THE INDIGO GIRLS COME HOME
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TREE SERVICE.
Tree Care Tips
• Check for Hazardous Trees: Winter storms can bring down weak trees or limbs. Inspect for dead branches, leaning trunks, or decay. Call an arborist if unsure.
• Prune for Safety & Health: Late winter pruning strengthens trees and prevents disease. Remove weak or overgrown branches to promote healthy spring growth.
• Mulch & Protect Roots: Add mulch around the base (but not against the trunk) to insulate roots, retain moisture, and prevent soil erosion.
• Plan for Spring Planting: Now is the time to choose native trees and schedule early spring planting for the best start.
• Watch for Pests & Disease: Even in winter, pests and fungal infections can threaten trees. Look for holes, sap oozing, or discolored leaves. Early action can save a tree!
DONI JONES, OWNER
Permission to Wander
We live in a world that values productivity and efficiency, where every moment seems to be mapped out and planned. But the truth is, a life that is too structured is missing something vital — space for exploration. Sometimes it's in those unplanned moments where connections are made and memories are created.
Our adventures don't always involve grand trips — they could be as simple as playing a board game on the patio, trying out a new trail, or exploring a new part of town to find a quirky little café. That spirit of exploration runs through every story in this issue.
We'll celebrate one of Decatur's most beloved homecomings: the Indigo Girls, after years of global stages and world tours, returning to the community that first called them home for an intimate, unforgettable concert that reminded everyone why some roots run deeper than any road.
We'll head downtown for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Watch Fest, where the energy of the world's greatest sporting event collides with the warmth and spirit of Decatur's own streets — proof that you don't need a passport to feel the electricity of a global moment. We'll wander next door to the charming town of Avondale Estates, a hidden gem just minutes away. We'll also guide you through the scenic wonders of Georgia's most breathtaking landscapes, reminding you that extraordinary beauty is never far from your front door. And for those moments when you simply want to be taken care of, we'll show you the resort experiences worth every indulgent, screen-free, beautifully unscheduled minute.
Lastly, the Carters share some of their favorite Decatur places to indulge and find fun. Each of these stories is a reminder that exploration takes many forms. This issue is all about permitting yourself to explore — whether it's a spontaneous evening out, a weekend escape, or simply seeing your own community through fresh eyes. Take the long way home, and see what you find.
Happy exploring!
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Lisa Thibault | lisa.thibault@citylifestyle.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Lan Pham | lan.pham@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Caroline Ficken | caroline.ficken@citylifestyle.com
MARKET SUPPORT ASSISTANT
Jeff Fischer | jeff.fischer@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Albright Photography julie.albright@albrightphotography.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Caroline Ficken, Katy Mallory, Sean O'Keefe
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Shervin Lainez, Albright Photography
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Proverbs 3:5-6
city scene
1: Brick Store Pub launches its Wicket! Grab a beer to-go or take it to the BSP beer garden. 2: Little Empire cuts the ribbon and opens its doors on W. Howard Ave! 3: Decatur FC returned for another memorable and iconic season. 4: Small Craft Kids Club celebrates 10 years in Decatur! 5: Takumi Cuisine introduces its new wine list, thoughtfully curated by wine expert Hans Peter Dietrich. 6: The DBA cohosts Watchfest26 Info Session with the City of Decatur at Keller Williams Realty Metro Atlanta. 7: Smileys Burger Club wins 2nd place in ATL Burger Week 2026!
business monthly
Indigo Girls to Close Decatur WatchFest ’26
Indigo Girls will headline the free closing concert of Decatur WatchFest ’26 on July 19, 2026, on Decatur Square, marking the finale of FIFA World Cup 2026 festivities. The Grammy-winning Decatur natives will cap 34 days of match watch events, concerts and celebrations tied to tournament action in metro Atlanta.
Cocktails in the Gardens
Toast the Garden’s 50th anniversary on Thursday evenings, 5 pm- 9 pm, this summer through September. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is celebrating the arrival of the World Cup in Atlanta with a “Cultures of the World” theme. Thursday evenings spotlight different regions with live music, food, lawn games – and, of course, specialty cocktails! While here, explore Niki in The Garden, dramatically lighted at night, this summer exhibition of artist Niki de Saint Phalle’s joyful, colorful sculptures. CHEERS!
