Explore Gwinnett Magazine Volume 5

E XP LO RE GW I NNET T u

VISITOR MAGAZINE

V O LUME FIV E exploregwinnett.org

TWO PAWS UP A DOG-FRIENDLY GUIDE TO GWINNETT

GWINNETT’S TOP CHEFS OUTDOOR ADVENTURE K-TOWN TOUR

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

E XP LO RE GW I NNET T u

VISITOR MAGAZINE

V O LUME FIV E exploregwinnett.org

SEOUL SEARCHING ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ALL THINGS KOREAN

A DOG’S LIFE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE BRUNCH JOINTS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

E XP LO RE GW I NNET T u

VISITOR MAGAZINE

V O LUME FIV E exploregwinnett.org

CULINARY TALES WINING & DINING WITH GWINNETT CHEFS

ART & MUSIC MOVIE BUZZ BRUNCH JOINTS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

E XP LO RE GW I NNET T u

VISITOR MAGAZINE

V O LUME FIV E exploregwinnett.org

CREATIVITY OVERLOAD AT TANNERY ROW ARTIST COLONY

A DOG’S LIFE WINING & DINING OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Most Exciting Place in Georgia Safest City in Georgia Best Places in Georgia Movoto Best Cities to Live in Georgia Credit Donkey

YOU SHOULD For more information, visit 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. P

770.447.4747 • w

WELCOME Welcome to Gwinnett Thank you for planning your visit to Gwinnett County. We’re an easy drive from Atlanta, but offer a distinct, family-friendly vibe. Our tagline, Atlanta’s Playground, is on target, as Gwinnett is full of outdoor recreation options to keep everyone busy. Choose from tubing on the Chattahoochee; biking the Suwanee Creek Greenway; hiking in Stone Mountain Park; playing cornhole at Slow Pour Brewing Company; zipping through the trees on Treetop Quest’s zip line; or watching professional baseball (Gwinnett Stripers), lacrosse (Georgia Swarm), and hockey (Atlanta Gladiators).

As you explore our guide, I’m confident you’ll be delighted by what sets us apart.

Start with the fact that Gwinnett is the Southeast’s most diverse county. For our visitors, that means a plethora of authentic ethnic restaurants to choose from, including Korean, Vietnamese, Jamaican, Chinese, and many others. Our thriving Korean dining district is known as the Seoul of the South™, and we offer Korean food tours throughout the year. Food, craft beer, and eating local are kind of a big deal around here; this guide includes some of our favorite spots.

Inviting shops, attractions, and eateries are scattered throughout Gwinnett’s downtown neighborhoods, and almost every weekend you’ll find awesome events going on, ranging from beer and wine fests to art festivals to the PGA Tour Championship Mitsubishi Electric Classic in April. And often you’ll find things you can’t find anywhere else in Atlanta, including Georgia’s only Medieval Times and the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. A guided tour of this spectacular Hindu temple is a highlight for many of our visitors.

Whether you’re here for business, convention travel, leisure, or just visiting friends and family, we promise there is more to do than you’ll find time to do. And with multiple popular attractions in Atlanta, including Ponce City Market, SunTrust Park, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Atlanta BeltLine, the Georgia Aquarium, 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.

“What's your favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Gwinnett?”

Explore Gwinnett staffers share their picks.

Shopping at Mall of Georgia and stopping for Haagen-Dazs on the ride home.

Suzanne Corbin Administrative Assistant

Walking around Gwinnett County’s parks.

Joey Munoz Sales Coordinator

I like to brewery hop— Good Word & Slow Pour are great options.

Jessica Whittingslow Marketing Communications Manager

Going to Cosmos Pizza and the Galactic Quest with my kids.

Anne Chen Sales Manager

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

Kevin Benefield

Lane Holman Jennifer Rainey Marquez Alison Miller Lisa Mowry Lia Picard Jennifer Senator Kelundra Smith

D E SI GN D I REC TOR

P ROD UC TI ON D I REC TOR

P UB LI SH E R

Sean McGinnis A SSOCI ATE P UB LI SH E R

Jon Brasher E D I TORI AL D I REC TOR

Lisa Anders Executive Director

Cristina Villa Hazar SE NI OR E D I TOR

Jennifer Coltrin

GET IN TOUCH

ART D I REC TOR

Joss Wakamo

u facebook.com/exploregwinnett u twitter.com/gwinnettevents 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 200 Duluth, Georgia 30097 770.623.3600, exploregwinnett.org

u pinterest.com/exploregwinnett u instagram.com/exploregwinnett

COPY E D I TOR

Sara McCabe CONTRI B UTI NG WRI TE RS

Candice Dyer Elizabeth Florio Blake Guthrie

Whitney Tomasino CONTRI BUTI NG P H OTOGRAP H E RS

Kate Awtrey Bruce Johnson Gregory Miller Jonathan Phillips I LLUSTRATOR

Lucie Rice

Cover and interior photography courtesy of Explore Gwinnett.

This magazine was published in cooperation with Explore Gwinnett by Atlanta Magazine Custom Media.

All content ©2019. All rights reserved.

2 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Photo Courtesy: Damian AhChing

Lawrenceville is the heart of our community, home to an Award-winning theatre and future Performing Arts Center, and a nationally ranked 4-year college.

LAWRENCEVILLE - WHERE

art IS A WAY OF LIFE

LawrencevilleGA.org

www.

CityofLawrenceville

GALawrenceville

CityofLawrenceville

FEATURES Stone Mountain Park (PAGE 24)

THE TOP 10 REASONS TO LOVE GWINNETT Whether you’re a hometown tourist or just passing through, don’t skip these unforgettable Gwinnett experiences. BY BL AKE GUT HRIE

SEOUL SEARCHING A “mild to wild” tour of Gwinnett’s Little Korea, home to one of the largest Korean populations in the United States. BY ALISO N MILLER

BEST DAY EVER Gwinnett gets tails wagging thanks to its spacious parks, nature-filled walking trails, and Fido-friendly businesses.

BY ELIZ ABET H FLO RIO

Tree Story Bakery & Cafe (PAGE 26)

LET’S BRUNCH Best Day Ever (PAGE 32)

Whether you’re just waking up or ready to kick off cocktail hour, here are 13 standout spots to start your day. BY ALISO N MILLER

THE HAUNTING OF STONE MOUNTAIN Named “the best haunted house of all time”

by Hauntworld magazine, Netherworld lives up to the hype. BY C ANDICE DYER

4 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

GwinnettCounty Parks & Recreation

 birthdays  weddings  reunions  class parties  team celebrations locations  pools  gymnasiums  pavilions  historic venues  community rooms For more information 770.822.8840 www.GwinnettParks.com

DEPARTMENTS

68

50

54

ATTRACTIONS 44

A Sight to Behold

Lilburn’s magnificent BAPS Mandir

46

Sound Check

48

Art About Town

Where to find the best live tunes in Gwinnett The Aurora Theatre and Tannery Row Artist Colony

50

62

Movie Mania

64

Sweet Spots

66

Buzz-Worthy

A dozen places to satisfy your sweet tooth What’s new on Gwinnett’s food and drink scene

SHOPPING 68

Gwinnett Gear

Show your spirit with Gwinnett-themed merchandise

Close up on Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta

70

52

Animal Kingdom

The design diva shares her go-to spots

54

Local Flavors

Spotlight on Medieval Times’ non-human stars Shop, eat, play, and repeat in eight Gwinnett cities

DINING 56

Where the Locals Eat

62

A Trio of Tastemakers

Gwinnett locals share their favorite dining spots Profiles of three prominent Gwinnett chefs

6 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

52

Out and About with Leah Atkins

72

The Big One

Mall of Georgia celebrates its 20th year

OTHER 8 10 12 18 74 76 80

Contributors Who We Are A Place to Call Home Calendar Get Social Resource Guide Map of Gwinnett

FIND YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL Every visit to Georgia Aquarium helps care for animals in their homes both here, and in the wild. Help ensure the conservation of precious wildlife.

Visit GeorgiaAquarium.org/gwinnettcvb for your ticket to something more.

Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and aquatic animals worldwide.

CONTRIBUTORS

CANDICE DYER 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.

LISA MOWRY In the 25 years she has been writing about homes and neighborhoods for magazines such as Traditional Home and Better Homes & Gardens, Mowry has covered all areas of metro Atlanta—including gorgeous neighborhoods in Gwinnett County. For 20 years she has served as the homes editor for Atlanta magazine and Atlanta Magazine’s HOME. Lisa lives on Marietta Square, where she can walk to the historic downtown area just two blocks away.

8 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

LANE HOLMAN Lane Holman is an unintentionally committed native Atlantan who can’t bring herself to leave. When she’s not driving around looking in store windows, eating, drinking, and talking with people, she edits special sections at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and writes medical and technical copy for some lucky clients. Lane and her husband, Curt, live next to Peachtree Creek, where they keep an eye on a household menagerie that includes a wonderful teenager and at least one crazy dog.

LIA PICARD Lia Picard is an Atlanta-based food and travel writer. Her work appears in Bon Appetit, Architectural Digest, The Local Palate, Playboy, and other local and national publications.

When she’s not writing, she’s exploring all that metro Atlanta has to offer, including Gwinnett County’s gems.

JENNIFER RAINEY MARQUEZ Jennifer Rainey Marquez grew up in Gwinnett County in the Norcross area, and lives in Atlanta with her family. She is a longtime magazine editor who has held staff positions at Atlanta magazine, Parade magazine, O: The Oprah Magazine, and Women’s Health, among others. Now a communications director at Georgia State University and a freelance writer, Marquez has contributed to publications such as Garden & Gun, Parents, AARP: The Magazine, and Southbound.

JENNIFER SENATOR An Atlanta native, Jennifer Senator lived in Norcross until she was 10. 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.

For this publication she interviewed Gwinnettians about their favorite places to eat and discovered several new and notable restaurants.

ALISON MILLER

ELIZABETH FLORIO

Athens, Georgia–based writer Alison Miller lived in New York City, Dallas, and Charlotte before returning home to Georgia in 2017. Before pursuing a freelance career, she was on staff at Travel + Leisure and Southwest: The Magazine. Her work has appeared in The Bitter Southerner, The Local Palate, Southern Living, The Dallas Morning News, Charlotte Magazine, Our State, Success, Southbound, and others.

You can contact her at alisonlynmiller.com or follow her on Instagram @runofthemillers.

Freelance writer Elizabeth Florio is a former longtime staff member of Atlanta magazine. In addition to writing about travel and tourism, she writes for national parenting publications and edits 31·81, the biannual magazine of Jekyll Island. An animal lover, she enjoyed bringing her pit bull mix to explore Gwinnett parks and meeting the beautiful horses at Medieval Times.

KELUNDRA SMITH

BLAKE GUTHRIE

Kelundra Smith is a freelance arts journalist based in Atlanta.

Her work has been published in The New York Times, ArtsATL, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta magazine, American Theatre, and other publications. She is also the co-chair of the American Theatre Critics Association’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

Follow her on Instagram @anotherpieceofkay or on Twitter @pieceofkay.

Blake Guthrie's work has appeared in USA Today, Huffington Post, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, among many other print and online publications. He was the first-ever journalist to interview John Mayer— before the fame and the tattoos—in a Buckhead coffeshop in early 2001 when the singer was still living in Atlanta. Guthrie attended Auburn University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications.

V I SI T SN E LLV I LLE

Where Everybody is Proud to be Somebody.

Snellville is a great place to live, work and play and has something for everyone. We offer an attractive selection of residential neighborhoods, excellent schools, great shopping and a friendly business climate. We have a first-rate police department, dedicated volunteers and an administration that cares about our residents and businesses. From our annual Snellville Days festival to the concerts and fun on our Towne Green, Snellville is fast becoming the gem of Gwinnett County! Visit today!

City of Snellville 2342 Oak Road, Snellville, GA 30078 • 770-985-3500 snellville.org

EXPLORE GWINNETT INITIATIVES SEOUL OF THE SOUTH™ Explore Gwinnett’s immersive Korean restaurant tour takes place at local restaurants and bakeries (via a trolley no less). You’ll learn about the rise of unique (and delicious) Korean culture in Gwinnett while receiving details about the food you try.

Tours are on specific Saturdays and last about four hours. seoulofthesouth tour.com

BURGERS + BREWS WEEK

Who We Are xplore Gwinnett, the marketing brand for the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB), is Gwinnett County’s official tourism organization. It 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 Camera Ready Film Office, and the GCVB Board of Directors oversees the operations and management of the Infinite Energy Center.

Explore Gwinnett’s website is full of helpful information, 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 or wedding in Gwinnett, including information on meeting planning, convention services, hotel rooms, activities, and transportation. exploregwinnett.org

E

10 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

What do you get when you pair some of Gwinnett’s best burgers with the perfect brew? Burgers + Brews Week, of course, and it happens every March at some of Gwinnett’s best restaurants.

Chefs pair $7 a la carte burgers with the perfect craft beer (extra charge) for a delightful dining experience. burgersandbrews week.com

ARTOBER

This monthlong, countywide event held every fall celebrates all things related to the arts in Gwinnett. Highlights include special performances, discounts to arts venues, pop-up demos, buskers, and daily public art events. artober.org

GWINNETT CREATIVITY FUND

Explore Gwinnett manages Gwinnett County's first ever arts and culture grant fund to educate, elevate, and inspire arts organizations in Gwinnett County. exploregwinnett.org

GWINNETT TOURISM EDUCATION PROGRAM (GTEP) Explore Gwinnett’s free yearlong education program for the Gwinnett hospitality community provides information on Gwinnett County’s downtowns, attractions, shopping, parks, history, heritage sites, and educational and civic foundations. exploregwinnett.org/ partners/gtep

GWINNETT SPORTS COMMISSION (GSC) The GSC’s mission is to foster economic development through sports events involving youth, collegiate, amateur, and professional organizations.

The GSC helps athletic organizations locate and plan sporting events; it also hosts the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, a PGA Tour Champions event, each spring. gwinnettsports commission.com

CITIES & NEIGHBORHOODS

A Place to Call Home These Gwinnett neighborhoods have something for everyone

BY LISA MOWRY

Tannery Row Artist Colony

BUFORD p Most people know Buford as home to Mall of Georgia (and its 200+ stores), but that is just one of the bustling area’s crown jewels. The rustic Tannery Row Artist Colony provides studios and exhibition space for more than a dozen living artists whose work is on sale for the public; next door the Tannery Row Ale House is a great place to eat and unwind. The Buford Community Center overflows with activity, from original productions by Theatre Buford to blues and bluegrass concerts from local acts. Buford is also home to top dining destinations like Rico’s World Kitchen, Tannery Row Ale House, and Aqua Terra Bistro, plus a large variety of ethnic restaurants. cityofbuford.com

t

Duluth

12 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

DULUTH

Duluth has packed more into 10 square miles than most big cities.

The downtown area has something for everyone, from fitness to festivals, including Bubblepalooza, Muddbuggs & Music, and the Beer & Wine Festival. The iconic 04W Pizza restaurant is bursting at the seams any given Friday night; Good Word Brewing & Public House draws people in with its delicious pale ales, blondes, and IPAs; and Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry showcases some of music’s most celebrated artists. Truck N Tap, featuring food trucks and craft beer, and Nacho Daddy, known for its gourmet nachos, are also popular. duluthga.net

WHERE FUN COMES Naturally

Paul Dingman © 2008

COME PLAY, STAY AND GET AWAY. As Georgia's number one attraction, Stone Mountain Park offers a 3,200-acre natural wonderland — full of year-round excitement for every member of the family. The world's largest piece of exposed granite is just the beginning of the unique attractions you'll find at Stone Mountain Park.

NEW AND ONLY IN 2019! Featuring more than 70 new exhibits of larger-than-life insects, MEGABUGS! Adventure Encounters is an immersive and interactive area for "bugologists" of any age to explore. You will come face-to-face with a giant 15-foot Emperor Dragonfly, a 20-foot Hissing Cockroach, a 50-foot Madagascan Fire Millipede, friendly bees, butterflies, ladybugs and much, much more! Located just 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta, our attractions and accommodation options fit every family's wants and needs.

For complete information, including special Marriott vacation packages, please visit stonemountainpark.com or call 770.498.5690.

