Atlanta Intown - April 2024

director of the Wylde Center, is shown

at the Okahurst garden. (Photo by Isadora Pennington)

Let’s just get this out of the way at the top of the letter: I’m a proponent of rail on the BeltLine.

Call me an originalist, an absolutist, or an idiot, but when Ryan Gravel conceived of the BeltLine back in 1999, rail was always a component. In the loop’s earliest planning stages to the reality we have today, rail has been a component. What did y’all think that big grassy area off to the side of the trail was for?

Many residents and homeowners near the BeltLine seem to have been taken by surprise that the promise of rail might be coming to pass sooner rather than later. MARTA is currently working on its plan to extend the Downtown streetcar to the BeltLine and up to Ponce City Market.

I understand the trepidation by many concerning the streetcar. It’s mostly empty, has had maintenance issues, and it’s just “big.” The BeltLine is busy with walkers, joggers, bikers, and skateboarders, so having the big blue streetcar running next to it does seem off-scale.

When I pictured rail on the BeltLine in my head, I guess I thought of something akin to the trolley cars in San Francisco or maybe some kind of open-air tram system – something sleek and small.

That said, I believe the streetcar extension will be a success. Imagine getting on the train at Ponce City Market and heading to the emerging tech hub in South Downtown, the massive Centennial Yards

project, or to catch a game or concert at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena. This is where the streetcar is going to get traction and ridership.

During his State of the City address on March 25, Mayor Andre Dickens promised four new MARTA infill stations, including one at the Murphy Crossing project in south Atlanta. Where the other three are going will be crucial to making MARTA a more viable option for the masses.

I lived directly on the BeltLine Eastside Trail for 16 years and watched it transform from an abandoned railroad line to the thriving urban trail it is today. Since my move to Midtown a few years ago, I’m still only a mile from the trail. I want to see rail on the entire 22-mile loop in my lifetime.

Will it be challenging to build rail on some of the BeltLine segments? Yes, especially trying to navigate the Krog Tunnel area, but I believe we can solve those problems. Will having a moving train next to the trail take some getting used to? Oh, definitely.

But if cities like Seattle, Dallas, Toronto, and Charlotte can figure out how to put in a streetcar network, so can Atlanta. This city used to be crisscrossed with streetcars that went far more places than MARTA currently does. The biggest mistake Atlanta ever made was tearing out the existing system in favor of the automobile. Allowing the Downtown Connector to split the city in half was the second, but that’s for another column.

Whatever the mode of transport turns out to be on the BeltLine, let’s get it done sooner rather than later. We’re 25 years on from the conception of the BeltLine and it’s time for it to take another big step.

Going Wylde!

Meet the Wylde Center’s new executive director Dr. Jennifer Gerndt

By Collin Kelley

Wylde Center – the organization known for its five greenspaces, environmental education, and connecting communities to nature – has a new executive director.

Dr. Jennifer Gerndt joined the nonprofit in January when Stephanie Van Parrys retired after 18 years as executive director. Gerndt inherited a $2.8 million capital fundraising campaign, which is about to be put to use at the main Oakhurst campus of Wylde Center.

Beginning April 1, the Oakhurst campus will be partially closed as major renovations begin on the headquarters building and to the property itself.

Gerndt said new rain gardens and drainage would be added, but the biggest part of the project is making the building ADA-compliant and adding a 30-student classroom. While the plant market, composting and other parts of the garden will remain open, there will be limits and field trips are on hold. The work is expected to take eight months.

In the meantime, Gerndt said to expect more activation at the other gardens that make up the Wylde Center. She said many visitors to the Oakhurst garden, a staple in the Decatur neighborhood for 27 years, don’t realize there are four other unique properties to explore: the nearby Hawk Hollow, Edgewood Community Learning Garden, Sugar Creek Garden in Decatur, and Mulberry Fields in Candler Park.

“We hope people will take the time to explore these other gardens,” Gerndt said. “Each one has its own identity, and we’re hoping to host more events at those

gardens.”

Gerndt said one of the biggest – and happiest – surprises on joining the Wylde Center is how each of the communities is invested in their own garden.

“I’ve heard so many stories from parents who were brought to the Oakhurst garden when they were kids and are now bringing their own,” she said. “It’s incredibly exciting to see how communities have embraced the gardens.”

Gerndt brings with her 12 years of nonprofit leadership with almost three years as the executive director of the Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta where she rejuvenated the language program and expanded cultural offerings, including the genesis of the now annual arts festival, Frühlingsfest, in Avondale Estates.

Most recently, Gerndt served as director of member services at the International Society of Arboriculture where she grew the membership and strengthened relationships with key stakeholders.

Holding a Ph.D. from Purdue University in German Linguistics, Gerndt has more than 20 years of experience working in education. Three years ago, she became a certified docent with Trees Atlanta and gives tours on the Atlanta BeltLine in her free time.

She said her love of nature actually began with her love of animals.

“My gateway into loving nature was my love for animals. Whenever I travel, I need to see what the native wildlife looks like. When you care about animals and their habitats, you care about the native plants and you see how everything is connected. That originated from childhood.”

Since part of Wylde Center’s mission is to teach people how to grow food, Gerndt’s other interest has also come into play.

“After moving to Atlanta, I began to really understand food deserts and food insecurity,” she said. “Where I live in East Atlanta is on the edge of a food desert, so that has become something I’m eager to address at Wylde Center.”

Gerndt said her history with leadership and consulting in the nonprofit world made her transitions to Wylde Center easier.

“Nonprofits are very similar; they have similar stressors and problems to navigate,” she said. “The capital campaign adds an extra level of challenge, but I’m ready for the challenge.”

Gerndt described Wylde Center’s next chapter as “very exciting,” and she’s eager to grow the

number of people the nonprofit reaches and provides services to.

“The result of the changes will be more opportunities for the communities to engage with nature, learn about ways to help our environment, and grow their own gardens. I am so happy to come on board at this time in the organization’s history and be a part of this incredible step forward.”

Wylde Center Executive Dr. Jennifer Gerndt and views of the Oakhurst garden. (Photos by Isadora Pennington)

Georgia Organics leader

Alice Rolls passes baton to Alexis Chase

MAY

7 - 11 | DOWNTOWN ALPHARETTA

Art lovers will have the chance to watch artists in action around our picturesque city with opportunities to purchase original art with hometown appeal, featuring locations such as Alpharetta City Center, parks, gardens and more.

SCAN HERE for more details and the schedule for this year’s events.

MAY

ALPHARETTA

Mark your calendars! The Taste of Alpharetta boasts an unforgettable night of culinary magic throughout the city’s charming downtown. This annual event celebrates the vibrant food community of Alpharetta featuring OVER 60 RESTAURANTS through dining events, cooking demos, culinary collaborations, and tasting tents galore.

SCAN HERE for more information and a list of participating restaurants.

678-297-2811

By Clare S. Richie

Georgia Organics, a nonprofit that supports organic farmers and local food systems, bids farewell to President & CEO Alice Rolls after her remarkable two-decade tenure and welcomes Alexis Chase, a leader with 18 years of nonprofit experience, as the new executive director.

Under Rolls’ leadership, Georgia Organics grew annual conference attendees tenfold, launched Georgia’s first farm-toschool program, seeded the Atlanta Local Food Initiative, and more.

“Since I started farming in 1998, the local farm scene in Georgia has transformed... for which I would credit no one person above Alice Rolls,” said Daniel Parson, a farmer/educator at Oxford College Farm. “She has a knack for working with people – grant agencies, national super-stars, and local farmers – and capitalizing on opportunities.”

As the nonprofit’s first staff member in 2004, Rolls seized on the growing public interest in organic food.

“Suddenly, we were thinking about local connectivity from the farm back into a farmer’s market, retail outlet, household or school,” Rolls said.

To facilitate local, healthy food in school cafeterias and classrooms, Rolls and her team tapped school nutrition directors to champion a farm-to-school and early care program.

“We knew school nutrition directors cared deeply about kids but didn’t have large budgets,” Rolls recalled. “So, we created easy ways to do good and recognized their efforts – meals served, gardens cultivated, and instruction provided. In six years, half of Georgia school districts participated.”

Rolls was also at the table when communities, nonprofits, universities, government agencies, individuals, and corporations formed the Atlanta Local Food Initiative, dedicated to ensuring every resident has access to safe, nutritious, and

affordable food from sustainable farms and gardens.

“

[In 2008] we created A Plan for Atlanta’s Sustainable Food Future with eight goals around access, supply, and consumption,” she said. “That work led the City of Atlanta to codify urban farming and hire a Director of Urban Agriculture.”

Rolls deeply respects farmers; their character, commitment, hard work, and willingness to support one another.

“My hope is that our society continues to support and invest in organic farmers so we can have this delicious food that supports health, wellness, environmental renewal, and equity,” Rolls said.

That’s why Rolls’ advice to Chase is to “think big and center everything on farmer prosperity.”

Chase joined Georgia Organics in January, after serving as executive director for Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, a faith-based response to climate change.

“I predict that Alexis will do great things

in this role,” Parson said. “Coming from a farm family, she has a rooted understanding of its challenges. Her professional nonprofit background, easy-going nature and

Georgia Organics’ President Emeritus Alice Rolls.  (Photo by Jenna Shea Photojournalism)

New Executive Director Alexis Chase. (Photo courtesy of Alexis Chase)

tenacious

Following her dairy farmer grandfather’s motto, “You can do it, but I’ll help,” Chase jumped right in.

“I have met a lot of people,” Chase said. “Alice built a smart, thoughtful, passionate staff and support network.”

For 2024, Chase is prioritizing implementing recommendations from the organization’s recent racial equity audit to fulfill its commitment to anti-racism.

“It’s important to talk about our past and how we can embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Chase said.

She’s also planning large events, like the Georgia Organics’ 2024 Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on July 28 and the nonprofit’s first regional conference in 2025.