Runner's High Summer Series at Kelly's Market
Lace up and join the Runner’s High Summer Series on July 11 at 8 a.m., starting and finishing at Kelly’s Market. Choose from a 5K or 10K route and enjoy water stations, finish-line rewards, swag bags for top finishers, and recognition for route winners.
Preventative
Prune and fertilize spring-flowering shrubs after bloom. Preventative insecticide for armyworms and grubs.
EXPLORING HOME ON A
Global Stage
Photography By Shervin Lainez
THE INDIGO GIRLS BRING IT BACK TO DECATUR
ARTICLE BY CAROLINE FICKEN
There are musicians who play cities, and then there are musicians who belong to them. Emily Saliers, one-half of the Grammy-winning Indigo Girls, belongs to Decatur. Not in a nostalgia-poster kind of way, but in the school pickup line, Ace Hardware on a Saturday morning, season tickets to Atlanta United kind of way.
On July 19, Saliers and her longtime musical partner Amy Ray will headline Decatur WatchFest26, a free community concert closing out the city’s FIFA World Cup 26 Final celebration right in the heart of the city. For anyone who thinks of the Indigo Girls as a national treasure, this show is also a reminder that their story began in the neighborhoods, schools, and small venues of Decatur itself.
DEEP ROOTS, REAL ONES
Saliers moved to Decatur at age 10 when her father took a position at Emory University. She met Amy Ray soon after at Laurel Ridge Elementary School. The two attended Shamrock High School together, and both graduated from Emory University. She calls it simply: "Deep Decatur roots."
Those roots never dried up. Saliers lives in Decatur today, raising her daughter, Cleo, in the very community that raised her. Cleo recently earned an all-state honor in chorus and has grown up in musical theater, thanks in no small part to Decatur Community Players (DCP). In many ways, the same community institutions that shaped Saliers as a young musician are now shaping the next generation, too.
BORN AT EDDIE'S ATTIC
Long before sold-out tours, the Indigo Girls were a bar band playing wherever anyone would have them: Trackside, The Square, and of course, Eddie's Attic, the listening room that shaped a generation of Atlanta-area musicians. "If you wanted to really hear music, you sat, and you listened," Saliers says. "That was Eddie's Attic."
She also remembers watching friends come up alongside them, including a phone call from Kristen Hall, one of Sugarland’s founders. "She called me up and said, 'Sunny, I'm starting this band, and we're going to be as big as the Chicks.'" Saliers laughs. "And they were."
That kind of encouragement, musicians championing one another early in their careers, helped define Decatur’s music scene. It also shaped how the Indigo Girls still think about performing today. Music as something communal rather than performative is exactly why Decatur WatchFest26 resonates with her. "We grew up as a bar band, and all we ever wanted was to share the stage with other people."
WHERE THE MUSIC MEETS THE WORLD
Saliers is a genuine soccer fan. She and her wife hold Atlanta United season tickets and are counting down to the women's team's arrival in Atlanta. So the idea of tying a World Cup watch party to a live music event feels natural, even exciting.
For Saliers, the World Cup has always been about more than sports. She remembers spending part of a previous tournament in Toronto with her Canadian wife, moving from club to club, each one tuned to a different match. "The whole world was watching, and then in communities, we were watching the world," she says. That layered feeling, local and global at once, is exactly what she hopes WatchFest26 captures.
The Indigo Girls will perform with their full band, pulling together musicians from across the U.S. and U.K. for the occasion: the set promises to be celebratory and big-sounding, a proper homecoming show. But for Saliers, the scale of the performance matters less than who gets to be there.
A FREE CONCERT IS THE WHOLE POINT
Saliers is emphatic about what it means for this event to be free. "A free concert is the epitome of what a community can offer," she says. The Indigo Girls have long kept ticket prices as accessible as possible, and to have the barrier removed entirely is special.