CITIES & NEIGHBORHOODS LAWRENCEVILLE Gwinnett is booming, and Lawrenceville is the epicenter of that reverberation. Home to Slow Pour Brewery and Georgia Gwinnett College, Lawrenceville has something for everyone. Share some lamb fries with friends at Local Republic before seeing a concert on the green or a show at the award-winning Aurora Theatre. The city hosts ghost tours from May to October (nightly in October) and popular Movie on the Lawn events throughout the summer. lawrencevillega.org

Lawrenceville

LILBURN

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

One of the most charming things about Lilburn is its clandestine Old Town, flanked by a mural that evokes a wistful sentimentality. More highlights include Lilburn City Park and Camp Creek Greenway. The latter features walking trails and boardwalks. After spending the afternoon outdoors, grab a burger and brews at 1910 Public House, or find your new favorite trinket at Antiques in Old Town. Venture off of Main Street and you’ll run across BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a stunning Hindu temple which is open to people of all faiths year-round. Tours of the temple are available to groups of 10 or more, and the Diwali Celebration in the fall is not to be missed. cityoflilburn.com

NORCROSS Nestled 25 miles north of Atlanta, Norcross is the secondoldest city in Gwinnett County and was the first to be placed on the Register of Historic Places. Named for Atlanta’s fourth mayor, Jonathan Norcross, this city was once a popular resort town offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. Today, there are still remnants of the old railroad, but a new crop of shopkeepers and restaurateurs has emerged in the historic downtown area—popular destinations include Paizano’s, Mojito’s, 45 South Cafe, and Dominick’s.

Additionally, Norcross is the hub of Gwinnett’s film and TV industry; it is home to two studios and multiple productions.

If you’re in town, be sure to check out Jazz in the Alley, an outdoor seasonal concert series that runs from June through September, and the Norcross Art Splash & Wine Festival, held in October. norcrossga.net 14 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Historic Norcross

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.

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

• Restaurant 475 and Bar – American cuisine with a distinctly Southern flair • 5,000 square feet of event space, 3,000 square foot ballroom • Starbucks Café • Courtyard event space with fire pit • Garden trellis for wedding ceremonies • 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)

CITIES & NEIGHBORHOODS Peachtree Corners

Sugar Hill

PEACHTREE CORNERS One of Gwinnett’s newest cities is teeming with possibilities. In 2015, the city partnered with Georgia Tech on Prototype Prime, a startup incubator that offers space, education, and tools to venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.

Peachtree Corners is also on the rise thanks to its newly opened, $103million, 21-acre Town Center. The area features popular restaurants, including Farm Burger, Marlow’s Tavern, and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, in addition to retailers, a Cinebistro movie theater, and a green space anchored by a veterans monument. peachtreecornersga.gov

16 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

SNELLVILLE

SUGAR HILL

SUWANEE

The place “where everybody’s somebody” has managed to maintain its small-town charm while becoming one of Gwinnett’s fastest-growing cities. Signature events include Beach Blast, Snellville Days, and Taste of Snellville, all of which keep the city hopping during the summer. Development on the Highway 124 corridor provides easy access to popular stores and eateries, plus a new Hampton Inn and Suites makes Snellville a nice place to stay. The Snellville Towne Center has become a popular spot for everything from fireworks on the Fourth of July to parades during the holidays. May through September, you can purchase goods from local growers at the Snellville Farmers Market, which is held in front of Snellville City Hall. snellvilletourism.com

The sweet life is never out of reach in the city that got its name because of a sugar spill.

The concert series at The Bowl has featured everyone from The Village People to Colbie Caillat and the roster just keeps growing.

It’s the place to be in downtown Sugar Hill on summer evenings as blankets and baskets cover the green and stars hang over the crowd. Other outdoor attractions include the Splash Park, which is open May through October, and the Ice Rink, which picks up from November through February. And things are even sweeter this year with the development of the E Center, a mixed-use development featuring an indoor theater, a gymnasium, outdoor gathering spots, and office space. Retail and restaurants are also in the mix, including Indio Brewing, Central City Tavern, and Rushing Trading Company. cityofsugarhill.com

There’s always something going on in Suwanee, from the Farmers Market on the second Saturday of every month to summer Food Truck Fridays, complete with live music, on Friday evenings. Be sure to take a SculpTour of the city’s public art installations and visit George Pierce Park for an idyllic afternoon with the family. Plus, Suwanee Fest takes place every September and draws visitors from all over for two days of local food, crafts, music, familyfriendly attractions, and a parade. suwanee.com

BIGSTOCK

Suwanee

SHOP. SAVOR. DISCOVER. Imagine a place where new ideas are born, nurtured and brought to life. Imagine a place where all members of the community shape the culture, unique personalities are recognized and similarities are celebrated. Imagine a place where innovative business ideas can take root and flourish and imaginative new residents can plug in and feel at home. All of this and more can be found in Norcross…a place to imagine.

www.NorcrossGa.net

CALENDAR Mitsubishi Electric Classic

tournament, live music, games, food vendors, and a home brew contest. suwaneebeerfest.com

Muddbuggs and Music, Downtown Duluth Enjoy crawfish, a Lowcountry boil, Cajun music, entertainment, and beer aplenty. duluthga.net

Irish Fest Norcross, Downtown Historic Norcross Norcross bids you fáilte (welcome) with Irish whiskey tastings, an authentic Irish brunch, book signings, dancing, and a Celtic music concert. aplacetoimagine.com

APRIL Duluth Art Week, Duluth Town Green Get your creative juices flowing with eight days of art. The week kicks off with the Duluth Art Festival, a two-day outdoor juried arts festival showcasing works by more than 60 artists. duluthartsfestival.com

Calendar of Events Gwinnett County’s calendar is jam-packed with food, music, movies, festivals, and more

JANUARY The Ice Rink at Sugar Hill, Sugar Hill City Hall Lace up your skates and glide around the Southeast’s largest outdoor ice skating rink. icerinkatsugarhill.com

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

Gwinnett County MLK Parade, Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center The community honors Martin Luther King Jr. with a parade, performances, a voter registration drive, and more. gwinnett mlkparade.com

18 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Georgia Swarm Opener, Infinite Energy Arena The professional indoor lacrosse team kicks off its season, which runs through April. georgiaswarm.com

FEBRUARY

MARCH Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest, Town Center Park This epic celebration includes unlimited samples of 300-plus craft brews, plus a cornhole

Mitsubishi Electric Classic, TPC Sugarloaf Legends of the game compete in this premier three-day golf tournament, a PGA Tour Champions event. mitsubishielectricclassic.com

Gwinnett Stripers Opening Day, Coolray Field The Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A affiliate offers big-name action with a small-town feel. The team takes to the field April through September. gostripers.com

North Atlanta Home Show, Infinite Energy Forum More than 150 companies display the latest in home improvement products and services. infinite energycenter.com

The Fly Fishing Show, Infinite Energy Forum Fishermen will fall hook, line, and sinker for this consumer fly fishing show offering speakers, classes, demos, products, a film festival, and more. flyfishingshow.com

Georgia Swarm

MAY Snellville Days Festival, T.W. Briscoe Park

Movies Under the Stars Summer Concert Series

Celebrating its 46th year, the huge festival offers more than 200 craft vendors, plus live entertainment, a farmers market, kids activities, and plenty of food. snellvilledays.com

Movies on the Lawn, Lawrenceville Lawn

A Perfect Match If there’s a more perfect pairing than juicy burgers and cold beers, we’d like to hear about it. In the meantime, Explore Gwinnett celebrates the match during Burgers + Brews Week, a weeklong celebration in March. Here, nearly 20 participating restaurants offer a la carte burgers for just $7 with a suggested beer pairing (tax, beer, and gratuity not included).

Recent options included everything from an Asianstyle burger with kimchi slaw and chili garlic mayo from Ba Bellies to a Black Angus burger with bourbon ham, Guinness-soaked onions, and smoked cheddar cheese at Universal Joint.

Try one or try them all. burgersandbrewsweek.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

BIGSTOCK

Neighborhood Night Market, Parsons Alley, Downtown Duluth This outdoor, late-night, international food market is full of cultural specialties and performers. duluthga.net

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

Block Party on Main, Duluth Fridays-N-Duluth presents this free event the last Friday of the month from May through August, including local fare, live music, and activities. duluthga.net

Summer Concert Series, Lawrenceville Lawn Enjoy free live music on Fridays evenings at the end of the month from May through August. lawrencevillega.org

Norcross Summer Concert Series, Thrasher Park

JUNE Suwanee Porch Jam, Old Town Suwanee Musicians perform at multiple venues (including a front porch or two) at this old-fashioned summer block party. Food trucks and plenty of beverages are on hand. suwanee.com

Bluesberry Beer + Music Festival, Betty Mauldin Park, Downtown Norcross

Spend your Friday evenings relaxing—or dancing—as live music drifts through the park.

The series continues through September 1. norcrossga.net

Regional blues artists rock downtown Norcross while patrons enjoy craft brews and delicious blueberry-themed bites and cocktails from local restaurants. bluesberrybeer festival.com

Movies Under the Stars Summer Concert Series, Mall of Georgia

Suwanee’s Big ARTSY, Town Center Park, Suwanee

Friday evenings through July, the Village Amphitheater hosts a live band and screens a family-friendly movie. Bounce houses and food vendors round out the fun. 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.

Pets are welcome, but must be on a leash. suwanee.com

Award-winning Aurora Theatre presents live theater perfor-

mances under the stars. suwanee.com

JULY Sparks in the Park, E.E. Robinson Park, Sugar Hill Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display, live music, inflatables, rides, and more. Blankets, chairs, food, and coolers are welcome. cityofsugarhill.com

Prelude to the 4th, Lawrenceville Lawn The evening includes live music and a dazzling, expanded fireworks show. Food trucks, beer, and wine are available. lawrencevillega.org

Sparkle in the Park, Lilburn City Park Lilburn’s biggest annual event includes balloon artists, bounce houses, music, food trucks, and, of course, fireworks. cityoflilburn.com

Family Fun The Peachtree Corners Festival kicks off with a Friday night concert and continues all weekend long with good food, good music, and plenty of good vibes. Held every June at Corners Office Park, this family-friendly fest includes kids rides, inflatables, games, and more than 140 booths filled with arts and crafts. There’s also food trucks and a classic car show and competition.

Best of all, it's free! peachtreecornersfestival.com

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 19

CALENDAR Art, Culture & Community

JapanFest Atlanta

Held every September at the Infinite Energy Center, JapanFest Atlanta, the largest Japanese festival in the Southeast, gives metro Atlantans a glimpse of Japanese culture. Visitors can see martial arts demonstrations, enjoy traditional taiko drumming and Bunraku puppetry shows, try on authentic kimonos, sample Japanese delicacies, and view products and technologies from some of the 500-plus Japanese companies based in Georgia. Kids can play water yo-yo and make Japanese kites and tops while grown-ups shop for traditional goods like tea, dolls, clothing, ceramics, toys, and Bonsai trees. jasgeorgia.org

Atlanta British Car Fayre

Red, White + BOOM, Lillian Webb Park, Norcross This tribute to the red, white, and blue, held on July 3, includes music performers, downtown art, a kid zone, food trucks, and a spectacular fireworks display. norcrossga.net

AUGUST August Concert & Wing Festival, Town Center Park, Suwanee This annual bash pairs music with tasty samples from local wing joints, plus there’s a wingeating contest. suwanee.com

Braselton Antique & Artisan Festival, Braselton Named one of the region’s top festivals, this three-day market offers farmhouse, repurposed, and homemade goods, plus antiques, home decor, and

How Sweet It Is The town of Sugar Hill celebrates the good life with its Sugar Rush festival in October.

Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day with performances around the Bowl at Sugar Hill. Visitors will enjoy a juried art show, live music, inflatables, arts and crafts, face painting, vendors, and nearly a dozen food trucks offering everything from shaved ice to barbecue.

Sweet! cityofsugarhill. com/sugar-rush/

20 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

pottery. Food trucks will satisfy your appetite. exploregeorgia.org

SEPTEMBER

British cars and motorcycles at one of the Southeast's biggest and best car shows. atlantabrit ishcarfayre.com

Car-b-Ques & Brews Fest, Lawrenceville Lawn

Taste of Snellville, Snellville Towne Green

Rock’n The Ville presents this award-winning festival, featuring a car show, signature Southern barbecue, cold brews, and live music. lawrencevillega.org

Local chefs prepare their favorite foods at this popular outdoor food festival, including dozens of vendors, food trucks, and music. snellvilletourism.com

Yellow Daisy Festival, Stone Mountain Park

OCTOBER

More than 400 artists and crafters display their works during the festival, which also includes music, kids activities, and craft demonstrations. stonemountainpark.com

Gwinnett County Fair, Gwinnett County Fairgrounds

Norcross Art + Wine Splash, Historic Downtown Norcross Welcome fall by perusing a wine market, jewelry, photography, folk art, and other offerings from regional artisans, all 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 hard-hitting season, which runs through April. atlantagladiators.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

Netherworld Haunted House, Stone Mountain Terrifying special effects, spooky monsters, and live actors trying to scare the daylights out of you fill this haunted attraction, named the #1 haunted house in the U.S. fearworld.com

It’s the best of down-home fun at this 55th annual fair, including livestock shows, pageants, BMX stunts, carnival rides, and plenty of sweet treats and fried food. gwinnettcountyfair.com

Duluth Fall Festival, Duluth Town Green This seasonal celebration, which celebrates its 37th year in 2019, draws 50,000 visitors for a parade, 5k run, concert, carnival, and silent auction. duluthfallfestival.org

Atlanta British Car Fayre, Historic Downtown Norcross See more than 400 distinctive

Yellow Daisy Festival

This is an automated reply.

I am away from the office without access to email.

Get away to Lilburn!

Exciting, diverse, and tasty, Lilburn is home to a magnificent Hindu temple, a charming greenway trail, great restaurants serving dishes from every corner of the globe, and a calendar full of music, arts, and events.

City of Lilburn 340 Main St., Lilburn, GA 30047 770-921-2210 • cityoflilburn.com

CityofLilburn

CALENDAR St. Paddy’s on Perry

Stone Mountain Highland Games, Stone Mountain Park

than 200 purveyors, plus seminars and demos. stone mountainpark.com

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

Suwanee Fine Arts Festival, Town Center Park This two-day, fine arts festival offers a chalk art walk, food trucks, and an upscale art experience. ngaa4arts.com

Lilburn Daze, Lilburn City Park

NOVEMBER

The Lilburn Woman's Club and the City of Lilburn join forces for this fun arts and crafts event with entertainment, rides, food trucks, workshops, and more. lilburndaze.org

Suwanee Wine Fest, Town Center Park, Suwanee

Sugar Rush, The Bowl at Sugar Hill, Sugar Hill The city’s annual fall festival features carnival rides, artist stalls, a juried art show, a concert, food vendors, and loads of family fun. cityofsugarhill.com

Country Living Fair, Stone Mountain Park This traveling fest from Country Living magazine features more

Sample more than 100 wines and craft beers while enjoying food and music. suwaneewine fest.com

Diwali & Annakut Celebration, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Five days of cultural programs, entertainment, and fireworks mark Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, one of the most auspicious days on the Hindu calendar. baps.org/atlanta

Luck of the Irish Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as it was intended—with hearty Irish fare and plenty of cold brews. You’ll find plenty of both at St. Paddy’s on Perry in downtown Lawrenceville in March.

There are shamrocks and shenanigans to be had, including outdoor music stages, food and drink competitions, and family activities. lawrencevillega.org

Peachtree Corners Christmas Parade, Peachtree Corners Floats, marching bands, and seasonal celebrities wind through city streets and end at the Forum for a tree-lighting ceremony and visit with Santa. glowinthecorners.org

Native American Festival and Pow Wow, Stone Mountain Park This four-day festival showcases Native American culture through dance, music, craft demonstrations, cooking traditions, storytelling, wildlife presentations, and more. stonemountainpark.com

Beachy Keen Life is a beach in Snellville . . . well, for one weekend in June, anyway. That’s when Snellville’s Annual Beach Blast transforms Oak Road into beachfront property with 70 tons of soft white sand. Bring your chairs or blankets and spend a sun- and funfilled day enjoying games, inflatables, a water slide, a bungee jump, a trackless train, a watermelon-eating contest, and a hula hoop contest. snellvilletourism.com/events/beach-blast 22 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

DECEMBER Hometown Christmas Parade, Historic Downtown Lawrenceville This annual holiday event features Santa Claus and his reindeer, a light-up parade of festive floats, local marching bands, and other activities. lawrencevillega.org

Norcross Carriage Rides, Downtown Norcross Ride through charming downtown Norcross in a horse-drawn carriage and take in the holiday lights. Rides are free, and you can get your photo taken with Santa for a small fee. norcrossga.net

Holiday Celebration, The Bowl at Sugar Hill Get in the holiday spirit with ice skating, carriage rides, a holiday market, and free photos with Santa. thebowlatsugarhill.com For a complete list of events, visit exploregwinnett.org

BIGSTOCK

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

THE TOP 10 Reasons to Love Gwinnett

BY BLAKE GUTHRIE

1

Stone Mountain Park Much more than a mountain

This is where all of Atlanta comes out to play.

