Decatur, GA May 2024

Leading Ladies

As our readership grows, I want to welcome any first-time readers. Every month, our publication is dedicated to a particular theme, and with Mother’s Day approaching, our May issue recognizes a handful of the many remarkable women who make Decatur greater.

There are so many women who help bring this town to life: Angie Macon, Executive Director of the Decatur Arts Alliance — uniting creatives and making our town more beautiful through their work; Shirley Baylis, Business Development Director for the City of Decatur — strengthening the business community, and bringing entrepreneurs work to our charming streets and Jill Joplin, Executive Director of the Dekalb Library Foundation, who promotes the literary education of our community and future generations, just to name a few…

In the following pages you will be introduced (or perhaps reintroduced because, after all, we like to keep it Indie-catur) to women leading the Atlanta tech industry, ladies of hospitality with heart, and female-led organizations paving the way for other women. You’ll get a look inside one of the hottest new women-owned spots around town, The Reading Room - a must-see if you haven’t already been! Decatur women's stories do not start and end with these pages. I hope you feel inspired to share their stories, support their businesses, and continue to get involved in uplifting women-centered organizations throughout our town.

To all our Decatur women: moms, partners, entrepreneurs, change-makers, givers, caretakers, storytellers, advocates, listeners, creators, mentors, and leaders… thank you. Thank you for all you do for your family and your community.

So here’s to the remarkable women in our lives!

CAROLINE FICKEN, PUBLISHER @DECATURCITYLIFESTYLE

May 2024

PUBLISHER

Caroline Ficken | caroline.ficken@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Natalie Fox | natalie.fox@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Bunn, Sable Massingill Martinez

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Teague, Jonathan Wade, Matt Boggs

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: All photos of the Professional Women’s Collective event are taken by Jenn Allen of Jenn Allen Photography. 2: Owners of The Reading Room, Mary Tveit and Kristin Radcliffe. 3: Hilary Sherman and Andi Samford of Pure Barre Decatur 4: Team members JoJo Gilbert Ross, Amber Humphries, and Dani Adams of Timothy Cox & Co. Realty. 5: Tamara Lucas, Founder and CEO of MyPanda App, speaks on delegating and asking for help. 6: Briana Farlow of Courageous Counseling & Consultation and Ty Jenkins of Olive Branch Wellness. 7: MyPandaApp CEO, Tamara Lucas, with Publisher Caroline Ficken and DCL writer Gloria Bunn

Photography by Jenn Allen of Jenn Allen Photography

8: Gene’s hosts a team meet & greet as they prepare to open in East Lake. 9: T.E. Wilcox Home celebrates grand opening in downtown Decatur. 10: Smiley’s Burger Club hosts a sunny Saturday pop-up at Kelly’s Market. 11: Vine Fine Wine opens with a tasteful and timeless bang. 12: If you’re not following Decatur’s own @coolmomchristy, you should be!! 13: Compassionate ATL hosts “At the Table” conversation with Audrey Galex on AIB Network. 14: Wellroot CEO Allison Ashe, Wellroot Foundation Director Patricia Goodwin Paterson, & Wellroot Scholarship Recipient at Wellroot’s 2024 Gala.

business monthly

The Inaugural Decatur Children's Book Festival

The inaugural Decatur Children's Book Festival , a celebration of books for children and teens, the people who create them, and the people who read them, launches this May! This three-day festival opens on May 3rd with keynote speaker, Kate DiCamillo, popular author of many books including  Because of Winn Dixie and  The Tale of Despereaux . On Saturday and Sunday, over 40 authors will present on both the Children and YA stages. For more information, visit decaturchildrensbookfest.org.

Decatur Healing Arts Celebrates 20 Years of Community and Healing

Join Decatur Healing Arts in celebrating 20 years of wellness and healing! Come to their Open House on May 4th from 9 a.m to 4 p.m for complimentary demos of massage, acupuncture, Salt Therapy classes, and healing activations. Let's unite as a community and celebrate this milestone together! RSVP now to reserve your spot on our website decaturhealingarts.com/events.