That instinct runs through everything she describes about Decatur: Charis Books’ inclusive community programming, the Decatur Education Foundation, the Decatur Book Festival, and civic gatherings. "Decatur is very politically and socially active," she says. "It's a very engaged place."
And on July 19, it will also be very loud, in the best possible way. "We're in a time where it seems harder for people to see across the fence to each other's way of thinking," Saliers reflects. “Music can bring joy to all different kinds of people,” she says. “This event is going to be exactly that.”
On July 19, Decatur will host a World Cup final watch party, and for one night, a hometown band and hometown crowd will share a global moment.
Photography by Shervin Lainez
DRA MATIC LANDSCAPES WITHIN EASY REACH OF METRO ATLANTA
ARTICLE BY DECATUR CITY LIFESTYLE
GEORGIA SCENIC
Summer in Georgia makes it easy to look for places that feel a little outside the normal routine. Within a few hours of Decatur, some landscapes range from colorful canyon walls to deep river gorges and clear mountain streams. These places stand out because of how unusual they look compared to most of the state.
Here are four outdoor destinations that are especially striking for a July day trip.
A CANYON OF COLOR IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA
Providence Canyon State Park is one of the most visually unusual landscapes in Georgia. The park features a system of deep gullies with walls layered in pink, orange, red, and purple soil. The patterns are clearly visible from the rim and change depending on the angle of the light.
The canyon formed in the 1800s due to erosion caused by farming practices that exposed loose soil. Rain gradually carved the land into the formations seen today. The result is a canyon system that resembles landscapes typically associated with the western United States rather than Georgia.
Visitors can walk the rim trail for broad views of the canyon system or take lower trails into the gullies. Inside the canyon, the scale becomes more dramatic, with tall walls rising on both sides and narrow paths winding through the terrain. The lighting shifts throughout the day, with softer tones in the morning and stronger reds and oranges in the afternoon.
A DEEP GORGE CUT BY WATER AND TIME
Tallulah Gorge State Park is one of the most dramatic natural features in the state. The gorge is nearly 1,000 feet deep and about two miles long, shaped over time by the Tallulah River. The river continues to flow through the gorge today, passing over a series of waterfalls that drop more than 500 feet in total.
From the rim, visitors can see steep rock walls and the river far below. Multiple overlooks provide different angles of the gorge and waterfalls, making it easy to understand the scale of the formation.
One of the park’s most notable features is the suspension bridge that crosses the gorge at a narrow point. It provides a direct view down into the canyon and across to the opposite cliff walls.
For those who hike, the rim trails offer accessible viewpoints. A permit system allows limited access to the gorge floor, where a steep staircase of more than 600 steps leads down to the river. At the bottom, the river moves through rocky sections and calmer pools surrounded by vertical rock walls.
Providence Canyon State Park
Tallulah Gorge State Park
A MOUNTAIN FOREST BUILT AROUND CLEAR WATER
Smithgall Woods State Park is a protected area in the North Georgia mountains known for its limited daily access and well-preserved forest environment. The park is centered around Dukes Creek, a cold mountain stream known for its clarity and trout population.
Dukes Creek runs through a forested valley with hardwood trees, shaded trails, and small clearings. The water is clear enough in many areas to see fish moving through the stream.
Trails follow sections of the creek and extend into the surrounding forest. Wildlife sightings are common, including deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species. The limited visitor capacity helps keep the area less crowded than many other parks in the region.
RIVER WETLANDS NEAR THE CITY
Chattahoochee Nature Center provides direct access to river and wetland habitats along the Chattahoochee River. The site includes boardwalk trails, forest paths, and wildlife habitats focused on native Georgia species.
The wetlands are home to turtles, herons, fish, and other wildlife that can often be seen from the elevated walkways. River otters are among the most active animals on site and are frequently visible in their habitats.
The center also offers canoe access to the Chattahoochee River. Paddling routes pass through sections bordered by trees, rocks, and shoreline habitats where wildlife is often visible.
