An auto parts store near the intersection of Highway 101 and Highway 278 is set to become the second and only spot (for now) where Rockmart might allow a liquor store to open.

First, the public will get to voice their opinion during the December city council meeting scheduled for Dec. 13, 2022 at 7 p.m., when a public hearing will be scheduled to determine whether Grant Atkins will be allowed to move forward with building expansion plans at the Carquest Auto Parts Co., located at 104 GTM Parkway, Rockmart.

The location isn’t too far away from the other proposed liquor store being sought for Rockmart and was initially given the go-ahead for a zoning approval to move forward on construction on property purchased by Clint Brock.

Rockmart’s City Council voted during their Tuesday, October 11 meeting to allow for advertising for the public hearing in December.

Per Rockmart city officials, Atkins plan is to expand the footprint of the existing auto parts store to add on the required square footage to operate a liquor store. Plans are to continue to operate the auto parts store in the same location, with the expansion to include the full footprint needed for a liquor store.

The hearing isn’t being held until December due to changes in zoning law giving neighboring owners a 30-day notice of the meeting before it occurs. There wouldn’t have been enough time to advertise before the next meeting to meet that 30-day requirement in the legal organ.

During the 2021 election, voters approved an update to Rockmart’s alcohol laws to allow for the city to issue permits to sell liquor by the bottle. Residents in the City of Aragon also approved the change on the 2021 ballot.

Prior to that, the only city that allowed local liquor sales in Polk County was Cedartown.