“The festival is amazing because Atlanta restaurants and mixologists compete to make the best tomato-based dish and

drink,” Chase said.

Alongside 100 partners, Georgia Organics is planning the 2025 SOWTH Conference at the Georgia World Congress Center, Feb 4-6, 2025. Convening farmers and leaders from 13 southeastern states, it will focus on equity, farmer prosperity, environmental renewal and more.

“I feel incredibly confident about our future as we focus more deeply on direct support for farmers,” Chase said.

“What a time to celebrate how far we have come in 20 years and look forward to the next chapter,” Parsons said. “Sustainable farming is all about creating resilience in terms of land, plants, animals, markets, and the environment. Focusing on farmer prosperity is key to that resilience.”

Check out georgiaorganics.org to join the newsletter and/or the “Honoring Alice” campaign to leave a message or to make a donation.

BALENCIAGA CRISTÓBAL

MASTER OF TAILORING

Photo by Neal Barr

Georgia Organics’ Board Chair Matthew Raiford with Georgia Organics’ President Emeritus Alice Rolls. (Photo by Bailey Garrett)

Celebrating and improving our city parks

Atlanta’s public parks have nourished me and my family for decades. When I need fresh air, sunshine, and a nature fix, I can choose from several city-owned and managed parks—each just a five-minute walk from my house. For four-plus decades, I’ve lived in the Ansley Park neighborhood in three different houses: the first near McClatchey Park where my sons hunted Easter eggs, played with friends, and rode Big Wheels.

ABOVE THE WATER LINE

Sally Bethea

Winn Park, once a fairly steep ravine with a flowing stream, was a quick walk across the street from our second home. Beloved by dog walkers and cared for by the city and Ansley Park Beautification Foundation, the park has a multi-purpose field and a playground. Both Charles and Rob say that Winn Park holds a special place in their childhood memories: playing with our family dog; practicing T-ball and baseball; biking the grassy slopes; attending neighborhood barbecues; and learning to sled (back when we had snow).

With friends, Charles made a Frisbee golf course in Winn Park and roller-bladed down a playground slide (“But, mom, I didn’t fall and break a bone the first time

I did it…”). For Rob, the park was a place to explore and play: “an intermediate zone between our backyard and the wider world.” His memories include fireflies, the big white oaks, and long summer evenings. They both rendezvoused with various girlfriends under the park’s impressive tree canopy. Although their homes are now a fifteen-minute drive from Winn Park, they often bring their dogs to play and reminisce.

For more than half of my years in Ansley Park, I’ve lived in the third house, my favorite, located between Winn Park and the city’s spectacular Piedmont Park. During COVID, I walked many miles on the park’s Active Oval, admiring the sycamores and oaks beside the sports fields that were often filled with teams playing soccer, volleyball, and softball. In the park’s natural areas, I continue to find solitude, native plant and tree species, and birdsong—all in the heart of the city. Like rivers and streams, parks help define our cultural and natural landscapes.

Parks for all

Atlanta’s first Parks Commission was established in 1882 to plan for and manage parks and playgrounds. Today, the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation

for the past decade-plus—proudly notes that the city’s score is up from a ranking of 49th just three years ago. At the same time, he says there is more work to be accomplished. Residents in low-income and non-white neighborhoods have less access to park space per person than those in white neighborhoods.

Support groups for city parks—such as Piedmont Park Conservancy, Friends of Lionel Hampton Beecher Hills Nature Preserve, Olmstead Linear Park Alliance, Chastain Park Conservancy, and 100 similar park nonprofits—help restore natural areas and provide other services. Park Pride supports these initiatives with training, grants, and an annual conference.

In 2022, Mayor Andre Dickens appointed Justin Cutler, formerly the director of recreation services in Seattle, to serve as Atlanta’s DPR commissioner. In Seattle, Cutler worked to improve parks and recreation opportunities for historically underserved communities. In addition to overseeing the Atlanta Parks Department, he is responsible for helping create longterm plans with input from elected officials, parks advocates, and residents. By all accounts, Cutler is an enthusiastic and competent park leader.

Natural areas need help

Now that Atlanta’s Tree Trust Fund can legally be used to purchase forested property—in addition to planting trees— the city has begun to invest more heavily in new parks. In the past four years, it purchased 580 acres, 80 percent of which is forested and/or considered a nature preserve requiring special maintenance skills.

(DPR) provides basic maintenance services for more than 3,000 acres of land in 445 public parks—from sports fields to pocket greenspaces, nature preserves, and formal gardens. DPR is also responsible for street trees on city rights-of-way.

Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Park Pride was created to engage communities in enhancing parks and greenspace through advocacy, volunteerism, and capital improvements. As the voice for parks in the city of Atlanta (later expanded to DeKalb County), the organization is the primary nonprofit working with communities in the city and DeKalb to improve their parks.

Trust for Public Land—a national park and greenspace advocate—annually publishes a ParkScore index that compares park systems across the 100 most populous cities in the country in five categories: access, investment, acreage, amenities, and equity. Atlanta is currently 28th on this list with 78 percent of city residents living within a ten-minute walk from a public park.

Michael Halicki—Park Pride’s energetic and conservation-minded executive director

While DPR is deeply appreciated by park groups, it has become clear that the department does not have the knowledge, expertise, or sufficient resources to manage the tree canopy and natural areas within the park system. Park Pride and partners are urging the city to create and fund a natural areas team within DPR; it would include a director of natural resources and additional maintenance workers with expertise in tree care and removal of invasive species: a serious problem.

In early March, the Atlanta City Council adopted a list of priorities for the fiscal year 2025 budget, including support for a new DPR natural areas team. A final budget will be approved in June after an interagency review and a public hearing.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Contact your council member and urge them to fund a natural areas team for the Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation. Support Park Pride (www.parkpride.org) and Friends groups for specific parks. Get outside and enjoy our city’s parks this spring!

A walk through the Kirkwood Urban Forest. (Photos courtesy Park Pride)

MAY 2, 2024 7:30 – 10 PM

The Tasting Experience is an expanded event now supporting the entire nonsectarian Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Services of JF&CS. Through these incredible programs, clients learn new life skills, gain more confidence, become more independent, and most importantly, build community.

Kirkwood Urban Forest Preserve grows by two acres

By Dyana Bagby

The Kirkwood Urban Forest Preserve has added two acres to its site tucked in the heart of the bustling Intown neighborhood.

The new land, along Dearborn Street just off of busy Memorial Drive, increases the size of the urban forest to 10 acres. Importantly, the two acres gives the "secret garden," as the Kirkwood Urban Forest Preserve is often called, valuable street frontage, making it more accessible to the public.

"We wanted street frontage so people would know that something was here – signage doesn't always do it," said Earl Williamson, chair of the Kirkwood Neighbors Organization's environmental committee, following a recent dedication ceremony for the urban forest's expansion.

Justin Cutler, commissioner of Atlanta's Department of Parks and Recreation, said the city and The Conservation Fund worked together to acquire the two acres where singlefamily, dilapidated houses once stood. The Conservation Fund purchased the property last year for just over $2 million, according to DeKalb County property records.

"This is a strategic acquisition, preserving canopy, preserving natural areas, and bringing more vibrancy to the neighborhood and the overall ecosystem of Atlanta," Cutler said.

"We're always looking for property acquisitions that either bring parks and spaces to parts of our community that don't have access or properties that enhance existing access by creating a new entry point or a new access point," Cutler said.

A sign for the Kirkwood Urban Forest Preserve located on Dearborn Road has been the only indication of the green space. Two new acres behind the sign give the urban forest much-desired street frontage. (Photos by Dyana Bagby)

Earl Williamson, chair of the Kirkwood Neighbors Organization’s Environmental Committee, and Rachel Maher, deputy commissioner of the city of Atlanta’s Department of Parks & Recreation Partnerships & Enterprise, discuss where to put invasive bamboo at the Kirkwood Urban Forest Preserve.

The urban forest is located within residential neighborhoods along, Dixie, Clay, and Dearborn streets. Its upkeep is done entirely by volunteers with the Friends of Kirkwood Urban Forest and the environmental committee of the Kirkwood Neighbors Organization.

The Kirkwood Neighbors Organization has been seeking to acquire the property for about 20 years since the urban forest was first created. The green space, which includes walking trails, a community garden, and a creek within hundreds of towering hardwood trees, was preserved as part of an effort by the state and city to save forested urban parcels before they were lost to development.

Photographer: Marc Mauldin Photography

Builder: South Haven Builders | Designer: Vivico Interiors | Cabinetry: Bell Cabinetry

Volunteers work to clear debris and brush at the Kirkwood Urban Forest.

Choose from science, technology, engineering, art, and more!

Register at gallowayschool org/summer

JULY 3 - JULY 26

PRE-K - 12TH GRADE

OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Interactive art installation

By Collin Kelley

Atlanta-based artist Gregor Turk has installed dozens of convex security mirrors on the front lawn of Druid Hills Presbyterian Church inviting pedestrians to pause and reflect.

Located at 1026 Ponce De Leon Avenue in Virginia Highland (across the street from the historic Majestic Diner and Plaza Theatre), Turk was commissioned by the church to use public art to activate the front of its campus with a sculpture that beckons motorists and is interactive for pedestrians. The installation will remain for a year.

Comprised of 33 stainless-steel convex security mirrors arranged in a 42-foot arc, Assembly serves to alter passersby’s perceptions of self and place.  Three mirror sizes range in diameter from 20 inches to 34 inches. Pedestrians are invited to engage with the multitude of their reflections, observe obstructed and distorted views of their surroundings, and interact with the physicality of the discs.

