WOODSTOCK — Efforts to make sure the downtown area of Woodstock thrives are paying off, with several businesses opening their doors and more on the way.

The city continues to see growth in the number of restaurants and retail stores deciding to set up shop in the central business district.

While the city has had to delay its proposed widening of Towne Lake Parkway and Arnold Mill Road and the amphitheater at the Park at City Center, Billy Peppers, the city’s economic services director, said “there’s still so much going on that it’s exciting.”

Woodstock Art & Glass is one of those new businesses that opened earlier this month in downtown.

The business conducted its grand opening on March 2 during Woodstock’s Friday Night Live’s Mardi Gras on Main event.

Justin Bentley, operations manager for the company, said this week that things are going well for the company.

“It’s fun being new in town and being part of the historic downtown area,” he said.

The company moved into the former location of Priest Home Furnishings.

Woodstock Art & Glass’s parent company, Glassbaker Inc., was originally based out of northeast Cobb County.

The company produces handmade glass beads a month for jewelry sold worldwide.

The store in historic Woodstock sells a variety of handmade glass products, such as art, jewelry and housewares.

Veteran glass artists will conduct art courses open to the public, and an art studio toward the back of the building will be available for use by local artists.

Along with classes and retail, Bentley said the company would like to offer pottery classes and possibly painting classes.

“It’s great to be in an area like this,” he said, referring to being surrounded by other businesses.

Century House Tavern hopes to open to the public in the Hubbard House on East Main Street by the end of April.

Jon Hayano said he and business partner Chef Richard Wilt are excited to promote the concept of live, work and play all in downtown Woodstock.

“It’s really booming right now,” he said “It’s really an exciting area.”

Century House Tavern will serve as an “upscale bistro environment” featuring a bar.

Hayano, who along with Wilt live in Woodstock, said they are excited to be part of downtown Woodstock’s bustling atmosphere.

“We’re looking forward to getting it opened,” he said.

Peppers also said a fitness studio and another restaurant are set to open in the coming months.

He also said Cupcakelicious, located at 8654 Main Street, is set to open at the end of the month.

Brenda’s House of Flowers is slated to move from its building at 9010 Main Street to a place on Chambers Street, Peppers said.

Peppers also said interest has been expressed in bringing a wine and gourmet food place into downtown.

He said Cotton Mill Deli, which shut its doors earlier this year, is planning to re-open in the same location.

“It just shows us that our efforts to continue with making the downtown the heart of our community are starting to pay off,” he said. “The city put a lot of time, energy and money into the downtown area.”

Peppers also said the city’s Downtown Development Authority, its Main Street Woodstock board of directors, Mayor Donnie Henriques, City Council members and city staff have worked cohesively to implement the vision they want to see in downtown.

Along with the DDA, Peppers also said the Visitor’s Center at Dean’s Store and Greenprints Alliance have worked tirelessly to also bring in a wide variety of events to the downtown area, which he said brings extra foot traffic to local businesses.

“A lot of businesses have opened here because they’ve been to an event down there,” he said.