Explore Gwinnett Magazine Volume Three

E XP LO RE GW I NNET T u V O LUME

VISITOR MAGAZINE

THREE

Let’s Get Visual

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THE LOCAL ART SCENE IS OFF (AND ON) THE WALL

exploregwinnett.org

AR D N E L CA O F TS EVEN

Gwinnett’s Best Parks

Dazzling Downtowns

A Day at Jeju Sauna

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th Most Exciting Place in Georgia Safest City in Georgia Best Places in Georgia Movoto

Best Cities to Live in Georgia Credit Donkey

YOU SHOULD

Be Here

For more info

www.duluthga.net

• The only full service Hilton in Gwinnett County • 20,000 square feet of event space (the most of any hotel in Gwinnett County) • Indoor/outdoor pool • Close to historic Norcross and numerous shopping and dining options at The Forum • Complimentary shuttle to MARTA station (with easy access to downtown Atlanta and the airport) • Dine at Latitude 33, our onsite full-service restaurant and bar

5993 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, Georgia 30092 | 770.447.4747 www.atlantanortheast.hilton.com

5993 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD. PEAC

770.447.4747 • www

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hank you for planning your visit to Gwinnett County. We’re an easy drive to Atlanta but offer a distinct, family-friendly vibe. Our tag line, “Atlanta’s Playground,” is on target, as Gwinnett is full of recreational options to keep outdoors enthusiasts busy, including tubing on the Chattahoochee; Gwinnett Braves minor league baseball games; biking the Suwanee Creek Greenway; hiking mountains and trails; and zipping through the trees on Treetop Quest’s zip line.

As you explore our county—and this guide—I’m confident you’ll be delighted by what sets us apart. Start with the fact that Gwinnett is the most diverse county in the Southeast. For the visitor, that means a plethora of authentic, organic ethnic restaurants to choose from, including Korean, Vietnamese, Jamaican, and Chinese. One of our most popular restaurants, Breakers Korean Barbecue, was just named the #1 Korean barbecue restaurant in the U.S. That is just one of the reasons our thriving Korean dining district is known as “Seoul of the South.”

Lisa Anders executive director

GET IN TOUCH u Facebook.com/ExploreGwinnett u Twitter.com/GwinnettEvents 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 200 Duluth, Georgia 30097 770.623.3600, exploregwinnett.org

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u Pinterest.com/ExploreGwinnett u Instagram.com/ExploreGwinnett

PUBLISHED BY

BUFORD COMMUNITY CENTER:

Spectacular VenueS, unforgettable MeMorieS

260 Peachtree Street Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30303 404.527.5500 atlantamagazine.com

P UB LISHER Sean McGinnis A SSOCIAT E P UB LISH E R Jon Brasher EDIT ORIA L DIREC T OR Kevin Benefield D ESIGN D IREC T OR Cristina Villa Hazar

Come experience the Buford Community Center, Town Park & Theatre where the arts abound, wedding dreams come true, history is showcased, and entertainment is endless.

SEN I OR EDI TOR Jennifer Coltrin A R T DI R ECTOR Lisa Sparer

Spanning across four distinct venues, this beautiful facility can accommodate large banquets, elegant weddings, corporate meetings and seminars, as well as live arts performances and large-scale concerts. Exquisite planning and guest services make every event an experience to remember.

COPY EDI TOR Kate Johnson CON TR I B U TI N G W R I TER S Karina Antenucci, Wendell Brock, Carly Cooper, Lynn Coulter, Candice Dyer, Caroline Eubanks, Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Scott Freeman, Kelly Jordan, Amy Meadows, Tony Rehagen, Katja Ridderbusch, Jennifer Senator, Annette Thompson, Liz Vinson, Susan Rebecca White

Seating up to 274 patrons, the stunning Sylvia Beard Theatre hosts a wide array of performances and shows throughout the year. From Tony Award winners to Grammy Award winners, the Sylvia Beard Theatre has presented numerous world renowned entertainers and performers. The entertainment options are endless at the Buford Community Center’s Sylvia Beard Theatre.

PR ODU CTI ON DI R ECTOR Whitney Tomasino

With lawn seating up to 1,800, the Town Park Amphitheater provides a beautiful setting for small concerts and outdoor movies while our larger, Town Park Lawn, seats up to 10,000 for our annual concert series.

CON TR I B U TI N G PHOTOGR A PHER S Kate Awtrey, Harold Daniels, Bruce Johnson, Jonathan Phillips

The grandeur of our facility, comprehensive guidance of our staff and partners, and our world-class performances make the Buford Community Center the ultimate destination for any and every event.

I LLU STR ATOR S Thomas Burns, Martin Haake Cover and interior photography courtesy of Explore Gwinnett.

This magazine was published in cooperation with Explore Gwinnett by Atlanta Magazine Custom Media. All content ©2017. All rights reserved.

PHOTO CREDIT TK

Welcome to Gwinnett

Food, craft beer, and eating local are kind of a big deal here, and our magazine shares some of our favorite restaurants.

Shops, attractions, and eateries are scattered throughout Gwinnett’s downtown neighborhoods. Almost every weekend you’ll find events ranging from beer and wine festivals to art festivals to the three-day International Night Market. And you’ll find things you can’t find anywhere else in Atlanta, such as Georgia’s only Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, and the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (the second-largest Hindu Mandir in the U.S.).

A guided tour is a highlight for our visitors.

Whether you are in town for business, convention, leisure, or just visiting friends and family, we promise you there is more to do than you’ll find time to enjoy. And with new attractions in Atlanta, including Ponce City Market, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Atlanta BeltLine, and others, your vacation will be action packed.

We hope you visit soon to see firsthand what makes Gwinnett extraordinary. We look forward to your visit!

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE: BufordCommunityCenter.com Facebook.com/BufordCommunityCenter Ticket Line: 770-904-2740 EXPLORE GWINNET T • 3

Features AT L A N TA PEACHTREE CORNERS

DISCOVER EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, I N B E A U T I F U L T E C H N O LO GY P A R K The Atlanta Marriott Peachtree Corners hotel is just a short drive away from Atlanta attractions and a variety of activities that you’ll surely enjoy on your next family getaway. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, or planning a meeting or event the Atlanta Marriott Peachtree Corners is suited to meet your every need.

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THE TOP 10 REASONS TO LOVE GWINNETT

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LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

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GETTING REAL AT JEJU

Whether you’re a hometown tourist or just passing through, don’t skip these unforgettable Gwinnett experiences. b y l i z v i n s o n

Location manager David Luse talks show business—and finding perfect film locations—in Gwinnett County. b y a m y m e a d o w s

Join local writer Susan Rebecca White at Jeju Sauna, a traditional Korean bathhouse in Duluth. by susan rebecc a

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white

GWINNETT’S BEST PARKS

Whether you’re looking for pools, sports, or scenic views, here’s the rundown on Gwinnett’s best parks. b y k e l ly j o r d a n

Southeastern Railway Museum (PAGE 20)

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TANNERY ROW

Go behind the scenes at Tannery Row Artist Colony in Buford, a busy and beautiful collection of 15 visual artists. b y c a n d i c e d y e r

475 Technology Parkway Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 T: 770.263.8558 | F: 770.263.8145 Toll-free: 1.800.228.9290 Marriott.com/ATLCP

facebook.com/ATLCP 4 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

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Exciting new guest room concept coming in 2017!

Restaurant 475 and Bar – American cuisine with a distinctly Southern flair 5,000 square feet of event space Close proximity to historic downtown Norcross and many shopping and dining options at The Forum on Peachtree Parkway • Complimentary parking • Complimentary shuttle within a 5 mile radius including the MARTA station (with easy access to downtown Atlanta and the airport)

Departments

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Attractions 38 Visually Speaking Four popular public art murals 40 Knight Life The road from squire to superstar at Medieval Times 42 Living History Environmental & Heritage Center 44 Making Music in Duluth Eddie Owen’s Red Clay Music Foundry 46 Play Ball!

Up close and personal with the Gwinnett Braves

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48 Staying on Track Railroads rule at the Southeastern Railway Museum 50 Temple of the Gods Lilburn’s magnificent Hindu Mandir

62 Sugar Rush A roundup of Gwinnett’s best bakeries Shopping 64 Downtown Delights Shop Gwinnett’s lovely historic downtowns 66 Made in Gwinnett Locally made jewelry, shoes, pottery, and more Out & About 68 Gwinnett After Dinner Where to go when the sun goes down 70 Affairs to Remember The seven coolest Gwinnett festivals 72 Get Social!

Gwinnett explorers are abuzz on social media

Dining 50 Where the Locals Eat Local luminaries share their favorite dining spots 58 Raise a Glass, Gwinnett Cheers to craft beers!

60 The Chef’s the Word Dig into local chef-driven restaurants

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[Other] 8 Contributors 10 Who We Are 12 Meet the Neighbors 16 Calendar 74 Resource Guide 80 Map of Gwinnett

Contributors

Wendell Brock

Jennifer Senator

Carly Cooper

Susan Rebecca White

Brock has been writing about Atlanta culture for more than two decades. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Saveur, the Bitter Southerner, Cooking Light, Delta Sky, and numerous other publications. A graduate of the University of Georgia, he was an Atlanta Journal-Constitution editor, staff writer, and critic from 1982 to 2009 and continues to write about theater and food for the AJC. Most recently, he won a James Beard Award for his profile of Atlanta food critic Christiane Lauterbach.

An Atlanta native, Senator lived in Norcross until she was 10. Says Senator, who interviewed Gwinnettians about their favorite places to eat, “My favorite restaurant in Gwinnett will always be Dagwood’s Pizza on Spalding Drive, because it’s where my dad taught me to play Ms. Pacman.” A former senior editor for Atlanta magazine, Senator has contributed to publications such as the New York Post, Food Network magazine, Town & Country, and Frommer’s travel guides.

A content strategist by day and lifestyle writer by night, Carly Cooper has a passion for food, fashion, and travel. A contributing editor for Atlanta magazine and contributing writer for Simply Buckhead, Cooper prides herself on knowing the best places to eat around the city. In this magazine, she gives a tour of Gwinnett’s chef-driven restaurants and digs into the area’s best bakeries.

Born and raised in Atlanta, White is one of Paste magazine’s “10 authors from Georgia you should read now.” She is the author of three critically acclaimed novels, A Place at the Table, A Soft Place to Land, and Bound South. Her nonfiction essays have been published in the Bitter Southerner, Salon, Tin House, and the UNC Press. Additionally, she has written food criticism for Atlanta magazine.

Candice Dyer

Scott Freeman

Amy Meadows

Tony Rehagen

Candice Dyer is a freelance writer based in North Georgia.

She has been a staff writer for Atlanta magazine, and her work has appeared in Garden & Gun, Paste, Men's Journal, Country Living, Georgia Trend, and HGTV. She published Street Singers, Soul Shakers, and Rebels With a Cause: Music from Macon by Indigo Press.

Scott Freeman is the author of four books, including the best-selling Midnight Riders: The Story of the Allman Brothers Band and Otis! The Otis Redding Story. His work has received numerous journalism awards, and he has written for numerous local and national publications.

Freeman is the managing editor of ArtsATL.

Meadows is a veteran freelance feature writer and president of Green Meadows Communications, LLC. She has written more than 1,500 articles and contributed to more than a dozen hardcover pictorial books. Her first children’s picture book, Emma’s American Chinese New Year, earned a 2012 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award and a 2013 Independent Publisher Book Award.

Tony Rehagen’s work has appeared in Pacific Standard, ESPN, Bloomberg, Columbia Journalism Review, and Atlanta magazine. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

Formerly of Atlanta, he now lives in St. Louis, where he takes his family to Waffle House at least once a week.

HEART

GWINNETT MEDICAL CENTER

PHOTO CREDIT TK

BROCK : HAROLD DANIELS, SENATOR: COURTESY OF JENNIFER SENATOR, COOPER: VIC BONVICINI

WHERE

I S A W AY O F L I FE

AURORA THEATRE

GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE

City of Lawrenceville is home to a state-of-the-art medical center, award-winning theatre and a nationally ranked 4-year college.

Lawrenceville, where ART is a way of life.

www.LawrencevilleGa.org 8 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

SMART

CityofLawrenceville

CityofLville

CityofLawrenceville EXPLORE GWINNET T • 9

Who We Are

Burgers + Brews Week w w w in n ett .g w

Every March, Gwinnett’s best casual independent restaurants offer specialty, à la carte burgers for just $7.

Chefs pair each burger with the perfect craft beer (extra charge) for a delightful dining experience. It’s a match made in dining heaven. burgersandbrewsweek.com

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Artober This month-long, county-wide event celebrates all things related to the arts in Gwinnett County. The community can enjoy special performances, discounts to arts venues, popup demos, buskers, and daily public art events. artober.org

Gwinnett Tourism Education Program

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Explore Gwinnett Initiatives Gwinnett Restaurant Week For one week in July, Explore Gwinnett takes you on a culinary adventure to unique restaurants around the county at a price you cannot resist.

Participating restaurants, including top farm-to-table spots, steakhouses, and international favorites, put together a three-course menu of their best-loved recipes.

Enjoy the opportunity to create your own meal from pre-selected options for only $25 plus tax and gratuity. gwinnettrestaurantweek.com

Gwinnett Sports Commission The mission of the GSC is to foster economic development through Gwinnett’s role as a leading site for sports events involving youth, collegiate, amateur, and professional organizations. Gwinnett is the home of the Infinite Energy Center, Suwanee Sports Academy, Life Time Tennis of Atlanta, SGAA Athletic In-Line Hockey Complex, TPC Sugarloaf, and other top-ranked facilities. gwinnettsportscommission.com

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xplore Gwinnett, the marketing brand for the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB), is Gwinnett County’s official tourism organization and is dedicated to strengthening Gwinnett’s economy by marketing the county as a destination for conventions, sporting events, meetings, and leisure travel through sales, marketing, and promotion. Explore Gwinnett also houses the Gwinnett Sports Commission, and the GCVB Board of Directors oversees the operations/ management of Infinite Energy Center.

Recently, Explore Gwinnett launched a new website with a fresh, easy-to-navigate user interface. The site is full of helpful info for visitors including a guide to Gwinnett’s neighborhoods and cities; suggested itineraries and a calendar of events; local stories and interviews with prominent residents; and a directory of attractions, dining, shopping, and hotels. It also features a variety of complimentary services for planning the perfect family reunion in Gwinnett, including information on hotel rooms, activities, and transportation. exploregwinnett.org

ILLUSTR ATION BY THOMA S BURNS

Explore Gwinnett

ONLINE RENTING IS EASY!

GTEP is Explore Gwinnett’s yearlong education program for the Gwinnett hospitality community. Offered free of charge, it is designed to educate members of the hospitality community on Gwinnett County’s downtowns, attractions, shopping, parks, history, and heritage—as well as the county’s educational and civic foundations. explore gwinnett.org/partners/gtep

www.gwinnettparks.com

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 11

Community Profiles

Meet the Neighbors EXPLORE GWINNETT’S CULTURALLY RICH CITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS

BY LYNN COULTER

Lawrenceville

Duluth

MORE GWINNETT NEIGHBORHOODS

➤ Auburn cityofauburn-ga.org ➤ Berkeley Lake berkeley-lake.com ➤ Braselton braselton.net ➤ Dacula daculaga.gov ➤ Grayson cityofgrayson.org ➤ Loganville loganville-ga.gov ➤ Snellville snellville.org Buford

Buford

Buford has never been a sleepy small town. Established in 1872 with a focus on business and education, it earned the moniker “The Leather City” because it manufactured leather products of international renown. Today, you can stroll its historic district to see factories and homes built by early tycoons. Shoppers can browse more than 200 stores at the nearby Mall of Georgia and art galleries at Tannery Row Artist Colony. When you’re ready to play, head to Lake Lanier. With more than 700 miles of shoreline, Georgia’s biggest lake is a popular place to swim, fish, ski, boat, and picnic. cityofbuford.com

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Duluth

Duluth is changing. While the city is preserving its historic Main Street buildings, new businesses, restaurants, and shops are springing up. The centerpiece of the new Parsons Alley complex is a public plaza; it also offers 30,000 square feet of restaurants and retail, including a new brewery, Good Word Brew Pub. The city is also adding new public art installations; look for a giant mural on the side of The Chocolaterie and a mosaic at Dreamland BBQ. Duluth is also home to popular music venue Eddie Owen Presents, as well as a summer concert series, festivals, and other events. duluthga.net

Lawrenceville

Maybe it’s the regal courthouse presiding over downtown, but something about Gwinnett’s county seat invites looking into the past. Many of the town’s historic downtown buildings have been turned into restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues such as the Aurora Theatre. Additional attractions include the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, considered one of the top 30 U.S. wedding venues; the Gwinnett Veterans’ War Memorial Museum; and Georgia Gwinnett College.

The Lawrenceville Lawn is a gathering place for movie nights, concerts, and festivals. lawrencevillega.org

Lilburn

In 2013, Money magazine ranked Lilburn, a busy city with a small-town feel, the fifth-most affordable place to live in the United States.

