Chamblee, GA June 2024

Welcome to the Gentlemen's Issue!

Last month we celebrated the Ladies. This month it’s the Gentlemen’s turn!

Recognizing the importance of men (alongside women) is not about competition or hierarchy, it's about acknowledging the diverse strengths, perspectives, and experiences each gender brings to the table. Just as women have fought long and hard for equality and recognition, men too deserve to be celebrated for their contributions and valued for their unique abilities.

The importance of men within the community encompasses nurturing relationships, fostering empathy, and championing equality. As fathers, brothers, partners, and friends, men provide crucial support systems that foster growth and resilience within families and communities.

The man who is my personal hero, role model, and mentor is my own father, who sadly we lost last year. This will be the first Father’s Day he won’t be with us. But I have a lifetime of great memories that I can look back on and that I cherish, and I consider myself truly lucky to have had him in my life for as long as I did.

I know many reading this right now feel the same way about their own father or perhaps about another man in their lives, whether it’s a father figure, a mentor, or simply someone they've learned from and/or admired. If you’re able, it's a good time to take a moment this month to say thank you and to let him know how much you appreciate him.

This month we look at some fun “man-related” topics. And to the fathers, we wish you all a very happy Father’s Day. But fathers or not, this month we honor all the men who make up our families, our community, and our lives. Thank you to the gentlemen!

KEVIN PARKER, PUBLISHER

June 2024

PUBLISHER

Kevin Parker | kevin.parker@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Tana Poncsak | tana.poncsak@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Polina Williams | polina.williams@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Janet Howard | j@janethowardstudio.com

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh Learn

JUNE 2024

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: An artist is hard at work at Urban Art Collective’s Annual Spring Art Walk. 2: Crowds take to the streets for the Chamblee Art Fest presented by Splash Festivals Inc. 3: SPS Productions holds a Sip and Paint. 4: Bruxie holds its official ribbon cutting ceremony. Welcome to Chamblee! 5: Luxury living is in Chamblee as Lumen Chamblee holds an official ribbon cutting. Welcome! 6: Our own Kevin Parker graduates with the Chamblee 101 Spring Graduating Class! Congratulations! 7: Artist El Seed paints a new and beautiful mural in downtown Chamblee.

JANET HOWARD

JANET HOWARD POLINA WILLIAMS

POLINA WILLIAMS

KEVIN PARKER

CITY OF CHAMBLEE

POLINA WILLIAMS

8: Congratulations to the Chamblee 101 Spring 2024 Graduating Class! Great Job! 9: A golfer putts as residents watch The Masters on the lawn at Chamblee City Hall. 10: Outdoor fun as the city of Chamblee celebrates Earth Day 2024. 11: Doing their part to keep Chamblee beautiful at the recent 2024 Trash Dash in Chamblee! 12: AR Workshop Chamblee Boutique holds an official ribbon cutting. Time to stop by and shop! 13: Paul Stovall meets residents at A Cup of Joe with a Councilmember at Moonbird Coffee. 14: Flexing mental muscles for Trivia Night at Vintage Pizzeria in downtown Chamblee.

KEEP CHAMBLEE BEAUTIFUL

JANET HOWARD

KEVIN PARKER

business monthly

ROUNDUP OF

FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

Peachtree's Crab Spot

The owners of Peachtree’s Crab Spot are delighted to announce their doors are open for business! Located in Chamblee in the former site of Wing Factory, Peachtree’s Crab Spot is excited to bring you offerings of low country boil, a variety of seafood, and their signature crab clusters. Stop by and check out one of the newest dining options in Chamblee!

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Brown's Discount Tires

Brown’s Discount Tires is your local Chamblee-based source for new and used tires at the best prices. Check out the great deals, including up to $100 back on a set of Goodyear tires now through June 30, 2024. And check out the many other special promotions and great deals every month. Visit brownsdiscounttires.com for more information.