Turk said in his art statement that the “mirrors allows for a variety of (sometimes conflicting) interpretations: a constellation; a congregation; sentinels; reflections of self — fractured, self-absorbed, and/or confrontational; presence vs. absence; fear vs. protection; surveillance vs. security;

authority; and community. The installation is intended to prompt discourse with the viewer’s surroundings and perhaps among fellow observers.

Known for his public art installations, ceramic sculpture, photography, and mixedmedia constructions, Turk often incorporates mapping imagery, cultural signage, and marking place into his artwork.

He has permanent public art installations in airports (Atlanta and Jacksonville), parks, public safety facilities, schools, and a public library.

For more information, visit  gregorturk.com.

Gregor Turk’s “Assembly” installation outside Druid Hills Presbyterian Church. (Provided)

April Festivals

Art, music and more around Intown

By Collin Kelley

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is back April 12-14 with hundreds of artists from around the country setting up their tents for the 88th event in Piedmont Park.

Virtually every kind of art imaginable will be represented at the festival, with a juried Fine Artist Market that includes sculpture, paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography, and much more.

In addition to the fine art for adults and art collectors, there is a Kids Village featuring arts & crafts, interactive makeand-take activities and face painting.

Music has become an essential feature of the weekend’s festivities, and this year will be no different. Acts performing this year include Zach Person, The Muckers, Bird City Revolution, A1A Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show, Suzy Jones, Sailing to Denver, and more.

Inman Park Festival

The 52nd annual festival and tour of homes is set for April 26-28. There will be arts, crafts, plenty of food, live music on three stages, a kid’s zone, a walking tour and the annual parade on Saturday, April 27 starting at 2 p.m. This year’s tour of homes will feature 13 historic and modern residences as well as other places of interest. Get all the details at festival.inmanpark.org.

SweetWater 420 Fest

And when you get hungry, follow the delicious smells of funnel cakes, gyros, crab cakes, onion rings, kettle corn, and other treats.

See the full schedule and more details at dogwood.org.

Amplify Decatur

Two-time Grammy Award winner Melissa Etheridge, the critically acclaimed folk rock band Dawes, and five-time Grammy Award winners Blind Boys of Alabama will appear at the 2024 Amplify Decatur Music Festival on Saturday, April 13 in the downtown square. The festival will also feature Run Katie Run and a performance by the winners of the Decatur High School Battle of the Bands. Get tickets and more information at AmplifyDecatur.org.

SweetWater 420 Fest is moving to Pullman Yards in Kirkwood for 2024 with an eclectic lineup of artists, including headliners Beck and Slightly Stoopid. With more than 25 artists set to perform, the SweetWater 420 lineup spans a wide range of genres including alternative, rock, pop, soul, indie, jam, and more. This year’s dates are April 20-21. See the full lineup and get tickets at sweetwater420fest.com.

Atlanta Film Festival

“The Idea of You” and “Sing Sing” are among 142 total creative works set to play the 48th annual Atlanta Film Festival this year.  The festival – along with its 14th annual Creative Conference, which is the festival’s education programming series – will take place April 25 – May 5 at the Plaza and Tara Theatres and virtually. See the full lineup and get tickets at atlantafilmfestival.com.

Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park. (Courtesy Atlanta Dogwood Festival) Inman Park Festival Parade (File)

Inman Park Festival Parade. (File)

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Fox Gives to help preserve historic theatres

By Collin Kelley

The Fox Theatre has rebranded and relaunched its philanthropic arm – now called Fox Gives – to help preserve theatres across the Southeast.

By more than doubling its financial investment, Fox Gives aims to restore historic theatres and offer new vocational opportunities for young individuals passionate about the arts.

“The evolution of Fox Theatre Institute to Fox Gives marks a significant milestone in our longstanding desire to give back and make an impact,” said Allan Vella, President and CEO of the Fox Theatre. “From our humble beginnings as a struggling nonprofit theater, we’ve channeled our preservation mission into a beacon of hope for other historic venues throughout Georgia and nationally. Now, through Fox Gives, we’ve deepened our impact and introduced new programming to empower the next generation of students to discover a career in entertainment.”

A feature of Fox Gives is the All-Access Pass program, designed to mentor high school students by offering them firsthand insights into careers in entertainment. In contrast, the acclaimed “Fox in a Box” initiative continues to provide elementary students with interactive educational experiences that tie the theatre’s history to

broader societal lessons.

Fox Gives is set for significant growth in 2024, directly benefiting from a portion of every ticket sold at the Fox Theatre. This strategic approach ensures the ongoing development of each program under the philanthropic umbrella of the Fox Theatre.

Along with its single-gear grant program, which offers funding for everything from emergency needs to technical assistance and historic structure studies, Fox Gives is launching a multiyear grant program on July 1 that will support a single organization over a two-to-four-year period up to $500,000 per recipient.

Additionally, to support students’ educational aspirations in these communities, the program will award a $5,000 college scholarship to a deserving student from the grantee community after the 2024/2025 academic year.

The first grantee under the program is the Hart County Community Theatre in Hartwell, GA, which will receive $500,000 to aid in the restoration of their centuryold venue, building on a previous emergency grant of $23,000 awarded in the 2022/2023 fiscal year.

Fox Gives and its forerunner were born out of the community support back in the 1970s that saved the Fox from demolition.

Find out more at foxtheatre.org/ community-partnerships.

Photo by Rachel Neville.

atla nta

The Historic Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour is back April 26th - 28th, one of the community’s many Spring Celebration events. This year, the Tour celebrates “true stewards” of the beautiful Atlanta neighborhood that was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and nearly destroyed by a new highway. Tour goers will experience several once-blighted homes brought back to their former glory, even if they’re used a little differently than they once were. From stunning historic renovations to a new build that you’d think was original to the neighborhood, this year’s Tour is one you don’t want to miss.

1091 Springdale will be featured on this year's Tour. Photo by Jack Meyer

April 20, 5-9pm • Coca-Cola “Clean Up the Creek” Concert

The Sundogs headline this FREE concert on the big lawn in Emory Village

April 24 • Druid Hills Gala at Callanwolde

Dress up and celebrate our beautiful neighborhood! Enjoy live jazz with Joe Gransden Band, fantastic food & drinks in one of Atlanta’s most famous historic mansions.

April 26-28 • Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour Weekend • Friday 4/26, 1-5pm • Sat 4/27 & Sun 4/28, 10am-5pm

The Historic Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour is back and better than ever!

Our unique neighborhood, designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, was almost erased by the construction of a highway. Instead, the community fought fiercely to preserve and protect Druid Hills.

Even as it has evolved with the needs of today’s world, we are grateful that the spirit and soul of Olmsted’s original vision for our neighborhood are still thriving. This year’s Tour showcases 10 stunning examples of true Druid Hills stewardship, through clever adaptive reuse of original estate homes, meticulous restoration, and thoughtful realization of our neighborhood’s historic preservation guidelines in new construction.

We can’t wait to open the doors and garden gates for you!

1324 Ponce de Leon Avenue

Lullwater Conservation Garden, 834 Lullwater Road

1108 Oakdale Road

1202 Springdale Road

Gala & Tour Tickets

The Historic Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour is back, and this year our eleven featured properties tell the tale of a community that has fought to keep Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision for the neighborhood intact. Even as the population of intown Atlanta grew, shrank, and then really took off, the spirit of Druid Hills continued to shine and is now brighter than ever.

Olmsted’s Vision

Olmsted, renowned landscape architect and designer of some of the country’s most famous parks and estates (think Central Park and The Biltmore), believed in the importance of open spaces for the health and well-being of urban residents. He incorporated this philosophy into his design for Druid Hills and aimed to seamlessly integrate natural landscapes with residential development. His plan called for winding roads and pathways that followed the contours of the land, rather than imposing a rigid grid pattern. Generous lot sizes were very intentional, to create a sense of openness and privacy for residents, while featuring gracefully landscaped views. The majestic tree canopy Druid Hills enjoys today is thanks to Mr. Olmsted. Once the neighborhood was established and gaining momentum, Druid Hills Civic Association (DHCA) was founded in 1938 to preserve it for residential use and to protect the unique heritage of the area.

carefully planned. That threat, along with economic changes, racial tensions, aging infrastructure, and governmental policies, led many of the residents to leave the neighborhood for newer suburbs. Some of the large homes they left behind were split up into apartments or became boarding houses, and others were simply abandoned.

But, we all know the happy ending for Druid Hills. Lots of enthusiastic residents stayed or found their way to historic homes they lovingly cared for. Many of them banded together, along with the DHCA, to fight the long fight against the highway. Thankfully, the “Roadbusters” prevailed, and the neighborhood remained intact.

More and more, prospective homeowners are drawn to the community, and aren’t afraid to tackle big projects that return the blighted homes back to their former glory - even if they’re used a little differently than they once were. Houses that are featured on this 56th year of the Historic Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour showcase what we call “true Druid Hills stewardship”.

The Fight for Druid Hills

Over the years, Druid Hills, like other intown Atlanta neighborhoods, shifted and adapted as housing needs and lifestyles changed. And, as with so many other cities across the United States during the mid-20th century, Druid Hills faced the threat of being divided by highway construction. The proposed I-485 would have cut right across the Olmsted Linear Parks and right through the heart of the idyllic neighborhood that Olmsted so

Protected by Preservation

Thankfully, in 1966 the National Historic Preservation Act was passed by Congress. Starting in 1975 with the “Ponce de Leon Parks and Parkway” listing, almost all of Druid Hills is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. From that jumpingoff point, the City of Atlanta instituted historic preservation protection for the Druid Hills Landmark District in 1989. DeKalb County created the protected Druid Hills Local Historic District in 1994. Our preservation guidelines foster Druid Hills' continued eclectic but cohesive appeal and respect the important role of green spaces.

Come see for yourself why people are drawn to Olmsted’s Druid Hills. The Tour runs Friday, April 26 through Sunday, April 28. Learn more at druidhillstour.org.