Known for its excellent schools, it is located about 20 miles from downtown Atlanta, and attractions like Stone Mountain Park are a short drive away. The city is home to the second-largest Hindu Mandir in North America, the historic Wynne-Russell House, and the 4.2-mile Camp Creek Greenway, a multiuse trail and certified wildlife habitat. In Old Town, visitors enjoy shops, eateries, an antiques market, and summer concerts. cityoflilburn.com

Sims Lake Park Suwanee

visit

Community Profiles Norcross

Sugar Hill

Peachtree Corners

Norcross calls itself “a place to imagine.” This former country town has kept its historic homes and downtown district while cultivating an exciting arts and cultural scene. Visitors and residents turn out for public art exhibits, concerts and outdoor movies, theatrical performances, gallery receptions, and other community events, including festivals, classic car shows, holiday celebrations, and more. Window-shop along the shady streets for antiques, custom-made jewelry, and artwork; or visit one of the eight beautiful parks that invite kids of all ages to relax and play. norcrossga.net

Peachtree Corners

Gwinnett County’s newest and largest city was incorporated in 2012. This planned community includes the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a popular place for tubing, fishing, and boating, and parks where you can hike, swim, picnic, bike, or play sports. A 20-acre Town Center, which will include restaurants, shops, and townhomes, will be completed in the summer of 2018. A two-acre Town Green is also planned along Peachtree Parkway. It will feature a veterans monument and serve as a site for community gatherings and outdoor entertainment. peachtreecornersga.gov

Sugar Hill

Located minutes from Lake Lanier and the Georgia mountains, the “Sweet City” of Sugar Hill is home to Sugar Hill Golf Club, featuring one of the area’s best golf courses; and a city park. The fast-growing community is busy turning “dirt into destinations.” Construction is underway for a number of projects, including: E Center, a 30,000-square-foot multiuse facility; the Nexus, which combines condominiums, retail, and restaurants; the Iconic, a hotel with a rooftop conference center; and the Sugar Hill Greenway, a 16-mile, multiuse trail, which launches in 2017. cityofsugarhill.com

Suwanee

Award-winning Suwanee has been recognized twice by Money magazine as one of America’s best small communities. Located 30 miles north of Atlanta, the area is known for its family-friendly parks and greenway trails. Public art is a big part of the city’s identity, and new exhibits for SculpTour, a series of installations along a one-mile walking tour, will be installed in spring 2017. This event takes place in Town Center, a mixed-use development that serves as the town’s beating heart. Suwanee also keeps the focus on art— and fun—with a fall festival, a photography competition, and other events. suwanee.com

PHOTO CREDIT TK

Norcross

Cultural cuisine

Unique experiences

Fun for everyone

Small town. Big difference. cityoflilburn.com

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Yellow Daisy Festival, Stone Mountain Park

Three-day event celebrating diversity, culture, cuisine, and community with more than 200 vendors, plus music and performances. atlnightmarket.org Mitsubishi Electric Classic, TPC Sugarloaf

Calendar of Events JANUARY

The Ice Rink at Sugar Hill, Sugar Hill City Hall

Groundhog Day, Yellow River Game Ranch

Lace up your skates for the simple pleasure of gliding around a tented outdoor rink. icerinkatsugarhill.com

Witness Georgia’s most famous weather prognosticator, General Beauregard Lee. yellowrivergameranch.com

Snow Mountain, Stone Mountain Park

North Atlanta Home Show, Infinite Energy Forum

Build snowmen, shoot snowballs, and go tubing at Atlanta’s official destination for snow-packed fun. stonemountainpark.com

More than 150 companies display the latest in home improvement products and services. infinite energycenter.com/events

Gwinnett County MLK Parade, Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center

MARCH

The community honors Martin Luther King Jr. with a parade, a voter registration drive, and more. gwinnettmlkparade.com Georgia Swarm Season Opener, Infinite Energy Arena

Georgia’s professional indoor lacrosse team kicks off its hard-hitting season, which runs through April. georgiaswarm.com

FEBRUARY

Family Reunion Planning Workshop

The Explore Gwinnett staff guides you through the “who, what, why, and when” of planning your next family reunion. atlantareunion.com

Burgers + Brews, Local Restaurants

It’s a perfect match when $7 à la carte burgers are paired with the ideal brew at participating restaurants. burgersandbrewsweek.com Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest, Town Center Park

Legends of the game complete in this premier golf tournament on the PGA TOUR Champions. mitsubishielectricclassic.com Gwinnett Braves Opening Day, Coolray Field

The Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A affiliate takes to the field through September. gwinnettbraves.com Art on the Chattahoochee, Simpsonwood Park, Peachtree Corners

Artists showcase their work on the banks of the Chattahoochee, while kids make crafts and sidewalk chalk art. gwinnettparks.com

MAY

Memorial Day Celebration, Thrasher Park, Norcross

Enjoy live bands and yummy hot dogs at this annual bash in a historic park. norcrossga.net Movies on the Lawn, Lawrenceville Lawn

Visit the food trucks before catching a family-friendly flick. The free series, held the second Friday of each month, runs through August. lawrencevillega.org

St. Paddy’s weekend brings an epic celebration, including unlimited samples of 300-plus craft brews and a cornhole tournament. suwaneebeerfest.com

Summer Stage Concert Series, Duluth Town Green

APRIL

Summer Concert Series, Lawrenceville Lawn

Spring Fun Break, Stone Mountain Park

Celebrate the beauty of spring at Atlanta’s favorite natural wonderland. stonemountainpark.com

Enjoy live tunes from the comfort of your lawn chair in the heart of Duluth. Through September. duluthga.net

Rollicking live music comes to downtown Lawrenceville the last Friday of each month, through September. lawrencevillega.org

Barefoot in the Park, Buford Community Center, Town Park, and Theatre

This Mother’s Day tradition offers a colorful artist market alongside dance and choral performances. barefootinthepark.org Suwanee Arts in the Park, Town Center Park

This family-friendly event pairs art in all forms with live music and great food. suwanee.com Movies in the Park, Lillian Webb Park, Norcross

Bring the family and a comfy blanket for a free, kid-friendly film screening. norcrossga.net Norcross Summer Concert Series, Thrasher Park

Spend your Friday evening relaxing—or dancing—as live music drifts through the park. Through September 1. norcrossga.net Movies Under the Stars Summer Concert Series, Mall of Georgia

Friday evenings through July, the Village Amphitheater hosts a live band, bounce houses, and food vendors, followed by a family movie. simon.com Star 94’s Woofstock, Town Center Park, Suwanee

The pet-friendliest event in town features Frisbee dog demos, animal adoptions, pet-themed vendors, and more. suwanee.com

JUNE

Duluth Arts Festival, Duluth Town Green

More than 80 artists present their works. Artist demos, music, and gourmet food trucks are also on the calendar. duluthga.net Movie Under the Stars Double Feature, Town Center Park, Suwanee

Bring chairs, blankets, and snacks for double-features in Suwanee. Through August. suwanee.com

PHOTO CREDIT TK

Atlanta International Night Market, Gwinnett Place Mall

Just imagine live music of various genres, strolling around downtown for public art exhibits and gallery receptions, romp, play or just relaxing in the city’s beautiful parks or taking a culinary journey around the world simply by traveling from one eatery to the next in the city’s quaint historic downtown district! Just imagine the possibilities!

aplacetoimagine.com

www.

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Calendar Peachtree Corners Festival, The Corners Parkway and Woodhill Drive

Two-day fun fest featuring an artist market, food trucks, and a Friday-night concert. peachtreecornersfestival.com BluesBerry Festival, Downtown Norcross

Regional blues artists rock downtown Norcross while patrons enjoy craft brews and delicious bites, including local blueberries. bluesberrybeerfestival.com

JULY

Sparks in the Park, the Bowl at Sugar Hill

Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display, a concert

by Electric Avenue, inflatable rides, and more. cityofsugarhill.com Prelude to the 4th, Lawrenceville Lawn

Prelude to the 4th is a family celebration to honor America’s Day of Independence with live music and a dazzling fireworks show. lawrencevillega.org Sparkle in the Park, Lilburn City Park

Lilburn’s biggest annual event features balloon artists, bounce houses, live music, food trucks, and of course, fireworks. cityoflilburn.com Gwinnett Restaurant Week, Throughout Gwinnett

For one tasty week, top local restaurants offer threecourse menus for just $25. gwinnettrestaurantweek.com

AUGUST

August Concert & Wing Festival, Town Center Park, Suwanee

This annual bash pairs music with tasty samples from local wing joints plus a wingeating contest. suwanee.com

SEPTEMBER

Petit Le Mans, Road Atlanta

Professional drivers take to the Braselton track for the

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annual sports car endurance race in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series. roadatlanta.com Yellow Daisy Festival, Stone Mountain Park

More than 400 artists and crafters display their works.

Also, live music, children's activities, and craft demos. stonemountainpark.com Lilburn Beer Fest, Lilburn City Park

Have it made in the shade while enjoying more than 100 beers, plus live music and food. cityoflilburn.com Gwinnett County Fair, Gwinnett County Fairgrounds

The best in downhome fun: livestock shows, pageants, BMX stunts, carnival rides, and plenty of sweet treats. gwinnettcountyfair.com Rock’n Ribville, Lawrenceville Lawn

Popular barbecue fest with bands, craft beers, and a ’cue competition sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society. rocknribville.com JapanFest, Infinite Energy Center

Explore the rich heritage of Japanese music, dance, and cooking at one of the largest festivals of its kind in the country. japanfest.org Suwanee Fest, Town Center Park

Arts vendors, food, entertainment, and kids’ activities are hallmarks of this colorful two-day event. suwanee.com Duluth Fall Festival, Duluth Town Green

This seasonal celebration draws 100,000 visitors for a parade, a 5K, a concert, a carnival, and a silent auction. duluthfallfestival.org

OCTOBER

Norcross Art Splash, Historic Downtown Norcross

Welcome fall by perusing jewelry, photography, folk

Norcross Summer Concert Series

art, and more while enjoying tasty bites and live music. splashfestivals.com Atlanta Gladiators Season Opener, Infinite Energy Arena

Gwinnett’s minor-league hockey team kicks off its season, which runs through April. atlantagladiators.com Netherworld Haunted House, Norcross

Walk through a dark haunted mansion filled with terrifying special effects, spooky monsters, and live actors trying to scare the daylights out of you. fearworld.com Lawrenceville Ghost Tours, Lawrenceville Square

Every night in October, guided tours showcase the supernatural forces at play in Gwinnett’s spookiest city. scarystroll.com Sugar Rush Festival, the Bowl at Sugar Hill

The city’s annual fall fest features carnival rides, artist stalls, a concert, and family fun. cityofsugarhill.com Stone Mountain Highland Games, Stone Mountain Park

The meadows of Stone Mountain transform into the Scottish Highlands, with pipe and drum bands, demonstrations, and traditional athletic challenges. smhg.org Country Living Fair, Stone Mountain Park

This traveling fest from Country Living magazine features 200+ purveyors, plus seminars and demos. stonemountainpark.com

Grayson Blues and Brews, Grayson Community Park

Raise a stein to live blues acts while sampling more than 100 regional craft beers. cityofgrayson.org

Spooktacular on the Square, Lawrenceville Square

Creepy fun includes trick-or-treating on the square, drink specials at local restaurants, ghost tours, and more. lawrencevillega.org

NOVEMBER

Suwanee Wine Fest, Town Center Park

Sample more than 100 wines and craft beers while enjoying food and live music. suwaneewinefest.com Diwali & Annakut Celebration, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Five days of cultural programs, entertainment, and fireworks mark the Hindu festival of lights. baps.org/atlanta Peachtree Corners Christmas Parade, Peachtree Corners

Floats, marching bands, and more wind through city streets and end at The Forum for tree lighting and visit with Santa. glowinthecorners.org

DECEMBER

Hometown Christmas Parade, Historic Downtown Lawrenceville

This annual holiday event features Santa Claus and his reindeer, a light-up parade of festive floats, and activities. lawrencevillega.org

For a complete list of events, visit exploregwinnett.org

Super Pho in Duluth

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THE TOP

Suwanee SculpTour

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An art encounter not to be ignored

Stone Mountain Park

Situated amid Suwanee’s Town Center Park, this outdoor sculpture exhibit lures visitors with its impressive collection of 17 hand-picked art pieces. Thanks to the city’s new bike-sharing program, visitors can now pedal or walk their way through this mile-long tour to get face-to-face with works like the inspiring, 1,300-pound brass wonder, Friends, by Nnamdi Okonkwo.

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REASONS TO LOVE GWINNETT

Medieval Times

SUWANEE SCULPTOUR

DISC GOLF AT GWINNETT PARKS

A retake on an old favorite

It’s not golf, per se, but it gets you into the swing of things. Trek through Alexander or Lenora Park as you aim to hit your mark with a disc in the fewest throws. The sport adds a new dimension for the sportsman and wilderness junkie, but you don’t need a caddy—just a good arm.

BY LIZ VINSON

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MEDIEVAL TIMES Enjoy the knight life

You don’t need a time machine to go back to the Middle Ages. At Medieval Times, you’re there, with the action of 10 centuries ago front and center. As you savor your meal, knights courageously jostle, sword fight, and demonstrate their equestrian skills.

Here, you’re their guest, and they’ll treat you like the king or queen that you are.

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VSOP OLIVE OIL & VINEGAR TAPROOM

The flavor lets you savor

Infusing the freshest of gourmet flavors into your cooking is a must, and so is a trip to VSOP Taproom. The shelves are stocked

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Treetop Quest

VSOP Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom

Southeastern Railway Museum

with extra-virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and specialty oils from around the globe. You can sample anything before buying or create your own concoction— something your taste buds will thank you for.

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GEOCACHING IN GWINNETT

The thrill of the hunt

Somewhere out there lies something hidden, waiting to be found. This high-tech treasure-hunting game has the people of Gwinnett County rushing to find prizes concealed within the great outdoors.

Through the use of a GPS device, visitors to places like Little Mulberry Park can scour the grounds in search of elusive finds, merging a love of technology with adventure.

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SOUTHEASTERN RAILWAY MUSEUM

Steamroll your way through time Start your engines and behold the Southeastern Railway Museum, where antique-car aficionados and history buffs can meander through a collection of classic automobiles, locomotives, Pullman cars, buses, and vintage taxicabs. Ride the Grand Scale Park Train or take a stroll through the history of transportation—there’s plenty to get your wheels turning.

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TREETOP QUEST Swing the day away

Imagine yourself as Tarzan in the jungle, swinging from tree to tree and hurdling over obstacles with superhuman skill.

It’s possible at Treetop Quest, a sky-high adventure that offers more than 70 obstacles, including tightropes and 17 zip lines (some reaching 60 feet in the air). The

self-guided course suits any age and will leave you swept away with adventure.

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INTERNATIONAL FLAIR

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FOOD CHALLENGES

A world of flavor

Stretching across Gwinnett County, there are a plethora of destinations to satisfy your cravings for anything south of the border or from the Eastern Hemisphere.

Assi Plaza, Super H Mart, Great Wall Supermarket, Nam Dae Mun, and Mercado del Pueblo are some of the destinations that guarantee you won’t need a plane ticket to treat your palate to exotic delights.

The taste of triumph

Gwinnett County has foodies rushing to the table to join in on food challenges. Whether it be consuming an 8-pound bowl of pho from Super Pho in Duluth (winners get a $40 gift card to cover the cost of the $40 bowl); answering Umaido’s “Four Bowl Ramen Challenge” (eating four bowls of ramen in 15 minutes); or devouring 10 wings in record-breaking time during Wild Wing Cafe’s Man Olympics, victory (or at least your pride) is at stake.

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STONE MOUNTAIN PARK The bigger, the better

Stone Mountain Park sprawls throughout 3,200 acres of Mother Nature, enticing visitors with scenic train rides, camping, hiking, fireworks, and the world’s largest laser light show. Take in the 60-mile view atop the 1,700-foot summit, or get up-close to this granite giant on the Summit Skyride.

New for 2017, Stone Mountain Park introduces REI Outdoors, offering stand-up paddleboard, kayak, and canoe rentals.

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GWINNETT COUNTY

David Luse outside the Gwinnett County Detention Center

CLOSE-UP

I

t is so exciting when a Hollywood production comes to your neighborhood. It feels glamorous, with famous actors and directors popping up around the area and fans lining the streets to watch the action. And seeing your favorite community spots appear on the screen is exhilarating. But have you ever wondered how the various locations in your neighborhood were chosen to serve as the backdrop of a highly anticipated feature film or a popular television show?

While the director’s vision is the one that comes to life on screen, it’s the location department that helps bring that vision to fruition. “Location managing in the film business is the art of merging a fictional world into the real world,” says David Luse, a location manager who has worked on such films as Triple Nine, Ride Along 2, Barbershop 3, and The Founder, as well as television shows like Sleepy Hollow—all of which have been filmed in locations throughout metro Atlanta, including Gwinnett County. “We take a microcosm in society and turn it into a film set. Our job as location managers is to see this happen smoothly.”

LOCATION GETTING REAL

AT

LOCATION

LOCATION HOW MOVIES AND TV SHOWS END UP IN YOUR BACKYARD

PHOTO OF DAVID LUSE ©HAROLD DANIELS

IN THE BEGINNING ...

According to Luse, the location department is the first one put in place for a film production. There are several members of the department, and, while the roles can overlap, each person has specific responsibilities. The location manager is at the top of the hierarchy, creating budgets, hiring crew members, finding and securing film locations, and communicating with other departments.

The key assistant location manager “is essentially the location manager’s right hand,” Luse says, explaining that this individual handles the day-to-day operations on set. Then there’s the location scout, who is the most familiar crew member to the public because he or she typically is out in the field securing filming sites—from local buildings to people’s homes.

“The location scout has the unique position of breaking the ice,” he says. “It can be a challenging role because not everyone is trusting, and many times, the location scout will be ‘cold scouting,’ which means knocking on a resident’s door unannounced with a camera and giving their spiel in hopes to photograph the inside of their home.”