In addition to outdoor areas, the center includes exhibits and rehabilitation spaces for birds of prey and other native animals.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
These four destinations show how varied Georgia’s outdoor environments can be within a relatively short drive of metro Atlanta. Providence Canyon offers unexpected desert-like geology, Tallulah Gorge shows dramatic river-carved cliffs, Smithgall Woods preserves a quiet mountain stream ecosystem, and the Chattahoochee Nature Center connects river and wetland habitats close to the city.
Each place is different in scale and setting, but all of them stand out for how unusual they feel compared to what most people expect to find here in the Peach State.
May Georgia never stop surprising us.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
Duke's Creek
i a n t H e
l t h K i t c h e n L i f e i s B u s y . T i m e i s P r e c i o u s .
L e t u s d o t h e c o o k i n g !
W h a t d o p a r e n t s w a n t m o s t ? A b r e a k f r o m d a i l y c h o r e s !
A
Local’s Guide from Two People Who Know It Best
EXPLORING DECATUR:
Chad and Christina Carter know Decatur the way only a certain kind of person can — not just as residents, but as the people who spend their days moving through its neighborhoods, walking its streets, and helping families find their place within it. Since arriving in 2011, the husband-and-wife real estate team has become one of the most active and recognizable names in City of Decatur real estate, completing 42 transactions last year alone at a time when many agents closed just two or three. But spend any time with them and it becomes clear quickly: The work is almost secondary to the love of the place itself.
“We genuinely can’t imagine being anywhere else,” Christina says. “Decatur has this quality of life and sense of community that’s hard to put into words. And because of what we do, we get to experience it from so many different angles.”
ARTICLE BY KATY MALLORY PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALBRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
That perspective has been hard-earned. Christina spent nearly two decades as an engineer — she attended Georgia Tech and managed large-scale airport construction projects before transitioning to real estate, where she now brings the same precision and analytical rigor to market data and client strategy. Chad’s path was equally unlikely: He studied physical therapy and built a career in healthcare before discovering that real estate offered something his earlier work didn’t — the chance to be deeply embedded in a community over
Chad & Christina Carter at Casa Balam in Downtown Decatur
Oakhurst Market 650 East Lake Dr.
Photo Credit: Kelley Klein
time. Together, they’ve built a business that reflects both of their instincts: data-driven and detail-oriented, but also genuinely warm and relationship-focused.
“Christina brings the precision and the data — she’s the reason our clients are always well-prepared,” Chad says. “I tend to live in the big picture and thrive in managing sticky situations such as negotiations. It’s a balance that works.”
Part of what makes the Carters distinctive is the breadth of what they offer clients beyond the transaction itself. They regularly advise homeowners on whether to renovate or move, walking through realistic ROI projections for common improvements and helping sellers understand what their home is actually worth in the current market. They can point you toward a trusted
closing attorney, a mortgage partner, a contractor — the kind of referral network that only comes from years of deep community involvement. It’s a holistic approach that has earned them a loyal client base and a reputation that speaks for itself.
EXPLORING LIKE A LOCAL
For two busy parents of three kids — Christian, Chloe, and Chase — exploring Decatur isn’t always a leisurely affair. The Carters have learned to be intentional about it: a few appetizers and a cocktail instead of a full dinner, a quick coffee between appointments, a live music night to mark a milestone. “You find ways to sneak it in,” Christina says. “And honestly, some of our favorite moments have been the spontaneous ones.”
Fork & Vine Social 910 W College Ave.
Small plates at Casa Balam 201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
Smoked Old Fashioned, Fork & Vine Social
One of those spontaneous rituals belongs to their youngest. Chase, a rising fifth grader, sometimes stops by Oakhurst Market for snacks with friends on his walk home from elementary school — a small, ordinary moment that Chad mentions with obvious pride. “He can walk home from school with pals. It’s so great and so cool.” Chad says. “Shout out to our crossing guards!” It’s the kind of detail that says something larger about why the Carters have stayed and built their life here.