A Unique Destination for Rock Enthusiasts and Earth-Centered Wellness

The Seed to Star Collective is a beacon of special offerings in the realm of wellness and geological wonders and is proud to be part of the Decatur community. Founded by Laura Greiner, this innovative space across from Your DeKalb Famers Market seamlessly intertwines earth-centered practices with a diverse collection of handpicked stones, offering an unparalleled experience for enthusiasts and seekers alike. Stay updated on live sales, flash events, and new inventory by following Seed to Star Collective @seedtostarcollective.

THE READING ROOM

A Story of Community Unfolds in Decatur

ARTICLE BY GLORIA BUNN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATI TEAGUE

Call it coincidence or fate, but when Kristin Radcliffe and Mary Tveit met a few years ago through their teenage sons and began regular walks through Decatur neighborhoods, they discovered similar interests in coffee, wine, good food, and community. The friends began conceptualizing a space to connect the Decatur community in a new way. Thus, the dream of The Reading Room was born. Soon after, Kristin discovered the location where this shop could come to life. Both women bring entrepreneurial backgrounds to the creation of this gathering place. Mary notes, “Kristin can use a drill; I can use social media.” Combining their skill sets, the women worked tirelessly for two years designing, partnering, and creating the space. On February 26, 2024, their dream came to life, and the doors of The Reading Room opened to the community.

Owners Kristin Radcliffe (left) and Mary Tveit (right)

Cross the threshold of this beautiful shop, and you will immediately be drawn to the intention of the design. Much of the shop’s inspiration came from a love of handcrafted design. Kristin partnered with a manufacturer in Bali to hand-make many of the furniture pieces and lighting. Atlanta muralist, Brittney Gabey, poured her talent into the entry art on the street in front of the shop. The passion for intentional connection rings true through the design of The Reading Room. The cocktail menu draws from Kristin’s years of hosting dinner parties and creating her own recipes.

The soft pinks throughout the shop are a nod to partnership with women-owned businesses. From the coffee to the wine selection, Kristin and Mary are committed to uplifting other female-owned organizations and working towards a more equitable workforce. Their outstanding coffee comes from women-owned, fair-trade Little Waves Coffee Roasters in Durham, NC, and their syrups from women-owned Transcendence Coffee in Brooklyn. Order a “Sunrise”, an off-the-menu coffee, and experience a creative fusion of coffee with Gulab Jamun - an Indian, dessert-inspired syrup.

“We wanted to create a beautiful space that is comforting and welcoming; a space where neighbors can connect across tables.”- Kristin Radcliffe and Mary Tveit, Owners of The Reading Room

Their desire is to see The Reading Room become a place where neighbors can connect across tables. Kristin shared, “My language of love is to feed people and create an experience.” Their partnership is an ideal example of what they hope this space will bring to the community. The shop’s name evokes a certain expectation for an intentional experience, a gathering place. The invitation to come and stay awhile pours out from the shareable plates, quality coffee, cocktails, and delicious pastries from St. Germain. They hope to connect with their regulars and be included in the lives of their patrons.

LADIES WHO LAUNCH

Meet the Ladies Igniting Change through Technology.

ARTICLE BY SABLE MASSINGILL MARTINEZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JONATHAN WADE

Veronica Woodruff, Tamara Lucas, Aly Merritt

California and New York are often thought to be the capitals of all things tech, but there is undeniably a burgeoning startup and tech scene in Atlanta. As women are often underrepresented in this industry, we spoke with three Decatur-based women in tech about the growing scene.

Veronica Woodruff is the CEO and Founder of Travelsist, an app designed to help those who need it with on-demand personal assistance at the airport. The former flight attendant realized she had a passion for utilizing technology to tackle real-world problems, and although the project was unplanned at first, she and her team recently had an impressive 2,500 visitors to the Travelsist website in a single day, with bookings steadily rolling in.

