. Although I do think Bruce has done an excellent job of reviewing these kinds of things.”