For a proper sit-down, Casa Balam has become a favorite. The relatively new Mexican restaurant brings bold, authentic flavors and a cocktail program worth lingering for. Chad and Christina reach for The Bee Word and Balam Margarita, respectively; on the food side, the Empanadas de Birria and the Camote (sweet potatoes) dulce are non-negotiables. “The ambiance and the service are incredibly welcoming and relaxing, which we value after a busy day of coordinating logistics for clients and family,” Christina shared.
Fork and Vine Social, which opened earlier this year, has quickly earned a spot in the rotation. The vibe is approachable but considered, and the menu delivers. The crab cakes, fungi burger, and hearts of palm salad are among the Carters’ go-to orders, and the Smoked Old Fashioned and Social Heat cocktails have made this spot an easy choice for a weeknight wind-down or a low-key client dinner. “It’s the kind of place Decatur does really well,” Chad says. “Neighborhood feel, but the food and drinks are serious.”
For coffee, Foxtail — another newcomer this year — has already become part of the routine. Chad is partial to the iced matcha latte. “It’s almost become a problem,” he jokes.
When the occasion calls for something more celebratory, Roaring Social delivers. Live music, bowling, karaoke, great vibes — it’s the kind of place that works for a birthday, a team outing, or a KW Cares fundraiser, which the Carters regularly participate in. And for live music with genuine soul, Eddie’s Attic remains a long-standing favorite. Chad and Christina sponsored a Compassionate Atlanta event there recently, the kind of community investment that reflects how they think about their role in Decatur — not just as business owners, but as neighbors.
“We care about this city and this community,” Christina says simply. “That’s not a marketing line. It’s just true.”
Chad & Christina Carter Real Estate: www.ChadChristinaRealEstate.com
Foxtail Coffee | 101 W. Ponce de Leon Ave, Suite #110
The Carters’ Keller Williams colleagues Marcus Howell and Manny Recinos sing karaoke with a live band at a benefit event at Roaring Social (101 W. Ponce de Leon
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
WHERE THE PACIFIC NEVER ENDS
INSIDE MEXICO’S MOST EXTRAORDINARY LUXURY ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT EXPERIENCE.
ARTICLE BY SEAN O’KEEFE
Perched on the northern rim of Banderas Bay, where the Sierra Madre Mountains rise in quiet majesty behind a coastline of endless, untamed beaches, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit doesn't simply sit beside the sea — it surrenders to it. Endless beach stretches in both directions from the heart of the property, as if the resort was placed precisely where the Pacific Ocean
Panoramic View of Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
decided to stop for a margarita. Cradled by some of Riviera Nayarit's most breathtaking natural beauty, Grand Velas is one of Mexico's most extraordinary all-inclusive resorts, where an approach to hospitality unlike anything else in the world arrives softly — full of grace, free of pretense, and unmistakably its own.
The open-air lobby features one of the tallest and most iconic thatchedroof palapa structures in the destination. Standing several stories high, this massive, intricately woven palm structure is the crown jewel of the resort's entrance. Your concierge appears — unhurried and warm — with a cool towel, a welcome drink, a gentle massage, and the quiet confidence of someone who already knows what you need. This is how Grand Velas begins. Not with a check-in. With a warm, kind-hearted welcome.
No one does luxury all-inclusive better than Grand Velas. It starts and ends with the perfection one would expect from one of Mexico's finest culinary and wellness experiences. Begin every morning with a walk along the beach,
where schools of fish, migrating whales, Sandpipers, Pelicans, and Frigatebirds await to entertain. Notice everything — no two steps are ever the same. It is a completely life-changing experience.
After the beach, head directly to the SE Spa, a Forbes Five Star luxury spa, for one of over 30 holistic treatments on offer. Do not miss the SE Spa Water Journey — a perfect addition to an afternoon of being beautifully pampered.
Whether it's cocktails and light bites at the Aqua Bar, lunch at Azul, or an incredible dinner at either Lucca or Piaf, every detail has been carefully considered to deliver delicious food and extraordinary cocktails. Each experience is better than the last — trust us, try them all.
Presidential Suite
Lobby area
ARTICLE BY DECATUR CITY LIFESTYLE
Explore Avondale Estates
THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO JUST NEXT DOOR!