Sure, the park features Georgia’s most famous natural attraction—a mammoth granite dome—as its centerpiece with unparalleled panoramic views from the summit, but there’s also a 323-acre lake ringed with resort hotels, campgrounds, dining, shopping, and theme–park–style rides and attractions. It’s a one-stop spot for all kinds of year-round family fun.

4

2

Hudgens Center for Art and Learning

World-class art, soothing nature

Wanna see a Warhol? You can at Hudgens’ museum-quality gallery, as well as visual works from other acclaimed national, regional, and local artists. The center is also known for it hands-on workshops and art classes for every age group. This “best-kept secret” is located on the campus of the Infinite Energy Center and includes a large and serene sculpture garden that has been declared an official Audubon Society Wildlife Refuge.

3

Seoul of the South™ Food Tours

Korean trip without the flight

Enjoy a progressive feast on a guided tour of Gwinnett’s dynamic Korean food scene. Guests are chauffeured around in a trolley to four top restaurants to sample an array of authentic delicacies. More than just a foodie tour, it’s also a four-hour immersive experience into Korean culture—led by a Korea native—where you'll interact with the chefs and restaurant owners.

Sports and More Sports

Lacrosse, hockey, and baseball–oh my!

Medieval Times A feast for the senses

Marvel at ancient warriors on horseback jousting in the Royal Court at Atlanta Castle. The myths and legends of 11th-century Spain come to life in a familyfriendly setting at this atmospheric Lawrenceville dinner theater spot. Dine on a four-course meal and hoist a hearty mug of libations to all the action unfolding in the colorful, banner-strewn court.

24 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

How many people can say they’ve been to a professional lacrosse match? You can at the Atlanta Swarm’s indoor home field at Infinite Energy Center in Duluth.

The 13,000-seat arena switches from turf to an ice rink for home games of the Atlanta Gladiators hockey team.

Baseball’s Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, an affiliate team for the Atlanta Braves, play at 10,000-seat Coolray Field near Mall of Georgia.

5

BIGSTOCK

6

7

Parks and More Parks

Pretty pathways lead the way

Gwinnett is home to more than 50 parks, many connected by multiuse greenways and featuring scenic hiking trails. The Suwanee Creek Greenway runs for four miles through woods, wetlands, and wildlife habitats, connecting George Pierce Park to the city of Buford’s Suwanee Creek Park, home to an 18-hole disc golf course. Take in some history at McDaniel Farm Park, a restored 1930s family farm site offering three miles of trails and farm tours.

Beautiful Fountains And you can play in them!

International Dining

Cuisine from around the world

8

Gwinnett has many large fountains for cooling off. The Splash Pad at Sugar Hill is the newest, with dancing water jets that light up in the early evening hours. Duluth’s idyllic Town Green is centered around a circular fountain with pretty, arching streams of water. Town Center Park in Suwanee features Big Splash, an interactive fountain that pumps out 1,400 gallons of water per minute. Mall of Georgia and Lillian Webb Park in historic Norcross also offer popular splash pads.

Foodies have flocked to Gwinnett for decades to enjoy its astonishing variety of international restaurants.

Two areas worth noting are Buford Highway and Jimmy Carter Boulevard. The former is an eight-mile corridor with more than 125 restaurants where hipsters and hedge fund honchos alike can be found dining on such delicacies as the Yo-Yo Duck Pot at Masterpiece, goat curry at Nam Phuong, and the pork banh mi at Lee’s Bakery. The Jimmy Carter Boulevard area in Norcross is a go-to spot for Latin cuisine—there are more than 10 dining options in the Plaza Las Americas shopping center alone.

10

9

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Welcoming visitors of all faiths

Gleaming in the sun with white spires, domes, columns, and staircases, this Hindu place of worship is one of the largest of its kind outside of India. Built in the traditional style with Italian marble, Indian pink sandstone, and Turkish limestone, and set on expansive, ornately landscaped grounds, the massive structure is one of Atlanta’s top cultural destinations.

Southeastern Railway Museum Relive the Golden Age of rail

This Duluth treasure allows visitors to climb aboard vintage Pullman cars, gawk at real steam locomotives from the 19th century, and see all manner of rolling stock from throughout the history of rail. The 35-acre site even includes a train ride aboard restored cabooses pulled by a diesel locomotive from the mid–20th century.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 25

26 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Karaoke, K-Beauty, and bibimbap are all mere , touchstones of Gwinnett s vibrant Korean community.

Ready for a deeper dive?

BY ALISON MILLER

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 27

Tree Story Bakery & Cafe

먹다

Mild

Tree Story Bakery & Cafe

28 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Cafe culture among Koreans rivals that of the French and Italians. One thing to note before sinking your teeth into an enticing pastry at Tree Story Bakery & Cafe: While undeniably delicious, Korean baked goods air on the savory side. Individually wrapped treats, ranging from sweet potato bites to soboro (Korean streusel), fill baskets inside this inviting Pleasant Hill Road standby.

Pick a few and pay at the counter, where you can also fill up on Intelligentsia coffee or boba tea.

Medium For authentic Korean comfort food—akin to what you might eat in a traditional Korean household—head to Jang su Jang on Satellite Boulevard. After taking your order, your server will shell out nine varieties of vegetable accoutrements, including three varieties of housemade kimchi.

Look but don’t touch. Koreans partake in family-style feasts, and it’s customary to wait until all dishes are served before digging in. Order soft tofu soup, rice, and a protein like the succulent galbi jjim (braised short rib) and proceed as follows: bite of rice, spoonful of soup, bite of meat, nibble of vegetable. Repeat, using chopsticks, until satiated. Spoiler alert: You won’t want to stop.

Jang su Jang

Wild If the words “rice cake” have you thinking of the disc-like grocery store snack, think again. Korean rice cakes are small, dense morsels molded into various shapes and tinted a kaleidoscopic array of colors.

They’re a feast for the eyes, but their taste—chewy and decidedly unsweet—is acquired. Grab a plate and pluck a few from the buffet table at Sweet Rice Cafe near Gwinnett Place Mall. If your palate demands something sweeter, pair them with citron tea or misugaru, a delicious honey-sweetened smoothie of powdered grains and milk.

Sweet Rice Cafe

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 29

Mild

가게

Savvy travelers know that one of the best places to experience the pulse of a place is its grocery store. Grab a cart at Super H Mart and fall in line with the throngs of Korean shoppers. Here you can load up on Korean kitchen staples like dried anchovies and kabocha, a pumpkin-like squash. If you get hungry while browsing, hit the Busan Fish Cake Bakery inside. “If you put this on Instagram and you have Korean friends, you’ll get 1,000 likes,” jokes Sarah Park, who leads Explore Gwinnett’s Seoul of the South™ tours (see sidebar). The snack food purveyor’s following among Koreans is akin to In-N-Out Burger’s among among Californians. Try the signature dduk ppokii (stir-fried spicy fish cake) or a myungrang hotdog, a tricked-out corndog that’s rolled in sugar and served with ketchup and mustard.

Medium

Wild

The last remaining Korean bookstore in the area, World of Life Books is the spot to pick up a tome written in—or translated to—Korean. With everything from cookbooks to bibles, manhwa (comics) to kids books, the shop is stacked high with bound, printed material, but that’s not all it offers.

You can also pick up frames, mugs, jewelry, greeting cards, toys, and other gifts—all from Korea. Got kids in tow? They’ll love the array of Kakao Friends gear. “They’re basically the Mickey and Minnie of Korea,” Park says.

30 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

BIGSTOCK

You too can achieve the dewy glow made famous on YouTube beauty channels with a visit to cosmetics shop Aritaum.

K-beauty is a vast and varied world of creams, masks, cleansers, serums, scrubs, and jellies, but the store’s staff is here to help. “Customer service is key,” Park says. “Don’t be afraid to consult the skin pharmacist, who will help you find the product that fits your needs.” BB cream, an all-in one sunscreen, moisturizer, and foundation filled with brightening botanicals, is a good place to start.

Mild

장난

Visiting a communal, co-ed bathhouse, or jjimjilbang, is a ritual among Koreans, who often travel in multi-generational groups to rejuvenate in the hot tubs and saunas. Beyond both the men’s and women’s locker rooms of JeJu Sauna lies an enclosed “wet” area where clothing is prohibited. Move between the heated whirlpool tub, cold plunge pool, dry sauna, steam room, and infrared heat platform to open your pores and unwind.

Afterward, don the loose-fitting shirt and shorts you were given at check-in and wander to the co-ed area, where you’ll find nine saunas, each with a |different healing element, from charcoal to jade.

Medium

Even timid troubadours will revel in Korean karaoke, which is something of a safe house compared to the American version. Bring a few friends and reserve a private room, where you can belt out ballads by the hour in the comfort of your own private music studio.

Good bets include DoReMi Karaoke, Agit Karaoke, and Sound of Music Karaoke. Chimaek, short for chicken and beer, is the preferred fuel for this melodious pursuit, and you’ll have a dedicated server to dole out plates of crispy, crunchy, Korean fried chicken. A cultural norm to keep in mind if you’re among locals: Only sing the first few verses of a song to make sure everyone gets their time with the mic. “Koreans are courteous in this way,” Park says.

SEOUL OF THE SOUTH FOOD TOURS

BIGSTOCK

TM

Pleasant Hill Road, Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, and Duluth Highway are the main drags of K-Town. If you’d rather follow a local guide than blaze your own trail, book Explore Gwinnett’s Seoul of the South™ Food Tour.

Led by Korea native and Explore Gwinnett International Marketing Coordinator Sarah Park, tours run several times are year.

You’ll board a trolley and travel to four restaurants during the four-hour jaunt, learning about Korean culture as you work through a progressive Korean feast. Learn more at explore gwinnett.org/seoulofthesouth.

Wild

Take your JeJu Sauna visit to the next level with a proper exfoliation. Several massage-style tables are set up in a closed-off corner in both the men’s and women’s spa areas. For $50 you can get a professional body scrub, or demadi, which goes something like this: A clothed attendant lathers up an exfoliating glove and scrubs you from head to toe, masterfully sloughing off dead skin.

A 30-minute hot tub soak is recommended beforehand to soften the skin, maximizing the experience. Afterward, rise, rinse, and bask in selfrenewal. You’ll never be more excited to show off your birthday suit.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 31

Best Day e r v E That’s what your dog will be thinking after a day out in Gwinnett

BY LISA MOWRY

What does glee look like in a dog?

Running circles around the foyer at the mere sight of the leash?

Streaking across the dog park in that first moment of sweet freedom?

Perhaps basking in a cool river on a hot day, wearing a contented smile (okay, a pant that looks like a smile). With spacious parks, naturefilled walking trails, and friendly businesses that cater to dogs and the people who love them, Gwinnett is guaranteed to get tails wagging.

32 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

On a summer day, there’s no better spot for energetic canines than Duluth’s Chattapoochee Dog Park, where splash pad-like fountains keep dogs cool and leashed pups can wade in the Chattahoochee River. Also in Duluth, McDaniel Farm Park is a historic tract where livestock once grazed; now Boston terriers and border collies romp in two grassy expanses. At Settles Bridge Park in Suwanee, escort your pooch on a nature walk before unleashing him in one of three enclosures: the requisite small and large dog areas or a long dog run. The dog park at Lilburn’s Ronald Reagan Park also offers an enclosed run for the sprinters in the pack, plus a nearby creek for cool-downs. Two of the county’s newest doggie playscapes are at J.B. Williams Park in Lilburn and Rock Springs Park in Lawrenceville. Both offer agility equipment and plenty of space; the latter even has lights for evening outings.

BIGSTOCK

Top DOG parKs

Jones Bridge Park

Human–dog hangouts

Lawrenceville Lawn

Gear and goodies

Gwinnett pet shops have you covered on the essentials, the splurges, and the essential splurges (like that Cockapoo-sized Clemson football jersey). With locations in Suwanee and Peachtree Corners, Pooch N Paws Pet Boutique offers premium dog food, healthy baked goods and chews, plus a clothing boutique (with game-day gear come fall) and a whole room full of toys. National retailer Hollywood Feed is synonymous with top-tier pet food, but the friendly stores (with three Gwinnett locations) are also packed with toys, accessories, and supplements. On the hyper-local side of the spectrum, Lawrenceville’s Daffy’s New & Used Pet Supplies sells gently used toys, dented crates, and other discounted items; proceeds benefit the store’s pet food bank and natural disaster outreach.

Someone been an extra good boy? At Grayson’s Three Dog Bakery, the frosted pastries, carob confections, and ice

At 4.2-acre Lillian Webb Park in downtown Norcross, stroll by a gazebo and several fountains before finding a grassy stretch of lawn. There’s even an interactive splashpad to cool off. Get fresh air on the Lawrenceville Lawn, a manicured greenspace with footpaths and a gurgling fountain, before or after grabbing a bite in the city’s historic downtown. Curving along the shoreline of a wide bend of the Chattahoochee River, Jones Bridge Park in Peachtree Corners is a unique park with several stone staircases leading to the water’s edge (and in some cases straight into the water). Kids and leashed dogs love exploring the rocks and muddy shore, but mind the changing water level.

cream are made for canines using human-friendly ingredients, so feel free to take a bite. Smiling Canine Bakery is a new Buford destination for healthy, homemade dog treats, including cakes, “pupsicles,” pill munchies, and breath-freshening mint chews.

Pooch N Paws Pet Boutique

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 33

FIVE-PAW RESTAURANTS Your dog will love being included in the fun on these pup-friendly patios.

UNIVERSAL JOINT Play bocce and cornhole while you wait for a top-notch burger at this Lawrenceville Square hangout.

EPICUREAN CAFE Savor a casual Southern meal and a great view of Duluth’s town green on the patio of this circa1900 farmhouse.

BA BELLIES The spacious back deck at this Peachtree Corners spot is the perfect place to pair a craft beer with creative Asian gastropub fare.

GOOD WORD BREWING & PUBLIC HOUSE Find oversized Jenga, cornhole, chalk for kids, and water bowls for dogs on the patio of this new Duluth brewpub.

RICO’S WORLD KITCHEN

Epicurean Cafe

34 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Spa day

Pooch N Paws Pet Boutique

There’s not much better than a squeaky-clean dog. Whether your poodle needs a fancy French bikini clip or your German Shepherd needs a scrub, Lawrenceville’s Swanky Paws Pet Spa offers a full suite of grooming services, including shortturnaround appointments for senior and special-needs dogs. At Pooch N Paws Pet Boutique, you can drop your puppy off for an attentive bath or full-on makeover while you shop at Suwanee Town Center or the Forum on Peachtree Parkway. (Tip: the three-hour “drop and shop” pet-sitting service is available even for non-grooming clients.) Bathing can be a sensitive affair for many dogs, and family-run Happy Tails Pet Grooming & Boarding prides itself on offering an intimate, kennel-free boarding and grooming environment. In Suwanee, The PawPlex is a one-stop shop for grooming and leash-free boarding and daycare.

BIGSTOCK

Comfort food gets a cultural awakening at this gas-stationturned-restaurant in Buford.

Favorites include fried green tomatoes and authentic Louisiana po’ boys.

Walks to remember

BIGSTOCK

Whether he’s a fleet-footed jogging pal or a dawdler sniffing every rock in sight, your pooch will love a leashed promenade on one of Gwinnett’s many nature trails. Spy long-legged wading birds and grazing deer on the Suwanee Greenway, which winds about four miles through quiet woods and wetlands on a mix of pavement and boardwalk. The greenway’s northern terminus is at George Pierce Park, the city’s largest park, home to its own 3.8-mile trail network as well a 1.2-mile segment of the lush Ivy Creek Greenway.

Go for a hike or a run at Tribble Mill Park and you’ll be rewarded with a choice 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. A 3.4-mile trail winds its way around the water.

Natural beauty abounds at 223-acre Simpsonwood Park in Peachtree Corners. Take a leisurely walk along a wooded 3.1-mile trail; restrooms, a quaint chapel and a pretty pavilion are on site. At Holcomb Bridge Park in Peachtree Corners you’ll find a playground, a pavilion, a wooden amphitheater, and two scenic river overlooks. Or head to Briscoe Park in Snellville, where walking trails wind around a five-acre lake with shaded tree groves, swing benches, and spray pads.

