Shoney's to transform into The Roan Commons

The previous Shoney's location will now house four different businesses under its roof. Now titled The Roan Commons, Todd Fowler, Preston Fowler and Richard Nguru have joined together as the commons' co-owners to bring a new experience to Johnson City. "It's a mutli-concept building where we combine four unique types of businesses to become one central entertainment that people will come to for all different things," Preston said. Housed inside of The Roan Commons will be Taiwan On Bubble Tea and Sushi Cafe, DAE GEE Korean BBQ, Drive & Draft and The Taste Tester. Drive & Draft will offer an open bar and golf simulation for customers, while The Taste Tester, owned by Paula Tester, will be a bakery focused on cheesecakes and desserts. Taiwan On Bubble Tea will also move from its current location on West Oakland Avenue, and DAE GEE Korean BBQ will be the 13th location for the DAE GEE franchise. Preston said planning The Roan Commons has been in the works the past three years, with the vision beginning with Nguru's dream to have a Korean barbeque restaurant in Johnson City. Simultaneously, Preston and Todd also wanted to open a golf simulation business alongside Taiwan On Bubble Tea. Thus, the idea of having each business in one location was born. "We knew we wanted to own the building we'd have these businesses in," Preston said. "Once this spot opened up, Richard was actually the one that discovered it was for sale, and we were like, 'Well, that might be the perfect fit to have all these businesses in there,' especially being right here on Roan." Some construction will take place in order to revamp the Shoney's building into a space for the businesses. Preston added the goal is to have the work finished within the next six-to-eight months and have the commons open in late fall this year. "Construction's going to be starting here in about a month," Preston said. "For the most part, it's going to be completely gutted. We really want to turn this place into something that's ours. We don't want to give anyone an idea that this used to be a Shoney's." The building will also have a drive-thru option for customers to buy from all the businesses, and part of the outdoor area will be transformed into a patio for individuals to enjoy. As The Roan Commons continues to come to life, Preston said he and the other co-owners are excited about the uniqueness of what the joint-business building will offer for the district. "I think it would be very different if there was something like this already out there," said Preston. "Just knowing that this is a one-of-a-kind business – it's really exciting." The Roan Commons is located at 2120 N. Roan St.