Open for Business Decatur

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

. w o N .

Here

Tap into Decatur’s thriving retail environment and reap the benefits of city support, powerful customer reach, and an undeniable buzz. visitdecaturga.com

decaturga

decaturga

downtowndecatur

GET IN ON THIS owntown Decatur stands out as the largest, most fully realized and wellestablished walkable district in metro Atlanta’s resurgent Eastside.

The city’s four square miles are jam-packed with 200+ storefront shops, galleries, salons, services, cafés, and restaurants making it a regional destination for dining and nightlife as well as a browse-worthy draw for boutique shopping. Decatur’s dynamic and diverse retail landscape perfectly captures the community’s distinctive blend of hip, artsy, and progressive.

BUSINESS MIX As a well-established trendy “indie” hub, downtown Decatur has a vibrant retail scene made up mostly by independents and metro-wide “chain-lets.” It offers foodie restaurants, hip watering holes, and a critical mass of charming boutiques. Sales figures currently reach $350 per square foot. Decatur also houses a wide range of creative offices, professional and medical services, and county government.

t o p s t swee

OPEN SPACES You’ll find storefront spaces, standalone retail, professional offices, converted residential space, and more along Decatur’s main thoroughfares and side streets. visitdecaturga.com

decaturga

decaturga

downtowndecatur

YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY Revolution Doughnuts

Victory Sandwich Bar

The Cook’s Warehouse

Join Decatur’s restaurant and retail rock stars including Mary Moore of Cook’s Warehouse, and James Beard semi-finalists (Billy Allin / Cakes & Ale, Ford Fry / No. 246, Kevin Gillespie / Revival, and Taqueria del Sol and Kimball House). The Indigo Girls, Sugarland, and John Mayer got their starts at Eddie’s Attic.

Other notable establishments:

• Boogaloos • Brick Store Pub • The Cook’s Warehouse • Dancing Goats Coffee • Highland Bakery • The Iberian Pig • Little Shop of Stories

Squash Blossom

Eddie’s Attic

• Revolution Doughnuts Little Shop of Stories

• Souper Jenny • Sq/Ft • Squash Blossom • Victory Sandwich Bar

We knew Decatur’s thriving arts scene created the right atmosphere for a successful local artists’ market.

Since opening HomeGrown five years ago, we have enjoyed tremendous support from local residents and enjoyed ever-increasing foot traffic thanks to Decatur’s reputation as a dining, drinking, and shopping destination for metro Atlanta residents and visitors.”

- Lori Ronca, owner of HomeGrown Decatur

West Atlanta

Midtown

Decatur

PONCE DE LEON AVE.

PonceyHighland

FR E E D

Candler Park Lake Claire

W Y.

PK O

M

TA

.

ST

Downtown Atlanta

Sweet Auburn

285

Druid Hills

Virginia Highland

Old Fourth Ward

AV E.

.

VD BL

LE ON

T OT SC

DE

Emory Village Piedmont Park

PO NC E

CLAIREMONT RD.

85

75

IE T MA R

Just six miles east of downtown Atlanta, Decatur is a distinct neighboring city nestled within a lively metro area. Getting here is easy – by car or public transit, with three in-town MARTA stations, offering direct access to Hartsfield Jackson International Airport.

Buckhead HOWELL MILL RD.

CONVENIENT LOCATION

L5P

AVE. ALB DEK

Inman Park

Edgewood

COLLEGE AV E.

Avondale Estates

Midway Woods

Kirkwood

Cabbage Town MEMORIAL DR.

East Lake

MORELAND AVE.

The downtown square contains two business hotels – a 175-room Courtyard By Marriott and a 145-room Hampton Inn & Suites opening soon, which attract both conference attendees and tourists.

Grant Park

85 Hartsfield Jackson International Airport

City of Decatur

D. RR LE ND CA

20 East Atlanta

Metro Atlanta Neighborhoods Within Decatur’s Trade Area – see “By the Numbers,” opposite

Decatur Cemetery

Hotel

CHURCH ST.

CLAIREMONT AVE.

E. PONCE DE LEON AVE.

Business Lots

Retail Districts

visitdecaturga.com

SYCAMORE ST.

City Hall

Library Rec Center Scott Park

E. T RINIT Y PL .

CANDLER ST.

City Landmarks

COMMERCE DR.

Public Parking

W. TRINITY PL.

N. MCDONOUGH ST.

DeKalb Courthouse

ELECTRIC AVE.

Ebster Park

Old Courthouse on the Square

SWANTON WAY

map not to scale

COMMERCE DR.

