Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1184230
1 3 6 M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9 I've always been an artist, pretty much. Art major, art teacher before real estate. I am running into artists who are looking for space to work. If we could get together and get some big ol' building ... that would be fun. My work is more influenced by other artists ... and experimentation. I am just so into experimentation. I am loving what I am doing right now. Then I will switch to something else. But, there seems to be a constant thread, I think, through all, which is that sort of scribble ... and color. Color. Macon has embraced my art. People in Macon are buying my art. And, I've had several shows. But, I am wanting to expand outside of Macon, which I am doing. It 's gotta be the people who have kept me here ... and the history and the architecture. We like it. We like the size of Macon. I'm having people say, "I want a Joe Adams." Of course, I've had disappointments. You learn from all of that. That just helps make you what you are. Hopefully better for it. – Joe I would not have done the Blair Loft building if I didn't think we were really growing. We've been in business for 43 years. Now, all the fun, contemporary furniture with the great colors ... and with the loft apartments downtown, we're having a lot of people coming and buying the cool, contemporary furniture. So, it 's fun. Whew, boy. I never thought I would develop a building. It has been full. It 's been a great project. I'm very proud of it. I love all of my tenants. They're just top notch. I'm just proud that I had the wherewithal to do the project. I had some good people helping me along the way. We've been a fixture downtown since 1977 ... a fourth generation with our customers. We don't mark prices up ... we just have a following of customers. Oh gosh, this is the greatest place in Macon, Georgia, to live. The arts, entertainment, restaurants, river walk, biking. It 's great, great for the children ... you can get out. It 's a community down here. – Diana The Maconites tell our story. This project was originally funded by The Downtown Challenge Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia created to implement the Macon Action Plan through a series of grants to local businesses, nonprofits, individuals and government entities. To read the Macon Action Plan, visit MaconActionPlan.com. See full stories at: themaconites.com