Boxwood Estate at 794 Springdale once served as a boarding house for young men. (Photo by Jeff Herr)

1324 Ponce de Leon, part of the Adair Estate, is an exceptional example of "adaptive reuse." (Photo by Marc Mauldin)

1355

516 WIMBLEDON ROAD**

832

550

868 ROSEDALE ROAD

602

1174

1346

589

3022 SLATON DRIVE

219

1779 NOBLE DRIVE

2324 AVA PLACE

8During these uncertain times, HammerSmith is here for you and your family. We provide safe, essential services, architectural designs and home renovations. Start planning today for how to live better in a changed world.

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Lullwater Conservation Garden featured on 2024 Tour

By Dawn McEarchern

This year’s Historic Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour will showcase a very special neighborhood asset, the Lullwater Conservation Garden. The history of the conservation movement in the United States has its roots entwined with the creation of the Garden Club of America in 1913. In the wake of unbridled development expanding across the country, a group of forwardthinking women came together to rally around efforts to preserve the natural landscape. The Lullwater Garden Club joined their numbers in 1928.

rock. Coca-Cola, who is sponsoring this year’s “Clean Up the Creek Concert” in Emory Village on April 20th, has already graciously agreed to donate $10,000 to the Lullwater Garden Club. Druid Hills

The 5.21 acres of today’s garden originally belonged to the Dan Johnson Family and later the Candler estate. It has remained intact and cared for by the women of the Lullwater Garden Club since 1931, and in 1964, the Lullwater Garden Club officially purchased the garden from Emory University for $1,500. It is one of a small number of remaining old-growth forests in the country, recognized officially in 2017 by the Old-Growth Forest Network. Trees Atlanta has designated several of its trees Atlanta Champion Trees. In addition to its amazing trees, the garden features a waterfall, a bridge across Lullwater Creek, winding paths, stone benches, and bird and wildlife sanctuary. A 1938 Atlanta Journal article quoted Mrs. George H. Phillips, the conservation chair, on the intention “not to try to improve upon nature, but to add to the loveliness already there.”

This year's 2024 Druid Hills Spring Celebration will be drawing attention to the section of Lullwater Creek within the garden, where several sections of the creek's banks have washed out quite severely. The Lullwater Garden Club has plans to shore up some of these areas with heavy natural boulders and river

Civic Association has also approved a further grant of $5,000 to aid in this endeavor.

We hope you will join us in the many activities we have planned in and around the Lullwater Conservation Garden during our Tour weekend. As one of the featured stops on the Tour, volunteer docents will be on hand to share information about different features in the garden. Sign up to participate with your children in our “Habitat Helpers” events to add native plants to a new butterfly garden or create special fairy friends with natural elements from the garden.

The Lullwater Conservation Garden is open to the public year-round. Please join us to pay witness to the natural beauty of Lullwater Creek as it winds through virgin stands of old-growth oak, beech, and tulip poplar towering over a forest floor rich with native flora.

Lullwater Conservation Garden, Photo by Jack Meyer

South Fork Conservancy Leads Restoration of Creekbank in Emory Village

By Dorothy Sussman and Kit Eisterhold

If you’ve ever enjoyed the South Fork Conservancy’s Duck Race during Emory Village’s Open Streets celebration, you know about Peavine Creek. But you may not know that this tiny gem of a creek is in big trouble. That’s because heavy rains have caused extensive erosion of the creek banks, dumping runoff into the creek, and setting up a cascade of events that are choking off its life.

The disrupted soil allows invasive plants, like the strangler vine kudzu, to proliferate. Consequently, access to the creek for maintenance is both difficult and treacherous, and mounds of trash and debris accumulate under the bridge at North Decatur Road. It doesn’t have to be this way.

With input from Druid Hills residents, the Conservancy came up with a plan to restore a portion of the creekbank to health so that Peavine becomes a natural amenity in the village and the crown jewel of the watershed that it serves. The plan calls for 1) stabilizing the creekbank in Emory Village near the Panera Restaurant to establish safe access for maintenance; 2) installing a trash trap and rain garden to slow down and absorb stormwater; 3) planting native trees and plants; and 4) building an overlook so that people can appreciate the treasure that Peavine is.

As a part of last April’s Druid Hills Spring Celebration, Emory Village Alliance and South Fork Conservancy raised awareness around this project with their Coca-Cola Clean Up the Creek Concert, held in Emory Village. The Coca Cola Company, Hammersmith, the Druid Hills Civic Association, and other donors financed the initial phase of this project that produced engineering and planning documents and a topographical survey of the area. The survey includes an inventory of existing trees, land contours, and drainage patterns. It also confirmed limitations, such as easements, setbacks, and waterway restrictions, that govern how this area could be managed.

Most recently, a design team comprising engineers, analysts, landscape architects, regulatory officials, and volunteer advocates required permits. The next step is an engineering analysis of a “no-rise” certificate to confirm that implementing the plan will not adversely affect the floodway.

To make the plan a reality will require additional funding of about $40,000 from local businesses and all those in the community interested in preserving, protecting, and enjoying this precious natural resource for years to come. If you would like to donate to this project, please contact the Conservancy’s Executive Director, Kimberly Estep, at kimberly@southforkconservancy.org.

Lullwater Creek in Focus for 2024

This year's 2024 Druid Hills Spring Celebration will be drawing attention to an upstream section of Peavine Creek, Lullwater Creek within Lullwater Conservation Garden, where several sections of the creek's banks have washed out quite severely. The Lullwater Garden Club has plans to shore up some of these areas with heavy natural boulders and river rock. Coca-Cola, who is sponsoring this year’s “Clean Up the Creek Concert” in Emory Village on April 20th, has already graciously agreed to donate $10,000 to the Lullwater Garden Club. Druid Hills Civic Association has also approved a further grant of $5,000 to aid in this endeavor.

The Lullwater Conservation Garden will be one of the outstanding stops on this year’s Historic Druid Hills Home & Garden Tour, April 26th-28th. Docents will be on site to guide you as you pay witness to the natural beauty of Lullwater Creek as it winds through virgin stands of Old Growth Oak, Beech, and Tulip Poplar towering over

a forest floor rich with native flora. Plan to join us in the many activities we will host in and around the Lullwater Conservation Garden over the Tour weekend. Visit druidhillstour.org for a full list of Spring Celebration events.

Lullwater Creek, Photo by Jack Meyer

Coca-Cola ‘Clean Up The Creek Concert’ is April 20

Join in the Druid Hills Spring Celebration, once again! Local favorite, The Sundogs, will headline the FREE "Coca-Cola Clean Up the Creek" concert on the lawn in Emory Village on Saturday, April 20th from 5-9pm. Brothers Lee and Will Haraway formed The Sundogs in Atlanta in the early 2000s and quickly earned attention for the melodic Americana rock and roll sound of their records and especially for their highenergy live shows. Gus’ Spaghetti Junction,

a neighborhood favorite, will be the opening band.

Gather friends & family, your low chairs & blankets, and see you on the lawn at Oxford & North Decatur Roads. You can grab food and drinks from the newly opened Savi Market or from other local vendors. Produced by Emory Village Alliance, VIP tables with seating for four cost $150 and include complimentary wine and other merch. Learn more at emoryvillage.org

The Sundogs, photo by Ian Rawns Photography

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The Reading Room transforms Java Monkey space into a coffee and wine bar in Decatur

By Beth McKibben

Coffee and wine bar The Reading Room is now open in downtown Decatur, taking over the former Java Monkey space on Church Street.

Owned by friends and Decatur residents Mary Tveit and Kristin Radcliffe, The Reading Room already appears to be filling the void left behind by the beloved coffeehouse and community gathering place. Java Monkey closed after a devastating arson attack by a disgruntled former employee in 2018. Regulars have mourned the loss of the coffee shop ever since where regular poetry readings and open mic events were held weekly.

“I was a big lover of Java Monkey and it left a hole in our community when it closed,” said Tveit, who owns a design and marketing company and used to bring her children to Java Monkey. “Kristin’s only lived in Decatur for a couple of years, but used to live around the corner from it and didn’t know the backstory.”

Radcliffe walked by the Java Monkey space one day and noticed it was for rent. She immediately called Tveit about finding the perfect location for The Reading Room. It was a full-circle moment for Tveit.

Wandering into The Reading Room,

you’ll find a crosssection of Decatur residents and visitors – from high schoolers grabbing coffee before class and people reading or writing quietly at the bar to groups of friends sipping wine and cocktails and families with children enjoying hot chocolate.

Tables line a cushioned banquette across from the bar, with a reading nook toward the back of the room. Large dimpled metal chandeliers and basketweave cage lights illuminate the space. Books outline an archway leading to the kitchen and restrooms. Tveit asked a young customer to count the books in the archway. He counted 146 and received a macaron for his efforts.

Honoring Java Monkey’s ethos was important to Tveit and Radcliffe when developing the concept behind The Reading Room. Like Java Monkey, Tveit and Radcliffe plan to host poetry readings and literary gatherings in the future. Centering women was also important to the friends and business partners. The Reading Room serves coffee and wine from women- and minority-

owned brands. This includes coffee from North Carolina roastery Little Waves Coffee and wine from producers like Early Mountain and Forlorn Hope.

The Reading Room opens at 7 a.m. for coffee, tea, smoothies, and pastries. At 11:30 a.m., lunch offers toasted baguette sandwiches named for women poets and authors like the Bronte or Elena Medel. Weekends see a brunch board with waffles, eggs, breakfast meats, and fruit.

Wine service also begins around lunch, with charcuterie and cheese boards kicking off at 4 p.m. Table service starts at 5 p.m. The wine and cocktail menu includes Old and New World red, white, and sparkling wines by the glass and bottle and classic drinks like the Paper Plane, Old Fashioned, and Cosmopolitan. An affogato espresso martini comprises rum, coffee brandy, Luxardo, and espresso with an ice cream float.