Similarly, Tamara Lucas, the CEO and Founder of My Panda also created an app to solve everyday issues. Her app allows people to complete their to-do lists with the help of trustworthy personal assistants nearby and is thriving due to the opportunities here.

“The startup ecosystem here in Atlanta is incredibly robust and supportive.  I think we are particularly lucky because we have an extremely active community of women in the Atlanta tech startup world,” says Lucas.

Veronica Woodruff

Tamara Lucas

Aly Merritt, Veronica Woodruff and Tamara Lucas

This is the same sentiment that Aly Merrit, the Managing Director of Atlanta Tech Village shares with us. Atlanta Tech Village is the nation’s top tech hub for entrepreneurs, offering a diverse range of programs and support to fuel their success.

“We host a variety of workshops, events, and networking sessions, creating a vibrant ecosystem where entrepreneurs can learn, connect, and grow together. Our “It Takes a Village” pre-accelerator program is designed to provide underrepresented founders with the tools, mentorship, and resources needed to navigate the startup journey, and we place a strong emphasis on supporting women in tech through initiatives like our monthly Women + Tech series tailored to empower female founders,” shares Merrit.

All of these factors and resources combined have made Atlanta a wonderful city for women looking to work in, and further their tech careers.

(Left to right): Aly Merritt, Tamara Lucas and Veronica Woodruff

Aly Merritt

ARTICLE BY SABLE MASSINGILL MARTINEZ

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT BOGGS, BEN MAY, COURTNEY WHYTE

of Decatur The Restaurant Darlings

INSPIRING WOMEN IN THE DECATUR HOSPITALITY SCENE

Photo by Matt Boggs

There is no shortage of delicious restaurants in Decatur: our city allows restaurants to blossom, especially those that are female-owned and operated.

We spoke to three women who are redefining the restaurant scene in Decatur about their journey, and what the city offers them.

Katie McLellan first worked at Café Lily as a hostess during her senior year at Agnes Scott. Now, eight years later, she is the owner! She attributes this long-term success to a love for the community.

“Decatur has a vibrant and diverse population that provides a steady stream of customers. The supportive local community has been instrumental in spreading the word about Café Lily through wordof-mouth recommendations, social media engagement, online reviews, and helping us build a loyal customer base,” says McLellan.

Photo by Matt Boggs

Photo by Matt Boggs

Photo by Matt Boggs

Catherine Zuber, owner of La Chiquiada, grew up watching her Grandad operate a business in Decatur and always loved the area. After graduating from Auburn University, and working in the restaurant industry in California, she eventually returned to Decatur full of inspiration: thus, La Chiquiada was born. From weekend brunch to coffee, house salads, and mushroom quesadillas she and her team ensure everything is served from scratch, with a lot of love and effort, all fueled by the support of the local community.

In 2023, downtown Decatur got a new Japanese spot in the form of Takumi Cuisine, founded by Yuen Yuet Chan. An engineer by trade, Chan had also worked as a bartender at the Ritz where she developed a passion for the service industry. Retired and in her late sixties, she decided to open Takumi and realize her dream of opening her very own restaurant.

Photo by Matt Boggs

Photo by Matt Boggs

Photo by Matt Boggs

“When I turned 60, I skied the Matterhorn and took a photo of myself in front of the mountain that I keep on my phone. I thought to myself, when I turn 70, I want another monumental photo to look back at. So, I opened Takumi in 2023, and when I turn 70 next year, I will take a photo of myself under the sign of my restaurant. It is never too late to pursue your calling and serve others,” says Chan.

Catherine, Katie, and Yuen all share a passion for hospitality and the meaningful experiences that can be shared over and through food and drink. If you’re looking for a new spot for an upcoming weekend meal, don’t miss these three. And for some must-have dishes, be sure to try the tiramisu and the gluten-free/ Dairy-Free Hazelnut Brownie.at Cafe Lily, the cauliflower taco at La Chiquiada, and the cabbage starter at Takumi.

