Maggie Moos set to say good-bye

ALBANY, Ga. — It’s been a cold and tasty run of nearly six years, but Maggie the spotted cow, at 2725 Dawson Road, is hitting the trail from town.

Franchise owner Lew Culpepper blamed the down economy for marginal ice cream profits but said the recent move of long-term neighbor, Moe’s Southwestern Grill, was a major factor in his decision to close.

“We knew they were good to have next door,” Culpepper said, “but we didn’t know just how good until they left. Our sales have dropped by 25 percent.”

While Culpepper, 62, stopped short of the word “retirement,” he said he and wife are experiencing a type of relief, with the knowledge his weekends will actually be his own.

“It’s really been a lot of fun,” Culpepper said. “I’ve enjoyed being here and doing this. Now we’ll see what’s out there.”

Culpepper plans to close Maggie Moo’s in “no later” than about two weeks, he said, depending on how long his current inventory remains.