Of course, there are many rules associated with filming; therefore, the location coordinator handles paperwork and planning, including fulfilling permit requirements. Additional location department team members include the assistant location manager (who manages individual locations),

Gerard Butler visited Fumi Hibachi & Sushi while filming Den of Thieves

Gwinnett County has been the backdrop for a variety of well-known feature films and television shows in recent years. If you want to have some fun, head over to Netflix or fire up the DVR and check out the following movies and shows. See if your eagle eye can spot some of Gwinnett’s best locales. ➤ Greenleaf : This drama on Oprah Winfrey’s

OWN Network follows the Greenleaf family and its Memphis megachurch. It is filmed at Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta and throughout Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta. ➤ Sully : The major motion picture featuring

Tom Hanks details the story of pilot Chesley Sullenberger and the Miracle on the Hudson plane landing. Major scenes were filmed at Gwinnett Technical College. ➤ Ozark : This Netflix series starring Jason

Bateman premieres in 2017. It was filmed at Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta and throughout Gwinnett and metro Atlanta. ➤ Halt and Catch Fire : An AMC original series

set in the 1980s, this show showcases the early days of the personal-computing boom. It has been filmed in Snellville, Norcross, and Duluth. ➤ Fast & Furious 7 & 8: The seventh and

Director Clint Eastwood on the set of the movie Sully, with locations filmed in Gwinnett

eighth installments of this action franchise starring Vin Diesel and his multi-cultural gang of slick street racers were filmed at the Optical Fiber Solutions (OFS) plant in Norcross, which now also houses a large movie studio. ➤ MacGyver : CBS’s action-packed reboot of

the popular 1980s TV show has been filmed at various locations throughout Gwinnett, including the Southeastern Railway Museum. ➤ Sleepy Hollow : Ichabod Crane travels to

present times to solve mysteries in this popular Fox show. It has been filmed all around Gwinnett, including downtown Lawrenceville.

AMY ME ADOWS

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Sleepy Hollow filming in Lawrenceville’s historic square

the assistant (who assists the location assistant location manager), and the location production assistant (who puts up traffic signs and cones, helps to display permit numbers, and notifies the public about the filming).

IT’S A PROCESS The common goal throughout the location department is to identify places that can be used for filming. “During the early prep stage, every able-bodied person in the department, sans the coordinator, is finding and photographing locations,” Luse says. First, the team receives the script and studies it to understand the types of locations needed. The general search area in which they work depends on the address of the production office, as union rules state that filming locations have to stay within a 30-mile radius, and moving outside of that range can be costly.

For Luse, who has worked as everything from a location scout to a location manager, this is when things get interesting. Having grown up in Georgia, he has keen insight into locations throughout the state that are available for filming. Once he knows what he needs to find, and before he hits the street to begin to scout, he often uses Google Maps’ 3-D Earth View feature, which allows

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him to see location exteriors from all angles.

“It’s a great tool if you want to plan out your day efficiently,” he says.

Then, it’s a matter of driving to the various locations, photographing them, and presenting the options to the production designer, who collaborates with the director to come to a final decision. Once locations are selected and permission is received to use those sites, then the next phases get underway. When filming begins, the location department handles the logistics of the shoot, managing everything from arranging for traffic flow and ensuring a quiet set (including stopping local construction projects when necessary) to creating video villages for the creative team.

“If one were to ask me what a normal day for me would be, I would say, ‘It is never normal.’ Something new happens every day, and it is rarely easy. Dependent on what stage we are in our filming schedule, I could be finding and photographing a location, securing logistics, supervising a set, returning a location back to normal, or returning various equipment we used throughout the show,” Luse says. “I enjoy it because, to me, different is refreshing, I learn something new every day. A day at the office can be in a dilapidated structure in a

crime-ridden neighborhood one day and in a $30 million mansion the next.”

GWINNETT IN THE MOVIES In recent years, Gwinnett County has surged in popularity as Atlanta’s film industry has grown. In fact, Atlanta is now number three in the nation behind Los Angeles and New York in film productions.

And Gwinnett has become one of the most coveted counties for filming. In April 2015, it became home to Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta, the largest stage complex under one roof in the country, with 465,000 square feet of space, four 30,000-square-foot stages, two production offices, and more. With production offices available, Gwinnett has become a viable option for productions that have to work within the 30-mile parameter.

“Gwinnett is on the cusp. It’s one of the fastest-rising areas because people are discovering that there are such interesting locations,” says Luse, who has brought productions like the movies Blended (with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore) and Prisoners (with Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal) to Gwinnett. For instance, in addition to the home Barrymore’s character lived in, scenes for Blended were shot in and around historic downtown Buford and

Lawrenceville. According to Luse, the production even recreated an African village in a wooded area of Gwinnett for a family vacation scene. The movie Prisoners filmed in various locations around Stone Mountain, among other spots.

Other popular Gwinnett settings that Luse uses and recommends include the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (known as GJAC), the Infinite Energy Center, the Gwinnett County Detention Center, and Vines Botanical Gardens. The latter was a key find for Luse, who was once asked to secure the Atlanta Botanical Garden for a night shoot.

Unfortunately, the Atlanta Botanical Garden could not accommodate the request.

After placing a call to Nazanin Weck with Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation, he found Vines Botanical Garden and was quite impressed.

Luse finds Gwinnett County in general to be a great place to work. “I love working with Gwinnett,” he says. “The locations are film-friendly and easy to use. And Gwinnett does it right. You don’t have to jump through hoops like many other locations.” What’s more, Atlanta has become so popular that costs for sought-after locations have risen dramatically. Gwinnett offers a fresh—and more economical—group of sites, and location departments are taking notice.

“Gwinnett is where Atlanta was a few years ago,” Luse adds. “There’s so much available, and that’s why people are going to Gwinnett.”

THE GEORGIA FILM ACADEMY: A FOOT IN THE DOOR Melinda Anderson, owner of Southern Home Organizers, took part in the filming of a reality television show two years ago. The program never aired, but the experience had a major impact on her. “I was more interested in what was going on behind the camera,” she recalls. “It planted the seed.

And I started working towards getting a good foot in the door.”

Wanting to transition to a career in the film industry, Anderson recognized the rare opportunity she had in Atlanta, where feature films and television shows are now filmed regularly. She also knew she had a lot to learn. So, when she heard about the Georgia Film Academy, she jumped at the chance to participate.

A partnership between the University of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia, the Georgia Film Academy offers multidisciplinary training in the television and film industry. The program begins with an intense 16-week course that teaches the skills needed to work on an on-set film production. That is followed by another 16-week course that provides hands-on experience through an on-set internship.

Anderson took the first course at Gwinnett Technical College in February of 2016. Her subsequent internship placed her in the costume department for The Walking Dead. “I learned every aspect of costuming,” she says. “I had never considered costuming before. I thought I was more interested in set [decoration]. But sometimes we end up in the right place, and I was open to whatever came my way.”

After graduating with a certificate from the Georgia Film Academy in December 2016, Anderson began to forge her way in her newfound career. She is working to pick up another television show or feature film and serve in the costume department as a production assistant. Right now, though, she knows that she has a great foundation, complete with applicable skills.

“The program is really rich and well-rounded,” Anderson says. “Moving forward with my career, I still have so much to learn. But I got so much out of this. Now it’s about networking. And I made connections with people that I know I will see for years to come in the industry.”

For more information about the Georgia Film Academy, visit georgiafilmacademy.org.

BIG BUSINESS, BIG BENEFITS The burgeoning film industry generated more than $7 billion in revenue for the state of Georgia in 2016 alone. Luse is thrilled to see that kind of success, and he appreciates being part of it—including the opportunity to provide jobs for local residents and to support local businesses.

“I grew up in Atlanta, and I want to see it and the surrounding areas thrive,” he says. “We really are a powerhouse in the Southeast. I discover another facet of the state I love each day, and it enlightens me and gives me a well-rounded perspective on the human experience.” And Gwinnett County will continue to play a major role in that experience. As Luse concludes, “It is a joy to work with Gwinnett.”

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Susan Rebecca White (left) and Sarah Park

H GETTING REAL AT

JEJU

ere’s the naked truth: Clothing is not allowed in the single-sex quarters of Jeju Sauna, a traditional Korean bathhouse (called a jjimjilbang) in Duluth. Thank goodness, because had I the option I would have covered my 41-year-old postpartum body with a swimsuit. But I would have missed out on the transcendental relaxation that comes from slipping in and out of the tubs and saunas wearing only the skin you were born in, no straps digging into your shoulder or spandex holding in your tummy. Besides, nudity becomes much less fraught when everyone else is naked, too.

I was lucky to be touring the bathhouse with Sarah Park, a Korean-born woman whose family now lives in Gwinnett. Sarah told me that growing up in Korea, her family would go to the jjimjilbang at least once a week—it was a place to get scrubbed clean and to hang out, watch TV, eat, or nap on mats in the saunas.

You can do all of these things and more at Jeju, including getting a manicure or indulging in foot reflexology. Because the spa is open 24 hours a day and provides pillows and blankets, some people even choose to spend the night. Rumor has it one man bought a yearly membership for $1,600, because he drives a cab and often sleeps at Jeju between shifts.

But I was at Jeju to soak and be scrubbed, something you can do only in the single-sex area. And so with a grin and a shrug Sarah and I pulled off our clothes, placed them in our assigned lockers along with our purses and our uniforms (baggy shorts and a T-shirt, given to us at check-in, where we paid our $25 entry fee), and walked into the large bathing room.

A NEWBIE SPENDS THE DAY AT A TRADITIONAL KOREAN BATHHOUSE SUSAN REBECCA WHITE

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KOREAN EATS experience. Emo started scrubbing one leg, continued all the way up to my neck, and then came back down again to the other leg. Then she had me flip onto my back so she could do the same thing on the front side of my body. Then she flipped me onto each side. As she sloughed away years of dead skin, not an inch of my body was left untouched. The whole procedure was startling, but ultimately invigorating.

When she finished the scrub, Emo poured buckets of warm water over me to remove the many curls of dead skin, and then instructed me to wash my face in the American-style shower just outside the scrub room. While I

cucumber over my face and shampooing my hair, then rinsing everything off once more.

Sarah came to check on me and encouraged me to feel my skin. It felt new, vulnerable, and very soft, much like the skin of my two-year-old son.

stood under the water, I watched as Emo grated a cucumber into a colander placed over a bowl. She gathered the grated cucumber flesh and brought it back into the scrub room, where I soon joined her.

rice noodles, and doenjang jjigae, a soybean paste stew with zucchini and mushrooms.

Both were accompanied by rice and sides, including kimchi.

Sarah and I had just met that day, but our shared Jeju experience had turned us into fast friends. Over lunch we found ourselves talking about both God and politics. Perhaps the act of getting real with our bodies allowed our conversation to wade into deeper waters. In any event, as I slurped up rice noodles and talked to my Korean-born friend about Jesus and American politics, I thought to myself: How cool is Gwinnett?

HERE’S THE RUB

“As she sloughed away years of dead skin, not an inch of my body was left untouched. The whole procedure was startling, but ultimately invigorating.”

SOAKING IT IN Visits begin with a shower—you can choose either standing or sitting. Once we were nice and clean, Sarah and I got in the warm tub, preferring it over the other two (one very cold, one very hot.) The water was warm and clean and deep enough that I could immerse my whole body, as if I were being baptized. Indeed, I experienced a deep peace while floating in that tub: Not once did I think of what to cook for dinner that night or what Atlanta traffic might be like when it was time to leave.

After soaking for a few minutes, we decided to enter the sauna. While most of the saunas at Jeju are located in the mixed–gender

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area, there are two in the women’s section.

The dry sauna, lined with wood, had a warm, toasty smell and evoked in me a long-ago memory of coming inside after running around on a snowy day. The thick steam in the wet sauna was infused with herbs, which sat in a basket labeled with a strict warning not to add any extra herbs to it.

“That warning has to be there for a reason,” Sarah laughed. “Someone must have brought her own herbs.”

SCRUBBING IT OFF Leaving the heat of the saunas, it felt perfect to splash my face with water from the cold tub. Then it was time to soak in the hottest

of the tubs to prepare my body for a scrub, which I was combining with a 30-minute massage, shampoo, and cucumber facial mask, all for $80. Sarah encouraged me to call my service provider “Emo,” which means aunt in Korean. Emo was an older woman with beautiful skin who did not speak much English. She led me into a semiprivate room where I lay facedown on a massage table that was covered with a slick, pink waterproof sheet. She doused me with bowls of warm water, and then began scrubbing my legs with her hands, which were covered in exfoliating mitts.

This was no gentle tickle. This was a brisk, tingling, almost painful total-body

It was now time for my massage. Emo poured oil on my freshly scrubbed body and then massaged me as if I were a particularly tough piece of dough that she intended to knead into pliancy.

“Too hard?” she asked. And while it was a little on the hard side, it was also perfect.

The session ended with her patting cold

THE AFTERMATH Afterward I was so ravenous that I wondered if a body scrub burns calories. Sarah and I returned to the locker room to put on our uniforms, then headed to the food court located in the mixed-gender section. Sarah ordered us two traditional dishes—beef bulgogi served over a sweet broth with

➤ Breakers Korean Grill &

Barbecue Breakers promises fine dining Korean grill-style.

Entrees are precooked on charcoal then perfected by guests at the table. Signature dishes include beef short ribs, pork belly, and spicy chicken. ➤ Chung Dam A Korean and Japanese spot, Chung Dam's menu includes porridge and lunch specials, as well as plum wine, soju, and sake. ➤ Gopchang On Fire Named after the popular Korean dish gop chang (intestines), this casual spot can get quite the crowd, so arrive early or be prepared to wait. ➤ Harue Food & Cafe Known for its topokki, a popular Korean snack of rice cake, fish cake, and sweet red chili, Harue also serves dumplings, fried rice, ramen, and more. ➤ Honey Pig Atlanta Using the ssot-dduk-kung (iron-cast lid) method of grilling, Honey Pig offers pork, beef, seafood, chicken, and duck cooked with kimchi and bean sprouts at the table. ➤ Jang Su Jang With a name that means “the meeting place,” Jang Su Jang is a gathering spot for authentic Korean fare, including soon (tofu soup) and bossam (pork belly wrap). ➤ Myung Ga Won Open 24/7, this spacious spot serves a mean galbi tang (Korean beef short rib soup), as well as pork belly and vegetable wraps. ➤ Seo Ra Beol Known for its hae jang guk, or hangover soup, Seo Ra Beol offers traditional Korean barbecue fare all day and night. ➤ The Stone Grill Get ready for five-layer pork belly marinated in a variety of spices and sauces, including coffee. Soups and noodles are available, too. ➤ Suwanee Chicken & Pizza Find Korean fried chicken, wings, and unique flavors of pizza, such as sweet potato.

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BEST PLACE TO PADDLE

Mountain Park

BEST SKATE PARK

GWINNETT’S

BEST PARKS EXPLORING LOCAL PARKS, POOLS, AND PLAYGROUNDS

BY KELLY JORDAN

O

ne of the many great aspects about life in Gwinnett County is its outstanding array of parks. Whether the goal is to get outside and explore nature, discover a spot for a pickup basketball game, find a beautiful place to bring the dog, or simply find a playground your children will love, this county has it all. While Gwinnett’s numerous parks all offer something special, the 15 on this list are a step above.

BEST DOG PARK

Jones Bridge Park

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Duluth’s Chattapoochee Dog Park offers pet owners and their pooches an idyllic setting with numerous conveniences. Enjoy the wooded environs and rest on a bench while your pup runs and

plays in the park most appropriate for his size (there are separate areas for small and large dogs). Dog bowls and a pup-friendly water fixture make for a comfortable outing. If your dog is a swimmer, you can take a short walk to the river for a dip or for a tranquil rest on the banks.

BEST VIEWS Go for a hike or a run at Tribble Mill Park and you’ll be rewarded with a bevy of picturesque views. The 700-acre park is located just outside of Grayson and east of Lawrenceville and is bordered by the pristine Ozora and Chandler Lakes. Admire massive trees and prehistoric ferns and boulders as you tramp along the 3.4-mile trail

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BEST DOG PARK

MOST MEMORABLE as it winds its way over the water. Not a fan of running or hiking? Bring your dog (on a leash) and find a seat on a sunny patch of grass for a quiet picnic. Or bring a fishing pole and try your luck at catching a fish in the lake’s glimmering waters.

BEST PLACE TO PADDLE Next time you have the urge to paddle, get your hull on the Chattahoochee via Jones Bridge Park in Peachtree Corners. Surrounded by trees and accented by shoals, this shady patch of river is a beautiful place to canoe, kayak, or set up a picnic. In addition to river access, the 30-acre park is also equipped with restrooms, pavilions, three soccer fields, and a sand volleyball court. It is also a popular location for fishing and for admiring ducks and geese.

Chattapoochee Dog Park

BEST WATERFALL

BEST VIEWS

If you’re looking for a piece of contemplative beauty in the Gwinnett area, you’ll find a winner at Freeman’s Mill Park in Lawrenceville. The 12-acre park’s jewel is the small, trickling waterfall. Sit, watch, listen, and be still. Once you’re satisfied with your Zen moment, check out the park’s eponymous mill—restored from the 19th century—that was once fed by the Alcovy River. Other highlights include a half-mile paved trail, a playground, and public restrooms.

BEST TRAIL RUN Need a new favorite trail to incorporate into your tested running repertoire? Lace up your sneakers and head to Dacula’s Little Mulberry Park. Here you can explore numerous paved and unpaved trails as they meander through wooded areas, along a pond, and beside Miller Lake. Additional features include a disc golf course, a fishing pier, a meadow, restrooms, and a 5.47-mile equestrian path. The 892-acre park has four entrances, so view the trail maps online first to determine which parking area makes the most sense for your visit.

Tribble Mill Park

BEST PLAYGROUND

BEST PLAYGROUND

The City of Suwanee’s 10,000-square-foot PlayTown Suwanee feels like a hidden gem.

Shaded by an enclave of trees, this magical little playground is outfitted with swings, bridges, monkey bars, and a slide, as well as imaginative play structures for children to explore. These include an elephant, a rocket, a climbing wall, a log castle, and a cabin. The park also has picnic tables, public restrooms, and a pavilion (with electricity), which make longer play dates or birthday parties a breeze.