PONCE DE LEON PL.

FAIRVIEW AVE.

Lots of lots, decks, and on-street parking are easily accessible for customers. Downtown Decatur contains 2,500 parking stalls – 300 metered and 2,200 off-street – in addition to spaces provided by individual merchants. New mobile parking payment systems encourage foot traffic throughout town.

NORTHERN AVE.

CONVENIENT PARKING

COMMERCE DR.

.

AVE ARD OW H .

E

E. E AV LEG L O E. C

decaturga

decaturga

downtowndecatur

BY THE NUMBERS

0 withiinnuate 1drive m

Downtown Decatur Trade Area

Metro Atlanta

POPULATION (2015)

191,638

5,629,693

AGED 25 TO 34

17.9%

13.6%

COLLEGE-EDUCATED

49.2%

34.9%

PROFESSIONAL / GRADUATE DEGREE

23.8%

12.3%

53.9%

39.1%

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

$73,679

$59,000

MEDIAN HOME VALUE

$339,100

$183,124

HOMES VALUED AT $500K+

16.1%

8.2%

“CREATIVE CLASS” WORKERS

DECATUR NATIVES Decatur is one of the most desirable residential areas in metro Atlanta with home values well above the MSA average, a top-ranked school system, low crime rates, and walkable neighborhoods.

The city of Decatur holds a higher population density than the city of Atlanta.

Made up largely of single-family houses, Decatur has recently welcomed a round of condominium complexes to the downtown area totaling 600 units with 750 apartment units currently under construction.

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS

in-town living When we decided to open a children’s bookstore, the issue of where to locate was a no-brainer.

Decatur is a community of readers who value education. The downtown area is walkable and studded with quality restaurants and retailers that bring in customers from all over metro Atlanta. The City of Decatur is helpful and responsive to the business community. Running a retail business on the square for the past ten years has been wonderful.”

Dave Shallenberger, co-owner of Little Shop of Stories

The typical resident in Decatur’s trade area, encompassing the affluent communities of Druid Hills and Avondale Estates, is highly educated, creatively inclined, and socially progressive.

Downtown Decatur is a short walk from roughly 1,000 students at Agnes Scott College and a six-minute drive (or free shuttle ride) from 14,000+ students at Emory University. It is also the DeKalb County seat, drawing government professionals everyday. Downtown Decatur attains a daytime population of roughly 30,000.

Decatur and its surrounding area supplies major employers of its own from the high-growth “meds-and-eds” sector: - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters: 15,000 staff - Emory University: 13,000 faculty /staff - Emory Healthcare: 15,000 staff

a l l squared away

Lyn Menne

Assistant City Manager, Community and Economic Developemnt

PASSION – AND A PLAN The City of Decatur has been committed with clarity and purpose to an innovative town center plan for more than 30 years. This vision has spurred the stunning – and steady – transformation of the downtown square, and surrounding business districts, into the sparkling jewel that it is today. Business owners, neighbors, and municipal visionaries have long been champions for the cause of a creative, connected community and a thriving local economy.

And our commercial community members reap the benefits.

We opened our first business, Brick Store Pub, almost 20 years ago because the city had a vision that gave us hope. We opened Leon’s Full Service six years ago because Decatur has shaped up to be the home we always wanted it to be. We opened Kimball House less than two years ago because if you’re serious about becoming a part of a great community – and making a livelihood at the same time – Decatur is the place to be.”

Mike Gallagher, owner of Brick Store Pub, Leon’s, and Kimball House

ghtlife vibrant ni visitdecaturga.com

decaturga

decaturga

downtowndecatur

YOUR VERY OWN ADVOCATE

Focus

tur Deca do in ings to th e esom nd aw , art, a Music

A OC L

ED

L

City of Decatur

PP

A

V RO

y Cemeter Decatur

Festival

where

back Look

every

s here

live Beer

family-time-itinerary_4. indd 1

whip how to fun knows e Abel of stay-cationhubby and weekend daughter, spans – her son, – and attention of Decatur's en time the City short. As and film permittingto in ecial eventsshe stays tuned offer. ordinator the city has to that e best

Quiet

Visitors Center

decaturAve. • 678-615-0915 113 Clairemont orgia.com

• InstaStyle the Land Fun • Lay of Year-Round Getaway aders Tour Favorites • Girlfriends r • Foodie Beat • • Beer-Lovers

time,

a Take

decaturga.com /indiecatur learn more facebook.com •

/events • visitdec •

113 Clairemont ay, Tuesday-Saturd

decaturAve

Vi

Clear zone

July-auGuSt 2015 Volume 26 • Number 1

lee Williams recognized with thomas O. Davis award

ath ten p

Off th

The economic development department along with Decatur’s Downtown Development Authority acts as a small business concierge, providing resources, insight, and support in starting and sustaining a successful business within the community.