Photo by Ben May

Photo by Ben May

Photo by Courtney Whyte

REALTY REPORT

A SAMPLING OF RECENTLY SOLD PROPERTIES IN DECATUR

GET THE GUIDES!

YOUR HOME VALUE AND MINIMIZE HASSLE

NO-REGRETS

We’ve done the homework so you don’t have to! Scan the QR code to receive our informative Seller and Buyer’s Guides. Let’s get you started on the next chapter of your story.

1865 BUTLERS LANE

DECATUR • 30033

Located on a secluded street adjacent to an undiscovered nature preserve, this expansive property offers 7 bedrooms and 7 full baths, including two separate basement apartments. Within walking distance to the Emory campus, the VA Hospital, and the CDC campus, it promises convenience and tranquility in equal measure.

SCAN TO SEE MORE!

A World for All Women

ARTICLE BY GLORIA BUNN

Tucked away in Legacy Park, the Refugee Women’s Network team pours their hearts into the resettled refugee and immigrant women of Atlanta. I had the opportunity to learn about this beautiful organization from the Executive Director Sushma Barakoti who has served with Refugee Women’s Network over the last 6 years.

In 1995, a network of motivated refugee and immigrant women across the United States began to dream of connecting newly resettled women to career opportunities. A few established women in the Atlanta area imagined starting an organization to create a more accessible world for refugee women. A few years later, the Refugee Women’s Network was born. Since becoming an established non-profit in 1998, they’ve worked tirelessly as the foremost Georgia organization to serve resettled refugee women.

UPLIFTING THE VOICES OF ATLANTA’S REFUGEE WOMEN

“WE WORK TO ADDRESS THE BARRIERS REFUGEE WOMEN FACE. WE WANT TO BUILD TRUST AND CREATE CONNECTION- TO FOSTER A COMMUNITY OF SISTERHOOD.”

Their mission inspires and equips refugee and immigrant women to become leaders in their homes, businesses, and communities.

For many of us, the refugee population in our community may be “out of sight, out of mind” but according to The UN Refugee Agency, tens of thousands of refugees and immigrants have come to Atlanta over the last 50 years. Georgia resettles an average of 2,500-3,500 refugees per year. Women and girls make up almost 50% of these groups. The city of Clarkston is considered the most ethnically diverse square mile in America. Passion to see the refugee community in Atlanta be integrated has led to the development of many organizations that partner to support these resettled families.

The journey to resettling in a new country is rigorous. Displaced refugees escape the dangers in their homeland and flee to neighboring countries where they wait lengthy periods until they are assigned to a new country through international refugee organizations. Applications, in-depth vetting, interviews, background checks, and health screenings are a few of the required hurdles these families face as they hope for a new life. Refugee Women’s Network focuses on empowering women to connect with their new “land of opportunity” and start the journey of putting down roots.

The organization focuses on social adjustment, leadership training, economic empowerment, community health, and civic engagement. Early on, the priority was to provide leadership workshops, a microlending program, and community health education. Community promoters who spoke the language and are known in the refugee neighborhoods were hired to connect with resettled women to promote the programs offered through the Refugee Women’s Network. These promoters are the ears and eyes of the organization, as they live within these communities and build relationships with the women and their families. Throughout the COVID pandemic, many refugees lost jobs, experienced food insecurity, and poor access to health resources. Refugee Women’s Network kept their “boots on the ground” and dedicated time, money, and resources to provide the elements the communities needed.

Refugee Women’s Network

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

“I grew up in Nepal. Came to the States almost 25 years ago in 2000. I grew up in Katmandu, studied agriculture in India for my undergrad, and returned to Nepal. I worked in international non-profit organizations including Plan International Nepal and United Nations HIV/ AIDS prevention program. After that, I began consulting with various nonprofits and moved to Pennsylvania to pursue a master’s degree. I worked with Women’s Resource Center for over a decade and then moved to Atlanta when my husband was relocated for his job.”

