Metter offers small-town life just off the interstate
To road trippers, Metter is a stop off U.S. Interstate 16 to grab gas and a bite to eat before getting back in the car. But to the over 4,000 who call it home, Metter embodies small-town charm and slow-paced Southern life. Local shops and restaurants surround a grassy park in its historic downtown area, and residents look forward to the annual Another Bloomin’ Festival all year. Metter could be considered a bedroom community of nearby Statesboro, a short drive east on winding backroads through fields and farmland. However, locals like the seclusion that being a rural hub provides, which is why the town’s motto is “Everything’s Better in Metter.”
Downtown businesses include cafes and consignment
Downtown Metter, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is built around a central park with paved trails, vintage lampposts, scattered benches and a fountain. Rows of local shops and restaurants house spots like Burlap & Lace Market & Coffee Bar, where visitors sip lattes while shopping the boutique. Nearby Sugar Babies Consignments sells second-hand children’s clothing, while Vickie’s Antiques & More offers furniture, art, glassware and other vintage treasures. For something to eat, Taqueria El Sol serves tacos, fajitas and has a salsa bar, and Chesterfield’s dishes American fare, from burgers and cheesesteaks to wings and fried pickles. Grocery stores in this area include Food Lion and Dollar General. There are also local businesses, from yoga studios to nail salons, in the downtown district, as well as the Candler County Courthouse and the Candler County Historical Society.
Many restaurants are off the interstate, accommodating travelers. The Metter Welcome Center, housed within a historic log cabin, sits on the banks of a small lake. Nearby, drivers can find well-known chains from Waffle House and McDonald’s to local spots like Bevricks Char House Grill and Jomax Barbecue.
Single-story homes and historic styles line quiet streets
Housing consists mainly of single-story bungalows and ranch-style homes. Properties needing significant repairs go for under $100,000, while move-in-ready houses can cost $120,000 to $340,000, with new construction at the top of that range. The South Metter Residential Historic District lies along South Lewis, Rountree and Kennedy streets. A tree-lined median divides these residential roads, where Greek Revivals and bungalows sit on well-maintained lots. Undeveloped land is also available throughout the area.
Zoned for Candler County Schools district
The Candler County Schools district serves Metter. Students can attend Metter Elementary and Metter Middle, which get B-minus scores from Niche. Next, they may attend Metter High School, which earns a B-plus and offers career- and technical-education courses in a variety of fields.
Outdoor spaces range from athletic fields to meditative gardens
The Metter-Chandler Recreation Department has a variety of athletic facilities and programs. It features baseball and softball diamonds, a football stadium, batting cages, outdoor tennis and basketball courts and a gymnasium. All fields provide covered bleachers, and a concession stand accommodates spectators watching organized youth sports leagues. The recreation department also has playgrounds, a walking trail and a rentable community center. The Guido Gardens, created as the setting for a popular Christian TV broadcast, offer a quiet, meditative experience. The manicured grounds contain replicas of the empty tomb and Joseph’s workshop beside the Chapel in the Pines, a sanctuary with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the outdoors. Around Christmas, nearly two million holiday lights illuminate the grounds, attracting visitors. Nearby, the semi-private Willow Lake Golf Club offers 18 holes, while the Wild Georgia Safari Park, an exotic petting zoo, has animals like kangaroos, camels and bulls. For a larger outdoor experience, the over 400-acre George L. Smith State Park is about 15 miles away and has a restored gristmill on Parish Pond, popular with anglers and boaters. Campsites, from spots to pitch a tent to cabins with fireplaces, are also in the park.
Another Bloomin’ Festival has races and a community-wide egg hunt
During Easter weekend, Another Bloomin’ Festival brings the community together for live music, an egg hunt, a classic car show, the Miss Bloomin’ Festival Pageant and more. Athletic events include the Bloomin’ Bike Ride, a 5k run and a one-mile fun run/walk.
Statesboro and Savannah are within driving distance
Metter is car-dependent. U.S. Interstate 16 is easily accessible and leads throughout the state. Georgia state routes 23 and 46 intersect in town and are the community’s primary thoroughfares. Statesboro is about 20 miles away, and Savannah, with Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, is about 65 miles away. In case of emergency, Candler County Hospital is in town.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