2015

h!

Ale Yea

too

ook!

ab Read

walk!

2014-2015

inSiDe

Official PublicatiOn Of the city Of Decatur, GeOrGia

PING SHOP G DININVICES R & SE

l

ee Williams, facility manager for Decatur Active Living, was presented the Thomas O. Davis Award at the June Decatur Business Association meeting.

Lee has worked for the city since 2000 and always goes above and beyond to serve the community. He has taught om a.c rG many children how to ride bikes safely, catu

e bea

...

annual

VisitDe

NEWs 3 City

dis atur Dec c o ve r

9 BusiNEss NEWs

managed sports camps and adult programming, and has been an active participant in the Safe Routes to School program. Lee also serves as a great mentor to teens and young men in the community.

Decatur’s Thomas O. Davis Award honors a public employee who has helped strengthen the bond between

15 DBA NEWs

government and the community, served as a role model for others in public service, contributed to the wellbeing of the community, inspired others to get involved in public service, and served the public with respect.

The award is named for Decatur’s long-time city attorney.

all at findrthVemisitors Center! ou

more photos on page 16

17 DEcatur EVENts NEWs toWN 20 school 23 arouND

USA

events. on and fabulous Concerts our fun Party • • Book Festival enjoy • Beach and more September) Arts Festival shopping, (May and for the Square Festival • holiday com/events Craft Beer fun out decaturGa. Check calendar of upcoming a

ies activit

4 convenient

by Mariott courtyard Ave. • 404-371-020 catur.com 130 Clairemont m/hotels CourtyardDe rgeorgia.co options overnight Visit visitdecatu for more

Enjoy a

ions modat Decatur. accom stay in downtown taydid s

c at i

LO

on

rthouse Old Cou Center/ History DeKalb

CAL D

s p le n

PR

E

disco ver

AP

OV

Time!

Family

nts e v E r atu

Fun waysa to spend few days and relaxing ting reconnec

plans the-go Decatur mom-ontime in A busy family priceless now!

start your

Family

Fun

C LO A L

AP

AL S LOCSURE PR

TREA

D

?

USA

AY E • ST BRAT CELE ZIP • SIP •

t iremon 113 Cla Arts nter, ur itors Ce Decat us for il ur Vis ibit at the d m Civ er, join Decat aroun ty, fro on exh and Octob mers all by the b Coun nter for a for ril Drop see what’s DeKal Ce et per arts events In Ap to ed in tory h stre t llery. s, and Ave., ys wit Lots more check ou ry. happen DeKalb His ry record ce Ga l da ipa has ian y tur nic ete All , or rst. tor itinera alk Sa Visit the y and cem Beacon Mu of his Oakhu nce.org ur own od — A lot civil rights.

Sidew yo log n and urArtsAllia the rho it set eao bo tow Vis igh War to browse gen the day.”