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The Social Studio

The Social Studio is open in the heart of Chamblee! This versatile facility offers a blank canvas to bring your vision to life. The Social Studio is tailored for content creation, meetings, mini-conferences, and small events. Whether you need a spacious location with natural light for content creation or you're recording a podcast that requires an aesthetic space or an elegant, private setting for a small event, The Social Studio is the perfect backdrop.

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Photography by Peachtree’s Crab Spot

Photography by Brown’s Discount Tires

Photography by Tana Poncsak

GENTLEMEN PLACES

Welcoming gentlemen to local spots

ARTICLE BY TANA PONCSAK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET HOWARD

We looked around for some manly places, and while these places welcome people of all genders and ages, the guys around Chamblee may be especially happy to know these hot spots are just around the corner.

Atlanta Golf & Social located in downtown Chamblee is the perfect place to practice your golf swing, grab a drink, enjoy some food, and watch a game with your friends and neighbors in a casual, laidback vibe. For more information, visit atlantagolfandsocial.com

Step back in time at The Commodore for a cut or trim the way it used to be. Located at 5498 Peachtree Road in Chamblee, The Commodore offers a number of traditional barbershop services including Master Barber Haircuts, Beard Trims, and more. Book your appointment online at thecommodoreatl.com

Old Brick Pit Barbeque is classic BBQ with all the fixings! With more than 40 years of experience, they understand what it takes to make great tasting BBQ. And while BBQ isn’t just for the guys, the great tasting BBQ at Old Brick Pit Barbeque is sure to satisfy the biggest appetites. For more information and menu, visit oldbrickpitbbq.com.

1. ATLANTA GOLF & SOCIAL

2. THE COMMODORE

3. OLD BRICK PIT BARBEQUE

Up for a workout? Team Octopus offers mixed martial arts and training in kickboxing, boxing, jiu-jitsu, and more. Classes are for all ages and fitness levels. So instead of watching the game, get out and get fit! For more information and classes, visit mmaatl.com/chamblee-location

Looking at doing some household chores and in need of new tools or supplies? Our friends at Ace Hardware in Chamblee can help. Whether you’re looking for grilling accessories or plumbing fixtures, at Ace you can find just the right tool for your project. Visit acehardware.com/store-details/16956 .

Grapes & Grains Wine and Spirits located on Peachtree Boulevard, has a wide selection of wine and spirits for those with the most sophisticated palettes. Shop the store for beer, wine, liquors, mixers and more. Grapes & Grains also has a tasting room available to rent for events of up to 40 people. Learn more and sign up for the newsletter at grapesandgrains.com

5. TEAM OCTOPUS

6. GRAPES & GRAINS WINE AND SPIRITS

4. ACE HARDWARE

BUSINESS AND FAMILY

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY TANA PONCSAK

FLOORING BUSINESS IN CHAMBLEE IS A FAMILY AFFAIR

If you’ve ever walked into Glover & Flack’s Flooring Warehouse in Chamblee, there’s a good chance you spoke with John Flack. John is the third generation in his family to go into the carpet and flooring industry after following in the footsteps of his grandfather and his father. “When we were old enough to work physically, we went to work,” John says, speaking about himself and his brothers, who were also in the business until they passed away. “It’s all I’ve ever done.”

He says even his grandmother sewed carpeting by hand for a women’s only union in New York around the 1960s. Now several of his children or spouses of his children are keeping the generational trend going.

John started his career in the carpet business as a teenager helping his father with installations. Eventually, he made the transition from installation to retail, and that’s where he’s been ever since.

He’s seen a lot of changes in the industry over the years. He recalls the early days going to Dalton on buying trips. At that time, he says he would visit chicken coops where vendors made and sold their carpet. He explains that all carpet from Europe is woven carpet, and carpet made in America is tufted carpet. John went on to explain that it was water that helped Dalton, GA grow to the Carpet Capital it is today. “They built a big water plant,” he says. “Water is so important to carpet,” he says, adding that it takes thousands and thousands of gallons of water to dye the carpet. “So that was planning,” he says. “They planned for that.”