Tveit says they hope to eventually be

open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For now, people will find The Reading Room’s weekly hours posted on Instagram (@ thereadingroomdecaturga).

Curious Java Monkey regulars continue to stop by The Reading Room to check it out. Tveit and Radcliffe posted a photo of a group of women who met each week to discuss life and their children when it was Church Street Coffee, then when it became Java Monkey. They returned recently to The Reading Room and brought their grandchildren.

“We had a patron come in last week who teared up because Java Monkey meant so much to her. We know we have big shoes to fill in Decatur for some people,” says Tveit. “But we’re already starting to build our following and they are getting to know each other. One table started talking with another table full of strangers. That’s the kind of community we want here.”

The Reading Room in Decatur. (Photos by Jacob Nguyen)

The Move: This month’s top food finds

By Beth McKibben

ATL Chop at Frazie’s Meat and Market

2030 Main Street, Riverside, Atlanta

Think of the chopped cheese as the best parts of a griddled hamburger and Philly cheesesteak mashed together with melty American cheese, onions, peppers, lettuce, and tomatoes. I prefer this New York City bodega staple to a hamburger. Try the ATL Chop at Frazie’s Meat and Market in Riverside. It’s super juicy and comes with most of the traditional ingredients, including lettuce, sauteed onions and peppers, and tomatoes. Frazie’s uses Tillamook cheddar cheese and adds a savory sauce to the meat mixture, which gives the sandwich extra tang and a flavor boost.

Opt for the potato salad as your side. I also enjoy the Southern take on the chopped cheese from B-Side in Decatur. It comes on a benne seed roll with pickles and a combo of Duke’s mayo and mustard. Instagram: @ fraziesmeatandmarket.

Monday night supper club at Wick and Nick’s

Mattress Factory Lofts, 300 MLK Jr. Dr.

I recently dined with two fellow food journalists at an intimate supper club on the edge of Grant Park. As with my discovery of Bovino After Dark last summer, I stumbled upon Wick and Nick’s on Instagram. Chefs Jared Warwick of Octopus Bar and Ben Skolnick of BoccaLupo launched Wick and Nick’s in 2021. There have been different iterations of Wick and Nick’s at restaurants like 8ARM (RIP), Whoopsie’s, and Octopus Bar. But the six-course Blueblood dinners held monthly at the Mattress Factory Lofts on Monday

nights are where these two talented chefs shine. (Think bright pops of citrus flavoring live scallop ceviche served in its shell, a rich mousse of foie gras amping up the earthiness of romanesco, and playful takes on classics like Duck A L’Orange.) Lit by the neon glow of red and purple lights, people mingle at tables scattered in the living room. Warwick and Skolnick work beyond their guests in the small kitchen, combining a dinner party vibe with a chef’s table experience for just 16 people. Optional drink pairings are available from guest bartenders who serve a mix of cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks, and wine. You may also spy Wick and Nick’s unofficial maître d’ during the evening, a friendly cat named Waylon. Instagram: @wickandnicks. Cathead biscuits and breakfast at Pastries A Go Go

235 Ponce De Leon Place, Decatur Shout out to Decaturish for reminding me to visit Pastries A Go Go again. The breakfast and brunch spot sports a similar vibe to that of Java Jive on the Atlanta side of Ponce. Service is friendly and attentive and the menu boasts comfort foods, familiar breakfast favorites, and bottomless coffee. A cathead biscuit here is an absolute must, and you can’t go wrong with any of the generously portioned omelets. I enjoyed the vegetable omelet stuffed with peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and cheese during a recent visit. If you love an eggy breakfast sandwich, order a BEC topped with gouda

cheese and thick-cut smoked bacon served on a cathead biscuit. Pastry chef Bob Light and his wife opened Pastries A Go Go as a bakery in 1995 where they served baked goods, pastries, and coffee. The couple eventually expanded the menu, offering breakfast and brunch, which included the now-famous cathead biscuit. This is the kind of place where servers know your name and your order and regulars chat with one another across tables. It appears Light will turn the business over to Adriana Park and Narit McCrary soon, whom he’s been mentoring. They don’t plan to change Light’s menu, other than to add a few new items, including mimosas. Look for a decor refresh, too. Change can be hard, especially

for restaurant regulars, but Light appears ready to slow down and turn the reins of his beloved establishment over to the next generation. Website: pastriesagogo.com.

Northern China Eatery owner brings a dumpling restaurant to Atlanta’s westside this summer

By Beth McKibben

Fan Zhang, the owner of Northern China Eatery on Buford Highway, will open The Dumpling Factory at Westside Paper in Atlanta this summer.

Slated to open by June 1, the restaurant takes over the Boxcar Betty space at the complex. The South Carolina-based fried chicken restaurant closed in March after less than a year at Westside Paper.

The Dumpling Factory will feature Northern China Eatery’s full menu of handmade dumplings and buns. Look for other dishes like fried rice and thick-cut and angel hair rice noodles, along with beer, wine, and soju. Anthony Bourdain highlighted the restaurant in a 2013 episode of his travel show “The Layover”. In the episode, Bourdain called Buford Highway a “veritable stairway to heaven” and praised Northern China Eatery’s dumplings.

“I’ve always liked the BeltLine and Westside Paper will be close to it and close to Smyrna so we can tap into that market with our food,” Zhang tells Rough Draft. Westside Paper will eventually be located off of a future spur of the Westside BeltLine Connector.

In addition to Westside Paper, Zhang says he hopes to open a location of The Dumpling Factory at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport next year. He’s also in talks to open a second location of Northern China Eatery near the Krog District along the Eastside BeltLine by the end of 2024. No leases have been sign yet.

Zhang assumed ownership of Northern China Eatery in 2012, five years after the restaurant opened on Buford Highway. The restaurant has since gained both local and national recognition for serving a wide variety of handmade fresh and frozen dumplings and buns.

The Dumpling Factory will join Asian fusion restaurant Bar Diver, brunch spot Pancake Social, Elsewhere Brewing, and taco shop El Santo Gallo at Westside Paper. Agave spirits shop Ancestral Bottle Shop opened last month at the West Marietta Street complex.

Located in the Knight Park/Howell Station neighborhood, the land and warehouses comprising the 15-acre Westside Paper site were once part of the Mead Westvaco paper plant. The new development includes multiple offices, retail shops, restaurants, and a pickleball court.

People frequent Northern China Eatery on Buford Highway for dumplings. (Photo by Beth McKibben)

Pop-up Smiley’s Burger Club eyes downtown Decatur for permanent location

By Beth McKibben

If you found yourself following a new burger account on Instagram recently and weren’t sure why, it’s because you were already following its predecessor GoDog.

Backed by Ean Bancroft of forthcoming Decatur fried chicken restaurant Mothers Best, Smiley’s Burger Club began popping up in March at Kelly’s Market on East Howard Avenue. The pop-up will take place on the last Saturday of every month until Bancroft finds a

permanent home for Smiley’s Burger Club in Decatur.

“I built a relationship with Kelly’s and owners Sean and Tanner Crotty. I used to do hot dog events there when I was doing GoDog,” Bancroft says. “I’ve found Atlanta is more of a burger town than a hot dog town.”

While working for Linton Hopkins years ago, Bancroft says the

Atlanta chef once told him that if you don’t see what you want on a menu, go out and create it. That’s how the iconic Holeman and Finch burger came to fruition and what prompted Hopkins to open Hop’s Chicken at Ponce City Market.

owns Argosy in East Atlanta Village.

“The vibe we’re creating plays into nostalgia and Americana food from the late 1950s and early 1960s. It’s simple. You come in, you order a beer, a burger, and fries. There’s no menu anxiety.”

Bancroft already has his eye on a Decatur location for Smiley’s Burger Club. He’s not ready to reveal the possible location yet and won’t be until he signs a lease. If opening Mothers Best has taught him and longtime restaurant partner Ross Winecoff anything, unexpected issues always crop up. The restaurant was supposed to open last October, then this February. But they’re now feeling confident of a late May opening for Mothers Best.

Nothing has changed in terms of the concept or menu for the Decatur restaurant. The menu still calls for buckets of fried chicken, fried chicken sandwiches, and fried chicken tenders with sides of red beans and rice, brined collard green coleslaw dressed in Duke’s mayo, and a fast-casual take on Robuchon potatoes. A takeout window will serve fried chicken, cocktails, and frozen drinks to go.

Until Mothers Best opens in Decatur, people can catch it popping up at festivals this spring and at restaurants around Atlanta.

And Smiley’s Burger Club and Mothers Best aren’t the only irons in the fire for Bancroft and Winecoff.

Tuesday evenings see the pair slinging seafood dishes and gumbo at Argosy in East Atlanta Village with Seafood Eatfood. Argosy doesn’t serve its popular pizzas on Tuesdays, so the pop-up helps fill the gap.

“Anybody who endeavors to make a new concept has to have a selfish interest in it. I wanted a slim smash burger and a simplified menu burger joint like you see in other cities,” he says. “I love the burgers at NFA Burgers and Patty and Frank’s, but I don’t always want to drive that far to get one.”

A Smiley’s burger comprises one to three griddled patties topped with American cheese, pickles, and a riff on Big Mac sauce served on an Engleman’s potato bun. Add-ons include onions, jalapenos, and crumbled bacon pieces. Bancroft hand grinds meat to form patties and makes batches of pickles as part of the toppings for the burgers. It’s a classic burger, he says, and all you need.

The menu for both the pop-up and future burger shop features seasoned fries and tater tots. Bancroft cooks and stages out of the kitchen at Sceptre Brewing Arts in Oakhurst, owned by his Mothers Best business partners, Donald Durant and Armando Celentano. Celentano also

Bancroft, who grew up in New Orleans, says to look for dishes like a dark roux gumbo with chicken and andouille sausage and wood-fired grilled oysters dressed in a compound butter of parmesan, garlic, citrus zest, and herbs. Expect specials of wood-fired little neck clams, peel-and-eat shrimp, and marinated crab claws. Bancroft sources oysters and shellfish from the same company as Kimball House. Food comes served on pizza trays with branded Mothers Best liners.