Decat blic-art and Down con Ne nity. , ed at in square the Bea an commu om/pu lesson are list “back it the gs in noring urGa.c about ic. Vis learn exhibits ho ican Americ Decat behind ’s Att evenin s. Or r folks Eddie Saturday toric Afr Cente ncert and ). But say the star at s or ur’s His or co ril tless, sttour.com this Decat th!), a rising afternoon e outdo in Ap ls all tty res ho joy days (or bo ay Catch tiva for fre are pre (decaturg , you’ll en Thurs Tarp Yeah!, or dnesd n e, fes dead Blue on We September Nights on tt Colleg ny of our urs thing seldom see ns or wler at Ale tober we catur’s ps, ing ost To n’t your zz Sco and De ver ma s y Ja at t ne 0 sho Ma g and In Oc a gro ssblow s are tur Gh ree Ta that kinds khurs s at Ag ts, than 20 Deca apparition e interestin catur Gla hot and r of Th ries, fill up ly brewpub. draiser t try Oa ber, recital music of all tauran u More if fun a tou we rofi De it’s on som n a e np — bre es, res al, ore yo Tak ybe eve ur’s r of no ons craft Septem n and live ts. fancy galleri g tou ce bef Festiv Decatur re to Decat Or ma ues, sal tow our two Twain’s, walkin the city. l strike your onnaisan n ahead of ft Beer chu boutiq es. Plus a 00 to tauran over of rec by th wil atio ur Cra n $600,0 Brews” bro vic and res drop facets a little in-dep destin t rn i.com) tha Decat pubs and ser of festivals tenard l like doing ur dining om for an residents. er the uted more catur’s Bes tions. and lea off (na . ry dar yo r.c ete ur se ! Fee trib tina r “De ou calen tural events has dis Pick up ou r beer des groovy city? Choo taurant-t d by Decat ual tours tur cemefactors, its r cul s. ou ou Deca ore virt and the res up ut of ben It’s it fav re . r tur st gro ts vis abo ca ries tou ing mo greate more at de e restauran for lking est sto learn be add time the wa of Decatur’s its strang quiet place twelv we’ll Take Book a look at ck back — r. some , and aks, and catur about heartbre (58 acres) d che t the yea AJC De tival in the Event An ion. st the ce YEA fes xat it all ate ou spa gh gre rela nd, vis ent book Libraries” . green throu , and als e y weekeindepend largest reflection the loc ur or Da ttle Fre g, cat On Lab the largest r artsy “Li ve one for runnin the De ou al, lea ok (at Festiv Or look for a book or ade . e the Bo d. tern Par u nation town – tak nter for r Lan and yo r-roun d Decatu Ce here, aroun Georgia y events yea to do Use your rar it! ’s a lot And the offers lite There lk to all of n the QR y) Librar can wa one to sca r “Walk ph ou on ns. d smart ctio poste codes signs for dire lowing ” r Glassb There Decatu

Music

visitdecaturge

• SHOP

all ’s ART There Decatur! r e v o

rdays k Satu Sidewal

Arts Decatur

. a local..

e x p lo re tur Deca

Decatur

rePOrt

E OV

Dec

od

neighborho bites and natives know. the The best that all joints

June

by: Photo

Beate

Sass

hing Somet ways r! e’s Al Ther in Decatu ess to Do

2015• er ecat ctobD

Busin nday Smallrday & Su Satu28–29

ur Focus newsl etter ber ecem reacDhe s 11,000 househ olds each month • News and publ ic relations mat erials in er in clmbud g city blogs, soci Nove al m ed ia , local publication writeups, and more • Online direct ory and myDec aturGa app with comprehen sive business listin gs • Decatur Visit ors Center loca ted in our downtown squa re, fully staffed an d stocked visitor informatio n and business bu lletins • Shopping, Din ing & Services annual guide listin g all storefronts and services in Decat ur – distributed st ate-wide • Brochures, m aps, and itinerar ies highlight city ho t spots, local favo rites, walkable districts , events, and mor e • Print and web ads run througho ut the year

O mber OakhurststiArvatsl& Septe sic Fe t. 10 ok Bo catur AJC De val Festi y Weekend

Nov. rga.com deals, atu special dec pping, Gift wra more and Santa

Mu

rst ay, Oc Oakhu Saturd y Park in festival. on usic Harm

ARTA tly on M l line direcn Hopthe east raido wntow

Take historic r to ou re. squa rking tur pa and t Deca Agnes Gallery town nvenien 0 dec at 30 ts 7 Down ful, co lton / rbookf e ts Da gh atu rail ire nti A Ni , Jun dec ere are 8,000 ncer ay, Bonf hmallow MART , and the is ple Jazz tish Rite 9, 16, 23 le. Th Sunday Saturd square and catur are Sky Co rs om 2, as ordab spaces ga al.c ot ril ue its Ma the , aff The De town squ stiv Ap Bl Sc lim On t r ed om ic aces 30 esdays decatur days, r city rbeerfe story Roasday, Dec. 17 ecatu meter d lot sp t r histor within ou Call MARTA Wedn 9, 16, 23, Thurs stjazznights.c decatu ints ack HiKick-off . an 2, ien townd Sa urs Bl t. hur are ck tem s en & Th oak Sep on de sys nv h ts down square square n co tance of , ve bus .com. rga Hain egrown rade Mont ert A On therdba.com On therdba.com withi xtensi d arta ecatu Parade CCTM ng dis t itsm Hom ween Pa decatu ConcFrancine Ree visitd decatu rsity’s are Piper walki or visi ts at ops Unive 8 Pied ert and with Hallo , Oct. 25 parade.com kfast a st sh rants.