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT ATLANTA?

“I am a gardener and the climate allows me to grow anything that I want! When I moved to the States, I really wanted to grow food from Nepal in my own garden. The Atlanta climate allows this, and I have found this is something other immigrant and refugee women love about the climate here as well. They are able to grow foods from their native regions.”

WHERE DO YOU ENVISION THE ORGANIZATION IS HEADED?

I want our programs to teach women to be self-sufficient and independent to start their own businesses.

Mental health support was identified as a crucial need during this time, and the Refugee Women’s Network partnered with the Georgia Conservancy to begin a women’s hiking group. During these hikes, a ranger educates on native flora and fauna. The hiking groups provide these women time in nature, connection with one another, and space to focus on themselves.

Many challenges exist for refugee women. Most come from cultures where they stayed home to cook, clean, and raise children while the men worked. Those who did gain higher levels of education in their home country are met with the insurmountable task of meeting U.S. education standards to qualify to work in their fields. But to be a refugee, one must truly have connected with their resilience and grit. The beauty and strength of these women come through their deep commitment to giving themselves and their families a better life.

Refugee Women’s Network partners with many resettled women in the Decatur, Clarkston, and Stone Mountain areas to connect them with resources and training to integrate into their new community. Through their Career Pathway program, Refugee Women’s Network partners with the International School Community to train women with work experience or higher education from their home country to become teachers and child development associates. This program provides reliable income, benefits, education stipends for teacher certification, language training, and mentorship. Additionally, the Chef’s Club program was developed for women to gain business training and launch food businesses to share their cultures’ cuisines throughout the Atlanta community. Women go through training and certifications to be able to cater for events in the community. The goal of this program is to connect women with opportunities to grow their own businesses through catering and partnering with local farmer’s markets. Keep an eye out for their booths at Legacy Park, Decatur, and Emory’s weekly markets!

Passion to see these women succeed fuels the team at Refugee Women’s Network. To read personal accounts of women: https://refugeewomensnetworkinc.org/success-stories

If you would like to volunteer or donate, please visit https:// refugeewomensnetworkinc.org/take-action

References:

https://www.unrefugees.org/news/ five-things-to-know-about-refugees-in-atlanta/

https://www.unhcr.org/us/what-we-do/how-we-work/ safeguarding-individuals/women

ARTICLE BY LEANN PARKER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

Spring Floral Bowl

BRING THE BRIGHTNESS AND FRESHNESS OF SPRING INDOORS BY CREATING YOUR OWN FLORAL BOWL ARRANGEMENT.

Spring, come quickly! And if not, bring spring indoors anyway. Flowers brighten any room, any day of the year. No need to wait for a special occasion or holiday – give yourself permission to brighten everyday life with a bowl full of flowers. Place florals in an entryway, kitchen, living room space or even bathroom. Florals make any room come alive with pops of color and the smells of spring that’s just about ready to burst outside.

Consider this your personal invitation to play with flowers by creating your very own Floral Bowl Arrangement. Use any cereal bowl in the kitchen and a bundle of store bought flowers. For extra texture and depth, look for small spring branches and ornamental grasses found in your yard to pop into the arrangement, like I did here. Then, place your floral bowl in a place where you need that burst of joy most. Enjoy!

Supplies:

• 1 bundle of flowers (about 24 stems) + floral food packet

• spring branches & ornamental grasses found in your yard (optional)

• 6” bowl (cereal bowl size)

• floral shears (or garden clippers, kitchen shears, even craft scissors in a pinch)

• 12” square cut chicken wire

• wire cutters

• garden gloves to protect your hands when forming chicken wire

• clear floral tape (scotch tape will also do)

• lazy susan to easily move your arrangement and work from all sides (optional)

Preparation & Assembly:

• First prepare the mechanics. The mechanics are the non-floral elements used to assemble a floral arrangement. These materials will act as a grid in which the flowers are built into to hold each stem in its place.