“Seafood Eatfood started as a way to keep working while we build out Mothers Best. But we’re always looking for an opportunity to cook and just have fun,” says Bancroft. “Now, with Smiley’s, it’s about creating that little local burger shack like Skinny’s on Anna Maria Island. It’s not fancy or elevated. It’s plain and simple burgers.”

Find out more on Instagram: @smileysburgerclub and @mothers.best.

Ross Winecoff, left, and Ean Bancroft. (Photo courtesy Mothers Best)

Mothers Best fried chicken restaurant should open in late May across the courtyard from The Deer and the Dove in Decatur. (Courtesy Mothers Best)

Smiley’s Burger Club starts is popping up at Kelly’s Market in Decatur. (Photo courtesy Smiley's Burger Club)

$19.8 million Buckhead home sale makes Atlanta real estate history

By Collin Kelley

A Buckhead home has made Atlanta real estate history with its sale price of $19.8 million.

Real estate broker Ben Hirsh represented the seller of 3391 Tuxedo Road in an all-cash, private transaction. Harvin Greene with Dorsey Alston Realtors represented the buyers. The off-market deal, which closed March 12, sets the record as the highest recorded home sale price in Atlanta history, Hirsh said.

The prior two record holders were Tyler Perry’s home on Paces Ferry Road, selling for $17.5 million in 2016, and a home on Valley Road which sold for $18.1 million

in 2021.

The 17,000 square foot home –described as “Scandinavian in style with a Japanese vibe in its flow” – was designed with minimalism in mind and plenty of space for a selection of art.

One of the striking elements of the three-level home is a sculptural, floating staircase that features an 18th-century Japanese charring technique called Shou Sugi Ban used to finish the wood cladding of the monolithic wall supporting the steps.

The sellers designed the home in collaboration with local design/build firm Siegel Construction and Design with interior design by Sherry Shirah from New

Orleans.

Jackson Fine Art assisted in curating an extensive fine art photography collection for the home. Owner and curator Anna Walker Skillman commented, “The art collection becomes an integral part of a home when curated and placed correctly.”

So integral, in fact, that much of that collection is going to stay.

The 3+ acres of land surrounding the home were landscaped by garden designer

Thibault Devillard of Terre Gardens.

“The home itself is a work of art and upon walking in, I knew it was exactly what my buyers were looking for,” Greene said, noting that the new owners sought privacy, manageable space, and a unique design transcending the ordinary.

This sale was also a milestone for Hirsh, who has surpassed the $1 billion mark in homes he has sold in his 20-year career.

Local Realtors call brokerage settlement ‘a big to-do about nothing’

By Cathy Cobbs

While some real estate experts are predicting a seismic shift in the housing market after a $418 million settlement regarding commissions paid to the listing agent and the buyer’s agent, several veteran Georgia realtors are saying that it’s much ado about nothing.

According to a statement by the National Association of Realtors on March 15, the agreement would end “litigation of claims brought on behalf of home sellers related to broker commissions.”

However, the statement continues that the NAR denies “any wrongdoing in connection with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) cooperative compensation model rule (MLS Model Rule) that was introduced in the 1990s in response to calls from consumer protection advocates for buyer representation.”

Several national publications predicted that the proposed settlement would dramatically drive down homebuyers’ costs — and push some real estate brokers out of business.

However, local agents are saying that

because the Georgia Association of Realtors already has an established buyer-broker agreement in place, very little will change in the state regarding homebuyers or sellers.

A buyer-broker agreement, according to homelight.com is an important and legally binding document that’s designed to protect both the buyer and the buyer’s agent.

“This agreement clearly outlines what the agent will do for you, the terms of the agreement, and how the agent will be compensated, which depends on what kind of buyer’s broker agreement you have,” the website said.

According to the terms of the settlement, the NAR will enact a rule that all MLS participants enter into written agreements with their buyers.

“NAR continues, as it has done for years, to encourage its members to use buyer brokerage agreements that help consumers understand exactly what services and value

will be provided, and for how much,” the NAR statement said.

Not every state has had these types of agreements, real estate experts said, which is to Georgia’s advantage.

“The settlement in question is in regards to an agreement that we have already had in practice in Georgia,” David Boehmig, CEO and President of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, said. “The only change will be that there will be more conversations with the buyer but I don’t see any real effect that it will have on either buyers or sellers.”

“We are ahead of the curve nationally because we have this agreement in place on the front end,” Atlanta Fine Homes Realtor Chase Mizel said. “Many so-called experts on the national level have been running with a false narrative and it’s created a tremendous amount of confusion. But in Georgia, it’s business as usual.”

Bob Fiscella with Atlanta Communities Real Estate also called it “a big to-do about

nothing.”

“In all my 17 years in real estate, I have never been told what to put in those blanks in the contract [of the buyer-broker agreement],” he said. “In fact, if I’m working with a friend or someone who is struggling to get to a point where the home is affordable, I might take a little off my side so they can put it towards their closing costs.”

Both Mizell and Fiscella say that they haven’t experienced any pushback from potential buyers or sellers since the proposed agreement was publicized. And despite elevated interest rates over the past year, the market remains hot.

“I listed a house on Thursday and by Sunday it was under contract that was $30,000 over the listing price,” Fiscella said. “In my opinion, only supply and demand will dictate how the real estate industry changes.”

Boehmig said he has also seen strong spring sales.

“Business is good, and we are seeing a strong level of both buying and selling in Atlanta,” he said. “I think people are ready to get on with their lives, after 18 to 24 months of uncertainty with interest rates.”

3391 Tuxedo Road in Buckhead set an Atlanta real estate record for its $19.8 million sale price. (Photos by Rob Knight courtesy of Hirsh Real Estate-Buckhead.com)

David Boehmig

By Collin Kelley

Atlanta BeltLine Inc. and Invest Atlanta have chosen Culdesac, Inc. and Urban Oasis Development to develop the Murphy Crossing mixed-use redevelopment project in the Oakland City neighborhood.

The revitalization of the 20-acre site will create a high-density, transit-oriented community with long-term, affordable housing, affordable commercial spaces and new amenities adjacent to the BeltLine’s Westside trail.

The design includes open plazas, courtyards, green space, paths and bike lanes. A community garden, rotating public art exhibitions and interpretive signage designed by local artists, and a dog park will be included in the project as well. Digital connectivity plans for Murphy Crossing include providing highspeed public Wi-Fi throughout the entire property. The developers also intend to pursue a green building certification.

Courtesy Culdesac, Inc.

The Murphy Crossing site is adjacent to the BeltLine’s Westside Trail and close to the Oakland City and West End MARTA stations.

Plans for the Murphy Crossing redevelopment, located at 1050 Murphy Ave. in southwest Atlanta, prioritize the preservation of land for a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly neighborhood and easy access to public transit and the BeltLine corridor.

The proposed development plan will include residential units, commercial space and amenities offering potential for job creation. The next phase for the project will include ongoing planning, entitlement and development, and community engagement.

During his State of the City address on March 25, Mayor Andre Dickens announced that Murphy Crossing would get its own MARTA rail station as part of an infill project to add four more stations to the system.

Civic Center redevelopment is on the table once again

By Logan C. Ritchie

The long-abandoned Atlanta Civic Center property in Old Fourth Ward is being eyed again for a mixed-use development.

Atlanta Housing officials want to show off their progress to World Cup visitors in Summer 2026, according to Urbanize Atlanta.

Republic, Michael’s Organization, and Sophy Capital will develop the approximately 17-acre Civic Center site.

The project would include 1,300 units of mixed-income housing, a museum, creative office space; retail shopping and a grocery store, and a 60,000 square foot public plaza with spaces for local, minority-owned small businesses.

Phase I consists of 150 stand-alone units and 10,000 square feet of retail.

At this time, a little over 10% of the housing units are being planned for seniors. The project is estimated at $750 million.

According to Urbanize Atlanta, Atlanta Housing officials announced they’ve lined up low-income housing tax credits to partially cover the cost of the redevelopment, while additional funding is being sought from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Invest Atlanta.

The redevelopment of the shuttered Civic Center has been an ongoing concern for the city since Mayor Kasim Reed’s administration in 2017.

Numerous plans for the site, including transforming it into a movie studio, have fallen through over the years. The last redevelopment project tanked in 2022 after New York-based Tishman Speyer withdrew from its plan to build housing on the site.

Atlanta City Councilmember Amir Farokhi, who represents the Old Fourth Ward, and Atlanta Housing had no comment on the current redevelopment project.

By Jacob Nguyen

Whether you’re going for the day or a weekend, Augusta makes for an easy drive from Downtown Atlanta, clocking in at just 2.5 hours.

However, unless you’re specifically going for the famed Masters Golf

Tournament, which runs April 11-14 this year, you’ll want to pick another weekend. Masters Week is notorious for filling up every hotel and Airbnb in the vicinity of the city as golf fans converge on the Augusta National Golf Course. Many residents flee the city to avoid the crowds, so be warned as you’re making plans.

With the Masters out of the way, Augusta is a charming Southern city, which has a vibrant downtown and the promenade along the Savannah River is always busy with art and events.

Speaking of the Riverwalk, a great place to start your weekend is the Augusta Market on the River (theaugustamarket. com) – or the Saturday Market as the locals call it. You’ll find fresh food from local farmers and chefs, baked goods, artisans, and other goods. The market stretches from 8th Street down to the river.

One you’re done at the market, it’s the perfect time to take a stroll along the river enjoying the flowers and views of the city. There are gardens, fountains and playgrounds for children, and restaurants to try as you explore.