BEST FAMILY REUNION SPOT Next time you’re gathering multiple generations together for that annual shindig, bookmark Pinckneyville Park. Located just outside of Norcross, the 93-acre park offers myriad options for enjoying the outdoors that will appeal to all ages—there’s a pond, a baseball complex, paved walking paths, a roller hockey rink, a dog park, a meadow (available for rental and with space for up to 1,000 guests), and public restrooms at your disposal. The Medlock Corporate Pavilion (5,000 square feet and equipped with a catering kitchen) is available for rental and can accommodate up to 400 people, while the more intimate Danny Cochran Pavilion is suitable for smaller groups.

PlayTown Suwanee

BEST OUTDOOR POOL

BEST OUTDOOR POOL Rhodes Jordan Park Pool is open only for a brief period each year (from Memorial Day to Labor Day), so it makes sense to get as much swimming in as possible at this outstanding Lawrenceville facility. Its zero-depth entry, waterslides, and water features make the pool family friendly and a gentle option for beginning swimmers. Moreadvanced swimmers, meanwhile, can fit in a workout in one of three designated lap lanes.

Daily pool fees begin at $3.25 for Gwinnett residents. Take a look at the various economical FUNCARD options if you plan on swimming multiple days a week at pools across Gwinnett County.

Rhodes Jordan Park Pool

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MOST MEMORABLE The old-timey surroundings at McDaniel Farm Park make photo snapping (and holidaycard plotting) unavoidable. This Duluth park provides the perfect backdrop for family memory making with its restored farm—depicting 1930s Georgia farm life—complete with a furnished farmhouse, blacksmith shed, barn, carriage house, and tenant house. Take a tour of the property, and then enjoy the modern conveniences on site, including grills and a pavilion.

BEST INDOOR POOL Whether your swimming aspirations are competing in the Olympics or merely completing a single lap, West Gwinnett Aquatic Center has you covered. The pool is 25 yards by 25 meters—offering training capabilities for both long and short courses—and has seating for up to 750 spectators in the stands. This spot gets bonus points for its summer swimming options.

The outdoor pool features zero-depth entry, two waterslides, play structures, and more.

McDaniel Farm Park

BEST INDOOR POOL

BEST TENNIS Channel those Wimbledon fantasies on the courts of Hudlow Tennis Center at Norcross’ Best Friend Park. Ask about summer camps, lessons, and reserving a court (it can get busy) inside the center. Seventeen courts are available for use and are lit at night, so your match doesn’t have to end when the sun sets. If you have the family in tow, your group can splinter off and explore the park’s other offerings, like a playground, baseball fields, a walking path, indoor badminton courts, and outdoor basketball courts. If you visit in the summer, be sure to visit the outdoor swimming pool, too.

MOST PICTURESQUE Looking for that jaw-dropping photo to send the likes on your Instagram feed skyrocketing?

Download your favorite app (or bring an old-fashioned camera) and head to Simpsonwood Park. Natural beauty abounds at the 223-acre park in Peachtree Corners.

Take a leisurely walk along a wooded 3.1-mile trail, enjoy a picnic on the meadow, and admire the quaint chapel on site. An especially pretty pavilion (as well as restrooms and grills) makes longer visits appealing.

West Gwinnett Aquatic Center

MOST PICTURESQUE

BEST DISC GOLF Alexander Park is your Gwinnett County go-to when seeking a pristine disc golf course.

Based in Lawrenceville, the 18-hole course is well marked and features a variety of challenging obstacles—wooded areas, hills, distance changes (and beware the pond at 17!). Lose a disc while you’re there? The park is just three miles from Disc Stalker, so you can resupply easily. The course is part of a large 91-acre park that is also equipped with a fishing lake, a pier, a horseshoe pit, a playground, restrooms, and pavilions.

Simpsonwood Park

BEST SKATE PARK You’ll find skateboarders of all ages gathering at Lilburn’s Mountain Park. This outdoor skate park wins top marks for its dynamic bowl—a fun, fast, concrete ride riddled with curves and slopes. What the skate park lacks in outdoor lighting it makes up for in additional amenities, such as a volleyball court, seven baseball fields, public restrooms, six lighted tennis courts, playgrounds, and walking trails.

BEST DISC GOLF

BEST SPORTS FIELDS If yours is a family of athletes, you’ll find a huge win at Bay Creek Park. This sprawling complex in Loganville spans 154 acres and is well suited for both individual and team sports thanks to a smattering of basketball courts, seven baseball fields, a wheelchair-accessible baseball field and playground for children with special needs, a football field bordered by a well-lit walking track, four lighted tennis courts, and a lighted skate complex.

Alexander Park

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Associate artist Sabrina Bland lives in Nicaragua but still participates in juried exhibits

J

TANNERY ROW THE BUFORD ARTIST COLONY IS A BLEND OF ART, COLOR, AND CREATIVITY

BY CANDICE DYER

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udith Surowiec painstakingly daubs a whorl of electric-blue paint on a taut canvas and then smiles, pleased by the result.

Her studio, overflowing with her paintings, is a dizzying riot of bold colors, with not a trace of beige in sight. At 78, with a long, white ponytail, Surowiec is one of the founding members of Tannery Row Artist Colony, a busy hive of creativity on Main Street in Buford. “By now I’ve done so many paintings that I really don’t need to do more, but I just can’t help it,” she says. “It’s something I have to do.”

Tannery Row, which is celebrating its 13th year, comprises a collective of 15 visual artists—full-time working painters, sculptors, potters, printmakers, jewelers, mixed-media artists, and others—with individual studio space divided among them. The public is encouraged to stroll the halls, watch the artists tackle their works-in-progress, and ask questions. Many of the artists also teach classes. So every day, without fail, someone is producing something to hang on a wall or display on a mantel.

“We have artists who work with a wide variety of different media and materials,” says potter Judy Isaak, who grudgingly calls herself the president of the group. “We really try to do everything by consensus here, so I’m only loosely in charge,” she says. “We like to make certain that everyone’s voice gets heard.”

The artists of Tannery Row compete with each other in juried exhibits, and there is a waiting list to get into the colony. “When we are considering artists, we require examples of their work, either live or on a website, to get an idea of where they are in their artistic travels,” Isaak says. “We prefer someone who has the time to be present here as often as possible so that all of the studios stay open during the day.”

For the competitions, judges consider the overall quality of each piece, the workmanship, and the creativity on a theme. Tannery Row also hosts two shows a year open to other artists in the community.

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DIVING INTO ART Adrienne Forshner Kinsey

wants you to stare, from every angle, and then caress the variegated textures in her work.

“I encourage people to touch it,” says Kinsey, who creates visually arresting mixed-media art that emphasizes geometric shapes and invites a tactile response. She uses materials that include pumice stone, sparkly mica chips, and “acrylic skins,” which are made by pouring paint into sheets and then bending them to look like delicate glass. She never does a preliminary outline.

“I just dive in and see where the materials will take me, see what emerges,” she says. “It’s a little like looking at clouds and seeing faces.”

Ginger Rouse

Despite the high standards, Surowiec says, a spirit of collaboration prevails.

“It’s not a competitive environment,” she says. “We help each other. One of us might be blocked, so we’ll ask the person in the next studio for a critique or a suggestion on how to fix a problem. We go faster when we help each other out.”

THE LEATHER CITY The atmosphere of Tannery Row derives from the aesthetics of the brick building, which is a sprawling, spacious 10,000 square feet and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally

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built in 1897 as a woodworking factory that produced chairs, doors, and blinds. In 1904, Bona Allen converted the space into a tannery that made horse collars; it became known as the “largest collar factory in the world” and earned Buford the nickname “The Leather City.” The company expanded to make shoes, constructing 3,000 pairs a day and ultimately selling 521,000 pairs.

During World War II, the U.S. Army quartermaster engineer took over the operation to repair shoes for soldiers, and ultimately the factory was turning out 6,000 pairs of shoes and boots a day, which added up to 1.5 million during the war.

“Saddles, horse collars, bridles, mail satchels, baseball gloves, and shoes all have been made here,” says Isaak. Cowboy icon Roy Rogers famously bought a saddle for his horse Trigger from Bona Allen. That operation closed after the war, and the building has since been through several incarnations, including a stint as an antiques mall.

“I’ve been told that my studio was once where they refurbished shoes for paratroopers,” Surowiec says. “It was a different era. They didn’t just throw things away—

they repaired them for future use.” Surowiec sees her role as both artist and healer. “One of our jobs as artists is to make something beautiful out of something horrific. Think about the 9/11 memorial and the Vietnam memorial. It was artists who responded to those events and helped people heal.”

Tannery Row removed the top floor to give artists the natural light they crave, so the ceilings are 20 feet high, and one of the artisans fashioned rococo iron gates for

Georgia Raymond

every studio, which adds a nifty flourish.

Artwork covers most of the wall space, so exploring Tannery Row feels like being in a museum—a living, constantly evolving oasis of creativity amid the bustle of Gwinnett County.

CREATIVE CONTROL In one of the studios, Janet Poor is painting a small, elaborate portrait of an Italian door while her student, Jill Still, dabbles on her canvas. There are long silences between them as they laser-focus on their work.

“I really love this place because of the autonomy,” says Poor, who has started a

line of pet portraits she hopes to sell on commission. “We have control over what we want to do in our studios. And it’s a great place to teach because students get exposed to so many different kinds of art.

It’s an eccentric place. Everyone here is very encouraging, whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced artist.”

Still smiles and nods as classical music plays softly in the background. “I come here because I feel great peace here. I started from nothing but have been taking classes from Janet for four years. So I come here once or twice a week and always do something different, just because.”

Her work ranges in size from six inches to six feet tall.

Kinsey’s Bouquet in Copper Vase won the last Tannery Row juried competition.

ART IN MOTION Down the hall, Christine Canova is working on a seascape, one of her specialties, which she sometimes donates to marine-mammal conservation groups. She has also been experimenting with pieces made from sturdy, handmade Japanese paper, which she embosses with leaves and other implements to manipulate its texture. “I change the fiber of the paper, which makes it look like batik or charcoal, but it’s acrylic. I’m obsessed with paper at the moment, but I also am working

on paintings of musicians, which sell well.”

She points to a display of horn players that look as if they’re making sweet jazz; most of her work is dynamic and kinetic, seeming to be in motion. It’s a good fit for an artist colony that never seems to stop.

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Attractions

Visually Speaking

t Where Past and Future Meet The Garland Bros. building on Buford Highway doesn’t get much traffic. That changed last July, when, in the span of eight days, a colorful mural emerged on the building’s wall. It features two trains coming from the background—a vintage train representing Suwanee’s past and a modern passenger train representing its future.

“Every day, people stop by to take a picture of their car or motorcycle in front of the mural,” says Garland Bros. President Drew Garland, whose company specializes in movie props. “We even had people do their Christmas card photo with the mural.”

The mural is “a dream come true" for artist Alexandra Sorto, who completed the project right after she graduated from high school.

“I love to paint giant things,” she says.

The traffic in his parking lot is proof that he made the right choice, Garland says, adding “I have another blank wall that I need to figure out what to do with.”

–6 Highway 23, Suwanee, suwanee.com

Four popular public art murals

BY K ATJA RIDDERBUSCH

u Jumping Red Foxes People stop and smile while studying the whimsical red foxes jumping up and down against a bright blue backdrop on the side of a cinderblock building in downtown Norcross. Splashes of orange and pink are sprinkled through the mural, called Tumblefield.

The mural is the first step in turning the Skin Alley area into a cultural gathering place. Norcross commissioned two artists—Jon Graham of Asheville, North Carolina, and Lauren Pallotta of Atlanta—who had never worked together before. Graham contributed the foxes, which are native to the region; Pallotta painted the abstract background.

Both agree the creative process was “collaborative, fun and fluid.”

The mural, which took about 15 gallons of paint and 10 days to finish, “is cool, playful, vibrant,” says Pallotta. “It’s all that public art should be,” adds Keif Schleifer of KSDesign, who served as a liaison between the city and the artists.

"As we facilitate relationships and memories around it, the mural becomes part of our community,” she says.

–Skin Alley, norcrossga.net

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p The Chocolate Woman It has become the hottest selfie spot in downtown Duluth: the 75-foot-wide mural of a woman holding a box of artisan chocolates. Most people don’t make the connection, though, until they set foot in the store on the other side of the building, The Chocolaterie.

“We wanted the mural to be more art than advertising,” says store owner Elizabeth Ashworth, who commissioned the artwork. The mural has inspired other business owners in the area to consider public art, she says.

Painted in rich berry colors, the mural depicts a beautiful woman who is ethnically ambiguous. “It’s pretty and inviting,” says artist Garry Limuti. “It evokes a feeling of happiness.”

There’s a detail about the chocolate woman that Ashworth likes to share: The creation can be seen on Google Maps in satellite view. While Limuti was painting in summer of 2016, the Google car drove around and took pictures.

–3099 Main Street, Duluth, thechocolaterie.com

p Painted with Love Artist Jennie Osiek was in love when she painted the mural on the Suite Spot building in downtown Sugar Hill. “I was hanging my heart on the wall,” she says about the 21-by-80-foot painting. It depicts a sunset with the shadows of a man pushing a child on an oak-tree swing. “The Sweet Life,” the city’s theme, gently rolls across the wall.

The mural is part of an effort to transform downtown. “This is our anchor project,” says councilman Brandon Hembree. “We hope to do more public art in the future.”

Osiek recalls a woman walking up to her as she painted: ”She said that the scene brought her back to her childhood.” Osiek says her favorite part of the mural is “the pattern along the sunset that mimics a brushstroke, like in an oil painting.” It reflects the sun as it goes down behind the building, creating the illusion of a dual sunset.

–4988 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, downtownsugarhill.com

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Attractions prospective knights need to be athletic and agile enough to jump off a horse, wield a sword, and run in the sand wearing full armor. “A lot of applicants are used to hitting their buddies with garbage cans once a month at the Renaissance festival,” says Jones. “Here we do three two-hour performances up to six days a week. I want them to understand how tough it is. When I sit down and explain it, I almost talk them out of the job.”

Shining Armor Not Required Those who make it past the interview process aren’t immediately knighted either. They start as squires, just as real knights did almost a thousand years ago. Squires not only go through physical conditioning in the gym and in the arena, but they also work with the group’s 25 horses in the stalls backstage and at the restaurant’s 20-acre ranch in Dacula.

The learning curve is different for everyone; some people are squires for a couple of months; others, a year or more. But when they are deemed ready, they are promoted to Apprentice Knight. They learn the proper way to fall off a horse and start to memorize the steps used in the troop’s fights. “All our fights are choreographed,” says Jones. “When you’re swinging metal weapons around, you don’t want to leave things up to improv. Safety, safety, safety.”

Apprentices are then knighted with a ceremonial jacket.

Knights earn patches as they ascend different levels and master different skills—like overgrown Boy Scouts working toward their jousting badges.

However, what truly launches a knight into legendary status is more than just prowess with a lance. At Medieval Times, showmanship reigns supreme. If a knight wants to have a speaking role, be the champion, or better yet be the bad guy, he has to be good on the microphone. This is dinner theater, after all. More important than winning the tournament is winning the crowd, and having them eating out of the knight’s hand instead of their own.

Knight Life The road to knighthood takes patience, stamina, and hard work

BY TONY REHAGEN

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JOUSTING PARTNERS The Green Knight and the Red Knight might be enemies in the arena, but Head Knight Jason Jones says that backstage, hundreds of hours of training together have made the guys brothers in arms. Every fight is like a dance—it takes two knights executing at the highest level and pushing each other to get the best overall performance.

Outside the castle, they go out together, get recognized by fans, and sign autographs. But that’s not to say things don’t get competitive. “Everyone wants to be the champ,” he says. “At the end of the show, front and center—that’s what everyone should be working towards. But it’s my decision who gets to be the champion—and they have to beat me to get there.”

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hen feasting on a four-course, utensil-free banquet of roasted chicken and buttered corn, nothing helps the digestion more than live 11th-century-style combat. Medieval Times replaces the clamor of cutlery (there were no utensils in medieval times; therefore there are no utensils at Medieval Times) with the more violent clang of titanium swords held by knights astride their mighty steeds, fighting for glory and adulation from hundreds of diners in cardboard crowns looking down from their color-coded cheering sections.

But the Red Knight, the Yellow Knight, and the Red-and-Yellow Knight didn’t gain admittance to the arena by noble birth or royal proclamation. They filled out an application just like every server and bartender in the restaurant. “The application asks ‘What are your interests?’” says Atlanta Castle head knight Jason Jones, who first applied in 2000. “I said I wanted to be in the show. A couple days later, I was on a horse going in circles.”

Of course, anyone can’t just walk in and throw on a suit of armor.

Although there are no formal height or weight requirements,

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Attractions

Living History Learning comes alive at the Environmental & Heritage Center

BY AMY ME ADOWS

... and Out History and culture also play an important role at the Environmental & Heritage Center, which manages a series of heritage sites—some located on the property and others nearby. For instance, the ChesserWilliams House, built in the 1850s, was moved to the grounds of the center in 2008; it was donated by Jerald and Sue Williams to serve as a living history museum where guests can learn about bygone gardening practices, blacksmithing techniques, and more.

Other historic sites, including McDaniel Farm, the Lawrenceville Female Seminary, and Freeman’s Mill, round out the educational

A

re you a science fanatic? A history buff? An outdoors enthusiast? If you said yes to one or all of these, then the Environmental & Heritage Center is the perfect place for you. The facility, located on 700 acres in Buford, is a history museum, nature center, and recreational community venue rolled into one. Created through a unique partnership between the Environmental & Heritage Center Foundation, the University of Georgia, the Gwinnett County Board of Education, and the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, the center opened in 2006 and has been dazzling visitors of all ages with an array of interactive exhibits, hands-on learning experiences, and more ever since. The center’s mission is to “transform the concepts of science and history into interactive, learn-by-doing experiences that will encourage a visitor’s natural curiosity and sense of wonder about themselves and the world around them.” Mission accomplished.

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Amazing Inside ...