John Flack makes a call at Glover & Flack's Flooring Warehouse.

And Glover & Flack’s Flooring Warehouse has a long history of its own. The business has been around for more than 92 years! According to Glover & Flack’s website, it all started in 1931 as Glover’s Linoleum and Carpet located in downtown Atlanta by Mr. Glover. In 1954, Glover moved the store to Peachtree Street across from Crawford Long Hospital. In the early 1960s, the store was sold to Art Foster, who brought the store to the Chamblee area. In 1994, Art sold the business to his then ex son-in-law, Tad Province. In 2016, Glover’s Linoleum and Carpet merged with John Flack Carpet Liquidators to become what we know today as Glover & Flack’s Flooring Warehouse, located in downtown Chamblee, at 3442 Miller Drive. In 2002, John’s son-in-law, Luke Merriam joined the business, and in 2008, Luke took over as business owner. And now several other Flack family members own flooring retail sites sprinkled across metro Atlanta.

Over the years the business has transitioned from carpet to all types of flooring. When you enter the showroom you see an assortment of beautiful carpet samples to choose from, as well as luxury vinyl, hardwood selections, and more. And they carry top brand names that include Dreamweaver, Shaw, Karastan, Mohawk, and more. John says that pricing for the consumer hasn’t changed much, and that people aren’t paying much more for carpet than they did about 25 years ago. That’s because of new technology. He explains that imported carpet is still more expensive.

Even though Luke now runs the Chamblee location, John still goes into work and has no plans to retire. He says it’s the customers who have made his job so rewarding and that keep him coming into work. His customers are also generational. He says he now sells to the children and the grandchildren of customers he had earlier in his career. “It’s wonderful,” he says, about selling to multi-generational customers. “I still love it. I wouldn’t keep coming to a place where I wasn’t happy.”

Glover & Flack’s Flooring and Warehouse is a family business, and with four children and 12 grandchildren, John and his wife of 59 years, have a big family. John says the secret to working with family is to leave work at work. “We don’t talk about work when we get together and socialize as a family,” he says. “We work enough hours that we don’t need to talk about it when we get home.” And that seems to work for John and his family.

John's take on life is simple. “When you wake up you have two choices, you can be happy or you can be sad,” he says. “You can’t be both, so why not be happy. When you’re at work or when you’re at home, just do the best you can do. That’s all. You can’t do anymore.” And that’s sound advice coming from someone who knows.

If you’re in the market for flooring, check out Glover & Flack’s Flooring Warehouse. And for more information, visit the website at gloverandflacks.com

Middle:

Opposite: John Flack is happy to be at work at Glover and Flack’s.

Top: Luke Merriam, owner, helps a customer select flooring at Glover & Flack’s Flooring Warehouse.

Step inside the showroom at Glover & Flack's Flooring Warehouse.

Bottom: Luke Merriam, owner of Glover & Flack’s Flooring Warehouse, works with his father-in-law, John Flack.

“I WOULDN’T KEEP COMING TO A PLACE WHERE I WASN’T HAPPY.”

JOHN FLACK

chamblee summer concert series

Gentlemen Spaces

From gaming to hanging - designing a space for the man of the house

ARTICLE BY TANA PONCSAK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANET HOWARD

Everyone needs their own space at home, even the man of the house. In thinking about men and their spaces, we spoke with Jenny Ochotnicky, owner of JPO Interiors in Chamblee, about two projects featuring spaces primarily for the man of the house – a basement and an outdoor patio with a grilling area.

There's plenty of seating for family and guests.

THE BASEMENT PROJECT

Jenny says the clients wanted a space where the man of the house felt comfortable while watching sports and hanging out, but they also wanted an area where the family could gather and everyone could enjoy age-appropriate activities. They wanted a casual space where they could entertain guests. “They wanted to include some sports memorabilia, but they also wanted to incorporate their travels, where they’re from, and to be able to share their art,” Jenny says.