Nigh te edules Emory , Feb. ea zz mo sch via Br day day nc tau Ja Ri ur h Sun rga.com res Co Sun rhalloween Sant e ks utes and and with ay, Dec. 19 d on th Scottis ewor July 4 e eek. Ro u. decatu s, decatu ts in 26) Fir t. day er W m yar urd .ed 24 Sep ay, urs e urt co Sat 17, Th urst Conc re emory om Saturd s raindat ur Co and 3, 10, 9, 16, eorgia.

Oakh l ork Decat Street Sept. stjazznights.c Squa ays, May 2, (Firew rga.com rriott urch call a cab: caturG Craw ay, Feb. 21 at Ch

by Ma rdba.com oakhur the Or decatu Saturd ty VisitDe xi standRTA plaza. decatu Saturdstga.org erts on find out the Ci ays 23, 30 rdba.com Conc re the MA es and ursd oakhur SlideEVENT check 9-3354 decatu om firm dat events ncerts fic Th 404-51 603 Squa ays, Sept. 12, NEW ay, July 25 ur .com.

To con ut new vice Terri5, 12, 19 turGa.c get.

-289-6 Sky Co 6, 13, eorgia abo e 404 Saturd Decat Saturd Deca more itDecaturG Blue esdays, May are and bud Nov. rga.com town Servic style ne. Go to 19, 26 rdba.com atu out Vis Down rga.com your Wedn • On the squ dec es pho match r mobile app. decatu decatu 20, 27 rdba.com tur you ne uck oung ts) Deca Festival ay via smartpho decatu ntern h-A-Tr YEA (Yging Artis dly Touc ay, March 7 Wineay, Nov. 7 load the tur La e-Frien estrians, r Emer t Decade a “Bik Saturd e April 25) Saturd square ped com dat ized as also fou at for Even ay, Sept. 26 rg Para (Rain rga.com On therwinefestival. .com s recogne maps (gre r. There ared on this & y 15 ternparade Saturdrartsalliance.o decatu nte rke decatu l ycl val rlan Blues orgia ring Ma d bic Visitors Ce (and ma stiva decatu decatu BBQ, grass Festi ix Ge wn Arts Fe nd Publ thon Chee e at the downto re. r 15 ue eke tu g.

Bl ay, Au Deca rial Day We s around learn mo Mara enge to Saturd y Park in Memo 24 on sts ar.com Chall , March 22 23– ibition, Arti l, Harm rst com May tiva Exh al.com Sunday rathon.

Oakhu outdoor

dining

at Universal

Joint

ound

town, Down in our and urst, t city parks igges

ary Febru

April

Call Last e Arts Fine Scott Colleg

Da Labor ay, Sept. 5– Saturd , Sept.6 com estival.

Sunday

h Marc

st Augu

t the

ork netw .’ iFi

ur bro

en yo

2 Op ‘Agree and ck ork.’

3 cli Netw Join

ma georgia

Hunt r Egg Easteay, March 28 Saturd

m rdba.co decatu

Fes out Fine ArtsChildren’s t, through Marke er events and oth nth rg iance.o the mo rartsall decatu

tur Cr Deca Festival Beer Oct. 17

ays ursd fic Th Terri3, 10, 17 Dec. rga.com atu

Park

and

Walk

  

July

May

lec eW 1 Se turFre ‘Deca wser.

dm startsan oakhur com aft

stiv rbbqfe decatu

• Keep it Indiecatur an inclusiv e go-local campaign encour aging consumer s to “Spend your mon ey where your he art lives” • Terrific Thursd ays shop-local ev ents in November and D ecember, widely promoted • Small Business Saturday and Su nday national holiday shopping campa ign / event • Retail and Re staurant Group meets quarterly, offers networking and business-buildin g opportunities, and access to customer mai ling lists • Decatur Restau rant Tour online / mobilefriendly tour feat uring hand-picke d, highly acclaimed restau rants around tow n • Concerts, fest ivals, and year-r ound events Decatur’s calend ar of events attra ct tens of thousands of pe ople to the downt own square and other business districts each year

OPEN YOUR DOORS

i

n Decatur. Opportunities abound all around town. Take advantage of what the city of Decatur has to offer and grow your business within our creative commercial landscape. Access educated consumers, energetic foot traffic, a dense and diverse streetscape, metro Atlanta allure, and focused city support. Become a fixture in a community that will love you back.

we are here – join us !

NEXT STEPS Reach out to our Economic Development Department for a tailored look at your best business opportunities in Decatur. Learn more at decaturga.com/business.

Catherine Lee

Economic Development Coordinator 404-371-8386
 catherine.lee@decaturga.com

visitdecaturga.com

decaturga

decaturga

downtowndecatur