At the heart of the center is a 66,000-square-foot, LEED Gold-certified educational building that houses family-friendly scientific, environmental, and cultural exhibits. On the science side, several permanent exhibits focus on water consumption at home and at work (Water Wise), water treatment (Discover H2O), and the power of water within the North Georgia ecosystem (Water Ways and Blue Planet), among other topics. The exhibits are not only informative, but also interactive, drawing you in as you learn about one of the world’s most important resources.

Additionally, the building offers a wealth of educational opportunities for summer camps, daycare programs, and school groups. It also serves as an incredible backdrop for programs like the Night at the Museum festival; the Environmental & Heritage Center Bridal

Expo; and countless community, corporate, and social events.

opportunities and bring Gwinnett County’s rich heritage to life.

For those who want to enjoy the outdoors after an exciting morning or afternoon of learning, the Environmental & Heritage Center offers an eight-mile trail system on the Ivy Creek Greenway, with paved, mulched, and slatted pathways that welcome visitors to take a stroll surrounded by nature’s beauty. Walkers, runners, and bikers are encouraged to enjoy the trails, which are open from dawn to dusk and are designed to promote healthy living.

Of course, thrill seekers have to stop at Treetop Quest, a unique facility located on the property that features zip lines, as well as more than 70 treetop obstacles, such as monkey bridges and Tarzan jumps. The adventure courses, which sit 60 feet in the air and require the use of a harness, range from easy to challenging and give visitors an exhilarating experience unlike any other in Gwinnett. It’s an ideal way to “top” off a great day at one of the area’s most distinctive environmental and cultural resources.

I WANT TO RIDE YOUR BICYCLE In October 2016, City of Suwanee launched its first bike share program. Developed through a partnership with Zagster (the leading provider of bike share programs), Cigna, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the program allows participants to rent bikes via a smartphone app. The first three hours of use are free, and each additional hour is priced at $3 (the all-day fee maxes out at $30). The bicycles can be found at Town Center Park and Suwanee Creek Park, and each location will eventually house up to eight bikes. Riders must be 18 years old and provide their own helmets. And once they do, they’re off to the races—or a very pleasant ride through scenic Gwinnett.

Attractions

Making Music in Duluth

Aurora Theatre

The story of Eddie Owen’s Red Clay Music Foundry

BY SCOT T FREEMAN

B

y the time Eddie Owen had a falling out in 2012 with the new owners of Eddie’s Attic—the venerable Decatur music room he founded and made famous—his feet were already firmly planted in Duluth, where he was booking shows at what is now the Red Clay Music Foundry. “We are on the cusp of something really special in this city,” Owen says. “From my first visit here, I understood the vision Duluth has for developing a very suburbancool, downtown pedestrian-friendly district.”

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The 260-seat music hall is now a focal point of the city’s burgeoning restaurant and entertainment district on Main Street.

The Red Clay Music Foundry has much the same vibe as Eddie’s Attic, the listening room Owen opened in downtown Decatur in 1992 that nurtured the careers of Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, the Indigo Girls, Michelle Malone, John Mayer, Shawn Mullins, and countless others. At Red Clay, the emphasis is on singer/songwriters. Every other Sunday is an open-mic evening for original music, and bookings range from national touring acts, including Karla Bonoff and John Gorka, to such Eddie’s Attic favorites as Mullins and Randall Bramblett.

The fact that Red Clay is a theater with a big stage, as opposed to a nightclub with cramped quarters, has given Owen options he’s never had before. At Red Clay, he presents everything from performances by the Magari Theatre Company to local school talent shows to the State of the City address by Mayor Nancy Harris. The building is also the Duluth home of the Gwinnett School of Music.

For Owen, the foundry embodies his love for nurturing talent that goes back to his beginnings in the music business at Decatur’s Trackside Tavern, the precursor to Eddie’s Attic. “There was a collective of songwriters hanging out, inspiring each other,” he says.

“The Red Clay is the first facility I’ve been a part of that can not only be a world-class listening room where the special connection between the songwriter and audiences happens, but also have room for collaboration and connection between artists of all levels.”

That’s why Owen has revived another old standby: “songwriters in the round” shows that feature a trio of established performers— such as Caroline Aiken, Dede Vogt, or Bradford Loomis—playing, and discussing, their original songs. Malone, a former Duluth resident who built her core audience at Eddie’s Attic before she received national acclaim, is a frequent participant.

“As a performing songwriter, you just want to have your songs heard, and once again Eddie has created a venue where that can occur,” Malone says. “The Red Clay supports the community, up-and-coming writers, established writers, and an audience that is hungry for an authentic experience. Eddie always says, ‘It’s about the song,’ and he gives musicians an opportunity to tell their stories. And I love him for that.”

Owen has adopted Duluth as his home base, and he’s excited by the future of downtown. “I understand it’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon,” he says. “And the way we are doing it in Duluth, it’s gonna last.”

MORE ARTFUL ENDEAVORS ➤ Aurora Theatre

The Aurora is not just the best professional theater troupe in Gwinnett; it challenged Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre last year in the prestigious Suzi Bass Awards, earning seven awards to the Alliance’s eight.

With a mix of popular musicals and provocative contemporary works, the Aurora offers must-see theater for the entire region. auroratheatre.com ➤ Lionheart Theatre

Based in Norcross in a church that was built in 1877, the Lionheart offers a charming mix of community theater and semiprofessional actors. Plays include fare from Lillian Hellman and Neil Simon, plus the Pulitzer Prize–winning “Clybourne Park” and summer shows for children. lionhearttheatre.org ➤ Artober

Gwinnett’s annual celebration of the arts includes local music, live jazz, and gallery tours. The monthlong celebration features arts-based events every day of October, including the Aurora Theatre’s haunting “Spirits and Spirits: Ghost Stories and Cocktails.” artober.org ➤ Duluth Art Week

Every May, Duluth celebrates “eight days a week” of local art with dance, theater, music, food, and more.

There’s also an arts scavenger hunt and gallery showcases for local artists. duluthga.net

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Attractions

▼

Play Ball!

Moneyball

In addition to playing in a more intimate setting, the Triple-A Braves are also much more affordable than the big-league club. Take a look at this price breakdown:

Big-league fun at the minor-league Gwinnett Braves

BY TONY REHAGEN

GWINNETT BRAVES Parking $5 Tickets $8–$40 Hot Dog $3.75 Soda (16 oz.) $4

ATLANTA BRAVES Parking $10–$21 Tickets $9–$500 Hot Dog $4.75 Soda (16 oz.) $7

TOTAL $20.75–$52.75

TOTAL $30.75–$532.75

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hese days our baseball heroes feel farther away than ever. Not just in terms of celebrity, salary, or lifestyle— but literally. Whether it’s Turner Field or SunTrust Park, you could pay $30 to $50 for a ticket that barely gets you close enough to read the name on the back of the jersey.

But at the Gwinnett Braves’ Coolray Field, the worst seat in the house has you close enough to hear the players banter on the field, see them smile at each other after a highlight-reel play, and maybe even ask for a souvenir. Rather than feeling like a spectator, you are part of an event. And it’s more than just a baseball game. “We like to be the hosts of the biggest backyard barbecue in town,” says Triple-A Braves General Manager North Johnson.

Hometown Family Fun Affordable tickets and concessions mean you can hang out and have a beer with your friends or treat the entire family to a summer evening beneath the bright lights and the North Georgia sky. Let the kids wander down to the play area and take a turn in the bouncy house, or dress them up as Batman or Wonder Woman for Super Hero Night and Elsa and Anna for Disney’s Frozen Night—there’s even a snow machine. On Star Wars Night, the teams themselves get into the act, with player photos on the scoreboard that resemble different characters and the ominous sounds of the Imperial March playing as the opposing team walks to the plate. Last year, there was a Pokemon Go Night at the height of the game’s popularity.

“We don’t have to take ourselves too seriously,” says Johnson.

“I’m not here to judge on whether our team wins or loses. For us it’s more about providing great entertainment to Gwinnett County and the surrounding counties.”

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Stars in the Making Or course, if you do come to the ballpark to watch a baseball game, you’ll be able to catch some of the greatest ballplayers in the world on the cusp of greatness, including a few future big-league all-stars.

And, whereas most Triple-A teams are in cities hundreds of miles from their major-league affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves are just a county away from the parent club. That means Atlanta fans need only hop in the car and drive to Lawrenceville for a chance to get up close and personal with the next Freddie Freeman or Craig Kimbrel (both of whom played in Gwinnett).

Big-leaguers also rehab their injuries while playing for Gwinnett.

A few years back, ace pitcher Tim Hudson was working his way back from an arm injury when he made a rehab start in Lawrenceville.

After an inning or two, he ended up meeting some fans in the stands, even summoning one down to the dugout, where Hudson autographed a few baseballs. Says Johnson: “Those are things that aren’t going to happen at a big-league game.”

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Attractions

Staying on Track Railroads rule at the Southeastern Railway Museum

BY LYNN COULTER

The original Duluth depot, built around 1871 in downtown Duluth, has been refurbished and now sits on the museum grounds.

When you enter, you’ll get a feel for how tickets were bought and trains were operated more than a century ago.

There aren’t any lines to stand in at this museum. Visitors can take their time as they stroll through three buildings and over the grounds to see steam and diesel locomotives; historic Pullman and other cars; and a collection of antique buses, taxis, and other vehicles. Make time for a ride on the museum’s Grand Scale train set, a small set that was a popular attraction at zoos, parks, and drive-in theaters during the 1960s.

Call ahead to plan a birthday celebration, banquet, or other

HISTORIC SITES

T

urn back the clock when you visit the Southeastern Railway Museum, and explore an era when railroads ruled America’s transportation system.

This “little museum that could” features some 90 items of rolling stock on a 35-acre site in Duluth, recalling the days when towns sprouted up along rail lines; train cars were furnished as elegantly as hotel suites; and shipments of coal, oil, and other freight rumbled from coast to coast, driving the nation’s economy.

Train memorabilia and rail-related art are housed in a 3,000-square-foot exhibit hall, and field trips for schools, seniors, and other groups are available. But while the museum is rich in history, it isn’t just educational. It’s also entertaining and fun, with rides and interactive experiences for kids of all ages. You might climb into a restored caboose pulled by an antique diesel locomotive or ring the bell on the Chattahoochee Valley 21, a shiny-black engine that once ferried passengers on the now-defunct Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia line.

Gwinnett Historic Courthouse

private event on a stationary party car. The seats have been replaced with tables and chairs to accommodate about 35 people. Bookings include all-day access to the museum and rides.

Building 1 houses the museum’s most impressive exhibits, like President Warren Harding’s private train car (and ultimately his funeral car) and a business car that helped bring the Olympics to Atlanta. Construction is underway on a new building, expected to open in mid-2017.

Allow two to three hours to see the complex, and visit the website for ride schedules and information on special events like tractor, truck, and car shows. Some attractions may be closed at times for restoration, maintenance, or repairs.

Environmental & Heritage Center

Gwinnett History Museum and Lawrenceville Female Seminary

McDaniel Farm Park

➤ McDaniel Farm Park

See how Depression-era farmers lived at this 134-acre historic site complete with walking trails. A blacksmith shed, farmhouse, and other structures show how life once revolved around agriculture.

balcony of the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, built in 1885. Today, visitors come to admire its outstanding architectural features and explore its Gwinnett Veterans Memorial Museum, which contains artifacts dating to the Revolutionary War.

➤ Gwinnett Historic

➤ Environmental &

Courthouse Clerks once shouted verdicts from the

Heritage Center The diverse Buford attraction

is home to exhibits, programs, and heritage sites, including the Isaac Adair House and the Chesser-Williams House, which features stencilied drawings created by a traveling German painter. ➤ Gwinnett History

Museum and Lawrenceville Female Seminary Housed in the Lawrenceville

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Female Seminary, a school for young women that opened in 1838, the museum contains exhibits about life in the county and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Check before you visit; some sites may be closed temporarily for renovations.

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Check before you visit; some sites may be closed temporarily for renovations.

Attractions

VISITOR INFORMATION ➤ Visiting hours:

The Mandir took 17 months to build, benefitted from 1.3 million volunteer hours, and features 34,000 hard-carved pieces from India that arrived in 346 shipping containers. These are just numbers, but once you see the interior of the 30,000-square-foot Mandir for yourself, it’s all the more impressive. Pieces of artisan carved stone are held together carefully with the use of keystones at the central circular atrium. Colorful lighting accentuates the intricacies of the sculptures, which depict lotus flowers and Hindu deities. More panels cover the rest of the sacred space, each of them unique.

Closer to the altars, one piece alone weighs 7.2 tons.

Worshippers come daily for prayers and thal offerings (food offerings that express devotion to God and thanksgiving for the food he has blessed them with), as well as ceremonies like the daily arti. Here, the monks who live at the Mandir wave lighted wicks before the deities offering love, energy, and blessings as music plays.

It’s a unique experience that visitors shouldn’t miss. Be sure to do the audio guide for background information on the murtis, the images of the deities and gurus that line the inner Mandir. The BAPS organization, which is responsible for the Mandir, is a Hindu organization devoted to the ideals of faith, unity, and selfless service.

Mandir, loosely translated, means “where the mind finds peace,” but the place of worship is far more than a spiritual space. It’s also the hub of social and cultural activities for the community. The Mandir itself was constructed almost entirely by volunteers, making it a true labor of love. Atlanta-area Swaminarayan devotees first began to search for a place of worship in the 1980s. They congregated in a former skating rink before purchasing the 29-acre lot in 2000; the Mandir opened in 2007. The property contains a family activity center, a vegetarian cafe with a daily buffet, and a store with Indian snacks. It also hosts regular events like weddings, guest speakers, and Diwali festivities.

Temple of the Gods Lilburn’s magnificent Hindu Mandir

BY CAROLINE EUBANKS

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here are few places in Atlanta to truly disconnect and feel calm, away from traffic and noise. But in the middle of Lilburn, with only the distant hum of a train in the background, you will find a massive and elaborate white Mandir where you can do just that. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is unlike anything else you will see in Georgia, erected with interlocking and elaborately carved pieces of Turkish limestone, Italian marble, and Indian pink sandstone and built in the traditional Hindu style. Until recently, it was the largest Hindu Mandir outside India (a Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey, now holds that title).

The Mandir is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but it is recommended that you visit from 9 a.m. to noon and 3:30 to 6 p.m. No fee or prior booking is required for individuals and families. Audio guides can be purchased for $5 at the gift shop in multiple languages. ➤ Attire: Clothing

must cover your shoulders and knees, but the Mandir provides wraps. Shoes must be placed in the downstairs shoe room; other belongings should be left in your car. ➤ Photography:

Photos and video are allowed only on the exterior.

Cellphones should be switched off once inside. ➤ Food & drinks:

No outside food and drinks are allowed, but there is a vegetarian-friendly cafe on site. ➤ Special events: You can schedule your visit around the arti ceremony, a Hindu prayer ceremony held daily at 11:15 a.m.

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Dining

DUSTIN GRAU

PRIN C IPAL C ON S ULTAN T, PROG RE S S S OF T WARE , AN D F RE E L AN C E PHOTOG RAPHE R

EAT LIKE A LOCAL

Dustin Grau, who lives and works in West Gwinnett, enjoys exploring local restaurants with his family. “There’s absolutely no shortage of great restaurants here,” he says. “And for every place I hear about, I’m sure there are two more just waiting to be discovered.” As a photographer, he often covers Duluth’s Food Truck Fridays, where he enjoys getting to know local vendors.

Four notable Gwinnettians share their favorite restaurants

BY JENNIFER SENATOR

Best breakfast: Duluth Diner, because you can have breakfast there anytime.

Biggest indulgence: Dominick’s for Italian food— typically if we go as a family, we’ll split the Sicilian salad and lasagna. If you don’t leave with boxes of leftovers, you didn’t try enough of the menu.

Favorite ethnic restaurants:

Both Mojito’s Cuban-American Bistro in Norcross and Kurt’s Euro Bistro in Duluth have very authentic dishes and truly give you the flavor of the country.

From Kurt’s, I really enjoy the jaegershnitzel and the spaetzle.

Best pizza: The Bronx Bomber, loaded with meat, at Paizanos.

O4W Pizza is the most interesting and delicious pizza

Mac Lab Bakery & Cafe

SARA LONGSWORTH P R C O O R DI NATO R , A N NA GR I F F I N

Originally from a small town in Alabama where, as a child, she drove an hour with her mother to the nearest Asian market, Sara Longsworth says she has always had an interest in food.

While she works in Atlanta, she says she can’t wait to get home to Lawrenceville most nights to join her husband at one of their favorite local restaurants.

Three Blind Mice

Best breakfast: Three Blind Mice in Lilburn has really good French toast, cocktails, and mimosas.

Best cocktails: We like to go to Graft in Grayson for their Whiskey Wednesdays, when they do half-price on all their whiskey cocktails.

Biggest indulgence: The macarons at Mac Lab Bakery & Cafe in Duluth are the best I’ve had, and they come in all kinds of flavors—elderflower, lychee, Earl Grey tea—and they make hand-painted macarons

in the shape of unicorns.

Favorite ethnic restaurant: Umaido in Suwanee, a ramen restaurant. Their ramen is amazing and they have this extrarich broth. I feel like I’ve tried ramen all over the city, and theirs is the best. You can tell they love what they are making.

Favorite dish: Local Republic has this burger that’s not on the menu anymore, but I still order it—it’s served open-faced and topped with mashed potatoes and onion gravy—it’s a huge pile of carbs, but it’s comforting

and wonderful.

Best for out-of-town guests: Dominick’s, in Lawrenceville, because Italian food is my favorite.

It was where my husband and I had our first date, and we had our rehearsal dinner there.

Favorite restaurant: I’ve been going to Local Republic since the week it opened. The people are warm and friendly, the food is great, and there’s an everchanging beer selection. We go once a week.