Suwanee Greenway

Briscoe Park

Resources

poochnpaws.com | thepawplex.com | hollywoodfeed.com | daffyspetsoupkitchen.info | threedog.com smilingcaninebakery.com | swankypaws.com | facebook.com/happytailsbuford | duluthga.net suwanee.com/services/parks | cityoflilburn.com | lawrencevillega.org | peachtreecornersga.gov EXPLORE GWINNET T • 35

'

Let s Brunch 13

oouutt d d n n a a sstt tss ttoo ssppoot yoouurr y ssttaarrttaayy dd

Whether you’re just waking up or ready to kick off cocktail hour, let this definitive list be your guide.

BY ALISON MILLER

Meat and Greet A meat- and seafood-centric spot with a sleek, rustic-modern interior, Parkside District swiftly upped the ante in Lawrenceville when it opened in 2017. The Creole-Southern bent of its dinner menu carries over to brunch, with an abundant roster ranging from andouille-laced gulf shrimp and grits to a country-fried pork tenderloin biscuit draped with chicken sausage gravy. Opt for the Cajun corn maque choux as your side, and pop for a cocktail—the drinks here are the best in town.

36 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Biscuit Boss The fried chicken biscuit is the starting point for many of the menu items at Maple Street Biscuit Company in downtown Duluth’s Parsons Alley shopping district. To be sure, these are not your average breakfast stackers. Laden with everything from fried goat cheese and housemade pepper jelly to buffalo sauce and gooey cheddar cheese, these hulking beauties require fork and knife. So settle in at one of the communal tables that fill the bright, wood-clad space, and stay awhile. For something sweet, try the divine Biscuit Frenche, studded with pecans and cinnamon chips and topped with strawberries and whipped cream.

Graft

A.M. Date The Brunch Apothecary

BIGSTOCK

Doctor’s Orders The Brunch Apothecary isn’t just a clever name. It’s a nod to the building’s roots—a Dacula doctor’s home and office, built in 1905. In 2016, Buford restaurateur Rico Cunnington converted the space into this cozy restaurant, which turns out inventive plates like chicken and churros waffles and an avocado hollandaise–draped pork belly Benedict shored up by toasted slices of cornbread. Feeling fruity?

Try the grapefruit brûlée—you’ll shatter a glassy sugar crust to reach the refreshing, juicy pulp.

Care to know who grew your breakfast potatoes? Chef/owner Ashley Clemence is happy to tell you. Seven years ago Clemence and her husband, Seth, transformed an early 20th-century house in Grayson into the serene, farm-to-table haven that is Graft. The brunch menu includes treasured standbys made exclusively from local ingredients, while coffee, cocktails, and a well-curated list of wine and local beer is served from an eye-catching copper bar. Kick things off with seasonally dressed deviled eggs and housemade pickled vegetables and declare Sunday afternoon the new Saturday night.

Maple Street Biscuit Company

Three Blind Mice

Hair of the Dog If you ever have a morning that coffee alone can’t conquer, head to Three Blind Mice in Lilburn and soothe your wounds with bottomless mimosas, spicy bloody marys, and homegrown specialties like the Southern Cold Press—a marriage of bourbon, espresso liqueur, and sweet vermouth. If that doesn’t set you straight, the roasted toffee French toast and huevos rancheros should do the trick. Keep an eye on the restaurant’s Facebook page so you don’t miss the popular jazz guitar brunch.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 37

Black Walnut Cafe

Eggs All Day An expansive menu and a heated covered patio make Peachtree Corners’ Black Walnut Cafe especially inviting for large groups and those with kids in tow. (The menu’s nut-free and glutenfree notations add to the appeal.) You won’t soon forget the “dressed up” grits—local, stone-ground, and made with bacon, cheddar, sour cream, beef jus, and tomatoes, they’re fit for a meal. And the lemon-blueberry pancake stack is a winner for anyone with a sweet tooth. If you don’t make it before breakfast service ends at 11 a.m., don’t worry—Black Walnut serves until 4 p.m. on weekends, and a short but solid all-day breakfast menu ensures you can have your omelet any style, any time.

45 South Cafe

Adventures in Wonderland The distinctive Sugar Hill Bakery & Cafe in Sugar Hill makes going out for brunch feel like stepping into a storybook. Open the doors of a wardrobe and enter a fantastical, French-country paradise chockablock with antique paintings, birdhouses, assorted Victoriana, and the occasional oversized stuffed animal sitting on a stool. A concise, French-focused menu spans crème brûlée French toast to croque madame. Save room for dessert—the lengthy list of homemade confections ranges from Oreo cheesecake bars to 12 varieties of picture-perfect cupcakes.

Downtown Darling 45 South Cafe’s brick walls are adorned by works from local artists and photographers. Once the city’s first post office, this charming brick storefront in downtown Norcross now houses the city’s only coffeehouse wine bar. Breakfast is available daily, but the Sunday brunch—with enticing menu additions like overstuffed omelets and Challah French toast—is worth seeking out.

Start with New Orleans-style beignets, and don’t leave without trying the creamy Gouda grits.

Famous Toastery

38 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Sugar Hill Town Bakery & Cafe

One For All Though this small franchise started in North Carolina, sisters Carisse and Ebony Moody make Famous Toastery feel like home in Suwanee. If your brunch crew brings varying tastes, the expansive menu delivers, running the gamut from five types of Benedict to flapjacks, burritos, breakfast sandwiches, and a long list of omelets. Specials unique to this location include peaches-and-cream crepes, S’mores waffles, and the Georgia Dawg Bowl. Bounding with potatoes, onions, peppers, gravy, eggs, pepper jack, and chorizo, it’s proper fuel for a college athlete—or anyone who wakes up ravenous.

Peachtree Cafe

that only a mom-and-pop diner can deliver, slide into a booth and peruse the pages-long menu. The Fruit Salad Belgian Waffle—piled high with bananas, berries, and whipped cream—is an Instagram favorite, but no one here will fault you for ordering “eggs any style” like mom used to make.

Game Time Local Republic

Modern Marvel Regulars know Local Republic for its elevated pub grub, excellent cache of craft beer, and vast bourbon selection.

But come Sunday, bloody marys and bottomless mimosas flow, and brunch takes the stage. Fans of the restaurant’s Monday Southern Fried Chicken night will revel in the chicken and waffles while the Halloumi Breakfast Bowl will make you a believer in ancient grains and grill-able cheese.

Located a stone’s throw from the Gwinnett County courthouse in downtown Lawrenceville, LR’s chic, new two-story location in a renovated historic building fills up fast. Secure your seat and start with a cocktail like the chicory and fig-tinged Nightman.

BIGSTOCK

Power Move Many a wellness-minded metro Atlantan has made First Watch a weekly—if not daily—ritual. With

locations in Peachtree Corners Town Center and Snellville, you don’t have to go out of your way to find fresh breakfast fare loaded with fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains. Sure you could go for the requisite açai bowl or avocado toast, but consider treating yourself to the Mediterranean baked eggs—sunny side up in a shakshuka-style tomato sauce—or the protein -packed burrito with chicken, quinoa, black beans, and kale.

Wash it down with a fresh-squeezed Morning Meditation, a delightful blend of orange, lemon, turmeric, ginger, and beet juice that will enable you to slay the day.

With locations at Mall of Georgia, Town Center in Peachtree Corners, and on Satellite Boulevard in Duluth, Marlow’s Tavern offers the blessed union of fine food and big screen TVs—an unparalleled duo during certain seasons of the year. Hungry?

Start with a platter of fresh biscuits with maple-bacon butter and apricot preserves. Chicken and waffles and lemon ricotta pancakes are menu mainstays, while a rotating chef’s feature and daily scramble are eternally changing. If you’re a bloody mary person, don’t miss Marlow’s BLT version—bacon-infused vodka melded with thyme- and caraway-spiced tomato juice.

Diner Style Peachtree Cafe in Lawrenceville became so popular that its owners recently opened a second location in Peachtree Corners. If you’re searching for the sort of nostalgic comfort

Marlow’s Tavern

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 39

O

ne sure sign a haunted house is truly scary: when a defibrillator is kept handy on the premises in case of cardiac arrest.

“God forbid we ever have to use it,” says Billy Messina, co-owner of Netherworld Haunted House.

“From day one, we never had the goal of terrifying people. We try to scare you and quickly pair it with a laugh, so it’s a cathartic release, in a fun, safe environment. Ideally, as you’re laughing at your friend for jumping, you’ll get busted yourself. It’s like immersing yourself in a horror movie that has a happy ending.”

Mission accomplished—at least judging by the long lines of visitors that snake around the parking lot, where goblins start the taunting early. Another sign? Hauntworld magazine named Netherworld “the best haunted house of all time,” and USA Today ranked it the “No. 1 haunted house in America.” To top it off, it’s a good place to spot thrill-seeking celebrities—Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, and Janet Jackson can be counted among its fans.

40 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

BY CANDICE DYER

We

wanted to create

our own creatures and storylines.

We

work more from the fantastical side of things that transport you into a different place.

S

o Netherworld is not just any old, creaky mansion where things go bump in the night. It is a phenomenon of sensory overload renowned for its high-tech special effects, elaborate costuming, blood-spattered props, and other over-the-top details. It is only open during the Halloween season, but all of those production values require year-round work. “We have a build crew, and departments for animatronics, makeup, costuming, a crew of welders, you name it,” says Ben Armstrong, who co-founded Netherworld with Messina.

Netherworld started small in Kennesaw in 1997, and then moved to Norcross, where it spooked thousands of people until relocating last year to its current and largest location in Stone Mountain—70,000 square feet of howling horror. During the move, Netherworld’s props filled 13 tractor-trailers, says Armstrong.

And although he has no idea exactly how many props the organization has, he estimates the number to be in the thousands.

Where do they get all of this freaky stuff?

“There’s eBay, Etsy, and estate sales, Messina says. “At one auction, we bought an entire museum of creationism, which was pretty cool.”

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 41

N

etherworld is distinguished by its originality. “Back when we started, the rage in haunted houses was slasher movie characters like Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, and Jason,” says Messina. “We wanted to create our own creatures and storylines. We don’t use hard-core gore or explicit sexual themes.

We work more from the fantastical side of things that transport you into a different place.” In other words, think horror writer H.P. Lovecraft rather than Saw. “Every year, we have a new theme, and the themes build into a story arc, like the sequel of a movie,” says Armstrong.

“So there is always something familiar about the experience for returning fans, but there is also always something new to keep things fresh.” Past themes include “Raw Meat”

42 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

(a rat-infested sewer), “Blood Night” (vampires), “Leviathan” (monsters from the deep), and “Primal Fear” (your deepest nightmares brought to life).

Last year’s theme was “The Awakened.” On a self-guided tour, visitors followed a narrow, claustrophobiainducing path through a series of goosebump-prickling tableaux featuring gargoyles, a graveyard, a Yeti, zombies in a crypt, skeletons, tree monsters, werewolves, animated knights, a giant Venus fly-trap, a spooky doll room, attacking birds, ghoulish ballerinas, a mirror maze, a voodoo room, huge rats, a dragon, and sundry “awakened” ogres. They fixed visitors with their red, malevolent eyes, and many leapt out with a hatchet, mace, or other implement. Some of the monsters actually bungee jumped at guests and zip lined over their heads.

“The art of it is misdirection,” Messina says. “You create a flicker of movement to the right that catches a visitor’s eye, and while he’s looking in that direction, a monster jumps at him from the left. That’s more effective than just jumping out and yelling ‘boo!’”

Some of the ghouls are animatronic; others are humans in disguise, and it is difficult to tell the difference until they spring into action. During the season, a pool of 450 actors await their assignments, with more than 100 working each night in the house and others preening in the outdoor midway. They call themselves “Nether Spawn.”

“I choose their roles according to height and talent,” says casting director Jessica Sammis. “Some of them are theater people, but many are professionals—attorneys, dentists, IRS agents, CDC doctors—people looking for some relief from high-stress jobs. Some people don’t like scary stuff but decide to do this as a way to get over their fright.”

Parker Harris has played a monster at the attraction for three years. “It’s a very intimate form of one-on-one acting because it’s just you and the audience of the person who is coming around the corner. The payoff is the yelling.”

When Island Chance was a child, his family took him to Netherworld, but he was too scared to get out of the car.

Now 23, he is a seasoned veteran on the year-round crew. He played “Lord Ghoulich” in “Blood Night” and had such a blast that the creature is now tattooed on his arm.

“It’s a very intense experience working at Netherworld,” he says. “The staff is all very close-knit, like a family.”

For a taste of Netherworld throughout the year, visit the House of Creeps Monster Museum and check out the new escape rooms. Also coming in 2019 is a laser tag experience. “We want to be more than just a haunted house,” Messina says. “We want to be an entertainment destination for the entire family.”

No Escape

You’re stranded in the woods with no cell service. You hide in a rustic cabin, and your only connection to the outside world is a park ranger who talks with you on a walkie-talkie.

A growling creature is clamoring outside the door. You have one hour to use the available clues to get away.

“Sasquatch” is one of three escape worlds at Netherworld— the others are “Nosferatu” and “Haunted.” Two additional escape rooms are under construction. A gamemaster offers intermittent guidance through avatars in the rooms, but the goal is to use teamwork, leadership, and communication skills to outwit your predators. Netherworld’s escape rooms—open year-round—are popular for families and corporate retreats.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 43

ATTRACTIONS

A Sight to Behold Tucked away in Lilburn is a stunning piece of Indian culture

BY JENNIFER RAINEY MARQUEZ

t’s a bit of a shock to come across the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (meaning temple) amid a sea of Lilburn strip malls and gas stations. One of the largest Hindu temples located outside of India, it is an architectural marvel—an ornate palace carved from Turkish limestone, Italian Carrara marble, and Indian pink sandstone.

Since opening in 2007, the Mandir has become one of metro Atlanta’s top cultural destinations. Visitors of all faiths can admire the elaborate carvings, witness or participate in Hindu rituals, and relax in the peaceful atmosphere. The 29-acre complex also features a cafe, family activity center, a welcome center, and housing for several swamis.

Ⅰ

44 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

The Mandir is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. On your first visit, pay the $5 for the audio tour at the welcome center so you can glean a greater understanding of the Mandir’s architectural features, the depictions featured in its marble carvings, and the significance of the murtis (sculptures of sacred deities) housed within. Remember that you’re entering a reverent place: Show respect by turning off your phone and being quiet. You’ll also need to take off your shoes (socks are fine), and dress accordingly by covering your shoulders and knees. Take a look at the schedule online before you go, and try to plan your visit around the arti ceremony or abhishek ritual (see sidebar).

Experience the Tradition

BAPS by the numbers 30,535 Square footage of

the Mandir, which sits atop 30 acres of landscaped grounds and faces a large reflecting pool.

34,671 Individual pieces

of stone, ranging from a few ounces to eight tons, that make up the temple.

Each piece was hand-carved in India, then shipped to Georgia and assembled like a giant puzzle.

107,786 Cubic feet

of stone used to build the Mandir, including 4,140 tons of marble, 4,500 tons of limestone, and 3,065 tons of sandstone.

17 months

Amount of time it took to construct the Mandir, a short period considering the complex nature of the structure, which is held together via a system of interlocking stones.

1.3 million

Hours of volunteer labor contributed by congregants to help assemble the temple.

Altogether, the temple contains:

391 Pillars, each intricately

carved with figures of Hindu deities, ancient philosophers, and notable devotees. Multiple artisans were used to carve each pillar—it would take a single person five years.

86 Decorative ceilings, featuring

42 different types of designs. Notice the lace-like detail and perfect symmetry of the carvings.

13 Domes, including one central dome measuring more than 23 feet in diameter, and 12 smaller domes.

There are also four square domes and 116 archways.

16 Figures carved in the central

ceiling dome. Additionally, the flat dome features dozens of figures representing a traditional folk dance called the Raas.

Observe two ancient Hindu rituals

Arti

Known as the ceremony of light, arti is one of the most important Hindu rituals and a way of offering greeting and thanks. Lighted wicks or lamps are waved in front of the murtis to infuse the flames with their blessings.

Note that males and females are traditionally seated separately during this ceremony, and visitors are asked to do the same.

Abhishek

All visitors are invited to participate in this ceremony, in which water is poured over the murti depicting Bhagwan Swaminarayan in his youth. During the ritual bathing, devotees ask for spiritual cleansing and fulfillment of their prayers.

2,193 Total carved figures

made from marble and sandstone.

Look for other recurring depictions of peacocks, tigers, lions, and elephants, which represent themes of strength, loyalty, teamwork, and grace.

