Change is coming to some of the most familiar corners of Floyd and Chattooga counties as several longtime businesses prepare to close, signaling the end of routines that have been part of the community for years.
On Turner McCall Boulevard in Rome, Petland Rome, a pet shop that has served local animal lovers for decades, has announced that it will soon close its doors for a final time.
Petland, located at 1600 Turner McCall, announced through social media that it will shut down permanently on Feb. 1, 2026. In its message, the business thanked customers for years of loyalty and support, calling the decision difficult and emotional. The store plans to operate on limited hours until closing day and will offer discounts on select merchandise as a final thank-you to the community.
In Chattooga County, another well-known name is preparing to say goodbye. The Crushed Tomato in Summerville will close Jan. 31, ending months of speculation tied to upcoming road construction.
The family-owned restaurant confirmed that the state has purchased the property for a planned transportation project, leaving little choice for the brick oven pizzeria. While the Summerville restaurant will shut down, The Crushed Tomato’s Lafayette location will remain open.
As familiar businesses close, new development continues elsewhere in Floyd County.
In December, building permits valued at approximately $900,000 were issued to renovate the former La Parrilla Mexican restaurant in the Publix shopping center into a First Watch restaurant, which will serve breakfast, brunch, and lunch. The 5,700-square-foot space, located at Turner McCall Boulevard and Fifth Avenue, has been vacant since La Parrilla closed in February 2024.
This marks the second round of permits tied to the project since plans for a Rome First Watch location first surfaced last summer. Despite the permits, the building’s exterior remained largely unchanged as of early this week, with leasing signs still visible in the windows.
Together, the closures and new projects reflect a period of transition for the region — one that blends the loss of longtime favorites with the promise of new businesses on the horizon.