Depending on what time of year you go, you might find other events happening on the river or a concert at Jessye Norman Amphitheater, which is named in honor of the opera diva and Augusta native.

If you want to learn more about the city’s history, visit the Augusta History

Museum in downtown. Along with a timeline of the city and region’s history, you’ll also find exhibits about another music icon, James Brown, who called Augusta Home. There are also exhibits about the city’s history with golf and the railroad industry.

Another famous resident of Augusta was U.S. President Woodrow Wilson (wilsonboyhoodhome.org), who lived in the city from 1860 to 1870 while his father was pastor at the First Presbyterian Church. Tours of the childhood home are offered on the hour.

If you’re looking for fine art, The Morris Museum (themorris.org) holds a permanent collection of pieces dating from the early nineteenth century to the present. It also offers special exhibitions and special events throughout the year.

No trip is complete without checking out some of the local food. The southern-stye home cooking at Café 209 (cafe209aug.com) will fill you up for the day, while New Moon Cafe (newmoondowntown.com) roasts its own coffee and has good pastries to start your morning. The Pizza Joint (thepizzajoint. net) has been a staple of downtown for nearly 30 years offering pies, strombolis and calzones.

For something different, grab a cold beer at StillWater Taproom (facebook. com/StillwaterTaproomAugusta), which also offers regular live music events.

Close out your weekend with a boat tour of the Augusta Canal in a Petersburg Boat (augustacanal.com). Well-informed guides narrate the open-air trips, highlighting the 19th-century textile mills, the Confederate Powder Works and two of Georgia's only remaining 18th Century houses as you float by.

Find out more at visitaugusta.com.

A tour of the Augusta Canal (Courtesy Explore Georgia)

Downtown Augusta from the Riverwalk (Courtesy Destination Augusta) The

Mountain Fun

Check out these events happening in North Georgia in April

By Collin Kelley

Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival

The 10th annual event returns to the Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuga in Hiawassee, GA April 12-13. More than a dozen storytellers – including Len Cabral, Nestor Gomez, Michael Reno Harrell, Megan Hicks, and Anne Rutherford – will be on for a weekend of performances. Get more details at gamountainstoryfest.org.

Rhododendron Festival at Hamilton Gardens

While you’re in Hiawassee, be sure to check out the annual festival, which runs from April 12 to May 17 at the Hamilton Rhododendron Garden. More than 400 varieties of the flower will be in bloom.

Visit georgiamountainfairgrounds.com for more details.

BaconQue 24

A fun-filled day of food, vendors, and music awaits along Hamilton Street in downtown Dalton, GA. The event is set for April 20 starting at 10 a.m. As the name implies, there will be plenty of barbecue and bacon to sample. Find more details by searching for the event on Facebook.

Bear on the Square Mountain Festival

Music, storytelling, and art are on tap for this annual festival in Dahlonega, GA. Some of the acts performing include Ugly Cousin, The Kody Norris Show, BlueBilly Grit, Joe Newberry, and Frances Mooney & Fontana Sunset. Get more details at bearonthesquare.org.

MAY 11–JUN 16

On the Coca Cola Stage

Trout and Outdoor Adventures Festival

Dive into the ultimate fishing celebration at the 7th annual Blue Ridge Trout and Outdoor Adventure Festival in Blue Ridge City Park. There will be fishing demonstrations, biking, kayaking, music, art, food and more. Visit blueridgemountains. com for more details.

Sassafras Artisan Market

Clayton, GA hosts this weekend of art and artisans from around the region on April 2728. There are also art demonstrations, food, and more. Find out more at sassafrasartisanmarket.com.

Nicholson Daisy Festival

Nicholson, located north of Athens, is known for its annual Daisy Festival, which

is May 3-4 this year. The festival runs on Friday and Saturday. There is plenty of food, entertainment, games, auctions, raffle, cakewalks, pony rides, live music and more. Craft vendors are located throughout the park with all kinds of homemade items. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. When it can be worked out, there are ball tournaments all weekend at the ball fields.

Rhododendron Festival (Courtesy Hamilton Gardens)

Bear on the Square (Courtesy City of Dahlonega)

A stirring new musical inspired by the beloved blockbuster film and starring Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, Akron Lanier Watson, Donald Webber, and many more!

Book by AZIE DUNGEY Music & Lyrics by TITUSS BURGESS Direction by MICHAEL ARDEN AND TINASHE KAJESE-BOLDEN

LORETTA DEVINE AMBER RILEY AKRON LANIER WATSON

DONALD WEBBER JR PRESENTED

Celebrating National Small Business Week

April 28 – May 4

Downtown Atlanta has always been home to small and independent businesses since its earliest days as a railroad terminus. That ecosystem continues to thrive, grow, and diversify as more than 300 small businesses operate daily in Downtown. With more growth on the horizon –including the new tech hub at South Downtown, the massive Centennial Yards project, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup – the city center is poised to evolve once again. In this special section, you’ll find out more about the entrepreneurial spirit flourishing in Downtown Atlanta.

Claudio Furgiuele, Rueben’s Deli

Brett Teilhaber, Friedman’s Shoes

Keisa Manning, MochaPops

Matt Bhamaraniyama, Tyde Tate Kitchen

Community Market Atlanta

A Big Market for Small Businesses

By Brianna Davison Project Manager of Research and Impact at Central Atlanta Progress.

Small businesses are the key to a thriving city center, and Downtown Atlanta is no exception. They embody the unique resiliency that has shaped our city for generations, and they are a vital part

of Downtown’s fabric, offering a distinct sense of place, creating unique experiences, and enhancing the area’s culture and vibrancy.

Above all, Downtown’s small businesses mirror the City’s entrepreneurial spirit and historic roots. With a robust range of over 300 small businesses, Downtown is a viable market because of the high volumes

Hustle and Heart

of foot traffic, spending potential of the consumer base, abundance of small business resources, and availability of diverse retail spaces.

From office employees to concertgoers, Downtown Atlanta thrives on foot traffic activity. In 2023, there were over 71 million visits* to Downtown, spending an average of 6 hours and an average of over 195,000 daily visits in the area. With a residential population of over 33,000, the heart of our city continues to grow and diversify as more housing is built.

The constant influx of employees, students, visitors, and residents boasts a strong consumer base ready to support local businesses. According to Placer.ai, the spending potential of local, state, and national visitors reach almost $1 billion**, making Downtown Atlanta an enticing market for small businesses.

Downtown offers a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem and access to many resources, such as accelerator programs, business coaching, and flexible,

financial assistance to help small businesses thrive. It also offers many retail spaces tailored to diverse needs.

With over 204,417 square feet of available retail space, there is ample room for small businesses to thrive, and Central Atlanta Progress can assist with entrepreneurs’ search for available space and make introductions to landlords.

Whether the retail concept requires a storefront in a retail corridor, a space in the Municipal Market in Sweet Auburn, or a City of Atlanta kiosk, Downtown welcomes small businesses to help shape the community and continue the legacy of entrepreneurship. To learn more, please visit AtlantaDowntown.com/Invest

*The total number of visits to Downtown Atlanta includes visits made by employees and non-employees.

** Placer.ai assesses visitors' spending potential by considering the median disposable income of the zip codes they originate from. The more visitors from a specific zip code, the greater its influence on the overall calculation. The daily disposable income of each zip code is used to gauge the economic impact. Placer.ai calculates the annual disposable income of each zip code, weighs it by the number of visitors from that zip code and divides it by 365 to estimate the tourists' accessible spending potential.

Small business owners share—in their own words—why they chose to set up shop in the city center.

Tyde Tate Kitchen

229 Mitchell St. SW Matt Bhamaraniyama

Tell us about Tyde Tate Kitchen. We are a family-owned and operated restaurant located at 229 Mitchell Street in South Downtown. Our menu consists of comfort Thai Food that we love to eat at

home. We opened our first location at Chattahoochee Food Works in April 2021, and our South Downtown location was opened back in April 2023.

What dish would you recommend to a new customer?

Most people like to go for Pad Thai, but personally I always recommend our Basil Chicken. It’s stir-fried minced chicken with garlic, Thai chili, basil, bell peppers, and green beans served on a bed of white rice with a fried egg to top it off!

Why did you choose to do business in Downtown Atlanta?

Downtown Atlanta has always been a very interesting location for us. Aside from not having many Thai spots around here, we also saw the potential that this area has with all the new developments that are

happening. With the World Cup coming in 2026, we knew Downtown Atlanta was where we wanted to be. The best thing about being here is the different clientele we get coming through the door. We get guests from the airport, fans who are going to sporting events, concert goers, and folks who are attending conventions.

Do you have a favorite Downtown memory?

My favorite memory of Downtown would have to be hanging out at the MercedesBenz Stadium, especially during Atlanta United games!

What makes you excited about the future of Downtown Atlanta?

I'm most excited about all the new developments that are in the works from Atlanta Ventures to Centennial Yards. Downtown Atlanta is finally getting the love it deserves.

Reuben’s Deli

57 Broad St. NW Claudio Furgiuele

Tell us about Reuben’s Deli.

Operating since 1986 and voted “Best Deli in Georgia,” we are Atlanta’s only NY-style deli.

How many people work at Reuben’s? We have 7 employees.

Central Atlanta Progress gathering of Downtown business leaders at Wild Leap brewery. (Photo by JMF Communications)

1

The Art of Sophistication

Tailored for discerning travelers, yet approachable for all. Our hotel blends modern event venues, refined service, premium wellness amenities, and eight elevated dining options to create an overall meaningful experience.

Delve into our welcoming world where The Art of Sophistication thrives.

What sandwich would you recommend to a new customer?

The Reuben or the “Old Tuesday” off our secret menu: hickory turkey, provolone, capicola, pepperoni, served on freshly baked ciabatta with lettuce, tomato, Greek mayo, and the works.