The basement was finished, so Jenny says the layout of the space was clear. This project was more about picking finishes for the flooring and cabinetry to capture an overall atmosphere and feel for the space that the clients had in mind – warm and comfortable with a masculine feel, but where family and guests could also feel comfortable spending time. The size of the space is enhanced with doors that lead to a patio making it great for indoor and outdoor entertaining.

The Design Features of the Project

Jenny worked with a contractor on this project and says everything down to the execution went smoothly. “And that doesn’t happen often,” she says.

The bar area has plenty of storage including shelving and covered storage.

Jenny Ochotnicky, owner and primary designer at JPO Interiors, is the designer of these projects. She is located in Chamblee.

For flooring, they went with a luxury vinyl tile in a blond color. “We went with that for a couple of different reasons,” Jenny says. “It’s a basement on a slab. So anytime you have a slab, you have to go with engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl tile because of settling.” She added that the tile has texture and depth making it durable to things like dirt, dogs, and cleats. And it can also be cleaned easily.

Jenny explains that she used dark, charcoal-colored cabinets with cream accents and floating shelves, and the space is accented with a cedar wood beam across the ceiling and on the wall to create a finished look in the bar area. This gives the space an older, lived-in look as opposed to looking like a brand-new space.

A gaming center is set off of the main area where kids and adults can take a timeout for a game or two. The kids also have a dedicated area in a nook underneath the stairs.

Tips you can use

If you’re thinking about creating a similar space, Jenny says consider how you want to use the space. “Thinking about how you want to use the space now and in the future is really important,” she says. “You know how your family functions. Know what you want and be very specific.” Then contact a contractor and a design professional for opinions to see whether or not the idea is feasible for your space and your budget. And Jenny says with any project, it’s always good to have a 10% contingency amount in the budget for any unexpected expenses or for furnishings.

“Thinking about how you want to use the space now and in the future is really important.” Jenny Ochotnicky, owner and primary designer, JPO Interiors

The cedar beam across the ceiling gives a nice finished look to the bar area.

A gaming area is set off to the side for a quick game or two.

Enjoy the best of both indoors and outdoors in this covered

Jenny adds that while you probably don’t want to take any chances when it comes to designing the main living areas, a basement that’s off the beaten path is a space where you can experiment and have fun.

OUTDOOR PATIO AND GRILLING AREA PROJECT

Jenny says the clients love to entertain and the man of the house loves to grill out. They had a great patio, but much of the space was unusable due to its shape. “They wanted to expand to create a larger footprint with more usable space on the patio,” Jenny says. “The clients also own a home in Colorado, and they wanted a space that reminded them of Colorado and that would be comfortable and easy to maintain.” And lastly, the original grilling equipment didn’t work properly, so the clients wanted a better setup for grilling and entertaining.

The Design Features of the Project Permits were involved, so Jenny worked with both an architect and a contractor. As you might expect, when working on an outdoor space, even a covered space, the big concern is the weather - wind, rain, pollen, and more.

patio room.

With that in mind, Jenny looked for hardy outdoor finishes. Limestone was selected for the flooring. “We used a lighter stone because it looks better with the brick on the house. And because of the size of the patio, we didn’t want it to feel dark or cumbersome,” Jenny says. A benefit of this renovation is the fully functional outdoor kitchen. Jenny created a space with better storage, a sink for washing hands and plates so there’s less running in and out of the house, and better grilling accommodations. “He could really make a full dinner outside if he wanted to,” Jenny says, talking about the man of the house who is also the griller of the family. “So it makes cooking and entertaining on the patio a lot easier.”

Tips You Can Use

When taking on a renovation outdoors, Jenny suggests keeping a realistic timeline in mind, as inclement weather can cause delays. Also, renovations can be messy, so you may not have access to the area during the construction. And keep in mind how the renovation will affect the sunlight on your landscaping and other areas of the home.