Arepa Mia
Arepa Mia serves unforgettable Venezuelan cuisine in Avondale Estates, offering naturally gluten-free arepas, bold flavors, and a welcoming covered patio, making it a favorite for casual dining, gatherings, and cultural food experiences year-round.
Avondale Estates Farmers Market
Avondale Estates Farmers Market is a beloved Sunday tradition, featuring local produce, artisan goods, baked treats, and community vendors, creating a lively weekly gathering spot that celebrates regional farmers, makers, and neighbors each Sunday together.
Banjo Coffee’s soon-to-be-expanded Avondale Estates location offers more seating, a bright modern space, and expertly crafted coffee drinks, making it a welcoming neighborhood hub for remote work, casual meetings, and relaxed morning routines every day.
Billy’s Sandwiches Avondale
Billy’s Sandwiches is a local Avondale Estates favorite inspired by the town’s Shakespeare-inspired history, serving creative sandwiches, fresh ingredients, and a welcoming atmosphere that celebrates community pride and neighborhood storytelling through food every single day.
The Book Bird
The Book Bird, now in its new Avondale Estates location in the Dale, is a thoughtfully curated independent bookstore offering community events, children’s programs, and a cozy space for readers to discover new beloved titles.
Banjo Coffee
Galette
Galette on the main Avondale Estates strip is a beloved bakery and café known for French-inspired pastries, seasonal menus, and inviting ambiance, making it a neighborhood favorite for breakfast, lunch, and a relaxed afternoon gathering spot.
Garage Door Studio
Garage Door Studio is Avondale Estates’ ultimate gift shop, showcasing curated home goods, artisan crafts, and unique local finds, offering a charming shopping experience where visitors can discover thoughtful gifts and support independent makers daily.
Olive + Pine Market
Olive + Pine Market is a unique Avondale Estates destination featuring a curated collection of small businesses, including Leftie Lees, Commune, Enzos, and Wonderful World Coffee & Tea, offering a diverse shopping and community-driven experiences hub.
Cremalosa
Cremalosa, now open in its new Avondale Estates location in the Dale, brings artisan gelato, pastries, and Italian-inspired desserts, creating a welcoming neighborhood café perfect for lingering, celebrating, and enjoying handcrafted sweet treats every day.
The Town Green
The Town Green in Avondale Estates is a charming outdoor gathering space featuring a vibrant playground, open green lawns, a versatile pavilion, and a performance stage, hosting community events, concerts, and family-friendly activities year-round.
Building a Legacy
The Face of Legacy Park, Dorsey Nobles on leadership, growth, and serving Decatur with intention.
Dorsey Nobles shares how mentorship, service, and a deep commitment to the Decatur community have shaped his leadership journey. In this Q&A, he reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave behind and offers advice for young men striving to lead with purpose and impact.
When you think about the long-term impact of your leadership, what kind of legacy do you hope to leave?
I genuinely care about people and want to help others as much as I can. I’ve been fortunate to experience strong leadership firsthand, and I’ve learned a great deal from mentors who have guided me along the way. Because of that, I strive to lead with purpose and intention. In the long term, I hope people will remember me as someone who made a positive difference in their lives and in the community.
For young men who want to lead with purpose, what is one piece of advice you wish you had received earlier, and how can they begin putting it into practice today?
One piece of advice I wish I had received earlier is to follow your calling and truly stay committed to it. Leading with
purpose starts with caring for others and being willing to serve. When you focus on supporting and uplifting the people around you, your leadership becomes more meaningful and impactful.
Can you share a defining moment or early experience that sparked your commitment to leadership?
A defining moment in my leadership journey came when I became involved with the City of Decatur. That experience helped shape my perspective and strengthened my desire to make a difference. I feel like my work is not finished, and I remain motivated to continue growing and making a lasting impact both personally and professionally.
What is it about the Decatur community that motivates you to invest your time and energy beyond your professional responsibilities?
Decatur has been an important part of my life for nearly five years. During that time, I’ve seen a lot of growth and change within the community. Through it all, my commitment to helping others has remained constant. I am driven to invest my time and energy into making a positive difference wherever I can.
