The Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce and the Tift County Development Authority have announced that Stevi B’s Pizza, headquartered in Atlanta, is opening a new location at 131 Virginia Ave. S. in Tifton. The company has 40 franchised and five company-owned locations in nine states throughout the United States.

Stevi B’s Pizza, the industry’s only national “premium” pizza buffet franchise, will open the Stevi B’s location in Tifton today. The Tifton location will be the second restaurant for the family team of Harvey, Veronica, Jarius and Mira Bee. They also own the Stevi B’s Pizza located in Kathleen.

“We took an exhaustive look at the South Georgia market and decided that Tifton would be the best community for our second location,” explained Jarius Bee. “It is our mission to offer quality food in a fun, family atmosphere while being involved in the community. We look forward to being an important part of the Tifton community.”

In celebration of the grand opening, an official Stevi B’s specialty pizza cutting ceremony is scheduled at 11 a.m. Friday with the Tifton-Tift County Chamber.

In addition, Stevi B’s will host a VIP fundraising event the day before the official grand opening to benefit Relay for Life. The VIP fundraising event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. today with 25 percent of all proceeds benefiting Relay for Life.

“Stevi B’s has an unwavering commitment to the community it serves, a quality that further defines the brand,” explained Matthew Loney, president of Stevi B’s Pizza. “In addition to the VIP fundraising event, Stevi B’s Pizza will donate a percentage of sales to local school groups, community and religious organizations, local athletic teams and others.”

Stevi B’s Tifton location will offer a game room with a selection of arcade games and prizes that makes for more than an evening of dining out, but a night of fun for the entire family. Free Wi-Fi is also available at this location.

Specialty pizzas include the loaded baked potato, cheeseburger, chicken fajita, macaroni and cheese and more, and are complemented with a fresh salad bar, pasta and enticing dessert selections. The prices for the buffet are $6.49 for adults, $5.99 for seniors, $3.99 for children under the age of 10 and children three and under receive a free buffet with a paying adult.

Operating hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The store phone number is 396-5611.

Stevi B’s is located in the Tifton Corners shopping center. RCG Ventures, headquartered in Atlanta, took over the former Walmart shopping center about five years ago and has transformed it into a thriving retail center. RCG is also responsible for developing and managing the new Publix shopping center.