16 Sacred images, or murtis,

depicting religious deities or gurus.

The central shrine is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the founder of the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism, and his ideal devotee, Gunatitanand Swami. The murtis are only on display during certain times of day, so check the website (baps.org/atlanta) for details.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 45

ATTRACTIONS

Sound Check Listen up! Here’s where to find live tunes in Gwinnett.

BY LANE HOLMAN

he hills of Gwinnett— and valleys and streets and town squares—are alive with just about any kind of music you can think of.

T

Infinite Energy Arena This Duluth landmark is home to Atlanta’s second largest venue, with seating for up to 13,000 music fans. The arena hosts a rainbow of musical touring acts in addition to being home base for Atlanta Gladiators hockey games and Georgia Swarm lacrosse

46 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

matches, and it’s easy to access near I-85 and Sugarloaf Parkway.

Arena lineups have ranged from old-school rock stalwarts such as Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, and James Taylor, to hip-hop sounds from Beyoncé, Russ, Childish Gambino, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar. Pop airwave dominators The Killers, BLACKPINK, Panic! At The Disco, and Gorillaz have thrilled audiences here, along with cool crooners like Michael Bublé and country standouts Dolly Parton, Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert, and Sugarland.

The Bowl at Sugar Hill

Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry

Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry An intimate, 260-seat listening room, Eddie Owes Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry (RCMF), the brainchild of Eddie Owens of Decatur’s Eddie’s Attic fame, more than lives up to its musician-friendly pedigree. The venue welcomes a lineup of singer-songwriters and offers twice-monthly songwriters’ open-mic nights. Situated in downtown Duluth, the RCMF is surrounded by restaurants and pubs, making for an ideal night on the town.

The Bowl at Sugar Hill From May into the fall, music fans flock to Sugar Hill’s outdoor amphitheater known as The Bowl. Located in the heart of Sugar Hill’s growing downtown, The Bowl showcases music from a variety of artists. Collective Soul, Colbie Caillat, The Mavericks, Michael Bolton, and The Village People have all graced the stage over the past couple of seasons.

Concertgoers of all ages flock to the casual setting under the stars to savor the summer nights; they can bring their own coolers or visit the food trucks parked nearby.

The Bowl at Sugar Hill

Everett’s Music Barn In a neighborhood near downtown Suwanee is an old red house set close to Stonecypher Road. You’d be forgiven for not realizing this humble property is the epicenter of local bluegrass and has been for decades.

After all, there’s no sign—just a festive wreath and a few photos tacked near the front door. And it’s quiet, still very much like the countryside it used to be, despite the growth all around.

This is the Everett homestead, where brothers Roger and Randall began playing guitar and singing in the early sixties, and where their father taught them to play the banjo as well. Eventually, their older brother, Leroy, joined in and the three Everett boys recruited additional musicians and formed the Country Ramblers. They played regularly in the Everett home, recording their Friday shows for local radio and holding jam sessions on Saturday nights. While they never charged an admission fee, they did pass around a coffee can for anyone who wanted to pitch in for snacks and coffee.

Eventually, Leroy realized they needed more room for their audience. He built the Music Barn in the cornfield behind the house in 1970. The Country Ramblers eventually evolved into The Everett Family Band.

Although the Everett brothers have left the earthly stage, the Barn thrives under Leroy’s children. Rena Everett McDaniel, Russell Everett, and Tommy Everett continue offering Saturday night shows, bringing crowds from miles around. And the house is open to musicians of all skill levels for jam sessions.

If you go, don’t forget to put a donation in the coffee can—it’s not required, but you know Leroy, Randall, and Roger would appreciate it.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 47

ATTRACTIONS

Aurora Theatre

Art About Town The arts create a gathering place for everyone in Gwinnett County

BY KELUNDRA SMITH

48 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

he arts are very much alive in Gwinnett. From bigname concerts at Infinite Energy Center to laugh-out-loud shows at Atlanta Comedy Theater to riveting visual arts at the Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for Art & Learning, the county offers a variety of diverse cultural experiences. Two of the most notable are nationally recognized Aurora Theatre in

T

Lawrenceville and Tannery Row Artist Colony in Buford, with 71 resident artists.

Aurora Theatre No two days are the same at Aurora Theatre, which hosts more than 300 events per year, including mainstage productions, comedy nights, concerts, and children’s shows.

Founded by Anthony Rodriguez and

Ann-Carol Pence in an old hardware store in 1996, Aurora now houses two performance spaces in its complex on the square in downtown Lawrenceville.

Over the last 23 years, it has developed a reputation for producing professional-quality, large-scale musicals using local talent, including Les Miserables, Mary Poppins, and In the Heights by Hamilton writer Lin-Manuel Miranda.

“Musicals cross the span of all kinds of cultures and all kinds of language,” Pence says. “Forty percent of the people who come to Aurora are not from Gwinnett and that’s because we’ve committed to doing Broadway-style musicals without cutting corners.”

Gwinnett is the Southeast’s most ethnically diverse county and the theater strives to be a place where cultures intersect. This is why they host a variety of events, including Teatro Aurora (a series of plays performed in Spanish with English supertitles), a Dia de Los Muertos celebration, and Noche Latino, to make sure all visitors see themselves onstage. They also want to inspire people to have bold conversations about difficult subjects through the arts.

“We want to make sure the arts thrive here and that there will be a place where people can engage in civil conversation through the works that they see,” Rodriguez says. “It’s important that everybody’s voice is a part of the end product, and it has really served us well.”

As the City of Lawrenceville breaks ground on a new arts complex, which includes a $26-million expansion for Aurora Theatre, Rodriguez and Pence have their eyes focused on moving into a new space in 2020 and beyond.

“We have been very diligent about creating an arts legacy for this community that will live on after we’re gone,” Rodriguez says. “We work constantly to introduce people to the theater who have not been to a live theatrical production. It’s not about what’s on the page, it’s about what experience has

been brought to life from what’s on those pages.”

To purchase tickets and learn more about upcoming productions, visit auroratheatre.com.

Tannery Row Artist Colony As the sun shines brightly on the colored paintings adorning the walls of the Tannery Row Artist Colony, a rare feeling of serenity washes over the place. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, this utopia is buzzing with activity coming from the artists who occupy the 15 studios—all of whom are women.

Over the years, 71 artists in a variety of media—from jewelry-making to photography—have been a part of this community, which at its core takes the solitude out of the solitary nature of creating art.

Judy Isaak, a resident artist for the last 11 years, makes sculptures, pottery, and paintings. She says that it’s a total luxury to work at Tannery Row, and every surface of her studio is covered with wares, ranging from functional mugs and vases to decorative giant palms and basins. There are also a few baby faces smiling on the walls—a series

of sculptures she created to remind us that we all start out the same.

Tannery Row is located right off of the railroad tracks near downtown Buford, and the rustic aesthetic certainly influences the artists there.

On the opposite end of the hall from Isaak is Adrienne Forshner Kinsey, a mixed-media painter whose quilted canvases have a three-dimensional effect. Kinsey says that she strives to make unconventional paintings that jump off the page; she uses strips of painted canvas, leather, metal, buttons, and an assortment of other items for her colorful creations.

Visitors can meet Kinsey, Isaak, and the other artists (and perhaps take home their own masterpiece) at Open Studio Saturdays on the second Saturday of every month. There are also special open studio days for patrons to shop during the holiday season. In addition, Tannery Row hosts several exhibitions throughout the year, including a solo exhibition, a juried exhibition, and, in 2019, a 15th anniversary exhibition on display from May 11 through July 5. For a complete list of artists and events, visit tanneryrow artistcolony.net.

Tannery Row Artist Colony

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 49

ATTRACTIONS

Movie Mania Behind the scenes at Gwinnett’s Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta

BY LANE HOLMAN

ome of television’s best shows get filmed right in the middle of Norcross. Who knew an acclaimed series like the Netflix crime drama Ozark was being produced mere feet from bustling Jimmy Carter Boulevard?

That’s where Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta (ERSA) opened its central facility four years ago, and production has been flying high ever since. Tucked away in a quiet industrial corridor, it is the country’s largest studio facility under one roof, with an interior roughly the size of 11 football fields.

Beth Talbert, Eagle Rock Studio’s vice president of studio operations, likens her job to that of a landlord. “My role is bringing productions in and keeping ERSA full,” she says.

For Talbert, her studio rises above others in the area not only because of its unique “drive-through” setup, but also

S

50 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

because of its prime location. “We’re just up the road from where the talent wants to be—a 15-minute drive from Buckhead.” Even with rush-hour traffic, surface streets provide quick access from points south.

Since opening its doors, Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta has stayed busy thanks to multi-year television productions like Ozark, Dynasty, MacGyver, and Greenleaf, and movies like Doom Patrol

Doom Patrol

Stranger Things

Filmed in Gwinnett Dozens of movies and television shows are filmed around the county, in studios and on location. Here are a few highlights:

Mother’s Day and The Darkest Minds.

ERSA offers four soundstages and two flex-space areas connected by covered breezeways large enough to drive in and park all staging vehicles, so cast and crew are under the same roof. “We offer true, purpose-built sound stages unlike a lot of warehouse conversions that you have in town,” Talbert says.

“It’s been so much fun to watch the business grow,” says Talbert, who moved from L.A. in 2016 to work with

ERSA. “Both Eagle Rock and the industry, in general, are having a positive impact on the regional economy, and that’s immensely rewarding. Each production has a staff of around 200, and brings in caterers and uses local businesses like lumberyards, hardware stores, and area restaurants.”

So keep an eye out; you might see Ozark’s Jason Bateman and the cast of Stranger Things lining up for biscuits at Martin’s Restaurant.

Stranger Things, an immensely popular Netflix series that revolves around a group of middle-schoolers fighting off unimaginable terrors in the early ’80s, made Gwinnett Place Mall its primary filming hub for Season 3 Instant Family, a family film with Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, filmed its adoption and court scenes in Gwinnett’s Justice and Administration Building in the heart of Lawrenceville Doom Patrol, a DC Universe film starring a band of superhero misfits led by Timothy Dalton, spent weeks filming in downtown Lawrenceville Black Panther, the highest-grossing film in 2018 ($1.34 billion), was filmed on the OFS/Atlanta Media Campus Studios in Norcross

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Godzilla: King of the Monsters, featuring Stranger Things’ Millie Bobbie Brown, Vera Farmiga, and Bradley Whitford, was filmed on the OFS sound stages Ozark, starring Jason Bateman as a financial planner who has to pay off a debt to a Mexican drug lord, films in multiple Gwinnett locations, including ERSA, Chateau Elan, Norcross, downtown Lawrenceville, Peachtree Corners, and Lake Lanier

Doom Patrol

FUN FACT: Three of the top-grossing films of 2018—Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Venom—were filmed in Gwinnett at OFS/Atlanta Media Campus Studios EXPLORE GWINNET T • 51

ATTRACTIONS

Animal Kingdom Meet the band of horses—and a few birds— that call Medieval Times home

BY ELIZABETH FLORIO

Head horse trainer Felipe Ramirez with Ivan

rive around to the south-facing side of Sugarloaf Mills mall in Lawrenceville and you can’t miss the 11th-century-style Spanish castle. Some of the most magnificent horses in the world, including athletic quarter horses, colorful palominos, handsome white Andalusians, Mexican Aztecas, and European Friesians, make their home inside its walls, just steps away from Starbucks and a Forever 21.

These noble steeds are the stars of Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, a live-action show offering jousting, royal drama, and utensil-free dining. The horses split their week between the castle’s 22-stall stable and a nearby ranch (its

D

52 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

specific location is hush-hush due to the horses’ value). With nine locations around the country and a 240-acre home ranch in Sanger, Texas, Medieval Times is the largest breeder of pure Andalusians in the country.

Atlanta’s equine cast members—all male to avoid distractions—range in age from three to 18. Before getting the okay to perform, each spends a year or more under the tutelage of head trainer Felipe Ramirez. Depending on the breed, they might practice dressage movements or stunts like letting a knight fall off mid-run, but most importantly, they learn how to cope with bright lights and cheering fans. “You can have the perfect horse in practice, but then you ride out in a show

and a little kid’s waving a flag and suddenly they want to go back behind the curtain,” says Jason Jones, head knight at the Lawrenceville castle.

Of course, some animals love the limelight. Toffee, for example, is a friendly Friesian known to mosey out from behind the curtain before the show starts and roll around in the sand or approach people looking for treats.

“You’ll hear the crowd going, ‘Aww,’ and you look out from the curtain and go, ‘Oh, Toffee,’” says Jones.

Horses aren’t the only animals in the realm. During one segment of the show, a falcon performs swooping figure eights above the crowd. Usually it’s Echo, a trusty Barbary falcon, but a young Lanner falcon named Sora sometimes fill in. She’s still learning

Juan Nogales with Irlandes

and will occasionally perch in the rafters and refuse to come down. “I’ll have to come back after the show and baby-talk her down” says falconer Denise Nunez. “They really love that, when you talk to them like a little baby.”

Guests have a chance to meet a falcon and a falconer in the lobby (or Hall of Arms) before each show. The birds wear a handmade leather hood on their swiveling heads that looks adorable but, crucially, helps them avoid overstimulation. Kratos, a rescued Eurasian Eagle Owl, resides in a nearby display window, looking permanently grumpy, thanks to her prominent ear tufts.

Then it’s onto the show, held on weekends all year long and more frequently in summer. A sturdy Friesian props up the emcee. The nimble, brown quarter horses escort sword-fighting knights. But the Andalusians are the crowd favorite. They bow, high-step, and parade in formation. They rear up in time with the music. In a dramatic maneuver called the capriole that has roots in medieval warfare, a horse leaps like Superman, lifting all four legs and 1,000 pounds of himself into the air before throwing a kick back. And the crowd goes wild.

Kratos

By the Numbers Fun facts about the castle’s non-human residents

3 23

species of animals in the show (horse, falcon, owl)

horses in the cast, including Andalusians, Friesians, Aztecas, palominos, and quarter horses

2 201,480

times a day the horses are showered

approximate pounds of feed Atlanta’s horses eat in a year

10

percentage of their weight falcons should eat each day to ensure maximum performance

200 1066

maximum speed of a falcon in miles per hour

year William the Conqueror rode an Andalusian horse into the Battle of Hastings

3

times Atlanta falconer Chuck Padrick has seen a falcon land on a patron’s table in 13 years

Falconer Charles Padrick with Echo

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 53

ATTRACTIONS

Personify Shop

Local Flavors Where to shop, eat, and play in and around Gwinnett

BY LIA PICARD

here’s no shortage of places to explore in Gwinnett County.

Charming towns are packed with exciting, independently owned eateries and shops, plus activities for the whole family. We’re sure you’ll want to stay awhile and visit again.

scallops with orecchiette pasta and mushroom truffle sauce.

PLAY: Treetop Quest is a hidden gem near Mall of Georgia offering eight zip lining courses for thrill seekers. Adventurers as young as four can participate.

BUFORD

DULUTH

The darling Southern town is a dining and shopping hub with historic flair.

Duluth has experienced growth in recent years, bringing exciting dining and retail to downtown’s historic Parsons Alley.

T

SHOP: Chic bohemian garb can be found at Further Down the Rabbit Hole. The woman-owned shop also carries funky accessories and home decor.

EAT: Since 1999, Aqua Terra Bistro has been making bellies happy with modern American cuisine.

Don’t miss the signature dish that’s been on the menu since it opened: seared 54 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

SHOP: Owned by a mother and daughter, Personify Shop has something for everyone. The boutique overflows with women’s clothing in a variety of styles.

EAT: Modern steakhouse fare meets zesty Asian flavors at Noona. Start with an order of roasted gulf oysters before moving on to a wet-aged fillet with a side of kimchi fried rice.

PLAY: Create your own masterpieces at Eye Candy Art Studio. The artist’s playground offers a variety of painting classes, including pottery, canvas, and wine glasses.

LAWRENCEVILLE

Lawrenceville, the seat of Gwinnett, is a gem with a stunning theater and a plethora of eateries and shops.

SHOP: NV Bath and Body curates locally sourced products, like bath bombs and scrubs, that make bath time luxurious.

EAT: Succulent barbecue awaits at Foggy Bottom BBQ. Load up on brisket and all the fixings, but save room for banana pudding.

PLAY: If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make chunky knit blankets or create a piece of wooden art, then AR Workshop is for you. Grab a pal and a bottle of wine and take one of the classes.

1910 Public House

VSOP Olive Oil Tasting Room

LILBURN Small but mighty, Lilburn offers historic charm and boasts the largest Hindu temple in North America.

