Bainbridge residents were recently thrilled upon hearing the news of the new manufacturing plant, Taurus USA, opening. Residents now have a reason to double their excitement with the announcement of two new businesses moving within the year.

Pretty Girlz Boutique and Diablo’s Southwest Grill have announced their intentions to open up a location in Bainbridge and expand the shopping and dining options.

Pretty Girlz Boutique currently has a location in Blountstown, Florida. Owner, Emily Mitchell said the boutique often has customers stop in from Bainbridge on their way to Mexico Beach or Port St. Joe and tell her they wish she would open a store in Bainbridge. Mitchell’s mother-in-law lives in Bainbridge, so she was familiar with the area, and has since fallen in love with it, she said.

Whenever Mitchell visited, she frequented Bella’s Boutique and would speak with owner, Randee Eubanks about the building. Mitchell hoped to redo a gas station of her own and turn it into a boutique in Blountstown. However, when Mitchell heard Eubanks had her old building up for sale, she had to buy it.

Mitchell explains Pretty Girlz is a unique boutique and sells brands that are uncommon in the area, so she wouldn’t be competing against Eubanks. She will be selling clothes, shoes, jewelry and gifts from a variety of different out of state venues that allows for new buying options, so she can remain a “unique boutique.”

Most of the clothing options sold at Pretty Girlz are $65 and under, but this boutique will also offer higher end options. Mitchell said most her clientele are between the ages of 35-60, but any woman from age 18-70 would love the options she carries. One of the things that makes Pretty Girlz special is the fact they only buy one round of clothing, so shoppers wouldn’t see their outfit on many other people.

Mitchell hopes to have Pretty Girlz Boutique open by the end of July. In the meantime, she is working on remodeling the store and finding specialty items for every woman.

Diablo’s Southwest Grill is a chain restaurant that currently has a location in Thomasville. Diablo’s was looking to expand in the Southwest and Southwest area, when catering manager, Chad Brinkley, spoke up; Brinkley is a resident of Cairo and thought Bainbridge would be the perfect area to bring the restaurant to.

Brinkley said he believes small town growth like this is what keeps the town alive and he is excited to start a new venture here.

Diablo’s has a similar concept to Chipolte, where customers build their own meal in a line. All the ingredients are fresh and the sauces are made in house daily, Brinkley said.

The neat thing about this Diablo’s is the fact it will have two spaces, separated by a brick wall. The one side will be the serving line, along with regular seating. The other side will have a small five-seat bar, where customers can enjoy a margarita or beer.

Brinkley said this will be the first of its kind with this type seating arrangement, but wanted to keep the historic elements of the building and think outside the box, and this seemed like a creative way to do that.

Diablo’s Southwest Grill is set to open in late 2018 or early of 2019.