Best-kept secret: Rico’s World Kitchen in Buford. My

O4W Pizza

mom is Filipino, and their lumpia rivals hers! Plus they have great salads, specials, hash brown casserole, and fountain Cheerwine.

Best on a budget: Cosmos Original Little Italy in Lawrenceville. We usually get a pitcher of beer and a sausage pizza and just chow down.

Best date spot: 1910 Public House in Lilburn is a cute little place and it’s very cozy. The last time we went I had this giant plate of osso buco, saffron risotto, and wine.

this side of their namesake [Old Fourth Ward, in Atlanta]. I like their Grandma Pie. Favorite dish: The Classic Paella at Mojito’s CubanAmerican Bistro, though a close second is their Vaca Frita.

With a mojito, of course.

Best for out-of-town guests: Typically the guests I have are from work and are not from the South, so the first thing they need to try is Dreamland BBQ. Best patio: If you can get a spot outside on a good day, Pure Taqueria has a great patio for people-watching during events in Duluth. And in decent weather they open the big garage doors in the front of the restaurant, turning the whole room into a big porch.

Best-kept secret: Ask the bartender at Pure Taqueria in Duluth what’s with the big jar with pineapples behind the bar, and what it has to do with the train crossing.

Best on a budget: You can get a very filling barbecue sandwich with a side at Dreamland BBQ for about $8.

Best desserts: The homemade ice cream at Daddy O’Brien’s Irish Ice Cream Pub.

Graft

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Dining

Epicurean Cafe

Peachtree Cafe

BIG TIME 2017 EVENT SCHEDULE

DIG ITAL M ARKE TIN G PROF E S S ION AL AN D F OOD AN D TRAV E L B LOG G E R

n w T o ll a m S

April 29 Grayson Day Festival & Parade May 20 Family Fun Fitness Festival June 7 Opening Day of Grayson Farmers’ Market - Voted Best of Gwinnett June 10 Gimme Shelter Benefit Concert July 29 Christmas In July Arts & Craft Festival August 11 Party In The Park September 17 Taste of Grayson October 7 Love Thy Neighbor Car Show October 21 Grayson Blues & Brews Voted Best of Gwinnett November 11 Hot Tamale Chili Cook Off December 3 Christmas in Grayson 54 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

ASHLEIGH N. WHITBY

With all the very best vibes and the ambiance of your favorite boutique town, Grayson invites you to enjoy top quality concerts and award winning festivals.

Mark your calendars and make plans to join us in Grayson. We’re going to have a BIG 475 Grayson Parkway Time (in our) Small Town!

Grayson, GA 30017

www.CityOfGrayson.org

Ashleigh Whitby, who lives in Dacula, started her blog, Forkcetious, last year to provide an “authentic” perspective on food and local restaurants. Since then, she says, Forkcetious has allowed her to “explore places I might not go otherwise.”

Marlow's Tavern

Best breakfast: The sweet potato waffles at the Peachtree Cafe are out of this world. For a special treat I’ll go to Brunch Apothecary for their chicken and churros waffle or pork belly Benedict.

Biggest indulgence: Homemade ice cream at Kremo Ice Cream. I save it for celebrations, or a good treat day.

Favorite ethnic restaurants: Mama’s Paradise Restaurant, a Caribbean spot off Satellite Boulevard, has great oxtail and curried goat. It’s great for when I want a quiet lunch. I also like Haru Ichiban—they have a really amazing seafood ramen bowl.

Favorite dish: The George’s Cadillac burger at Ted’s Montana Grill—I love the fried

onions and the barbecue sauce.

Best for out-of-town guests: I always take guests to Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen to give them a good introduction to the city. And they have the best cheese grits I’ve ever had!

Favorite restaurant: Marlow’s Tavern truly has something for everyone. They are always trying new things and changing the menu by the season.

Best waitstaff: The staff at Epicurean Cafe in Duluth practically knows my name by now—even Chef Omar will greet me. Ashli, the hostess, is a gem and like a real-life Lorelai from Gilmore Girls.

Best patio: The rooftop patio at McCray’s Tavern, where you can see all of downtown Lawrenceville.

Best-kept secret: The sweet potato latte at Orange Coffee Bar in Duluth—it changed my life.

Best on a budget: Who’s Got Soul Southern Cafe has awesome lunch specials that start at $4.95, and you get a ton of food. You could easily save half for another meal. I also go to El Torero for a good $8 Mexican lunch where I usually get jalapeño cheese dip, tacos, and rice. And lately, my guilty pleasure has been the burrito bowl from Fernando’s Mexican Restaurant in Dacula.

It’s not your chain burrito bowl.

I can squeeze about three meals out of this one!

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Dining ®

Breakers Korean Grill & Barbecue

ARCADE

BOWLING

Visit

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Daily Specials BIRTHDAYS

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678.965.5707 www.StarsAndStrikes.com

for a location near you!

TONY VAN NGUYEN C O-F OUN DE R, TE AM 3 E

“I’ve seen much change in the food scene here,” says Tony Van Nguyen, who was born and raised in Gwinnett and is so passionate about one local restaurant he raved about it on TV.

The Southeastern Railway Museum

Georgia’s Official Transportation History Museum

Visit a museum that moves people! At the Southeastern Railway Museum you’ll experience fun, educational events that entertain the whole family.

Caboose Days: April 1st & 2nd

Fast Track 5k: May 27

Locomotive Celebration: June 10th & 11th

Summer Camp registration is now available! Register your child before May 1st to receive a discounted rate.

Session 1: June 12-16. Session 2: July 17-21. Available for ages 4-12. See website for more details!

Local Republic

3595 Buford Hwy. Duluth, GA | 770-476-2013 | southeasternrailwaymuseum.org | @southeasterrailwaymuseum 56 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Best breakfast: Rexall Grill in Duluth is a time capsule stuck in the ’60s. Order the sausage gravy biscuits with hash browns, and if you’re lucky, one of the trains will pass by, taking you back in time to when Duluth was a major train station. The service here is always friendly, and the food has been impeccably consistent.

Biggest indulgence: The Tito roll at Sushi Niko Niko in Buford is a specialty roll with everything possible in and on it, like crayfish, scallops, baked noodles, and all sorts of other sushi fish. It’s gigantic!

Favorite ethnic restaurant: Pleasant BBQ Garden in Duluth is by far the best and most authentic Cantonese Chinese restaurant. It is family run, seating is limited, and the menu may be hard to navigate.

Order the beef chow fun and the spare rib with black beans over rice served in clay pots—the rice has an addictive crunch to it.

Favorite dish: The chirashi at Sushi Avenue in Snellville is

simply one of the best in town.

It is beautifully arranged sashimi atop a bed of sushi rice, served with vegetables. I could eat this meal every day.

Best for the family: Fratelli’s Pizza in Snellville has awesome pizza, calzones, and wings. The waitstaff is extremely patient, especially with kids.

Favorite restaurant: Breakers Korean Grill & Barbecue is my go-to restaurant. Come with friends and get the all-you-can-eat course 2 (pork rib, pork belly, bulgogi, chicken, brisket, and squid). I’m on the Atlanta Eats episode which plays on loop there. Keep an eye out for me!

Best patio: Local Republic has an awesome location right on the Lawrenceville Square—you feel like you are part of the town when you sit outside. Be sure to try the duck wings, shrimp and grits, Southpaw burger, or bacon mac and cheese.

Best-kept secret: The fried chicken nuggets—get them spicy—paired with a taro milk bubble tea at Quickly in Duluth. It makes for a very fast and inexpensive snack. I stop by almost every time I am in the area.

Best for a business lunch: For one-on-one meetings, Umaido in Suwanee is perfect.

Authentic Japanese Ramen paired with house-made noodles is a recipe for success.

Best on a budget: Don Pedro Restaurant in Norcross is taco heaven. You can get four tacos of your choice plus an ice-cold horchata and you will be stuffed for less than $10.

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Dining

LET’S CELEBRATE . . . BEER! A look at four fests focusing on craft brewskies: ➤ Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest

Billed as Georgia’s largest craft-beer celebration, this event promises unlimited samples of more than 300 brews, fun games like cornhole and giant Jenga, live music, and even wine. March 17 at Suwanee Town Center Park; suwaneebeerfest.com

RAISE A GLASS, GWINNETT

➤ Gwinnett Beer Fest

The Lawrenceville satellite of the Suwanee fest features 150-plus beers at the home of the Gwinnett Braves. Nothing minor league about it, though.

May 6 at Coolray Field; gwinnettbeerfest.com Gentleman (an 18th century–style brown ale with pecan notes).

Located in an old trouser factory in a 1910 building in downtown Lawrenceville, Slow Pour is expected to open this spring.

Growlers have taken over Gwinnett.

Here, your best bets for beer.

TANNERY ROW ALE HOUSE In what once was a leather-tanning factory in downtown Buford, this history-steeped saloon prides itself on its heady list of draft options. Here you can quaff local favorites by usual suspects Terrapin, Creature Comforts, and SweetWater while tasting noteworthy imports from near and far. (Asheville’s Hi-Wire, San Diego’s Ballast Point, and Southern Tier from Lakewood, New York, are all represented.) If you get the munchies, the kitchen delivers with plenty of nifty bar noshes (mac-and-cheese bites, fried pickles, smoked wings, pecan-smoked bacon with bourbon–peanut butter dip), plus burgers, salads, pizzas, and flatbreads.

BY WENDELL BROCK

I

Tickets to this event include samples of all the beer, wine, and cider you can drink (there are more than 100 samples to choose from), plus live music and food truck fare. September 30 at Lilburn City Park; lilburnbeerfest.com ➤ Grayson Blues & Brews

Innovative beer and traditional music are the hallmarks of this lively small-town fest, now in its eighth year. Check the festival website for this year’s lineup. October 21 at Grayson Community Park; grayson-bluesandbrews.com

1910 PUBLIC HOUSE f sipping suds is your passion, Gwinnett just might be good for what “ales” you. Here’s a look at some local spots that are helping make the county a destination for craft-beer lovers.

GOOD WORD BREWING & PUBLIC HOUSE Scheduled for a late-summer opening in downtown Duluth’s historic Parsons Alley project, Good Word comes with considerable pedigree. The new brewhouse is from the folks behind Brick Store Pub, the venerated, 20-year-old establishment credited with helping transform a once-sleepy downtown Decatur into a food-and-drink mecca. Now, the Brick House beer-preneurs hope to bring that same magic to Duluth. Interiors will be designed by the preservation-minded Square Feet Studio (Kimball House, Second Self Beer Company). And for the first time, the partners will be able to craft their own suds. (Brewmaster Todd DiMatteo promises sours, hoppy beers, and saisons, among others.)

SLOW POUR BREWING COMPANY Espousing a “farm to fermenter” philosophy, Gwinnett’s first brewery sources homegrown products to create such beers as The Southern Belle (an IPA with hints of peach) and The Southern

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➤ Lilburn Beer Fest

Doubling as a casual Southern restaurant and a taproom, this Lilburn gem boasts 28 draft beers for washing down its smoked trout dip, pimento cheese, house-made potato chips, fried chicken, and shrimp and grits. Georgia beer makers with names on the sticks include Wild Heaven, Monday Night Brewing, Burnt Hickory, Dry County, Red Hare, Cherry Street, Scofflaw, Reformation, Red Brick, Gate City, Omaha, Jekyll, Three Taverns, and Second Self. Grab a stool: You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better Gwinnett perch for educating yourself on the region’s craft-beer movement.

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL Hope and patience are necessary for anyone trying to start a distillery.

Just ask Betsey Dahlberg and Paul R. Allen, the husband-and-wife team behind Hope Springs Distillery, a new craft distillery coming to Lilburn. (Hope Springs

was the name of Dahlberg’s family farm in Stone Mountain.) After a 2½-year build-out and some permitting delays, the couple hopes to be up and running this spring.

First off the still: Top Hat vodka, with a label featuring an 1894 photograph of the town namesake,

Lilburn Trigg Meyers. After that, the Gwinnett residents may collaborate with a partner on an absinthe, then perhaps move on to bourbon. “But that will take aging, so it won’t be released for quite some time.” Now what was that we were saying about perseverance?

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Dining

THE CHEF’S THE WORD

Check out these top chef-driven spots around Gwinnett

BY CARLY COOPER

Dontrell Ham, Aqua Terra

Uncle Jack's Meat House

Noble Fin

Three Blind Mice

warm Brie, duck confit pasta, and boeuf bourguignonne. Don’t forget the wine!

UNCLE JACK’S MEAT HOUSE

AQUA TERRA BISTRO

Omar Powell, Epicurean Cafe

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here’s a certain appeal to chain restaurants: they’re comfortable and you know what you’re getting. But with chef-driven restaurants on the rise in Gwinnett, there are more options to expand your palate with fresh fare and creative cuisine. Here are six chef-driven spots to try.

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Open since 1999, Aqua Terra is changing things up this year with a new chef and a new menu, too. A self-described Southern boy, Dontrell Ham combines French and Mediterranean influences with traditional Southern fare to create a “bright and earthy” menu focused on seafood. Favorites like the French country salad and seared scallops in a mushroom-truffle cream sauce will continue to be offered, alongside hand-cut meats, daily specials, and ice cream made in-house. Expect Aqua Terra’s popular crème brulée plus bread pudding and an espresso-and-chocolate concoction for dessert.

EPICUREAN CAFE Located alongside the Town Green in downtown Duluth, Epicurean Cafe offers contemporary American fare in a historic setting. The food is refined without being pretentious. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, chef Omar Powell brings experience from the award-winning Cardamom Hill to this white-tablecloth establishment. Expect tomato-basil bisque, fried green tomatoes with

Uncle Jack’s Meat House is a welcome addition to the Duluth restaurant scene. The brainchild of restaurateur Willie Degel, a.k.a. the “New York Steak Doctor” and host of The Food Network’s Restaurant Steakhouse, the New York-style steakhouse focuses on natural, sustainable, and organic ingredients. But according to local chef Mitch Hammond, who grew up in Lilburn, it’s the menu that sets the restaurant apart. “We have fantastic food and excellent service,” he says. “Steaks are a big part of that, but we offer a lot of other proteins and a lot of fusion cuisine as well.” Options range from the traditional (New York strip and New Zealand lamb chops) to the adventurous (roasted bone marrow and charred Spanish octopus). And don’t forget about the “Sweet Tooth” section with made-from-scratch cookies.

NOBLE FIN Another implant from the Old Fourth Ward, chef and restaurateur Jay Swift (4th & Swift) brings fresh, approachable seafood to Gwinnett with Noble Fin, which opened in 2016. His son, Jeb Aldrich, leads the kitchen, preparing raw oysters, Maine lobster rolls, Maryland crab cakes, and other dishes reminiscent of Swift’s Northern roots. Want something local? There’s Georgia rainbow trout and sautéed Gulf grouper, too. Careful not to leave anyone out, Noble Fin offers steaks, chops, and poultry as well.

O4W PIZZA In 2015, New Jersey pizzaiolo Anthony Spina brought his famous Grandma Pie to the Irwin Street Market in Old Fourth Ward. The demand soon outpaced the production, and Spina began searching for a larger space. Last year, he moved his operation to Duluth, bringing with him an expanded pizza menu (think Sicilian, wood-fired, and classic) plus antipasti and pasta. Don’t be fooled— the square Grandma Pie with fresh mozzarella, house-made marinara, pecorino Romano, oregano, basil, and extra-virgin olive oil still takes the cake.

THREE BLIND MICE Named for original partners chef Matthew Murphy, sister Monica Murphy-Perez, and August Perez, Lilburn’s Three Blind Mice bills itself as a “modern American take on French cooking.” No surprise there. Murphy spent several years working in Paris, and also worked at restaurants in New York City, Boston, and Miami. He prides himself on the restaurant’s fresh fish and seafood options, and on its everevolving menu. “We try to change it as much as possible, at least six times a year,” he says. Diners can expect delicacies like pan-roasted veal porterhouse, crisp pork schnitzel, and Lowcountry shrimp and grits.

Anthony Spina, O4W Pizza

Dining

SWEETS THAT GIVE BACK Special Kneads and Treats is a nonprofit bake shop that employs adults with special needs, training them in the art of baking and helping them gain a sense of responsibility. Special Kneads caters to other local nonprofits, providing something sweet to the elderly and battered women and children, among others. Profits from general sales go toward special-needs research.

At Special Kneads, offerings range from wedding cakes and cheesecakes to cupcakes, cake pops, and biscotti. In addition to traditional cupcake flavors, expect salted-caramel macchiato, Oreo, and Italian cream.

SUGAR RUSH

Indulge your sweet tooth with treats from these local bakeries

BY CARLY COOPER

jumbo cinnamon rolls. Others nosh on deli sandwiches and sip iced tea, while still more are attracted by the ornate cakes, pies, and pastries. Need something to go? Box lunches are available, too.

THE CHOCOLATERIE This downtown Duluth sweets shop combines the charm of an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor with the sophistication of artisan ice-cream makers. The ice cream is handcrafted with non-GMO, hormone-free milk. Flavors rotate up to four times a week, and there are even a couple of “adult” versions made with alcohol. Not much for ice cream? The Chocolaterie sells candy by the pound and cookies, too.

CRAVE PIE STUDIO

Tree Story Bakery & Cafe

Mac Lab Bakery & Cafe

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here’s nothing more comforting than fresh baked goods alongside a large mug of coffee or tea. Here’s where to find them in Gwinnett.

THE BAKING GROUNDS BAKERY CAFE Family owned and operated, the Baking Grounds is best known for its wedding cakes—and groom cakes, too. With multiple flavors and customizable 3-D designs, the options are endless. But the Baking Grounds is more than a catering bakery. It serves breakfast and lunch with comforting items like egg-and-cheese biscuits, hash brown casserole, honey ham sandwiches, and soup of the day. Of course, there’s always fresh-baked cookies and cupcakes to end your meal on a sweet note. (Hint: Try the cranberry-nut white chocolate cookies. They won’t disappoint.)