SHOP: In downtown Lilburn, Antiques in Old Town is packed with a variety of vintage goods for the discerning shopper.

EAT: 1910 Public House makes you feel right at home with its laid-back vibe and warm decor. Order a brew off the extensive beer menu, and indulge in decadent dishes like the Southern pimento cheese and salt-and-pepper calamari.

PLAY: Hope Springs Distillery is Gwinnett County’s only distillery, producing absinthe and vodka. Sip your way through their offerings on Friday or Saturday.

NORCROSS Norcross is Gwinnett County’s second-oldest city with a charming downtown set against a railroad depot.

SHOP: Taste of Britain is a family-run business that lovingly stocks English teas, treats, and knickknacks.

EAT: Treat your palate to a Cuban feast without even getting on a plane.

Standouts at Mojito’s include plantains stuffed with ground beef and the masitas de puerco (fried pork) topped with sliced onions and homemade mojo sauce.

PLAY: Home chefs can step up their game at VSOP Olive Oil Tasting Room. Taste your way through a variety of olive oils and infused vinegars.

PEACHTREE CORNERS

SUWANEE

Peachtree Corners, Gwinnett’s newest city, is packed with high-end dining destinations and outdoor activities.

Located in north Gwinnett, Suwanee offers plenty of fun, thanks to award-winning green spaces and new businesses.

SHOP: Fashion boutique Lizard Thicket is a one-stop shop for all of your fashion needs, with clothing and accessories at surprisingly affordable prices.

EAT: At Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, you can enjoy fresh seafood or a handcut steak, or stop in for bar bites and happy hour on the patio.

PLAY: Rev your engines at Nitro Zone where the young and young at heart whip around in go karts. There’s also a kids ninja zone and a bowling alley.

SNELLVILLE Located between Atlanta and Athens, Snellville shines with small-town charm and modern amenities.

SHOP: A treasure trove of antique decor and furniture awaits at Vintage Village, known for its friendly customer service and amazing selection. You’re bound to find something that tickles your fancy.

EAT: Burger 21, named for how many burger varieties they have, has a creative approach. Try the chili cheese crunch with potato chips and bacon jam and don’t leave without a milkshake.

PLAY: Create your own painting at Masterpiece Mixers and treasure your art for a lifetime. Classes for children and adults are available.

SHOP: Dress Up offers new styles each week to keep fashionable ladies on trend and feeling great in hip, sophisticated clothing.

EAT: Expect to wait at new Suwanee hotspot Tequila Mama Taqueria, where every meal is a fiesta of flavors.

The focus is on two things: tequila and tacos.

PLAY: You’ll want to leave the kids at home when you visit Sip Happens, a wine wonderland with an upscale ambiance and several guided wine tastings a month.

Sip Happens

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 55

DINING

Where the Locals Eat Four notable residents residents share their favorite Gwinnett restaurants

BY JENNIFER SENATOR

DANIEL BURAPAVONG

Tree Story Bakery & Cafe

When Daniel Burapavong moved to Atlanta to attend Georgia Tech 18 years ago, it wasn’t long before he realized many of his favorite restaurants were in Gwinnett County. “The main reason I purchased a Peach Pass years ago was because I found myself driving to Gwinnett so often to dine out,” he says. He continues to eat out in Gwinnett regularly, using the hashtag #ExploreGwinnett to document his culinary outings.

All-around favorite restaurant: Right now, it’s K BBQ Factory. Korean barbecue is one of my favorite types of cuisine. You can’t get much better than these guys in terms of the quality of food and service.

Best breakfast/brunch: Georgia French Bakery & Cafe is as authentic as it gets when it comes to delicious, madefrom-scratch breads, pastries, and sandwiches. The Parisian sandwich, made with roast beef, balsamic mayo, red onions, blue cheese, and tomato, is phenomenal.

Best date spot: Why not make it a doughnuts date? Sarah Donuts has the best doughnuts in metro Atlanta. My favorites are the red velvet cake with icing and the glazed twist cake.

Best on a budget: RW’s Subs—this sandwich shop is legit and arguably the best in metro Atlanta.

Sa r ah Don uts

56 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Ryan’s Honey Club (smoked turkey, ham, crispy bacon, Monterey Jack cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, and honey mustard) is perfect from top to bottom.

Favorite coffee shop: I love the whimsical, storybook-like atmosphere at Tree Story Bakery & Cafe. It offers an ever-changing selection of drip-brewed coffee and interesting foods like fresh mochi (Japanese rice cake) and sweet green bean paste buns.

Best place to take out-of-town guests: Bally Budaejjigae is unique—they specialize in budae-jjigae, Korean for “army base

stew.” There are stoves at every table to cook and keep the hearty stew nice and hot.

Best dessert: The flavored snow (shaved ice) and toast at Snowflake Tea House not only looks great, it tastes great, too. The ice is neatly shaved into soft, thin, ribbons and the toast creations are large and impressive.

Best ethnic restaurant: Gwinnett has some of the best Korean food in the country, and Seo Ra Beol is one of my favorites.

Their naengmyeon (cold noodles) and bibimbap (mixed rice) are outstanding.

Plus, it’s open 24/7.

KACIE FLANAGAN A native of Lilburn, Kacie Flanagan enjoys dining out in her hometown and beyond. “Gwinnett reminds me of Atlanta in that there are so many different neighborhoods and towns to explore,” she says. “Each one of them has its own personality.”

Flanagan documents her food adventures and discoveries on Instagram @Treatyoself_atl.

All-around favorite restaurant: Universal Joint in Lawrenceville has a great patio, delicious food, and strong drinks. The overall laid-back atmosphere of this place is what keeps me coming back.

Best date spot: There’s nothing fancy about Truck & Tap, which is what makes it a great casual date spot. They have a different food truck every day and are constantly rotating the beers, which makes it that much more appealing and exciting. It’s in downtown Duluth, so you can take a stroll around town to finish your date night.

Favorite coffee shop: Alcove Coffeehouse in Lilburn has delicious coffee drinks and a pretty view. It sits right on Lake Lucerne and is always a great place to catch up with friends.

Best patio: Universal Joint is right on the

Universal Joint

Lawrenceville Square, with guaranteed good people-watching. It faces the courthouse, so it’s a prime spot for festivals or weddings.

They also allow dogs on the patio and have cornhole.

Best dessert: Blue Rooster Bake Shop in Lawrenceville always has the most gorgeous displays and bakery cases with lots of Instagrammable goodies. They also do some of the most amazing custom cakes I’ve ever seen, and actually did the dessert station at my wedding. Fun Fact: I worked at the original Blue Rooster Cafe, in downtown Lilburn, throughout high school.

Best pizza: O4W Pizza in Duluth. Be sure to get Grandma’s Pie—that is all you need to know. If you haven’t tried it, you aren’t living right.

Best ethnic restaurant: SriThai in Snellville offers authentic Thai food and sushi outside the Perimeter. The ingredients, consistency, and casual atmosphere are just some of the reasons I keep going back.

O4W Pizza

Truck & Tap

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 57

Read, Listen, Watch Experience!

&

Every day is a new discovery with free access to books, movies, music, online, magazines — and even subscription websites.

With exciting programs and events, your Gwinnett Library offers something for everyone.

REGISTER FOR YOUR LIBRARY CARD TO ACCESS:

We have newly expanded bilingual, senior & children’s programs!

Visit us at gwinnettpl.org

Follow us @ gwinnettlibrary

Books Movies Digital Magazines Free Wi-Fi Lynda.com Learning Labs Mango Languages Meeting Rooms Adobe Creative Suite Green Screen Cameras Tower Gardens Ancestry.com and more!

770.822.4522 15 locations across Gwinnett County!

2076 West Park Place Blvd - Stone Mountain, GA 30087

FEARWORLD.com

EscapeTheNetherWorld.com

Haunted Houses, Escape Rooms & More!

58 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Parkside District

Peachtree Cafe

McCray’s Tavern

JEFF SMITH Serving the Lawrenceville Police Department, Gwinnett native Jeff Smith knows Gwinnett well. He’s also knowledgeable about Gwinnett’s restaurants, and enjoys exploring new spots in town with his family. “Gwinnett is a great food destination, especially due to the diversity of styles, cultures, and ethnicities,” he says.

All-around favorite restaurant: Adriatic Grill isn’t fancy, but it’s my go-to for lunch or dinner. The people are superfriendly and accommodating, and their food is consistently good. I especially enjoy the gyros, doner kebabs, burgers, and chevapi (a Balkan favorite).

Jakup and his wife (the owners) make incredible homemade

desserts. Be sure to try the chocolate-dipped baklava.

Best breakfast/brunch: Peachtree Cafe has a great variety of breakfast favorites, but I’m partial to the omelets.

The pancakes are always a hit.

Best date spot: The atmosphere at Parkside District is inviting and vibrant; they have an open kitchen and an incredible painting of an octopus that I love. Chargrilled oysters are my favorite food, and these are the best I have had this side of New Orleans. The chowder is also a must.

Best on a budget: For almost 30 years, Hong Kong Garden has been my quick, inexpensive, and delicious go-to lunch and take-out spot. Their General Tso’s chicken and Kung Pao chicken are my favorites.

Favorite coffee shop: While Ligero touts itself as a tobacco house, it also has great Cuban coffee. The cigar selection is probably one of the best in the

county. Sitting with a friend in a comfortable leather chair with a Cuban coffee and a good cigar can help solve many of life’s problems.

Best patio: I love Lawrenceville, and one of the best views of the historic downtown is from the rooftop patio of McCray’s Tavern. A cold beer, a good burger, and loaded housemade chips while overlooking the prettiest and most historic downtown in the county?

Yes, please.

Best place to take out-oftown guests: Dominick’s provides good food, insanely big portions, good drinks, and a great atmosphere. It’s locates on the main floor of what was once a hotel on the square in Lawrenceville. You can show off the historic courthouse square to out-of-town guests while walking to the restaurant.

My favorite dish is the Dominick’s veal with a side of angel hair Alfredo with cherry

peppers. Half-orders will provide most people with something to take home.

Best dessert: Special Kneads and Treats offers a variety of incredible cupcakes. The main buzz in my circle is the “ChocCorn”—a highly addictive corn puff covered in white chocolate that is a favorite for gifting and hoarding.

Best pizza: The giant NY-style slices or whole pies at Fratelli’s Pizza NY Style in Grayson— they are all delicious. I love the Bella Bianca pizza. The staff and family really make customers feel welcome.

Best ethnic restaurant: We are so fortunate in Gwinnett to have so many different cultures and ethnicities represented and this is also represented in our restaurants. I have favorite Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Caribbean, Mexican, Peruvian, German, and Persian restaurants. This is a major strength in Gwinnett.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 59

JOIN US FOR THE 2019

Seoul south of the

KOREAN RESTAURANT TOUR

May 18 • June 15 • July 20 • August 3 • September 14 P R E S E N T E D BY

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit SeouloftheSouthTour.com

60 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Masterpiece

CHRISTINA HOWELL-SCOTT A Gwinnett resident for 17 years, Christina Howell-Scott says she moved to Peachtree Corners “for the schools, trees in my neighborhood, and a Tudor home.” As senior sales manager at Gwinnett’s Infinite Energy Center, she also enjoys the county’s vibrant restaurant scene. “There is so much quality and variety,” she says, “and I don’t have to go intown to have intown fare.”

All-around favorite restaurant: Favorite restaurants are like moods, I have one for every way I feel. I like Masterpiece for when I can sit with my family and leisurely enjoy a great meal; O4W Pizza when I’m with friends or co-workers for a great time; and Mojito’s, Osteria di Mare, and Taqueria del Mar are my girls night out go-tos.

Best breakfast/brunch: The pancakes and French toast with bacon at Peachtree Cafe.

Best happy hour: I like the variety of margaritas, beer, and cocktails with great tacos at Taqueria del Mar.

Best date spot: Mojito’s Cuban American Bistro in Old Norcross has an intimate atmosphere and live music in the evenings.

Try the Cuban seafood gumbo and, of course, have a mojito. If you’re really comfortable with your date, the spicy oxtails will have you sucking the bones, just sayin’.

Best on a budget: Blaxican, which serves Mexican soul food. The collard green quesadilla is savory, and with a glass of the housemade sangria, starts the meal off right.

The fish tacos and pork chop tacos are also favorites. They also have a food truck.

Best patio: On a beautiful spring day, with a lovely seafood Cobb salad, the patio at grace | 17•20 just takes me away.

Best place to take out-of-town guests: The shrimp and grits at Noble Fin is a must-have for visitors. They also have a great bar with buck-a-shuck oysters. I’m so happy they’re in my neighborhood.

Best dessert: I stumbled onto Osteria di Mare during restaurant week. They have a fantastic crème brûlée.

Best pizza: The handcrafted pizzas at O4W Pizza are made with fresh ingredients. And the calzones are a two-meal deal!

Best ethnic restaurant: Masterpiece, a Sichuan Chinese restaurant in Duluth. Chef Rui Liu is a James Beard Award nominee and a winner in my book. The eggplant with chili powder and pepper ash is my all-time favorite, but it’s not for the foolhardy—you could call it mouth-numbing! I also love the lamb with cilantro and the boiled fish fillet with chili stew.

Noble Fin

O4W Pizza

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 61

DINING

A Trio of Tastemakers Three top Gwinnett chefs dish on fine cuisine—and their favorite late-night snacks

BY LISA MOWRY

Thuan Nguyen, Noble Fin Since Nguyen grew up in Louisiana, he’s proud to incorporate Creole/ Cajun spices and ingredients into Noble Fin’s menu, with an emphasis on fresh seafood and steaks. “Back home we had a huge Asian community and I learned to combine all of them (Asian/Creole/Cajun) into my cooking style. I would have to say our gulf grouper at Noble Fin is the best example of this, because it has fresh vegetables with blackened spices along with fresh grouper that I ate quite a bit growing up," he says.

Another seafood dish that has guests buzzing is the halibut entree, pan-roasted fish served alongside sauteed baby bok choy, locally sourced shiitakes, and jasmine rice, and finished with a clarified lobster broth. The lobster tail appetizer is another favorite, a tasty portion of buttermilk-dipped lobster deep fried until crispy and served on a cabbage salad dressed with a ginger vinai-

grette. Nguyen is proud that some of the restaurant's regulars come in twice a week for these sorts of delicacies.

When Nguyen's able to dine elsewhere in Gwinnett County, you might find him at 9292 Korean BBQ with its all-you-can-eat meats, or satisfying his noodle craving. “My guilty pleasure is often noodles, be it ramen, pho, or bun (rice vermicelli),” he says. “If it’s not too late, my favorite place is Kumai Ramen, inside the Jusgo Supermarket food court.

Their spicy tonkotsu ramen is one of the best in Atlanta. *Note: As of press time, Chef Nguyen is no longer with Noble Fin.

Noble Fin

Rui Liu, Masterpiece Chef Rui Liu’s mission is to adapt the dishes from his native China for both Asians and Americans. “I don’t want to lose the authenticity,” he says. “The Asian grocery stores close by are helpful for ingredients I grew up with. I then make sure dishes are not too sweet or too spicy.”

Masterpiece, a Cantonese restaurant in Duluth where Liu is chef and owner, prides itself on a healthy version of Chinese cuisine, using less oil and sugar. One of his popular dishes is eggplant 62 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

with chili powder and pepper ash powder, with just the right amount of heat. His menu has an extensive amount of offerings, both exotic and expected, ranging from stir-fried mutton and Hunan-style ox tripe to the more familiar shrimp with garlic sauce.

When he’s off-duty, you’ll find Liu exploring American-style cuisine as a cultural mission. “I’m not able to eat at other restaurants as much as I’d like,” he says. “But I enjoy trying places like Gunshow in Atlanta, or local steakhouses.”

Alex Kim, Local Republic Chef Alex Kim, who heads up all things food-related at the Lawrenceville gastropub Local Republic, draws inspiration from the multicultural vibe in Gwinnett County. “There is such cultural diversity in our area to explore, and it’s great to be able to change the menu and specials to represent that,” he says. “I’m able to reflect my travels and time spent living abroad, making connections between a lot of different cultures of food—ranging from French to Creole, Southern, American, and Asian cuisines.”

Kim's proud of a new menu update with a larger focus on handcrafted recipes with locally sourced ingredients. His Thursday night ramen specials usually blend Asian and Southern elements for a unique, chef-driven experience. Other cultureblending menu items include Southern-style Spanish croquettes, Japanese tuna tartare, and ItalianSpanish chorizo meatballs.

When Kim is off work, he doesn’t have to go far to find an after-hours snack.

