It’s hard to imagine a major intersection in Rome without a convenience store, fast food restaurant or bank, but so it is at Ga. 53 and the Rome Bypass, but not for long.

Khalid Javaid, who owns two Southern Pride convenience stores in Rome, has revealed plans for a third location at the southwest intersection of Ga. 53 and the bypass. He’s awaiting formal banking appraisals before breaking ground on the project.

“There are almost 50,000 cars every day who have access to that location,” Javaid said.

At this point, the DOT has not approved a curb cut to enter the new location off the bypass. As it now stands, traffic will have an entrance off of Ga. 53 southbound. Traffic will also have a right-turn-only exit coming out of the shop, heading toward Rome.

Current plans call for the front of the building to face toward Rome, with the bypass on the backside of the building.

Javaid hopes to break ground on the 4,400-square-foot business before the end of June. He estimates construction will take between three and six months but definitely wants to be open before the end of the year.

Approximately 3,000 square feet will house the convenience store, while the remaining 1,400 square feet will house an adjoining liquor store. Rome’s Alcohol Control Commission approved licenses for the site at their last meeting May 29.

Charles Campbell Construction, from Dalton, will serve as the general contractor for the project.

Javaid indicated he expects to have at least seven employees at the new store. He plans to sell Chevron gasoline products.