From quiche and chicken pot pies to fruit pies, chess pies, and custards, Crave Pie Studio has all your pie needs covered. Five-inch mini pies are available in store daily, and custom pies are available in multiple sizes. Some of Crave’s more creative flavors include Nutella cream, tequila Key lime with salted-pretzel crust, jalapeño cherry with bacon streusel, and salted lavender honey. You can also purchase Bake It Yourself pie kits for that extra homemade touch.

MAC LAB BAKERY & CAFE Husband-and-wife team Jack and Lan Cheng are the masterminds behind Mac Lab Bakery & Cafe in Duluth. “Mac” stands for scrumptious French macarons, and the “Lab” part comes from the couple’s experimentation with techniques and unique ingredient combinations. A macaron shell has only four main ingredients—

Blue Rooster Bake Shop and Eatery

most importantly egg whites and ultrafine almond flour—so proper technique is crucial. Luckily, the Culinary Institute of America grads nailed it. Flavors change daily but include a range of inspired flavors including strawberry, chocolate, matcha, chai tea, Oreo, and rose and lychee. Specialty coffee from Dancing Goats is also available.

SUGAR HILL BAKERY AND CAFE This fanciful spot serves brunch all day with options like creme brulée French toast and croque madame. Lunch sandwiches have whimsical names like Linus and Lucy, Snoopy, and Christmas in a Sandwich. You can even stop by after dinner and enjoy a glass of wine or beer on the patio with petits fours, a macaroon, or a lemon bar for dessert. On the more indulgent side, there are Oreo cheesecake bars, Reese’s peanut butter cheesecake bars, and red velvet cupcakes.

SWEET HUT BAKERY & CAFE This bright and cheery spot with locations in Doraville, Midtown, and Duluth offers a unique place to work or relax with friends over bibimbap burgers, spicy bulgogi chicken sandwiches, lattes, and tea.

There are frosty drinks, boba tea, and an over-the-top assortment of pastries, both sweet and savory. Try the almond-y coconut butterfly, the Portuguese egg tart, or the Nutella Danish.

TREE STORY BAKERY & CAFE This playful, Korean-inspired spot offers a mishmash of coffee shop chic and Korean trends. There’s sweet potato lattes, shaved ice, green tea rolls, Korean streusel bread, and boba tea. Its owners, husbandand-wife team Jae Woo and Ock Jin Lee, lend their interior design background to the space, making it feel like a fairy-tale tree house complete with colorful murals and illuminated tree branches.

BLUE ROOSTER BAKE SHOP AND EATERY With 15 years in business, the Blue Rooster has developed a loyal following. Some come for the hot ham-and-cheese croissants and The Chocolaterie 62 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

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Shopping

Fab’rik

Galactic Quest

Gwinnett County is home to several well-kept city centers, each with a different character but all sharing in a commitment to independently owned businesses, walkability, and historic preservation. Oh, and great shopping.

NORCROSS Leisure seekers flock to downtown Norcross’ picturesque treasure: a burgeoning retail and restaurant scene amid historic brick buildings and surrounding parks.

DON’T MISS: Repurposed finds for the home and handcrafted jewelry, such as stunning custom aquamarine and quartz cuff bracelets by The Sandra Brooks Collection, at Farmhouse 17 FAVORITE FIND: VSOP Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom’s rich, all-natural white and black truffle oils made with truffles from the Umbria and Piedmont regions of Italy REFUEL AT: Mojitos, an inviting Cuban-American bistro with menu items like Loaded Mariquitas (green plantains with nacho toppings), guava barbecue baby-back ribs, and mojitos—naturally

DOWNTOWN DELIGHTS

Gwinnett’s downtown retail districts are hubs for shopping and eating local

BY K ARINA ANTENUCCI

64 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

DULUTH Shop to your heart’s content within Duluth’s thriving historic downtown, featuring a diverse array of exclusive, locally owned businesses.

DON’T MISS: The affordable, original artwork, such as oil paintings, metal sculptures, and woodwork, from regional and national artists at 2 Smith Art Gallery FAVORITE FIND: Trendy, boho muumuu dresses and jumpsuits

at women’s boutique American Threads REFUEL AT: Epicurean Café, with scrumptious dishes, such as dill chicken salad on a croissant, and shrimp and grits in a coconut curry sauce—it’s the perfect conclusion to an afternoon of shopping SUWANEE Old complements new in Suwanee’s delightful downtown, which melds the historic Old Town commercial district along Main Street with the pedestrian-friendly Town Center Park, a mixed-use development with modern merchants and green spaces.

DON’T MISS: Fashionable franchise Fab’rik boutique for its affordable women’s styles and accessories under $100 FAVORITE FIND: Jilly’s Cupcakery’s gourmet cupcakes, featuring flavors like Nutella, decadent hazelnut, and cocoa bite REFUEL AT: Suwanee Park Tavern with upscale bar bites, such as The Whole Park, a ground chuck burger paired with white cheddar, BBQ pork, mac and cheese, bacon marmalade, and kettle chips

blended shopping experience of antiques shops and stylish new boutiques.

DON’T MISS: Galactic Quest, a comic book store offering new and classic tales and artwork featuring the likes of Superman and Cosmic Girl FAVORITE FIND: The dignified Martin painting of Martin Luther King Jr. by artist Darryl Hines at The Dizzy Gypsy, a nonprofit local art studio REFUEL AT: Exhibit A(le) by taking home a half-gallon growler of your favorite craft beer draft, such as a dark Prairie Bomb or a hoppy Evil Twin Modern IPA BUFORD Originally a railway depot in 1872, the city of Buford now showcases a flourishing arts and antiques scene, with must-try restaurants lining Main Street and beyond.

DON’T MISS: Marisa Jill’s Boutique, a women’s clothing store with a large selection of Simply Southern shirts with sayings like “Always in a Southern state of mind” FAVORITE FIND: The vintage dresses at Further Down the Rabbit Hole Boutique, where

you’ll find a mishmash of antiques, repurposed apparel, and cottage finds REFUEL AT: Adam’s Restaurant with a swanky dinner of roasted rack of lamb or beef shoulder filet, followed by live music at its speakeasy club downstairs on the weekends PEACHTREE CORNERS Outdoor shopping mall The Forum on Peachtree Parkway acts as the center of Gwinnett’s newest city, Peachtree Corners, and its communal spaces including several peaceful parks.

DON’T MISS: Kinnucan’s, an outfitter providing everything you need for an outdoor adventure, such as The North Face jackets, ENO hammocks, and True knives FAVORITE FIND: Party-planning essentials at Swoozie's. This one-stop shop carries anything and everything you need for a successful shindig including invitations, stationary, favors, hostess gifts, decorations, and all things monogrammed.

REFUEL AT: Aomi Japanese Restaurant, which offers an expansive sushi menu as well as hibachi grill–style entrees in myriad combinations

Swoozie’s

LAWRENCEVILLE Incorporated in 1821, today downtown Lawrenceville is a revitalized hub featuring a

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Shopping

Anna Balkan in her Norcross studio

Gwinnett County is home to many homegrown businesses, where locals craft a wide variety of must-have items. Check out these makers of specialty home decor, casual and sophisticated jewelry, and eco-conscious shoes.

THE ARTZY SIDE OF LAWRENCEVILLE Venus Parker, owner of Artzy Beads in Lawrenceville, is not only a jewelry maker but a concert violinist as well. She applies harmonies from one art to the other in her approach to fashion. As an artist, Parker knows that practice creates the finest art. She offers weekly workshops for people to learn jewelry-making techniques.

“My passion is to work with coral, agates, and different types of quartz,” she says. “Just as music notes make a chord, different colors and shapes of stones make perfect harmony.”

SMART SHOES The folks at Okabashi make shoes that make sense. The Buford-based manufacturer creates cute, comfortable shoes that are affordable, recyclable, offer foot support, and are backed by a two-year guarantee.

The average pair of Okabashi flip-flops and slides contains about 25 percent recycled Okabashi shoes. The Oka-B line is made from the same materials but in dressier styles.

Shoes are sold at shops all over the U.S.; you can also buy direct at okabashi.com and oka-b.com.

Okabashi

MADE IN GWINNETT Where to find local jewelry, shoes, pottery, and more

BY ANNET TE THOMPSON

66 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

PLANTING DULUTH Little pottery plant pockets and desktop planters make a green statement at the Eye Candy Art Studio in Duluth. This paintyour-own-pottery shop exhibits the whimsical creations of its owner, Ashley Towers. “I find inspiration in humor,” Towers says. “Plus, I’m fond of plants.

They give you something to nurture.” The pots and pockets feature spirited sayings, such as “think happy be happy,” or cute figures, such as foxes and pigs.

FARMHOUSE JEWELRY At Norcross shop Farmhouse 17, owners Sandra Brooks and daughter Holly Isserstedt repurpose all manner of antiques and vintage furnishings. Styles range from traditional to trendy and hip. But the pièce de résistance is Brooks's one-of-akind jewelry. Fascinated with antique jade as well as pearls and bone, she crafts eclectic necklaces, belts, bracelets, and earrings that make on-trend fashion statements.

THE FINER SIDE OF NORCROSS Anna Balkan Jewelry is sold in more than 400 stores around the U.S. It’s made in downtown Norcross at Balkan’s gallery/studio. We spoke with Balkan, a native of Ukraine, about her business.

How did you end up in Norcross?

I went to college in New York City and in Michigan and then worked a corporate job. I was transferred to Atlanta, and I love it here.

How did you start designing jewelry?

It began as a hobby while I was pregnant. Creativity was pouring out of me. I’m like a MacGyver—I can figure anything out. This is my 10th year designing, and my gallery’s seventh.

How do you help customers find the right pieces?

Our gallery is unique. When people shop for clothing, they buy colors and styles that suit their tastes, hair, and skin, but they don’t think of jewelry the same way. Our store is separated into the four seasons. If you buy jewelry that looks good with your skin tone, it will go with everything in your wardrobe. You are the common denominator. It’s like you are a painting.

GEORGIA ON MY COUNTERTOP The folks at CuttingBoards .net in Norcross offer a variety of cutting boards, but the Georgia board cut in the shape of the Peach State illustrates our love of home. CuttingBoards.net recently added a bamboo cutout to their lineup, operator Janae Robertson says, because most folks prefer the eco-friendliness of bamboo. Even though the online company lacks a brickand-mortar outlet, you may purchase through their website or through Georgia Crafted.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 67

Out & About

LOCAL AMBASSADORS

Aura-Leigh Sanders Gallery Director, The Dizzy Gypsy, Lawrenceville FAVORITE EVENING ACTIVITY

Catch a show at the Aurora Theatre.

COFFEE SHOP

The Blue Rooster makes the best specialty coffees on the Square (in Lawrenceville).

LIVE MUSIC SPOT

McCray’s on the Square is the best!

LATE-NIGHT BITE

W

hen the last bite of dessert is gone, the fun is just beginning in Gwinnett County. Whatever you’re in the mood for, after-dinner options abound.

LAUGH IT OUT If laughter is the best medicine, Norcross’ Atlanta Comedy Theatre is an ultrafun doctor’s office. The upscale venue seats 250 for intimate shows, showcasing both local acts and national comedians such as Arsenio Hall, Josh Harris, and Tony Roberts.

Comedy may be the focus, but look for other fun events, including mystery dinner theater performances and improv showcases.

GWINNETT AFTER DINNER

You’ve eaten dinner, now what? In Gwinnett, you can see a show, play laser tag, sing karaoke, or just escape.

BY JENNIFER BRADLEY FRANKLIN

68 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

LIVE MUSIC Atlanta Coliseum in Duluth is quickly establishing itself as a go-to place to catch live music acts in Gwinnett. The midsized venue (think much larger than an acoustic listening room, more intimate than a massive arena) has already booked coveted acts like Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.

STAR ATTRACTIONS There’s something for every member of the family at both Main Event in Suwanee and Stars and Strikes, which has three Gwinnett locations, including multilevel laser

Strange Taco’s gourmet tacos are the perfect late-night snack.

FAVORITE PATIO

tag, bowling, and more than 100 arcade and video games. At Main Event, there’s also a billiards and gravity ropes course; Stars and Strikes has a cool laser maze and bumper cars. Once you’ve worked up a healthy appetite, both spots offer a full menu and bar to keep you fueled for the next round of play.

Universal Joint has the best patio in Gwinnett.

KILLER COCKTAIL

Try the Corpse Reviver 2 at Local Republic.

THE VOICE Love to sing but don’t feel ready for the big stage? Korean karaoke lets you channel your inner superstar in the privacy of your own room. Echo Karaoke in Suwanee and DO Re Mi Restaurant & Bar in Duluth offer thousands of songs to choose from (you can sing in English or Korean), Korean bites, and cocktails to give the shy among you a bit of liquid courage.

Shai Waldrip Student, Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville LIVE MUSIC SPOT

I like Sweetwater Bar and Grill.

LATE-NIGHT BITE

BREAK OUT Escape rooms are all the rage, gaining popularity for team-building exercises, bachelor parties, and date nights. It sounds simple: Find clues, decipher the hidden codes, and solve the puzzle. But at Rush Escape Room in Norcross, Brainstorm Escape Games in Peachtree Corners, Escape the Mystery Room in Lawrenceville, and Three Keys Escape Game in Suwanee, you’ll need to think fast (and find your inner Sherlock Holmes) to beat the system.

Try Iron Age for all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue (open until 2 a.m.).

SNACK ATTACK

I like Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers for frozen custard (locations in Duluth and Snellville).

NIGHTTIME SHOPPING

I love shopping at the Mall of Georgia.

COFFEE SHOP

My favorite is Cafe Aromas Bakery Cafe.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 69

Out & About

JapanFest

F

rom beer to sushi, and martial arts to sand art, there’s something for everyone in Gwinnett County. Here’s a sample of upcoming events.

PUBLIC ART ENCOUNTER During its past four installations, Suwanee’s SculpTour has presented a total of 79 sculptures in a walkable one-mile area in downtown Suwanee. The city officially kicks off the 2017-19 installation, featuring 20 new works in and around Town Center, at the SculpTour Sip & See. The memorable evening includes guided wine tours of the art, meet-and-greets with some of the featured artists, and a performance of Memphis by the Aurora Theatre on the Town Center stage.

May 20; Town Center Park, Suwanee, suwanee.com

ALL IN THE FAMILY The Peachtree Corners Festival kicks off with a free concert on Friday evening and continues with good times and good vibes throughout the weekend. Bring the family and enjoy live music, some 140 booths filled with arts and crafts, and kids rides and attractions. Pack a picnic, or eat at a food truck.

Don’t forget your camera; the festival will host a classic car show and competition each day.

There’s no charge for admission to this event.

June 9-11; Corners Office Park, Peachtree Corners; peachtreecornersfestival.com

STICKY FINGERS Chow down on some of the South’s best BBQ when Rock’n Ribville returns. Some 50 teams from across the Southeast will

AFFAIRS TO REMEMBER Gwinnett’s coolest festivals

BY LYNN COULTER

70 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Rock’n Ribville

face off in a competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Alas, only judges can cast votes for official rib entrants, but there’s plenty more succulent smoked meat vying for the People’s Choice Award. You’ll also find many other foods and snacks, great music, and a Kids’ Riblet Zone for the youngsters. This is Southern-style slow cooking at its best.

September 16; Lawrenceville Lawn, Lawrenceville; rocknribville.com

FAR EAST, CLOSE BY See martial arts; try on an authentic kimono; and sample sushi, curry rice, and other dishes during JapanFest, one of the largest Japanese festivals in the country.

While some of the 500+ Japanese companies based in Georgia display their products and technologies, visitors can shop for dolls, clothing, Japanese tea, and other goods.

Bring the kids to play water yo-yo, ring toss, and other games, and make Japanese kites and tops.

September 16-17; Infinite Energy Center, Duluth; japanfest.org

A FRIGHTFULLY GOOD TIME Screams lurk around every terrifying corner in the Netherworld Haunted House, which was voted the “Best Haunted House of All Time” by HauntWorld.com.

When the doors creak open, you’ll encounter costumed actors, movie-quality special effects, atmospheric sets, and frightening monsters. This is one of the scariest, most intense haunted houses in the Southeast. You’ve been warned.

Select dates in September and November and throughout the month of October; fearworld.com

FALL COLOR Artisans from around the United States exhibit paintings, jewelry, ceramics, photography, mixed media, and much more at Norcross Art Splash. Look for the displays along the downtown streets, where you can also pop in and out of inviting eateries and shops. Face painting, sand art, and rides will entertain the kids.

October 7-8; Historic Norcross; splashfestivals.com

BATTLE OF THE TARTANS Norcross Art Splash

Celebrate your Scottish heritage at the Stone Mountain Highland Games. If you’re not Scottish, celebrate anyway.

Join in a Scottish country dance; explore tartans, clans and family crests; and watch sheepdogs show off their skills. You can also sample whiskeys; hear Celtic tunes; and watch athletic competitions like the caber toss, hammer throw, and sheaf toss.

John Mohr MacKintosh Pipes & Drums is the 2017 host band.

October 20-22; Stone Mountain Park; smhg.org

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 7 1

Out & About

GET SOCIAL!

Gwinnett’s dynamic food scene, picturesque parks, and inspiring cultural attractions have Atlantans all abuzz

#EXPLOREGWINNETT ON INSTAGRAM

TWEET TWEET

FOUR TO FOLLOW

Stay in the know on Gwinnett happenings with help from these social media rock stars TWITTER

@NickMasino The chief economic development officer of Partnership Gwinnett shares all things Gwinnett County.

@GwinnettDaily Get all your newsy scoop from the Gwinnett Daily Post.