“Our sister restaurant, Strange Taco Bar, is just a few doors down, and has great late-night taco specials on Friday and Saturday nights,” he says. “I grab a frozen cocktail and a handful of $2 tacos and relax after a hard day’s work.”

Local Republic

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 63

DINING

Sweet Spots A dozen places guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth

Coughman’s Creamery

BY LISA MOWRY

Frozen Goodness Kremo Ice Cream Rolled ice cream is a visual treat as well as being yummy. At this Duluth shop, locally sourced cream is poured onto a frozen pan, then sculpted into tubular taste treats. You pick the add-ins, which include everything from mango-strawberry to hazelnut crunch.

Dazzle Dogs Don’t let the name fool you: This hot dog eatery in Buford is as revered for its signature shakes as it is for its frankfurters.

The creative shake concoctions always include gravity-defying cookies, doughnuts, or other accoutrements hanging off the side; look for seasonal favorites such as Pumpkin Spice Dazzle Shake.

Roll It Up Frozen concoctions both rolled up and made with liquid nitrogen fill this lively 64 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Snellville destination. Creative offerings include Dulce de Leche (where caramel is the star) and Funky Monkey (bananas and Nutella rule); non-dairy options are available as well.

Berens Frozen Custard Frozen custard machines freeze ingredients faster than traditional ice cream machines, resulting in a creamier texture, say the folks at Berens Frozen Custard, a 20-year-old business in Grayson (it first opened in Doraville). Choose from dozens of options or the flavor of the day.

Coughman’s Creamery This Lawrenceville destination promises something for every dessert lover, including a creative mix of ice cream treats, as well as cakes, cookies, candy, and doughnuts. There are lots of fun flavors and creative toppings, too.

Dazzle Dogs

Baked Goods Blue Rooster Bake Shop This charming establishment in downtown Lawrenceville has been serving up specialty cakes since 2001, but also sells pies, pastries, and sandwiches. Grab a boxed lunch, and you’ll be sure to have a sweet treat inside.

The Baking Grounds This family-owned business (since 1958!) specializes in cakes for all occasions. A cafe in Buford is a relaxing destination for breakfast, lunch, and baked goods to-go.

The Chocolaterie

Simply Done Donuts

Blue Rooster Bake Shop

Special Treats Mac Lab Bakery There’s no store to walk into, but the online elves at Mac Lab in Duluth will ship out an impressive array of macarons, those gluten-free tasty bites in all sorts of flavors. You’ll find everything from lavender-honey to matcha green tea.

The Chocolaterie

Once a popular food truck, this charming store in Duluth celebrates all things doughnut-related, with cake-style doughnuts available in a variety of flavors or as a sundae.

Specialty coffee drinks are a welcome addition for dunking.

Sarah Donuts

Simply Done Donuts

Multiple locations in Gwinnett County provide a sugar fix for many, including the signature apple fritters and sunflower doughnuts. Sausage rolls are a popular savory option.

Look for the 70-foot-long “chocolate lady” mural, and you’ll know you’ve come to the right place; The Chocolaterie has been a mecca for chocolate lovers since 2006. The historic Duluth store houses gourmet truffles, fudge, and other bitesized treats.

SunO Dessert “Low-calorie” and “delicious” don’t always go together, but that’s definitely not the case at SunO Dessert in Duluth.

Pronounced like “snow,” the store offers Asian shaved ice, bubble tea, milk tea, specialty coffee drinks, and slushies.

Guests can create their own concoctions (choose your base, toppings, and syrups), or opt for one of the store’s signature combinations.

Mac Lab Bakery

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 65

DINING Nacho Daddy

Buzz-Worthy The latest and greatest on Gwinnett’s food and beverage scene

BY JENNIFER SENATOR

winnett continues to thrive as one of metro Atlanta’s top dining destinations, where you can find craft beer, cream puffs, and everything in between. Be sure to check out these new and forthcoming spots—just a sampling of the many new restaurants, brewpubs, and homebrew stores opening this year in Gwinnett County.

From the team behind popular Lawrenceville eatery Oyster Bay Seafood Cafe comes T-Ray’s Fire Grill, now open next door to the seafood hotspot. “T-Ray” is the nickname of owner Taylor Ray Green, who has partnered with her parents, Steve and Jo Green, to open the restaurant. The family-owned eatery offers premium Angus steaks and a variety of grilled meats and seafood, as well as artisan cocktails, craft whiskeys, and a 25-foot ice bar.

Also in downtown Lawrenceville, Iron Shield Brewery,

G

66 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

makers of Ironshield Beer, will open in early 2020 in the 56,000-square-foot space formerly home to the Gwinnett Daily News. Planned to be among the top five largest breweries in Georgia, it will feature a taproom, biergarten, and production space.

Gwinnett’s beer scene continues to grow with newcomer Indio Brewing opening this summer in the new E Center @ Sugar Hill, a New Urbanist–designed community in downtown Sugar Hill. Owner Jonathan Martinez plans to have at least six microbrews on tap and will hold “homebrew challenges” throughout the year to spotlight local homebrewers.

Already a well-known name among beer enthusiasts, Operation Homebrew is billed as “The Best Darn Homebrew Store in Georgia.” It is now also home to Snellville’s first winery. In addition to the store’s popular line of Southern-style sweet wines, premium wines such as merlot, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, and chardonnay are also available. The store/winery will also hold wine tastings and lessons in winemaking in addition to its already popular beer-making classes.

At least three new Mexican eateries have recently opened in Gwinnett. Agavero Cantina Parkside, housed in a bright red double-decker bus parked on the edge of

Tequila Mama Taqueria

Beard Papa’s

Lilburn City Park, opened last fall. It is a popular destination for grilled tacos, loaded nachos, Mexican street corn, margaritas, and churros—all served inside the bus or on the adjacent patio.

In Duluth, the first Georgia outpost of the Las Vegas– based Nacho Daddy is open in Parsons Alley.

There is even a rooftop patio overlooking the amphitheater.

Nacho Daddy is known for 18 varieties of gourmet nachos, housemade salsas and queso, vegan

Kremo Ice Cream

Ivy Tea House

specialties, award-winning margaritas, and the fearsome original scorpion shot (made with an actual scorpion), featured on Tanked and Food Network.

Tequila Mama Taqueria, a vibrant spot offering a taste of Mexico, opened in March at Suwanee Town Center. The restaurant focuses on “tequila which gives us rhythm, our mama which gives us wisdom and advice, and our tacos which gives us satisfaction.”

Peachtree Corners new Town Center is home to Kremo Ice Cream, a third outpost of the popular rolled ice cream spot helmed by Tom Nguyen (additional locations are in Duluth and Alpharetta). If you’re not familiar with the concept, locally sourced cream (from a farm in South Georgia) is

poured onto a frozen pan, covered with your favorite toppings, and then hand-rolled into a tasty, tubular treat.

Also at Town Center is the first Georgia location of Japanese creampuff chain Beard Papa’s. With more than 400 international locations, the shop is beloved for its freshly baked pastries filled with flavors such as honey butter, caramel cream, crème brûlée, and green tea.

Housemade pastries and savory treats are served with an assortment of teas at Ivy Tea House, housed in a charming cottage in historic downtown Norcross. The cozy gathering spot offers traditional tea house fare, including a special high tea menu, and is available for workshops, events, and private parties.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 67

SHOP

Ice Capades Stay warm without sacrificing your team spirit with a Gwinnett Gladiators team scarf. $10 | atlanta-gladiators.myshopify.com

Cheers to Hockey

Get in Gear

What better way to toast Gwinnett’s professional hockey team than with a stylish pint glass?

with everything Show your Gwinnett spirit b covers from pint glasses to golf clu

$5 | atlanta-gladiators. myshopify.com

Drink and Be Merry Not just a souvenir from the Georgia Swarm lacrosse team, it's also your new favorite mug. $12 | theswarmshop.com

Gwinnett Goods Wear your love for Gwinnett on your head, or your sleeve, with either a color-blocked baseball hat ($18) or a soft and stylish T-shirt ($15). lovegwinnett.org

Hat’s Off A stylish cap is the perfect nod to the 2017 National Lacrosse League World Champions (Atlanta’s first professional world championship in 22 years). $18 | theswarmshop.com 68 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Fanatical Fans What do you wear to show your support for the Gwinnett Stripers minor league team? A replica baseball jersey, of course. $90 | gostripers.milbstore.com

Gone Fishin’ Giveaways are popular at Gwinnett Stripers games, such as this "Fishtail Bobble Bass," modeled after the Stripers logo and featuring a bobbling tail. gostripers.milbstore.com

Club Life Maybe you can’t play like a pro, but you can still look like one, thanks to this golf club cover from the Mitsubishi Electric Classic.

Available at tournament

Under My Umbrella What’s a golf tournament without an umbrella? We like this sophisticated model featuring the Mitsubishi Electric Classic logo.

Available at tournament

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 69

SHOP

Out and About with Leah Atkins The accomplished interior designer reveals her go-to spots in Gwinnett

BY LISA MOWRY

n any given day, Lawrenceville-based interior designer Leah Atkins could be working to beautify a dozen or so houses all over metro Atlanta. You might recognize her from features on HGTV.com or the pages of Modern Luxury Interiors Atlanta; she’s also an American Craft Council designer known for her cozy rooms at Christmas at Callanwolde.

Atkins's home office puts her in the heart of Gwinnett’s vitality.

“I love our location, because we are close to both big shopping centers (we’re right down the street from Mall of Georgia) and downtown Atlanta resources, but we’re also near the more rural areas,” she says. “I am a country girl at heart, but I also love the big city, so this is the perfect location for us.”

This five-year Gwinnett resident tells us a few of her most stylish destinations for home decor, clothes, and dining.

O

70 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

HOME BASE Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors This warehouse-sized antiques mall in Buford has hundreds of booths just waiting to be explored. “It’s a huge place, so it takes a while to look through everything, but I find some great pieces here,” says Atkins. “Mixing antiques into a modern design gives a house so much more character, and this is the place to find fun accessories for your bookshelves.” Some of her recent finds include unique vases and vintage brass animals.

Creative Enterprises Thrift Store “This is truly a hidden gem,” says Atkins about this Lawrenceville destination. “It’s a tiny little thrift store off the beaten path, so it takes visiting often to find the best items. It carries an abundance of baskets at fantastic prices, so I always check this place first if I want to create a basket wall.” She also appreciates that it’s part of an organization helping people with disabilities find employment.

LOOKING GOOD Personify Shop “This is my absolute favorite clothing store in Gwinnett, located in downtown Duluth,” she says. “They also offer a variety of great home goods, gifts, and accessories, with wonderful customer service. It’s a beautifully curated store founded by a mother-and-daughter team.” As for store decor: “The shop is bright, playful, and colorful,” Atkins adds. “I would give them an A+ for good design!”

Clothes Mentor This secondhand clothing store in Buford is on Atkins's radar for unusual and vintage finds. “My fashion look is defined by clean and simple lines, along with classic pieces, but I also

Good Word Brewing & Public House

love bright colors and bold patterns, so I like having a variety to choose from,” she says. “With a versatile closet, I can dress how I’m feeling each day.”

WINING & DINING Parkside District This popular destination in Lawrenceville gets high marks from the designer for both food and decor. “I love the industrial lighting, exposed brick, and gorgeous wood finishes,” Atkins says. “It has a really cool vibe, partly from the stark contrast of black and white used in the space.”

Good Word Brewing & Public House “This place definitely gets high marks for interior design,” says Atkins. “They do a great job of mixing industrial style with trendier bright colors. I’m always impressed with the selection of local beers, cocktails, and wine. My personal favorite is the in-house Double IPA called Virtual Reality.”

Fun fact: When Leah Atkins was in second grade, she wrote that she wanted to be an interior designer. Look for her on an upcoming episode of HGTV’s House Hunter’s Renovation. She lives in Lawrenceville with her husband, Curtis, and an energetic standard poodle.

Personify Shop

Find out more about Atkins's talents at leahatkinsdesign.com.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 7 1

SHOP

The Big One

Mall of Georgia celebrates its 20th year

BY ALISON MILLER

hen Simon Property Group opened Mall of Georgia in 1999, it was the largest shopping destination in the Southeast.

With 1.8 million square feet of indoor space and 150,000 square feet of outdoor space, it still is. And though 2019 marks its 20th year as the nucleus

W

72 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

of northern Gwinnett, it has without a doubt evolved into a 21st-century mall—something markedly different from the dim suburban shopping structures of yore. It is not simply somewhere to shop, it’s a multifaceted gathering place with experiences at every turn.

Take, for instance, The Village. Just outside the mall’s central entrance, four freestanding retail structures flank a lengthy green space filled with family amenities. A spacious lawn fans out from an open-air amphitheater. Beyond it, there’s a kids play area and a splash pad, and in the winter, a synthetic ice-skating rink.

“The Village is a destination unto itself,” says Mall of Georgia’s General Manager John DiCioccio. Restaurants, including Aliño Pizzeria, Smokey Bones, and Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, surround this communal area, and as of 2016, open

containers are allowed within its bounds—which means you can kick back in a comfy Adirondack chair, cocktail in hand, as the kids romp and roam.

Events like Shake Your Shamrock, Movies Under the Stars, and the Summer Concert Series, take place here throughout the year, while free yoga classes and a CornholeATL league are offered in the spring, summer, and fall. “It’s a place to create great family memories,” says Director of Marketing and Business Development Teresa Holloway.

With a soaring, barrel-vaulted ceiling full of skylights and an enormous fan-shaped window above its entrance, the mall’s food court mimics Atlanta’s original Union Station. A floor-to-ceiling revamp last year added soft banquettes, modern tables and chairs, new flooring, LED lighting, and two large TVs that stream sporting events.

The renovation also added thoughtful touches like charging stations and family hand-wash areas outside the restrooms.

Beyond the food court in the mall’s crescent-shaped core, varied interior elements inspired by Georgia’s regions—e.g., a vaulted beam ceiling representing the mountains, a

fountain modeled after the one in Savannah’s Forsyth Park—create a peaceful flow. With 230 stores ranging from Dillard’s and Macy’s to more localized shops such as Brooklyn’s and Palmetto Moon, there’s plenty for shoppers to explore. But you’ll also find a carousel; a newly expanded indoor playscape for kids; Paranoia Quest, an escape-room experience; and Billy Beez, an expansive, multilevel, indoor play park. A children’s train traverses the first floor. And on the third level is a Regal Cinemas 20-theater multiplex, including an IMAX theater.

“It’s a changing retail environment, and we have to meet that change,” says DiCioccio of the mall’s evolution.

Recognizing that time is a luxury these days and technology influences the way we shop, Mall of Georgia has introduced valet parking as well as the MyPark app, which allows users to reserve spots at three entrances. “It’s ideal for the customer who has a return or buys online and picks up in store,” says Holloway. “You’re literally at the front door.”

Calendar of Events Shake Your Shamrock Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with music, bounce houses, kids activities, and giveaways.

Spring Festival The mall welcomes spring in April with food and fun.

Movies Under the Stars and Summer Concert Series Enjoy live music, food, games, and popular movies on Saturdays in June and July.

Star Spangled Fourth Light up your Independence Day at the mall with a patriotic salute, including fireworks, concerts, and kids activities.

Spring, Summer, and Fall Cornhole Leagues Three divisions compete on Thursday nights in this seven-week league with a season-ending tournament.

The Ultimate Family Tailgate Catch the UGA-Notre Dame football game.

Annual Great Gwinnett Road Run Kick off October Breast Cancer Awareness Month with music, awards, and a 5k run/walk.

Tree Lighting Beginning in November, ring in the season with holiday-themed activities and a movie.

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 73

SOCIAL MEDIA

Get Social

Gwinnett's remarkable food scene, unique sweet shops, and explosive movie sets have people all abuzz

Did You Know?

Fun Facts about Gwinnett County

1

Norcross is home to Georgia’s largest elm tree, located in Betty Mauldin Park.

2 NACHO DADDY

@nachodaddyduluth

COUGHMAN’S CREAMERY

@coughmanscreamery

The City of Suwanee is home to White Street Park, the largest community garden in the state. The Orchard at White Street Park was added in 2017 and is the first public orchard in the Southeast.

3

There are more than 600 mounds of unknown origin at Little Mulberry Park. Some think they’re from 18th-century settlers and farmers; some think they're from Native American or prehistoric times.

4

Gwinnett is home to the largest Hindu Mandir (temple) in the Southeast in Lilburn.

CREATE & BAKE PIZZA

@createnbakepizza

KUPS KAFE

@kupskafe

5

Gwinnett's “sister city” is Gangnam-gu District in Seoul, South Korea. This makes perfect sense, as the county has earned the moniker Seoul of the South™.