Why did you choose to do business in Downtown Atlanta?

I love the vibe and the hustle of the city.

What is the best thing about being in Downtown Atlanta?

The diversity of the people and the community aspect of this diversity. It’s a small, wonderful community.

Do you have a favorite Downtown memory?

I ran into a person we helped when they were homeless, now they have moved into an apartment and have a job.

Friedman’s Shoes

209 Mitchell St. SW

Brett Teilhaber

Tell us about Friedman’s Shoes.

Open for 95 years and located in the same location since 1929, Friedman’s is a familyowned men’s and ladies shoe store selling sizes from 7-22 in men’s and 7-14 in ladies. With its large range of sizes, Friedman’s is known as the place where professional athletes shop!

What’s something you would want a new customer to know about Friedman’s?

While we are best known for carrying large size shoes in our brick-and-mortar store and on LargeFeet.com, we sell all sizes for both men and women.

Why did you choose to do business in Downtown Atlanta?

My grandfather, Phil Friedman, opened a shoe repair business in 1929 and my father, Bruce Teilhaber, purchased the store in the

Community Market Atlanta

Every 1st and 3rd Thursday on the Broad Street Boardwalk

Alice Serres

Tell us about Community Market Atlanta.

Community Market Atlanta is a space of support and kindness for LGBTQIA+ and ally creatives looking to expand their business, find community, and celebrate queer joy. The nearly two-year old market was created by artists to gain income, share

MochaPops

57 Forsyth St.

Keisa Manning

Tell us about MochaPops. We are a premier pop and hot beverage company with a focus on vegan and wellness products. We also offer custom pops and private label. We started MochaPops in 2015 and opened our brickand-mortar shop in the Healey Building in 2018 where we have a total of five employees.

Do you have any special seasonal pops at the moment?

We have a catering menu of 50 flavors and regularly cycle those out seasonally so that you will eventually try all of them. This spring and summer will include Key Lime Pie, Caramel Crunch, Raspberry Blackberry, Ginger Peach, Orange Creamsicle and a few surprises!

Why did you choose to do business in Downtown Atlanta?

We are Atlanta natives and have lived in the city for years and we wanted to do business in a community that we love. We love the diversity of Downtown. There’s untapped value everywhere.

What is the best thing about being in Downtown Atlanta?

Downtown Atlanta truly thrives on its community and neighbors. There are so many guardians that wake up and polish our city every day, including CAP and ADID and everyone in between. We had a horrible storm one night with tons of debris and fallen leaves and branches everywhere, it was cleaned and repaired by 10:00 am! It’s a community that puts in effort every day. Where there is will and persistence, there is growth.

Do you have a favorite Downtown memory?

There are so many. Everything from the 1996 Olympics, the rebirth of Underground Atlanta, the rebuild of Broad Street, every airing of our civil leaders, parades, celebrations and— oh, meeting my husband James in Downtown!

What makes you excited about the future of Downtown Atlanta?

Atlanta is a special place. It is constantly evolving and growing. We understand how far it’s come and the importance of its culture and footprint. It’s poised to unlock its true potential and we are excited to see it. We have a mayor that’s focused and listens and a community that shows up!

70’s. All 4 sons work in the family business, and we have 8 employees in total.

What is the best thing about being in Downtown Atlanta?

It is once again becoming the heartbeat of Atlanta. Go South Downtown!

Do you have a favorite Downtown memory?

My most favorite memories are coming Downtown to see the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, and Flames/Thrashers games!

What makes you excited about the future of Downtown Atlanta?

I did not think I would see the transformation happening in my lifetime. CIM Group took charge with taking the old railroad buildings and starting the Centennial Yards project. Newport comes in to purchase 55 buildings and start the rehab only to hand if off to Atlanta Ventures to take the reins and complete the transformation… and let’s not forget we have high hopes for Underground Atlanta.

skills, and help each other grow year-round!

Why did you choose to bring the market to Downtown?

I believe in Downtown and want to see it thrive into a destination for locals. As a resident of Downtown myself, I believe markets like these were truly missing and so important in creating a life outside of the office and university spaces. I hope we can continue to bring more residents out as well.

What is the best thing about being on the Broad Street Boardwalk?

Seeing all the amazing vendors getting to share with locals and the pulse that

is generated from seeing folks interact, share, and exchange their uniqueness in community with each other. Anywhere from 25 to 35 vendors line the Boardwalk each market.

Do you have a favorite Downtown memory?

The sun is shining, the music is vibing, there's a GSU class change, and we are all in awe of the beauty in the crosssection of nature, people, and art.

What makes you excited about the future of Downtown Atlanta?

The dedication seen from the Atlanta Downtown team and their commitment

to finding folks like us to activate and bring life with true local Atlanta representation.

An Ecosystem of Support

By Matt Fogt VP of Marketing and Communications, Invest Atlanta

Brown Toy Box, headquartered at 57 Forsyth Street, is centering play to disrupt generational poverty by normalizing Black excellence, cultivating curiosity, and building 21st century skills to create pathways to prosperous careers and expand Black children’s ideas for the possibilities for their lives.

Through early exposure to STEAM education, cultural representation and purposeful play, Brown Toy Box develops toys, games, activities, content, and experiences that center and celebrate Black children in an engaging way that will encourage all children to learn from and enjoy.

Invest Atlanta’s relationship with Brown Toy Box founder, Terri Bradley, began four years ago when Terri requested funding through the Atlanta Emerging Markets Inc.’s (AEMI) Civic Impact Loan Fund as she was redefining her business plan and was requesting financial support to relaunch her business by hiring additional staff.  AEMI provided her with $48,000, and since that initial loan she has

been a member of the WEI cohort, moved her offices to the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship, partnered with the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative, and taken full advantage of all the resources available to entrepreneurs in the Atlanta ecosystem.

Right before the start of the 2021 Christmas season, Brown Toy Box landed a contract and purchase order with Target, which placed their products in 1,700 Target stores nationwide. While that was fantastic news there was one big problem: the company needed financing to manufacture the toys that would be going on Target’s shelves. AEMI partnered with Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) to provide $900,000 of innovative and flexible financing that she needed but was unavailable anywhere else.

Invest Atlanta Small Business Programs

Small business development is one of Invest Atlanta’s biggest investment areas, including a mix of programs to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and expand a business. Supporting small businesses not only creates jobs for Atlanta residents but also enables business owners, including those of color, to build long term wealth and generational prosperity. In 2023, Invest Atlanta provided $9 million in grants and loans to small businesses and supported 1,942 businesses with funding or consulting services. Learn more about these resources at InvestAtlanta.com.

Small Business Loans

Invest Atlanta currently offers 11 small business loan programs to support new and growing businesses. This includes funding for businesses located in disinvested neighborhoods to special purpose loans like paying off debt to programs for minority and female entrepreneurs to name a few of the options available.

Atlanta Open for Business Fund

With a generous $20 million donation from Wells Fargo, Invest Atlanta in collaboration with United Way of Greater Atlanta established the Atlanta Open for Business Fund program. The program helps small business owners build wealth by investing in assets such as commercial space, equipment, and technology. Racially and ethnically diverse business owners who have been disproportionately hurt by the pandemic will be an important focus.

ATLinBusiness

ATLinBusiness is a website that provides Atlanta entrepreneurs with all of the information that they need to plan, start, manage, and grow a business. In addition to accessing information, ATLinBusiness allows entrepreneurs to connect with technical assistance specialists at no cost. Technical assistance providers offer hands-on support in key areas like legal, finance and marketing. The site also offers a Marketplace feature to help small businesses make connections with largescale purchasers to expand their buyer networks.

Opportunity Zone State Tax Credits

Businesses can qualify for tax credits within 15 currently active State of Georgia Opportunity Zones in the city of Atlanta, including locations Downtown, where

the local government has undertaken redevelopment and revitalization efforts in certain older commercial and industrial areas. Businesses located in a State of Georgia Opportunity Zone that create business that create two or more jobs inside the city limits may qualify for tax credits of up to $3,500 per job.

Small Business Resource Centers

Part of ATLinBusiness, Invest Atlanta's Small Business Resource Centers are strategically located throughout the city, including a location Downtown at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, to meet business owners where they are. Invest Atlanta small business specialists, who can provide more information about how to access Invest Atlanta's wide range of grants, loans, and technical assistance opportunities.

Sparking Collaboration in Sweet Auburn

By LeJuano Varnell Executive Director and Main Street Manager, Sweet Auburn Works

Sweet Auburn Works’ (SAW) SPARK Innovation Lab is a place-based economic development program designed to support and enhance retail effectiveness in the Sweet Auburn Historic District. The SPARK Lab was designed to assist Sweet Auburn’s neighborhood retailers, retail landlords, and new or existing retailers eager to call Sweet Auburn their new home.

Since its inception in 2022, the Lab has leveraged the expertise of over 40 graduate students from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and provided direct financial assistance to help our neighborhood retailers engage professional technical assistance with

Photo

branding and packaging design, interior design and renovations, financial management, and a host of other challenges that affect the health of our retailers. The goal is to ensure there is an ecosystem of services available to directly benefit Sweet Auburn business owners enrolled in the program.

The SPARK Lab will celebrate the SBA’s National Small Business Week from April 28th – May 4th by hosting a pre-shopping event on Saturday, April 27, to kick off the week. Shop, dine, and explore Sweet Auburn to discover apparel, art, and beauty and wellness products to help you look and feel your best.

This year, the SPARK Lab continues to support its existing retailers and search for the new retailers who are ready to open their first business in Sweet Auburn. Applications will soon be accepted for a Fall Cohort of business owners who are interested growing their retail businesses in Sweet Auburn. If you or someone you know is interested in retailing in Sweet Auburn, please contact info@sweetauburnworks.com to receive the Fall application.

Brown Toy Box founder Terri Bradley 7