678 Korean BBQ @Sitthini

Kremo Ice Cream @kremoicecream

Suwanee Town Center @stamfordthedoggie

Skin Alley Fox Mural @saralongsworth

Stone Mountain @lohaines

@TeresaCJohnson Enjoyed lunch at Buford Tannery Row Ale House and looking at great art at the Buford Tannery Row Artist Colony. @WheresWalterTV Thank you @medieval_ times #atlanta for a truly fun #datenight #wejoust

INSTAGRAM Tribble Mill Park @heatherthedogs

@clarajosie119 Such a peaceful way to spend the afternoon #atlanta @ BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Atlanta

@michaelrennick minor league hockey?

Good times! We have the Gwinnett Gladiators here.

Always fun to watch. @originalmsp #JejuSpa was heaven on earth. I thoroughly enjoyed my day & look forward 2 going back. #hipbath #bodyshampoo will conquer the cold jacuzzi

@forkcetious

@yelpotp

An “authentic” perspective on local restaurants.

Exploring Atlanta OTP (that’s outside the Perimeter!).

LET’S STAY CONNECTED u Instagram.com/ExploreGwinnett u Twitter.com/GwinnettEvents Simply Done Donuts @justindustin

72 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Donut Worry Shop @ donutworry

Crave Pie Studio @cravepie

u Facebook.com/ExploreGwinnett

@YewandeAOluleye It’s a lovely day to go to Treetop Quest!

u Pinterest.com/ExploreGwinnnett

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 73

Resources ATTRACTIONS Aurora Theatre 128 East Pike Street, Lawrenceville, 678.226.6222, auroratheatre.com BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta 460 Rockbridge Road, Lilburn, 678.906.2277, baps.org/atlanta The Bowl @Sugarhill 5039 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, 770.945.6716, thebowl@sugarhill.com Coolray Field 2500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville, 678.277.0340, gwinnettbraves.com Eagle Rock Studios 6205 Best Friend Road, Norcross, 404.939.9600, eaglerockstudiosatl.com Gwinnett Historic Courthouse 185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.822.5450, gwinnett historiccourthouse.com Gwinnett History Museum/Lawrenceville Female Seminary 455 South Perry Street, Lawrenceville, 770.904.3500, gwinnettehc.org Gwinnett Veterans Memorial Museum Located in the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.822.5450, vetmemorial museum.tripod.com Infinite Energy Center 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 770.626.2464, infiniteenergycenter.com Lionheart Theatre 10 College Street, Norcross, 770.885.0425, lionhearttheatre.org McDaniel Farm Park 3251 McDaniel Road, Duluth, 770.904.3500, gwinnettehc.org Medieval Times 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, 888.935.6878, medievaltimes.com

74 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Netherworld Haunted House fearworld.com

Lawrenceville, 770.995.0225, cafearomas.blogspot.com

Southeastern Railway Museum 3595 Buford Highway, Duluth, 770.476.2013, srmduluth.org

Chung Dam 2550 Pleasant Hill Road, #401, Duluth, 770.623.0311, chungdam.us

Suwanee SculpTour Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Avenue, suwanee.com

Cosmo’s Original Little Italy 144 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.338.9274

Tannery Row Artist Colony 554 West Main Street, Building C, Buford, 470.326.6656, tanneryrowartistcolony.com

Crave Pie Studio 3107-B Main Street, Duluth, 678.485.7198, cravepie.com

DINING 678 Korean BBQ 3880 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 678.417.6780, 678kbbq.com 1910 Public House 107 Main Street, Lilburn, 770.564.6911, 1910publichouse.com Adam’s Restaurant & Piano Bar 15 East Main Street, Buford, 678.745.0379, adams restaurantandpianobar.com Aqua Terra Bistro 55 East Main Street, Buford, 770.271.3000, aquaterrabistro.com Aomi Japanese Restaurant 5145 Peachtree Parkway, #470A, Norcross, 770.840.8710, aomijapanese.com The Baking Grounds Bakery Cafe 4360 South Lee Street, Buford, 678.765.6690, thebakinggrounds.com Blue Rooster Bake Shop and Eatery 169 West Pike Street, Lawrenceville, 770.995.0065, blueroosterbakeshop.com Breakers Korean Barbecue 3505 Gwinnett Place Drive, Suite 101, Duluth, 770.946.1000, breakersbbq.com The Brunch Apothecary 2595 Fence Road NE, Dacula, 678.731.7338, thebrunchapothecary.com Cafe Aromas Bakery Cafe 965 Duluth Highway, #6,

Daddy O’Brien’s Irish Ice Cream Pub 5910 Suwanee Dam Road, #400, Sugar Hill, 678.765.9633, daddyosicecream.com Dizzy Gypsy 202 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 470.223.1278 Dominick’s 22 Buford Village Way, #211, Buford, 770.614.0019; 197 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.277.8477; 95 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 770.449.1611, dominicksitalian.com Don Pedro Restaurant 5130 Buford Highway, Norcross, 770.242.1920; 1475 Pleasant Hill Road, Lawrenceville, 770.564.0676, donpedromexicanfood.com Donut Worry Shop 248 East Crogan Street, #6, Lawrenceville, 404.800.5328 Dreamland BBQ 3540 West Lawrenceville Street, Duluth, 770.366.7427, dreamlandbbq.com Duluth Diner 3620 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Duluth, 770.814.0523, duluthdiner.com El Torero 3656 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 770.476.4320, eltorero.net Epicurean Cafe 3579 West Lawrenceville Street, Duluth, 770.476.2989, epicureancafeatl.com Fernando’s Mexican Restaurant 465 Dacula Road, Dacula,

Mac Lab Bakery & Cafe

770.339.9444, delriodacula.com Fratelli’s Pizza 3070 Main Street West, Snellville, 470.375.4701, fratellispizza-ny.com Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers 1770 Scenic Highway, Snellville, 470.282.5650; 2230 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Duluth, 678.694.8232, freddysusa.com Gopchang on Fire 1291 Old Peachtree Road, #205, Suwanee, 770.622.6467 Graft 516 Grayson Parkway, Grayson, 770.338.9001, graftrestaurant.net Haru Ichiban Japanese Restaurant 3646 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 770.622.4060, haruichibanjapanese restaurant.com Honey Pig 3473 Old Norcross Road, #304, Duluth, 770.476.9292, honeypigatl.com Iron Age 2131 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 678.584.9098 Jilly’s Cupcakery 320 Town Center Avenue, Suite C9, Suwanee, 470.266.1391, jillyscupcakery.com Kremo Ice Cream 2180 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 470.375.8185, kremoicecream.com Kurt’s Euro Bistro 3305 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Duluth, 770.623.4128, kurtsrestaurant.com

JOIN US FOR THE 2017

Seoul of

the

south

KOREAN RESTAURANT TOUR MAY 13 • JUNE 24 • AUGUST 19 • SEPTEMBER 30 To learn more and purchase tickets, visit SeouloftheSouthTour.com PRESENTED BY

Resources

Mac Lab Bakery & Cafe 2131 Pleasant Hill Road, #135, Duluth, 678.580.1985, maclabbakery.com Mama’s Paradise Restaurant 2400 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 770.910.7711, mamasparadise.com Marlow’s Tavern 1950 Satellite Boulevard, Suite 300, Duluth, 770.622.2033; Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford, 678.765.8689, marlowstavern.com McCray’s Tavern 100 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville, 770.407.6754, mccraystavern.com Mojitos 35 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 770.441.2599 Myung Ga Won 1960 Day Drive, Suite 100, Duluth, 770.622.1300 Noble Fin 5260 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.599.7979 noblefinrestaurant.com O4W Pizza 3117 Main Street, Duluth, 678.587.5420, o4wpizza.com Orange Coffee Bar 3473 Old Norcross Road, Suite 107, Duluth, 678.691.1646 Paizanos 7 Jones Street, Norcross, 770.300.0250, paizanos.com

The Peachtree Cafe 50 South Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, 678.377.8745; 3975 Holcomb Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners, 470.395.7936, peachtree-cafe.com Pleasant BBQ Garden 1630 Pleasant Hill Road, #220, Duluth, 678.579.5596 Quickly 3780 Old Norcross Road, Duluth, 770.476.5988 Rexall Grill 3165 Buford Highway, Duluth, 770.623.8569, duluthrexallgrill.com Rico’s World Kitchen 306 West Main Street, Buford, 678.765.7518, ricosworldkitchen.com Seo Ra Beol 3040 Steve Reynolds Boulevard, Duluth, 770.497.1155, seorabeolusa.com Simply Done Donuts 3550 West Lawrenceville Street, Suite 340, Duluth, 678.772.0523, simplydoneatl.com The Stone Grill 2550 Pleasant Hill Road, #111, Duluth, 770.674.2310 Strange Taco Bar 225 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 678.205.4782, strangetacobar.com Sugar Hill Bakery and Cafe 4969 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, 678.765.8008, sugarhilltowne.com Sushi Avenue 2118 Scenic Highway North, Snellville, 770.985.1800 Sushi Niko Niko 3260 Buford Drive, Buford, 770.614.3442, sushinikoniko.com Suwanee Chicken & Pizza 1291 Old Peachtree Road, Suite 204, Suwanee, 678.584.1455 Suwanee Park Tavern 340 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, 470.266.1516, suwaneeparktavern.com

Yellow Daisy Festival, Stone Mountain Park

Sweet Hut Bakery & Cafe 2180 Pleasant Hill Boulevard, Suite 18, Duluth, 470.545.0762, sweethutbakery.com

Great Wall Supermarket 2300 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 678.957.0558, gw-supermarket.com

Sweetwater Bar and Grill 2920 Old Norcross Road, Duluth, 770.921.5556, sweetwaterbarandgrill.com

Mercado del Pueblo 3317 Buford Highway, Atlanta, 404.633.1188

Ted’s Montana Grill 5165 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross, 678.405.0305; 1680 Mall of Georgia Boulevard, Buford, 678.546.3631; 1250 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, 770.979.6202, tedsmontanagrill.com Three Blind Mice 1066 Killian Hill Road, #101, Lilburn, 770.696.4139, tbmrestaurant.com Tree Story Bakery & Cafe 2550 Pleasant Hill Road, Suite 415, Duluth, 678.584.0000 Umaido 2790 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suwanee, 678.318.8568, umaido.net Uncle Jack’s Meat House 6590 Sugarloaf Parkway, #201, Duluth, 770.497.2400, unclejacksmeathouse.com Universal Joint 181 East West Pike Street, Lawrenceville, 770.299.1898, ujlawrenceville.com Who’s Got Soul Southern Cafe 1098 Herrington Road, Duluth/Lawrenceville, 770.995.6544, whosgotsoulcafe.com Wild Wing Cafe 3265 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suwanee, 770.945.9090, wildwingcafe.com MARKETS & GROCERIES Assi Plaza International Food Market 1291 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee, 770.813.1500; 1630 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 770.921.4989, assiplaza.net Exhibit A(le) 202 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 678.869.5499, exhibitalegrowler.com

Nam Dae Mun 6131 South Norcross Tucker Road, Norcross, 770.220.7832; 3825 Shackleford Road, Duluth, 770.921.8288; 850 Dogwood Road, Lawrenceville, 678.580.6730, ndmmarket.com Super H Mart 2550 Pleasant Hill Road, #300, Duluth, 678.543.4000, nj.hmart.com VSOP Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom 81 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 678.795.2002, vsoptaproom.com NIGHTLIFE Atlanta Coliseum 2075 Market Street, Duluth, 678.473.1000, atlantacoliseum.com Atlanta Comedy Theater 4650 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross, 770.724.6400, atlcomedytheater.com Brainstorm Escape Games 3060A Business Park Drive, Norcross, 770.609.8738, brainstormescapegames.com Do Re Me Karaoke 2550 Pleasant Hill Road, #206, Duluth, 770.497.0070 Echo Karaoke 2790 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, #280, Suwanee, 404.936.1136 Eddie Owen Presents Red Clay Music Foundry, 3116 Main Street, Duluth, 404.478.2749, eddieowenpresents.com Escape the Mystery Room Sugarloaf Mills, 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, 678.847.5002, simon.com

PHOTO CREDIT TK

Local Republic 139 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville, 678.205.4782, thelocalrepublic.com

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 7 7

Good Word Brewing & Public House Parsons Alley, Duluth, Twitter: @goodwordbrewing

Jones Bridge Park 4901 East Jones Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners, 678.277.0920, gwinnettparks.com

Hope Springs Distillery 4839 Railroad Avenue, Lilburn, 678.591.6334, hopespringsdistillery.com

Lake Lanier 700 Lanier Island Parkway, Buford, 770.945.8787, lanierislands.com

Main Event Entertainment 471 Northolt Parkway, Suwanee, 770.945.71111, mainevent.com Rush Escape Room 6040 Unity Drive, Suite C, Norcross, 470.294.0480, rushescaperoom.com Slow Pour Brewing Company 407 North Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, slowpourbrewing.com Stars and Strikes Mall of Georgia, 1601 Horizon Parkway, Buford, 678.965.5707; 1741 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, 678.965.5707; 1700 Winder Highway, Suite 100, Dacula, 678.965.5707, starsandstrikes.com Tannery Row Ale House 554 West Main Street, Buford, 678.765.8979, tanneryrowalehouse.com Three Keys Escape Game 780 Buford Highway, #102, Suwanee, 470.589.1450, threekeysescapegame.com SHOPS 2 Smith Art Gallery 3150 Main Street, #101, Duluth, 404.996.8922, 2smithartgallery.com American Threads 3111 Main Street, Duluth, 770.545.8788, shopamericanthreads.com Anna Balkan Jewelry 51 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 678.527.1180, annabalkan.com Artzy Beads 178 East Crogan Street, #250, Lawrenceville, 770.545.8000, artzybeads.com

78 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

West Gwinnett Aquatic Center

The Chocolaterie 3099 Main Street, Duluth, 678.585.3338, thechocolaterie.com Eye Candy Art Studio 3127 Main Street, Duluth, 678.714.5683, eyecandyartstudio.net Fab’rik 5161 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross, 770.446.3122; 3333 Buford Drive, Buford, 678.765.8955; 340 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, 678.765.6235, fabrikstyle.com

Buford, 770.271.9458, simon. com/mall/mall-of-georgia Marisa Jill’s Boutique 101 East Main Street, Buford, 678.714.3253, marisajill.com Okabashi 4823 Roy Carlson Boulevard, Buford, 770.945.1330, okabashi.com, oka-b.com

PlayTown Suwanee 425 Main Street, Suwanee, 770.945.8996, suwanee.com

Swoozie’s 5131 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.263.6441, swoozies.com

Rhodes Jordan Park 100 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 678.277.0898, gwinnettparks.com

SPORTS & RECREATION Alexander Park 800 Old Snellville Highway, Lawrenceville, 678.277.0890, gwinnettparks.com

Further Down the Rabbit Hole Boutique 92 East Main Street, Buford, 770.831.5040, furtherdowntherabbithole.net

Bay Creek Park 175 Ozora Road, Loganville, 770.978.5271, gwinnettparks.com

Jeju Sauna 3555 Gwinnett Place Drive, Duluth, 678.336.7414, jejusauna.com Kinnucan’s 5145 Peachtree Parkway, #455, Peachtree Corners, 470.275.3675, kinnucans.com Mall of Georgia 3333 Buford Drive,

Mountain Park 5050 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lilburn, 770.978.5271, gwinnettparks.com Pinckneyville Park 4758 South Old Peachtree Road, Norcross, 678.277.0920, gwinnettparks.com

Farmhouse 17 141 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 770.409.1717, farmhouse-17.com

Galactic Quest 116 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.339.3001; 4264 Sudderth Road, Buford, 770.614.4804, galacticquest.com

Little Mulberry Park 3800 Hog Mountain Road, Dacula, 678.277.0850, gwinnettparks.com

Chattapoochee Dog Park 4291 Rogers Bridge Road, Duluth, 770.476.3434, duluthga.net Environmental & Heritage Center 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford, 770.904.3500, gwinnettehc.org

Simpsonwood Park 4511 Jones Bridge Circle, Peachtree Corners, 678.277.0900, gwinnettparks.com Stone Mountain Park 1000 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, Stone Mountain, 800.401.2407, stonemountainpark.com Treetop Quest 2020 Clean Water Drive, Buford, 404.277.6113, treetopquest.com Tribble Mill Park 2125 Tribble Mill Parkway, Lawrenceville, 678.277.0890, gwinnettparks.com

Freeman’s Mill Park 1401 Alcovy Road, Lawrenceville, 770.822.8840, gwinnettparks.com

West Gwinnett Aquatic Center 4488 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Norcross, 678.407.8801, gwinnettparks.com

Hudlow Tennis Center 2051 Old Rockbridge Road, Norcross, 770.417.2210, gwinnettparks.com

Yellow River Game Ranch 4525 U.S. 78, Lilburn, 770.972.6643, yellowrivergameranch.com

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Resources

July 16 20 u

thr

$

25 courses 00

+Tax & Gratuity

per person

3

Sweet Deals!

brought to you by Explore Gwinnett #GRW2017

· Fine Dining, Top hotels, First class shopping · Year Round activities including festivals and parades · Riverfront homes, swim-tennis communities, townhome, apartment and senior living choices · Businesses thrive in pro-business environment and city’s zero millage rate PHOTO CREDIT TK

MAP ILLUSTR ATION BY MARTIN HA AKE

Peachtree Corners, Gwinnett County’s newest and largest city, offers:

678.691.1200 • www.peachtreecornersga.gov Facebook - peachtreecornersga • Twitter - PtreeCorners EXPLORE GWINNET T • 3

I ARTED

IN SUWANEE. Vibrant, thriving communities across the country all have one thing in common: a strong commitment to public art.

We got this.

Join us in Town Center Park this spring as we unveil the 20 pieces that make up our fifth Suwanee SculpTour temporary sculpture exhibition, joining the 16 pieces of art in the City’s permanent collection.

suwanee.com