6

The Hudgens Center's Al Weeks Sculpture Garden is a designated Audubon Society Bird Sanctuary. Each spring, a pair of Canadian geese nests in the garden.

Taken from Elliott Brack's 366 Facts About Gwinnett County, Ga.

Let's Stay Connected /exploregwinnett

DOOM PATROL FILMING LAWRENCEVILLE

@brucejohnsonphotos

74 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

MAC LAB MACARONS

@mac_lab

  

/exploregwinnett /gwinnettevents /exploregwinnett

RESOURCES ATTRACTIONS AR Workshop 178 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.751.8157, arworkshop.com 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 at Sugar Hill 5039 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, 770.945.6716, thebowlatsugarhill.com Cinestage Atlanta 6420 Atlantic Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, 770.912.2366 Coolray Field 2500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville, 678.277.0340, coolrayfield.com Eagle Rock Studios 6205 Best Friend Road, Norcross, 404.939.9600, eaglerockstudiosatl.com Eye Candy Art Studio 3127 Main Street, Duluth, 678.714.5683, eyecandyartstudio.net Hudgens Center for Art and Learning Infinite Energy Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 770.623.6002, thehudgens.org

Coolray Field

Medieval Times 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, 888.935.6878, medievaltimes.com Netherworld Haunted House 2076 West Park Place, Stone Mountain, 404.608.2884, fearworld.com Nitro Zone 6344 Cash Court, Peachtree Corners, 470.636.3230, nitrozone.com Seoul of the South™ Food Tours exploregwinnett.org/ seoulofthesouth Sip Happens 3890 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suwanee, 678.765.6115, siphappens.wine

Agavero Cantina Parkside 66 Main Street, Lilburn, 678.314.6068

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

Alcove Coffeehouse 4615 Stone Mountain Highway, Lilburn, 770.979.3030, alcovecoffeehouse.com

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

Aqua Terra Bistro 55 East Main Street, Buford, 770.271.3000, aquaterrabistro.com

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

Ba Bellies 6025 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.710.0565, babellies.com

White Street Orchard 752 White Street, Suwanee, 770.945.8996, harvestfarmsuwanee.com

DINING

The Baking Grounds Bakery Cafe 4360 South Lee Street, Buford, 678.765.6690, thebakinggrounds.com Bally Budaejjigae 1291 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee, 770.654.8000, bally-budaejjigae. business.site

Infinite Energy Center 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 770.626.2464, infiniteenergycenter.com

45 South Cafe & Coffee House 45 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 770.409.4009, 45southcafe.com

Lionheart Theatre Company 10 College Street, Norcross, 678.938.8518, lionhearttheatre.org

1910 Public House 107 Main Street, Lilburn, 770.564.6911, 1910publichouse.com

Berens Frozen Custard 1132 Atlanta Highway, Grayson, 770.736.7762, berenscustard.com

Masterpiece Mixers 3886 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, 678.928.1100, masterpiecemixers.com

Adriatic Grill 396 West Pike Street, Lawrenceville, 770.299.1115, theadriaticgrill.com

Black Walnut Cafe 5242 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.604.1700, blackwalnutcafe.com

Beard Papa’s 5215 Town Center Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, beardpapa.com

The Blaxican 5260 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, 404.606.3737, blaxicanfood.com Blue Rooster Bake Shop and Eatery 169 West Pike Street, Lawrenceville, 770.995.0065, blueroosterbakeshop.com The Brunch Apothecary 2595 Fence Road, Dacula, 678.731.7338, thebrunchapothecary.com

Nitro Zone

76 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Burger 21 1575 Scenic Highway, Snellville, 770.559.3207, burger21.com

Busan Fish Cake Bakery 1291 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee, 770.299.1093, busanfishcakeusa.com Cosmo’s Little Italy 144 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.338.9274, pizzaoncrogan.com Coughman’s Creamery 1956 Duluth Highway, Lawrenceville, 770.545.8844, coughmanscreamery.com Dazzle Dogs 1925 Braselton Highway, Buford, 470.448.3975, dazzle-dogs.com Dominick’s 197 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.277.8477, dominickslawrenceville.com; 95 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 770-449-1611, dominicksitalian.com Epicurean Cafe 3579 West Lawrenceville Street, Duluth, 770.476.2989, epicureancafeatl.com Famous Toastery 1120 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Suwanee, 678.541.5345, famoustoastery.com Firebirds Wood Fired Grill 5215 Town Center Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, 770.225.4662 firebirdsrestaurants.com First Watch 5320 Town Center Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, 470.781.9190, firstwatch.com Foggy Bottom BBQ 202 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 678.878.3251, foggybottombbq.com Fratelli’s Pizza NY Style 1711 Atlanta Highway, Grayson, 470.375.4701, fratellispizza-ny.com Georgia French Bakery & Cafe 3512 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 770.622.2682, georgiafrenchbakery.business.site

RW’s Subs 3360 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 770.622.7827, facebook.com/Rws-Subs Rico’s World Kitchen 306 West Main Street, Buford, 678.765.7518, ricosworldkitchen.com

Graft grace | 17•20 5155 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 678.421.1720, grace1720.com

678.765.8689; 5210 Town Center Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, 470.550.1197, marlowstavern.com

Graft 516 Grayson Parkway, Grayson, 770.338.9001, graftrestaurant.net

Martin’s Restaurant 6350 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross, 770.448,4148, martinsrestaurants.com

Grayson Coffee House 502 Grayson Parkway, Grayson, 770.837.3448, graysoncoffeehouse.com

Masterpiece 3940 Buford Highway, Duluth, 770.622.1191, masterpiece-chinese.com

Hong Kong Garden 455 Grayson Highway, Lawrenceville, 770.962.1004, hongkonggardentogo.com

McCray’s Tavern 100 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville, 770.407.6754, mccraystavern.com

Indio Brewing 5019 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, 678.206.3700, indiobrewing.com

Mojitos Cuban American Bistro 35 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 770.441.2599; 5161 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.686.3254, mojitosbistro.squarespace.com

Ivy Tea House 23 Holcomb Bridge Road, Norcross, 470.424.4715, ivyteahouse.com Jang Su Jang 3645 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 678.475.9170, jangsujangatlanta.com K-Factory BBQ 3885 Venture Drive, Duluth, 770.232.8881, kbbqstory.com Kremo Ice Cream 2180 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 470.375.8185; 5210 Town Center Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, 470.375.8185, kremoicecream.com La Cazuela 179 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.682.3481, lacazuela.com Ligero Tobacco House 2828 Buford Drive, Buford, 678.926.3260, ligerocigarshop.com Local Republic 139 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville, 678.205.4782, thelocalrepublic.com Mac Lab Bakery & Cafe 2131 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 678.580.1985, maclabbakery.com Maple Street Biscuit Company 3550 West Lawrenceville Street, Duluth, 678.404.5625, maplestreetbiscuits.com Marlow’s Tavern 1950 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 770.622.2033; Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford,

Nacho Daddy 3095 Main Street, Duluth, 770.417.8700, nachodaddy.com Noble Fin 5260 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.599.7979, noblefinrestaurant.com Noona Steakhouse & Oyster Bar 3550 West Lawrenceville Street, Duluth, 678.404.5001, noonaduluth.com O4W Pizza 3117 Main Street, Duluth, 678.587.5420, o4wpizza.com Operation Homebrew 1142 Athens Highway, Grayson, 770.638.8383, operationhomebrew.com

Roll It Up 5150 Buford Highway, 470.545.0357, rollitupicecream.com Sarah Donuts 45 Satellite Boulevard, Suwanee, 770.271.1129; 9760 Medlock Bridge Road, Duluth, 770.622.2222; 5860 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross, 770.409.9020; 7110 McGinnis Ferry Road, Suwanee, 470.375.2969, sarahdonuts.com Seo Ra Beol 3040 Steve Reynolds Boulevard, Duluth, 770.497.1155, seorabeolduluth.com Simply Done Donuts 3550 West Lawrenceville Street, Duluth, 678.772.0523, simplydonedonuts.com Snowflake Tea House 2180 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 678.475.1560 Special Kneads and Treats 156 Scenic Highway South, Lawrenceville, 678.237.7147, specialkneadsandtreats.org SriThai 4500 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 770.837.2723; 2218 Main Street East, Snellville, 770.985.8078, srithaikitchen.com Strange Taco Bar 225 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 678.869.5220, strangetacobar.com Sugar Hill Bakery and Cafe 4969 West Broad Street, Sugar Hill, 678.765.8008, sugarhilltowne.com SunO Dessert 2570 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 404.969.5128, sunodessert.com

Sweet Rice Cafe 2180 Merchants Way, Duluth, 770.476.9303 T-Ray’s Fire Grill 125 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.910.7529, t-raysfiregrill.com Taqueria del Mar Bar & Grill 5075 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 678.820.9836, taqueriadelmar.com Tequila Mama Taqueria 340 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, 678.456.3131, tequilamama.com Three Blind Mice 1066 Killian Hill Road, Lilburn, 770.696.4139, tbmrestaurant.com Tree Story Bakery & Cafe 2550 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 678.584.0000 Truck & Tap 3137 Main Street, Duluth, 470.292.3630, truckandtap.com/duluth Universal Joint 181 East West Pike Street, Lawrenceville, 770.299.1898, ujlawrenceville.com

NIGHTLIFE Agit Lounge & Karaoke 3492 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 770.559.5306, agitlounge.com Atlanta Coliseum 2075 Market Street, Duluth, 678.473.1000, atlantacoliseum.com Do Re Mi Karaoke 2550 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 770.497.0070 Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry 3116 Main Street, Duluth, 404.478.2749, eddieowenpresents.com Everett’s Music Barn 4055 Stonecypher Road, Suwanee, 770.772.1276, everettsmusicbarn.net

Osteria di Mare 5005 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 678.691.0344, osteriadimare.weebly.com Oyster Bay Seafood Cafe 125 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, 770.910.7521, oysterbayseafoodcafe.com Parkside District 909 Parkside Walk Lane, Lawrenceville, 770.910.9601, parksidedistrict.com The Peachtree Cafe 50 South Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, 678.377.8745, peachtree-cafe.com

Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry

EXPLORE GWINNET T • 7 7

Dress Up

Swanky Paws Bet Boutique 1860 Duluth Highway, Lawrenceville, 678.985.0005, swankypaws.com

Holcomb Bridge Park 4300 Holcomb Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners, 678.277.0920, gwinnettparks.com

Taste of Britain 73 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 770.242.8585, tasteofbritain.com

Ivy Creek Greenway 2355 Mall of Georgia Boulevard, Buford

Three Dog Bakery 1911 Grayson Highway, Grayson, 470.246.5798, threedog.com Vintage Village 2393 Oak Road, Snellville, 770.978.0013, facebook.com/ thevintagehag/

Good Word Brewing & Public House 3085 Main Street, Duluth. 404.973.2077, goodwordbrewing.com

Happy Tails Pet Grooming & Boarding 1328 Buford Highway, Buford, 770.331.7448, facebook.com/ happytailsbuford

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

Hollywood Feed 2220 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Duluth, 770.870.5173; 1250 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, 770.802.5216; 5215 Town Center Boulevard, Peachtree Corners, 678.691.9127; 3425 Peachtree Parkway, Suwanee, 770.886.5660, hollywoodfeed.com

Infinite Energy Arena 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 770.626.2464, infiniteenergycenter.com Iron Shield Brewery 394 North Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, ironshieldbrewing.com Sound of Music Karaoke 3525 Mall Boulevard, Duluth, 678.691.2078

SHOPS Antiques in Old Town 93 Main Street, Lilburn, 770.279.1300, antiquesinoldtown. blogspot.com Aritaum 2550 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 770.418.0203; 10820 Abbotts Bridge Road, Duluth, 770.814.2989; 1295 Old Peachtree Road, Suwanee, 770.882.2463, aritaum.com The Chocolaterie 3099 Main Street, Duluth, 678.585.3338, thechocolaterie.com Clothes Mentor 3310 Buford Drive, Buford, 678.714.1883, clothesmentor.com Creative Enterprises Thrift Store 701 High Hope Lane, Lawrenceville, 770.962.3908, creativeenterprises.org Daffy’s New & Used Pet Supplies 143 South Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, 404.345.6821, daffyspetsoupkitchen.info Depot Records 470 North Clayton Street, Lawrenceville, 678.982.4353, depotrecords.business.site Dress Up 5155 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.368.0108; 320 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, 678.482.4539, shopdressup.com

78 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

Jeju Sauna 3555 Gwinnett Place Drive, Duluth, 678.336.7414, jejusauna.com Lizard Thicket 5135 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross, 470.268.8227, shoplizardthicket.com Mall of Georgia 3333 Buford Drive, Buford, 770.271.9458, simon.com/mall/ mall-of-georgia NV Bath Body Bar 117 North Perry Street, Lawrenceville, 678.243.5518, facebook.com/NVBathBodyBar/ The PawPlex 3580 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road, Suwanee, 770.904.1970, thepawplex.com Personify Shop 3550 West Lawrenceville Street, Duluth, 770.776.5812, personifyshop.com Pooch N Paws Pet Boutique 320 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, 770.932.7040; 5185 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, 770.446.6672, poochnpaws.com

VSOP Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom 81 South Peachtree Street, Norcross, 678.795.2002, vsoptaproom.com W1sh Beauty 3450 Steve Reynolds Boulevard, Duluth, 770.232.3012, lalabeautywholesale.com World of Life Books 2550 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 678.957.1021, atlantalifebooks.com

SPORTS & RECREATION Atlanta Gladiators Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 770.497.5100, atlantagladiators.com

Jones Bridge Park 4901 East Jones Bridge Road, Peachtree Corners, 678.277.0920, gwinnettparks.com Lawrenceville Lawn 210 Luckie Street, Lawrenceville, lawrencevillega.org Lillian Webb Park 5 College Street, Norcross, 678.421.2000, norcrossga.net McDaniel Farm Park 3251 McDaniel Road, Duluth, 770.904.3500, gwinnettparks.com Mitsubishi Electric Classic 2595 Sugarloaf Club Drive, Duluth, 770.232.7872, mitsubishielectricclassic.com Rock Springs Park 550 Rock Springs Road, Lawrenceville, 770.904.3996, gwinnettparks.com Ronald Reagan Park 2777 Five Forks-Trickum Road, Lawrenceville, 678.277.0179, gwinnettparks.com

Big Splash Fountain Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, suwanee.com

Settles Bridge Park 380 Johnson Road, Suwanee, 678.277.0910, gwinnettparks.com

Briscoe Park Sawyer Parkway, Snellville, 770.985.3535, snellville.org/ parks-recreation

Simpsonwood Park 4511 Jones Bridge Circle, Peachtree Corners, 678.277.0900, gwinnettparks.com

Chattapoochee Dog Park 4291 Rogers Bridge Road, Duluth, 770.476.3434, duluthga.net

Stone Mountain Park 1000 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, Stone Mountain, 800.401.2407, stonemountainpark.com

George Pierce Park 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee, 678.277.0910, gwinnettparks.com

Suwanee Town Center Park 330 Town Center Parkway, Suwanee, 770.945.8996, suwanee.com

Georgia Swarm Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, 770.813.7600, georgiaswarm.com Gwinnett Stripers Coolray Field, 2500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville, 678.277.0340, coolrayfield.com

Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors 4125 Georgia Highway 20, 678.714.0643, queenofhearts antiques-interiors.com Smiling Canine Bakery 5181 Martins Crossing Road, Stone Mountain, 678.926.9866, smilingcaninebakery.com Super H Mart 2550 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, 678.543.3000, hmart.com

J.B. Williams Park 4935 Five Forks-Trickum Road, 678.277.0179, gwinnettparks.com

VSOP Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom

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

80 • EXPLORE GWINNET T

You Are Invited …

Come, experience Peachtree Corners and discover how our new city by the river is living up to its tagline as “Innovative & Remarkable.”

• Thriving new Town Center alive with activities and entertainment • Home to Smart City Transportation Test Track, “Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners” • Fine dining, top hotels, 1st class shopping • River front homes, swim-tennis communities, townhome, apartment and senior living options • Top-rated public and private schools, great parks with access to Chattahoochee River • Centrally located to major highways, I-85, I-285, S.R. 141 and S.R. 400 and 30 minutes from Atlanta’s international airport

Come live, work, play … and learn in our remarkable city by the river 678-691-1200 peachtreecornersga.gov

Park e

City

of S

uwa

r

nee

Mas

cot