• Wearing garden gloves, cut chicken wire roughly into a 12” square. Loosely form the chicken wire into a ball and place inside the bowl.

• Use clear floral tape to make an X shape over the top of the bowl to hold the chicken wire securely into place. This will also give extra support when adding the floral elements later.

• Fill the bowl with water and mix in a flower food packet, if your flowers came with one.

• Begin to arrange floral elements into the bowl. As a general rule, you will want to start with the strongest, thickest stems and end with the most delicate stems. Here, I began with branches, then the largest base flowers followed by taller focal flowers, and finally delicate stems, grasses and wispy greens.

MAY 4TH - 5TH

Decatur Arts Festival + Decatur Children's Book Festival

Downtown Decatur

The Decatur Arts Festival brings the community together through a multi-day offering of live music, dance, comedy, theatrical performances, kids’ fest, exhibitions, and an expansive and diverse artists’ market. In conjunction with the Decatur Arts Festival, Little Shop of Stories launches the first-ever Decatur Children’s Book Festival. Readers of all ages are invited to celebrate children's and young adult literature.

MAY 5TH

Cinco de Mayo Celebration

La Chiquiada | 11:00 AM

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo all day at La Chiquiada with live music, street food, drink specials & giveaways!

MAY 7TH, 14TH, 21ST, 28TH

Truckin' Tuesdays

Decatur Legacy Park

Gather your friends, family, blankets, chairs, and most importantly, appetites! The area’s best food trucks will offer up delicious fare every Tuesday evening in May at Decatur’s biggest green space, Legacy Park. Legacy Park has plenty of space to spread out and relax while you enjoy a tasty bite. Pets are welcome and must be leashed. Weather permitting.

MAY 11TH

EmPOWER: A Pelvic Health Pregnancy Workshop

Kemper Pelvic Physio - 755 Commerce Drive, Suite 804 | 9:00 AM

Join KPP for a Prenatal and Childbirth Education Workshop. You will learn about your body and the changes it will face during the perinatal period and how to advocate for yourself in the birth space. We will end with a guided exercise and stretches to help you keep moving!

MAY 18TH

The 21st Annual Kirkwood Spring Fling

Bessie Branham Park | 12:00 PM

The annual Spring Fling Festival & Tour of Homes showcases Atlanta's historic & vibrant Kirkwood neighborhood. Join thousands of residents throughout the metro area in Bessie Branham Park for a day of sun, fun and community. Festival proceeds are used to fund efforts ranging from school & park improvements to resident-assistance programs.

MAY 24TH - 27TH

Ten Years of Wild Heaven

Wild Heaven Avondale Estates

Friday through Monday: a weekend full of special beer including the first-ever "Peach Blackbird," collectible merch, major specials, themed summertime food, backyard games, live music (including Geoff Melkonian of The REMakes performing an acoustic REM set), AND a dunk tank raising money for two local charities: The Invisible Food Pantry & Lifeline Animal Project.

Enhancing Family Wellness, One Task at a Time

My Panda provides personalized assistance for daily tasks, creating space for you to breathe, relax, and carve out time for the things that bring you joy.

Laundry, errands, organizing & daily tasks

$5 off first service when you enter CLDecatur in referred by field when downloading the app.

¡CINCO DE CELEBRACION!MAYO

Join the 200+ Decatur families who’ve already saved 100’s of hours

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OPEN ALL DAY SUNDAY, MAY 5! WE WILL HAVE STREET FOOD, DRINK SPECIALS, LIVE MUSIC BY DJ SANTIAGO & FUN

OPEN

Tuesday-Thursday 8:00a-9:30p

Friday-Saturday 9:00a-10:00p

Sunday 10:00a-3:00p

Happy Hour

Every Tuesday-Saturday 4:00p-7:00p