Finally, Jenny says to listen to what matters to the man of the house. “I hear it all the time,” she says. “The wife will say, 'I didn’t realize that my husband has a really strong feeling about…(Fill in the blank).' Whether it’s a man cave, office, or an outdoor space, …it’s important to listen and to incorporate the things he wants most in his space.”

For more information, visit jpointeriors.com

“It’s important to listen and to incorporate the things he wants most in his space.”

Jenny Ochotnicky, JPO Interiors

Learn more about Jenny Ochotnicky and JPO Interiors at jpointeriors.com.

Covered and ready for dining and entertaining.

realty report

A SAMPLE OF RECENTLY SOLD PROPERTIES IN CHAMBLEE.

This data is a sampling of sold properties from July 2023. Source: IRES MLS system.

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

JUNE 1ST

The 25th Annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival

The Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell, GA 30075 | 9:00 AM

The 25th Annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival will be held Saturday, June 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, June 2, from noon to 5 p.m. Activities include butterfly entertainment, butterfly encounters, food, and more. Tickets are $25 per person. Children ages 2 and younger are free. For more information, visit chattnaturecenter.org/special-events/butterfly-festival/.

JUNE 2ND

SPS Production presents Sip & Paint

Distillery of Modern Art | 12:00 PM

SPS Productions presents a Sip & Paint at Distillery of Modern Art in Chamblee. The first of two events starts at noon and a second event starts at 3 p.m. The cost is $45 and includes one hand-crafted cocktail, art supplies and a 16 X 20 canvass. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/beach-sip-paint12-pm-tickets-880569435887?aff=erelpanelorg and eventbrite.com/e/beach-sip-paint-3pm-tickets-894815947587?aff=ebdsoporgprofile.

JUNE 2ND

Distillery of Modern Art 2-Year

Distillery of Modern Art | 11:00 AM

Anniversary Party

Distillery of Modern Art is celebrating its two year anniversary with a party. Join them from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 2 for cheers to two years! Tickets are $22 and includes two Spring cocktails. Hear live music by Almost Famous from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. For more information, visit distilleryofmodernart.com/our-events/

JUNE 7TH

Chamblee Summer Concert Series

Chamblee City Hall | 6:30 PM

The city of Chamblee Concert Series, Chamblee Rocks, kicks off June 7 with "Who's Bad? The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience" on the lawn at Chamblee City Hall. Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit chambleega.com.

Dr. Rachel Stockwell

JUNE 8TH

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life

Superhero Sprint

Piedmont Park | 7:30 AM

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is holding a Strong4Life Superhero Sprint on June 8 at Piedmont Park at the Charles Allen Gate. The event starts at 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.. Proceeds go to benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life. For more information, visit  choa.org/donors-and-volunteers/foundation-events/s4l-superhero-sprint .

JUNE 27TH

3rd Spot Watch Party

Downtown Chamblee | 5:00 PM

Join your friends and neighbors and the city of Chamblee on June 27 for 3rd Spot Watch Party for the viewing of Copa America, USA vs. Panama. The watch party starts at 5 p.m. in downtown Chamblee. This is one of several 3rd Spot Watch Parties held by the city. For more information about city events, visit chambleega.com.

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At Nuts ‘n Berries Neighborhood Market

Nuts ‘n Berries is more than your favorite health food store. We’re your neighbors, too. For over 40 years we have proudly served the greater Brookhaven & Chamblee communities. Count on us for everything you need, from fairly priced local better-than-organic meat and eggs to premium vitamins & supplements to support your healthy lifestyle. We’re more than a grocery store – we’re your health partners. Guided by the belief that food is medicine, we’ll help you nourish your body with the right nutrients, and assist you in solving health puzzles, every step of the way. With 1,000’s of products you can feel good about, we’re close to home and dedicated to keeping you and our entire community healthy.

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